The Fairmont Empress Hotel will close for 87 days between Jan. 3 and April 1 for major mechanical improvements.
The landmark hotel said Monday the nature of the work requires the hotel to be completely shut down because there will be periods of time when the building will be without heat or hot water.
The $3-million improvement project aims to make the building more energy efficient. It includes the replacement of the steam heating system with a more efficient hydronic heating system, replacement of two 1960s-era steam boilers with three high efficiency hot water boilers, and upgrades to the hotel鈥檚 building automation system.
The decision was made by owners Nat and Flora Bosa and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to utilize the slower travel season to complete the work. The hotel noted the months of January, February and March are in the shoulder season and there is limited tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hotel will close on Jan. 3 following the Christmas at the Empress program, which runs Nov. 19 to Jan. 2.
