10-storey hotel to be P.E.I.'s tallest building

The City of Charlottetown gave initial approval Monday to what would be the tallest building in P.E.I.

Homburg Properties, owner of the Confederation Court Mall, wants to build a hotel on top of it. With 82 rooms and 10 storeys, the hotel would rise 38.7 metres, making it 2.1 metres taller than the current city record holder, the Delta Prince Edward on the waterfront.

The city's planning rules say new buildings can't be taller than 12 metres unless council makes an exception, which it did at its meeting Monday night by a vote of 9-0.

"It's going to dominate the skyline in the downtown and on the other hand you know it's going to bring people into the downtown. It's a hotel for the downtown," said planning committee chair Coun. Kim Devine.

"It's going to be connected to the mall. I would think that their plans are to revitalize the mall."

Mayor Clifford Lee said he doesn't see this project interfering with the overall look and feel of the city.

"We can attract these types of developments and still retain the character of the birthplace of Confederation. Heritage doesn't necessarily mean you stop development," said Lee.

Homburg still needs to have its architectural plans and parking approved by the city before it can begin. Construction is expected to take between a year and 18 months to complete.