Heritage often ends up as a plaque. Calgary took a hotel apart and built it again.
The King Edward Hotel dates to 1905. The National Music Centre acquired it in 2008, and from 2013 the building was reconstructed as part of the Studio Bell project, with the goal of returning it to its 1905 glory. Studio Bell puts it plainly: brick by brick.
Every brick had a number
Canada’s History describes how each brick was cleaned, numbered and stored so the building could go back together to its 1905 specifications. Sandstone windowsills, cornices and the neon sword sign were kept too.
That is a lot of patience for one old hotel, and we love the city for it.
The neon sign went back up in October 2015. Studio Bell opened on Canada Day in 2016, and the same history calls the old hotel the largest artifact in its collection. Think about that for a second. A whole building, filed under collection.
Studio Bell itself has five exhibition floors, a 300-seat performance venue, a radio station and recording studios, according to Canada’s History. The King Eddy gets to be the old soul in the middle of all that.
It works for a living again
In July 2018 the King Eddy reopened to the public as a restaurant, bar and live-music venue. Acts of every genre play there now.
Canada’s History also notes that the King Eddy became a popular stop during Stampede. Of course it did. A rebuilt blues room with a neon sword out front is easy to fall for.
Studio Bell calls it a cornerstone of music, community and culture for over a century. After the rebuild, it can say that with a straight face.
A building this carefully rebuilt deserves a night out. Walk over to East Village, find the neon sword and go in.
For a different angle, read The King Eddy Got a Second Act and Nailed It. Mahler, a sprinkler leak and a very Calgary opening night is good too. Or try Calgary heard its first public radio in a movie theatre for a change of pace.
Keep going with The year Joni Mitchell spent in Calgary before she took off and Fay Wray, the Cardston kid who screamed for King Kong.
Quick answers
The National Music Centre acquired the King Edward Hotel in 2008, and from 2013 the building was reconstructed as part of the Studio Bell project. Canada’s History says each brick was cleaned, numbered and stored so the building could go back together to its 1905 specifications.
Sandstone windowsills, cornices and the neon sword sign were kept too. The neon sign went back up in October 2015, and Studio Bell opened on Canada Day in 2016. The same history calls the old hotel the largest artifact in its collection.
Yes. The King Eddy is now a restaurant, bar and live music venue in East Village, and acts of every genre play there. Canada’s History also notes that the King Eddy became a popular stop during Stampede, so it makes an easy night out.
