Historic hotel will be torn down for ‘iconic’ 58-storey development in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls council officially approved a proposed hotel that will boast two 58-storey towers and take over the site of an existing hotel in the city’s tourist district. 

The new hotel will be built on the site of the existing Oakes Hotel, the closest hotel to Horseshoe Falls and one that has existed in some capacity since 1797. 

According to Niacon, a construction company that has worked on the Oakes Hotel, the hotel was initially called the Niagara Hotel after it was completed in the late 18th century. It burned down and was reconstructed as the Pavilion Hotel and operated under that name for several decades before it was eventually torn down and rebuilt again, reopening in 2005. 

At an Oct. 1 meeting, council voted in favour of the Oakes Hotel redevelopment project, a “truly iconic” hotel proposed by Hennepin Realty Holdings Inc. and Hennepin’s View Inc. that will see the construction of a massive hotel with two 58-storey towers, a seven-storey podium, a six-storey parking garage and commercial space. 

While city staff said they could not immediately confirm if the hotel will be the tallest in Canada once completed, they did confirm it would be taller than the existing Hilton Niagara Falls, which was the tallest hotel when it was first built in the 1990s. 

Videos

The property could reach a maximum of 60 storeys to accommodate roof features and will boast 1,140 hotel suites and 126 dwelling units, along with multi-purpose space and various amenities. 

The property will be built on two parcels of land located at 6546 Fallsview Blvd. and 6503-6519 Stanley Ave. 

The Oakes Hotel will not be the only property affected by construction. According to a city staff report, the Frontier BBQ and Smokehouse restaurant at 6519 Stanley Ave. would also have to be demolished to construct the parking garage and a hotel guest terminal for off-site parking. 

At the meeting, a developer representative said that once the hotel is complete, the project could create up to 2,000 full-time and 500 part-time jobs. 

At the meeting, concerns were raised about what might happen to ensure the project is not left incomplete. 

The current Oakes Hotel, from Instagram

“One question I got from residents is…this is a very large-sized development and we actually have [the Oakes Hotel] in that place right now,” Coun. Mona Patel asked city staff.

“That hotel would have to be demolished in order for this building to go ahead. So how do we make sure as a city that that demolition happens 100 per cent and the building gets built 100 per cent?”

Staff told Patel that there are checks and balances in place to ensure the developer proceeds with the project, adding that there’s a sunset clause in place that requires a site plan agreement or receipt for a draft plan of condominium approval within four years, with a two-year extension possible if needed. 

“We do understand that hotel units take a little longer to go through the approval process, so we do have that fail-safe in place,” a city staff member told Patel. 

“They won’t apply for a demolition permit until they’re ready for construction.” 

A local resident also raised concerns about the project, asking council what they’ll do in the event they approve a development that ultimately never takes shape. 

“I have nothing against the developers…but this city has a problem with having skyscrapers completed,” the resident said. 

“Are you making a mistake by approving this because I get the impression that a lot of developers can’t afford to build a 60-storey building?” 

Rocky Vacca, who made a presentation on behalf of the developer, said the company has a proven track record, having built a 51-storey and 33-storey hotel in the city.

“They want to build two 58-storey towers and they will build two 58-storey towers,” he told council. 

After a presentation about the development, councillors praised the project and spoke fondly about the Oakes Hotel it will replace. 

“It’s going to be a game changer for our city…when it’s built. It will be a game-changer for the tourist industry and for our skyline. It’s going to change our city for good,” Patel said.

“I believe everyone in the council chambers has been to the Oakes [hotel] and everyone has some connection to Oakes Inn. They were a great family and great community supporters. I know it’s sad to see the old building go, but this is how we move forward and it looks beautiful.”

Coun. Mike Strange echoed Patel’s sentiments, adding that he hoped the hotel site’s rich history could be honoured.

“There’s a lot of history here, and I think whatever happens…you look at it and it’s going to be iconic. You’ve got these twin towers looking over the falls, and that’s probably the best view of the falls you can possibly have,” he said. 

“When we build this, I hope we memorialize the past owners and the owners up to that point. The history goes back to the 1700s, it’s monumental but I think it’s going to be amazing.”

Council approved the application unanimously, with Mayor Jim Diodati also praising the project as “the nicest, newest jewel in the crown of Niagara Falls.”