The $21-million project includes a 6-storey hotel with 125 guest rooms, restaurant with an outdoor patio, indoor pool and fitness facilities, as well as a conference centre that will accommodate approximately 300 persons. The development also includes both surface and underground parking, with the underground parking garage connected to both the hotel and conference centre.
The City of Oshawa and developer Abdul Rehman are pleased to announce that a Holiday Inn Express hotel and conference centre will be coming to downtown Oshawa. The new hotel and conference centre will be located on the corner of Simcoe Street North and Richmond Street East (Queen’s Market Square). The development will replace a municipal parking lot.
“On behalf of my colleagues on Council, City staff and the residents of Oshawa, it is my pleasure to welcome Abdul Rehman and his family to Oshawa. This project represents yet another investment in our downtown recognizing Oshawa is definitely open for business and the place to be,” said Mayor John Henry.
“My family and I are very thankful for this wonderful opportunity and are proud to be contributing to the economic growth in the great City of Oshawa. A special thank you goes out to the City of Oshawa and those who have welcomed us into the community and we look forward to many years of continued success together,” said Mr. Abdul Rehman, President, Chayell Hospitality Group.
Preliminary concept designs for the project have been approved by Council and geotechnical and soil investigations for the site have been completed. Mr. Rehman will be completing his construction drawings over the summer and intends to start construction as early as fall 2013. The new hotel and conference centre is expected to be completed by December 2014.
“These are exciting times for Oshawa and especially downtown Oshawa. We welcome Holiday Inn Express to our downtown,” said Councillor John Aker, Chair of the Development Services Committee. “Development Services will have future positive announcements concerning our downtown.”
Over the past several years, ongoing investments and developments have transformed downtown Oshawa into a vibrant business and entertainment/cultural centre. Since the opening of the General Motors Centre in 2006, downtown Oshawa has welcomed many new restaurants as well as businesses, including Costco and the Durham Consolidated Courthouse. The downtown is also home to street-level television studios, five university buildings (including the historic Regent Theatre), trendy cafés and shops, and over 50 restaurants.
The new development is in keeping with the City’s new Oshawa Strategic Plan, Creating Our Sustainable Tomorrow. The hotel and conference centre will support business, education and healthcare, as well as the City’s numerous cultural, sporting and entertainment facilities and events, by providing high quality accommodations and meeting facilities.
