Project Page

By 1906, plans were advanced for a complete overhaul of the Banff Springs, replacing much of the original structure. Walter Painter, chief architect for the Canadian Pacific, designed an eleven-storey central tower in concrete and stone, flanked by two wings. The so-called "Painter Tower", this time correctly oriented to the view, was completed in 1914 at a cost of $2 million with 300 guest rooms, was for a time the tallest building in Canada. Construction of the new wings was delayed by World War I, and the surviving Price wings continued in service. Two new wings, this time designed by architect J.W. Orrock, opened in 1928. Orrock, using the style originated by Painter, greatly expanded the Painter Tower, altering its roofline, and adding his own massive additions. In 1926, while work was proceeding on the new wings, a fire destroyed the remainder of the original Price hotel.