1912 – Prince Edward Hotel, Brandon, Manitoba

This former railway hotel was an imposing six-storey structure of limestone and imported brick, constructed in 1912 for an estimated half million dollars. It stood beside the main depot of the Canadian Northern Railway. The interior of the luxury hotel incorporated a rotunda, dining room, drawing room, writing room, billiards room, and bar. The upper floors boasted over one hundred guest rooms, with the top floor being reserved for servants’ quarters. The hotel also housed a barbershop, newsstand, telegraph and telephone offices, and bake shop.

For many years, the Prince Edward Hotel enjoyed great success; however, financial problems eventually arose that led to the hotel’s demise. The hotel closed on 29 January 1975, after a period of decline caused by dated interiors and changing preferences of the travelling public. After four years and a great deal of debate, the city demolished the vacant hotel in early 1980.

“The new C.N.R. hotel at Brandon, Man., is to have a frontage on Princess street of 120 feet by 100 feet on Ninth avenue. South of the hotel and adjoining it will be a station, 190 feet long by 36 feet wide, two storeys and basement. The station will be built of stone and brick in classical style. Provision is made on the ground floor for large general waiting rooms, ladies’ waiting room, ticket lobby, express office, telegraph office and express and baggage room. The first floor will contain the general staff offices. These are reached from a separate entrance on Ninth avenue. Passing through the station the concourse is reached, with three stub end tracks for passenger service. The concourse extends to the rear of the hotel with an entrance into the main rotunda.

The hotel will be 90 feet high, seven storeys and basement. In the basement will be located the billiard room, barber shop, public baths, lavatories, store rooms and machinery room. Provision is also made for a future grill room and cafe. On the ground floor adjoining the station, is the barroom, which will be finished in fumed oak with red tile floors. The rotunda occupies all of the corner of the hotel and fronts on the two streets. It will be 76 feet x 62 feet and in it will be located the office, manager’s office, check room and news stand. To the west of it is the dining room, 39 x 63 feet, which will be panelled in mahogany. This room is free from columns so as to give an unobstructed floor for assemblies. To the rear of the dining room is the kitchen, about 35 x 39 feet, pantries, etc. The drawing room on the first floor is 32 x 48 feet. Off this is a writing room. The bedrooms are arranged both single and ensuite, about half of them being the latter, and supplied with bathrooms. On the top floor are the servants’ quarters and ten large sample rooms. The latter will be well lighted and ventilated. Two elevators are provided in the building for passenger service and one for handling freight.”
Engineering and Contract Record, August 27 1910

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