A Peek Inside Moncton’s New Canvas Hotel
MONCTON – Canvas Moncton, a boutique hotel that’s part of the eight-storey mixed-use residential building FiveFive Queen in the downtown core, had its grand opening on Wednesday.
It’s the first Hilton Tapestry Collection Hotel in Canada. The collection features upscale, unique hotels across the U.S. that offer an authentic connection to its city.
“It is an upscale, corporate retreat hotel for the most part,” Laci Karklins, the hotel’s sales director, said. “We do cater to families as well. However, with the limited availability of our two-queen bedrooms – we only have 20 out of the 97 – we are definitely targeting a fly-in, fly-out corporate demographic.”
With 97 rooms and suites – 44 with a balcony, as well as 2,900 square feet of meeting space and a terrace, Canvas adds to FiveFive’s offering of luxury condos for purchase and rent, as well as a Gahan House pub and brewery and NB Liquor’s boutique wine store Experience.
The hotel occupies levels one to four of the building, while condominiums are located on levels five to eight. The hotel’s lobby have doors that lead directly into the Gahan House and the wine store.
Canvas opened on Halloween day with espresso bar and cafe Bar55 located on the first floor. Bar55 is owned, managed and staffed by Gahan House owner Murphy Hospitality Group.
Check out what the hotel looks like:
So far, Karklins said bookings have exceeded expectations.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised with the occupancy as well as how frequently our business and events spaces are being booked,” she said. “It was honestly a little shocking because we knew that we were new to the block, a new concept as well to Moncton, but Moncton was ready for it. So, very happy about that.”
The name canvas reflects the hotel’s concept, which incorporates original works from international and local artists.
“We want the space, the hotel itself to be more of an experience-based property, if you will. So a lot of originality, a lot of creativity and art,” Bill Hennessey, president of FiveFive Developments, told Huddle in the lead up to the opening. “We want it to be unique. We like what was happening in Moncton in the art scene…to kind of circle back to the experience side, we wanted a sort of a cool, artistic place when you walk in.”
The work of Dutch muralist and illustrator Eelco Van Den Berg (Eelco) are prominent in the hotel. He had painted a few pieces for Canvas during Festival Inspire this summer, and was commissioned for one of the hotel’s walls. Local artist Katie Doiron’s work also adorn the reception area.
Canvas is owned by 55Opal Developments, Inc., a joint venture between FiveFive Queen Developments and Opal Hospitality, which manages the hotel.
Formed in 2018, Opal Hospitality also own and run the Quality Hotel Harbourview in St. John’s, Newfoundland, which will soon be part of the Doubletree by Hilton brand.
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