Birthday bash for rejuvenated King Edward Hotel

C. Davis modern photos, KBPV archives historical photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

The King Edward Hotel is turning 110, and it hasn't looked this good in decades. Owner David McQuaig has ensured the future of this Pincher Creek landmark by investing heavily in ongoing renovations, the most striking of which is the return of two functioning balconies on the front of the building. Several years ago McQuaig obtained photographs from the archives at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village which served as the template in the effort to bring the front of the property back to its original glory.

Courtesy Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village archives

While the new balconies are the most obvious and dramatic change, extensive renovations to the apartments inside and to Leo's Grill also play a major part in the rejuvenation of the structure. More renovations are planned, including a large banquet space which will occupy a significant portion of the front area of the second floor, leading onto the balcony, which will also be licenced for alcohol.

Hellooo ladies!

"I bought the King Edward here in 2006, and I bought the Alberta (Pincher Creek's oldest hotel) in 2008," explained McQuaig during celebrations held last Saturday June 21. "I knew I was always going to have to replace the balcony when I bought the hotel, and it turned into a much bigger project. It's been a wonderful old building and we're glad to be able to bring it back to where it's at now."

David McQuaig and GM Diane Smyth

The new balconies are a faithful replica of the original ones. "They took them off, and put up a sort of a one and a half balcony, in the '40s or the '50s," McQuaig explained. "Then in the '70s they clad that in metal, thinking that would look good. So I inherited the collapsing metal part when I bought it in 2006."

McQuaig is originally from Calgary but now calls Pincher Creek home. "I love it here. It's a great little town."

I asked him if he had similar plans to renovate the lobby area of the King Edward. "That will come. Right now the big issue was to get this framed up and make the building look good, and the restaurant open. The restaurant has been open for three years now, it's been doing really good but we wanted to have a more appealing entrance to the restaurant, so that was part of the plan."

Entrance to The Grill

"We have actually renovated a lot of the apartments inside. Hopefully starting in the winter we are going to be on the ski program with Castle, so we will be able to offer hotel rooms and ski and stay packages.

Rotary Park performs

The celebrations included a toe-tapping performance from Calgary band Rotary Park (gorgeous harmonies). "They are an awesome bluegrass jazz fusion band and they are just about to leave for their cross-Canada tour right after Stampede. They have a lot of corporate gigs left in Calgary, then they are heading across the country all the way to Nova Scotia and back," explained McQuaig.

As for the vastly improved exterior of the King Edward he said "I hope everyone enjoys the view as much as I do when I come down Main Street. It's a real source of pride."

Indeed it is. Main Street Pincher Creek is on the upswing after a decade or two of deterioration, and the King Edward is now a big bold landmark professing the veracity of that claim.