Former office building across from St. Paul's Hospital converted into boutique hotel

An old office building opposite St. Paul’s Hospital is being converted into a boutique hotel as demand for hotel rooms outstrips supply.

The major renovation of the former medical office building — across Burrard Street from the current location of the hospital — involves gutting ceilings, installing modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and re-doing the plumbing.

“When we look at conversion projects, we need to see if the actual envelope of the project and the ceiling heights can easily adapt to accommodate all the rooms,” said Stephanie Babineau, vice-president of marketing for Wentworth Hospitality Group, which is planning to open the 62-room Arden Hotel early next year. It will include a ground-floor restaurant.

Wentworth already runs the Loden Hotel in downtown