1913 – Château Prince Rupert, British Columbia
One of three hotels designed by R. M. Rattenbury for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway before its financial implosion. Work on the foundations began in late 1913, but halted shortly after and never resumed. Designed in the chateauesque style, but not by their favoured architects Ross & MacFarlane perhaps due to distance from their Montreal base.
“Hotel Prince Rupert is the terminal hotel of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway on the Pacific coast. It is designed along commercial lines to meet the needs of an ever-increasing travelling public. The central block is a ten-storey modern hotel and further accommodation has been provided for in the future by two annexes, six storeys each, which will be connected by corridors with the central building. When completed the Hotel Prince Rupert will have over 600 rooms. The building will be fireproof throughout and equipped with all modern conveniences. All exterior work of the lower storeys will be in terra cotta, the upper storeys will be of facing brick. The plans provide for a lounging room 58 by 62 feet, a palm room 104 by 42 feet, a dining room 104 by 52 feet, and a lobby 52 by 62 feet. In addition there will be numerous drawing rooms, parlors, etc. The hotel is to face the water front and will possess extensive grounds. The estimated cost is one million dollars.”
Engineering and Contract Record, July 30, 1913
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Published May 18, 2026
