Calgary building history: Summit Hotel

bea · #1 Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 4:20 AM**

Does anyone know the history of this building and what in the world is that building behind it?

found here
http://calgarypubliclibrary.com/calg.../com/com84.htm

Doug · #2 Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 4:34 AM**

I believe that is the James Short school. The "cupula" was preserved and moved to Prince's Island Park when the school was demolished for a bus depot in the late 60's. When James Short park/parkade opened in 1990, the cupula was incorporated into the park. I don't know when the Summit Hotel opened, but it was demolished in 1989. All I remember about it is that it had a circular parking ramp in its core.

SubwayRev · #3 Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 2:00 AM**

I believe the hotel was on 4th Avenue and 1st Street SW, West of Sun Life Plaza. And as was said above, the school was moved, the bus depot built and later torn down. That would be across the street, South of Sun Life, where TransCanada is now.

However, I don't know anything about the hotel, other than its' shape.

1ajs · #4 Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 4:45 AM**

wow what a neat building i'd be curious to learn about it also

Distill3d · #5 Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 5:53 AM**

haha! from what i've heard about the Slummit Hotel is there was a bar on the top floor that my mom used to drink at back in the late 70's/early 80's.

Daver · #6 Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 7:02 AM**

Yes, I remember the Summit, later the Sheraton. My dad owned 50% of the Yellow Cab Company in Calgary in those days, (now he has a shoe store in Drumheller)...early 1970's and they had their garage just down the street next to the International hotel. i'll tell you that Calgary in the day was very colorful. Small but interesting. I have many stories to tell about those days.

artvandelay · #7 Posted **Sep 3, 2008, 7:35 AM**

Looks like a mini Capitol Records building, too bad it got torn down.

DizzyEdge · #8 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

International Hotel located at 220 - 4th Avenue SW. The Summit Hotel, built in 1965 and demolished in 1989, was located at 202 - 4th Avenue SW. It was later renamed the Sheraton.

As far as I can tell it's been a parking lot since 1989.

An interested tidbit, to the left of International Hotel where the Amoco centre is now, this house used to be on that corner:

Peter Prince's house (namesake of Prince's Island).
It was moved to Heritage Park.

Calgarian · #9 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:00 PM**

Wow, that must be an old picture, you can see houses in Eau Claire. I don't think the Summit Hotel was anything special.

DizzyEdge · #10 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyc

Wow, that must be an old picture, you can see houses in Eau Claire. I don't think the Summit Hotel was anything special.

Pic is from 1975.

To me I like it because it was.. unique.. vs ...beautiful.

Calgarian · #11 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Pic is from 1975.

To me I like it because it was.. unique.. vs ...beautiful.

I am an advocate of unique buildings so if it were still here I would want it saved, but I don't really think it is a big tragedy that it is gone. So the French Maid / Don Quijotes building is only about 30 years old, I figured it was much older.

DizzyEdge · #12 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyc

I am an advocate of unique buildings so if it were still here I would want it saved, but I don't really think it is a big tragedy that it is gone. So the French Maid / Don Quijotes building is only about 30 years old, I figured it was much older.

I agree in the sense I'd prefer if it was still there vs a parking lot, but I don't lose any sleep over it.

DizzyEdge · #13 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:41 PM**

Oh yeah btw, all pics Glenbow, myself, or the last one is from "McMahon" on calgaryheritage.org

Calgarian · #14 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 10:58 PM**

Thanks for all the pics and info Dizzy, on here and in the Calgary thread.

DizzyEdge · #15 Posted **Sep 4, 2008, 11:12 PM**

No problem... one thing I'll mention is I kinda have dreams about moving that Prince house back..sorta

Jimby · #16 Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 1:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyc

I am an advocate of unique buildings so if it were still here I would want it saved, but I don't really think it is a big tragedy that it is gone. So the French Maid / Don Quijotes building is only about 30 years old, I figured it was much older.

The French Maid is at 2 Street, so it is in the next block west from this picture.

Calgarian · #17 Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingforthecity

The French Maid is at 2 Street, so it is in the next block west from this picture.

Oh yeah, that would be where Livingston is now.

mersar · #18 Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 3:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnyc

Oh yeah, that would be where Livingston is now.

The south side of 4th is where that was, the block between Livingston and 5th Avenue Place. The International Hotel is still there, and the Summit was on the parking lot thats on the east end of the block.

Calgarian · #19 Posted **Sep 5, 2008, 3:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

The south side of 4th is where that was, the block between Livingston and 5th Avenue Place. The International Hotel is still there, and the Summit was on the parking lot thats on the east end of the block.

No, I meant the block I thought was where the maid is now.