With two standout restaurants — The Wilde on 27 and Bow & Bend — redefining the downtown dining experience, the PBA Group of Companies is also making its mark on Calgary’s hospitality sector through the expansion of its hotel portfolio, including the dual-branded Dorian Autograph Collection and Courtyard by Marriott, and the newly opened Element by Westin Calgary Downtown.
Ian Jones, Area General Manager for the three properties, said the company is creating not just hotel rooms but experiences that reflect Calgary’s growth and evolving cultural identity.
The Dorian, located in a 27-storey tower, is unique in its dual-brand concept. “The top 12 floors are part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, which is a luxury brand, and the bottom 12 floors are the Courtyard by Marriott,” Jones explained. “The top floors offer 137 rooms, while the bottom section has 169 rooms.”
The building operates with two separate entrances and front desks, providing tailored service for each brand.
Just four blocks away, the Element by Westin opened in June. “The Element is our newest addition, and it’s exciting to see the early success there,” said Jones.
Legacy and Diversification in Calgary’s Core
Jones described how the PBA Group of Companies’ move into hospitality builds on its six-decade legacy. “PBA is about to celebrate its 60th anniversary,” he said. “Patricia Phillips, our current CEO, took over the company after her father passed away. He initially focused on commercial real estate and acquired a significant amount of land in Calgary.”
Among those assets was a downtown parking lot purchased in the mid-1980s, which became the site of The Dorian. “The Dorian is not just a hotel; it’s a tribute to Patricia’s father,” said Jones. He described personal design details throughout the hotel — such as curtain patterns and room décor — that reference the late founder’s style and story.
“In every guest room, there’s a mannequin form, a nod to how her father had all his jackets made on Savile Row in the UK,” Jones noted. “The hotel’s name comes from his favourite book, The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde. It’s a beautiful way to bring family history into the hotel’s design.”
Downtown Demand and City Growth
Calgary is seeing rising demand for hotel accommodations, driven by infrastructure growth and a surging visitor economy. “During the Rotary Convention in June, hotels were full as far as Red Deer. We just didn’t have enough capacity for the 18,000 international travellers attending,” Jones said.
“Calgary offers arts, culture, employment opportunities, and incredible outdoor experiences,” he added. “It’s no surprise that so many people are moving here from Toronto and Vancouver.”
Projects like the expanded BMO Centre and the new Event Centre are expected to continue attracting major events and tourism. “We’re kind of an undersupplied hotel market, but the demand is growing,” said Jones.
Elevating Calgary’s Culinary Scene
Central to the PBA Group’s downtown offerings are its two signature restaurants: The Wilde on 27, located atop the Dorian, and Bow & Bend, atop the Element by Westin.
“Wilde on 27 is a striking, cosmopolitan dining experience with incredible downtown views from the 27th floor,” said Jones. “I would say it’s Calgary’s closest restaurant to a Michelin-star experience.”
That calibre of service helped the Dorian earn the Michelin One Key Award, a new hotel recognition launched in Canada in 2024. “I believe Wilde on 27 is what caught the attention of Michelin’s team when they visited Calgary,” Jones said.
Meanwhile, Bow & Bend is making its own name at the Element. “It’s an extension of our commitment to great hospitality,” said Jones. “It offers a unique dining experience with a focus on local ingredients and has quickly become a favourite with both guests and locals.”
Jones emphasized that the restaurants are designed not just as hotel amenities but as culinary destinations in their own right. “We’re proud of what both Wilde on 27 and Bow & Bend bring to the downtown dining scene,” he said.
Beyond Calgary’s Core
The PBA Group of Companies is also looking beyond downtown for future hospitality investments. “They’re looking at purchasing a group of select-service hotels in secondary markets like Red Deer,” said Jones.
He explained that smaller properties with fewer amenities can yield strong returns. “When you’re managing a select-service hotel that doesn’t have three restaurants, your cost base is much lower, so your profitability is much higher,” he said.
Jones believes the success of The Dorian and the Element has solidified hospitality as a viable and growing segment for the company. “They’ve really been awakened to the hotel business, and they’ll continue to expand and increase their portfolio.”
Dorian & Courtyard by Marriott
● The Dorian, Autograph Collection, sister to the Courtyard by Marriott Calgary Downtown, is a distinctive lifestyle hotel set in Calgary’s bustling downtown core;
- Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, it blends modern comfort with British whimsy and local charm, creating a destination with soul and style.
- Developed by PBA Group of Companies, a proudly women-owned and led Calgary-based real estate company with nearly six decades of history, The Dorian reflects PBA’s vision of inspiring discovery, fostering connection, and contributing to the vitality of the city.
● Date Opened: July 21, 2022
● Number of Rooms: 308 rooms, with 133 Autograph Collection rooms and 175 Courtyard by Marriott rooms
The Wilde on 27
● Perched atop The Dorian hotel on the 27th floor, The Wilde on 27 offers a chic, fine dining experience that mirrors the bold spirit of Oscar Wilde. The space features an electrifying gold-accented bar with velvety white bar stools and pastel pink lounge chairs, leading into a glass-enclosed rooftop patio with sweeping views of Calgary’s downtown skyline. A crisp, white-on-white dining room completes the atmosphere, striking a balance between elegance and playfulness. As the hotel’s signature dining destination, The Wilde on 27 is designed for vibrant evenings, from handcrafted cocktails to refined dinners, set against one of the most captivating backdrops in the city.
● Date Opened: July 21, 2022
● Can seat 100
The Element Hotel Downtown Calgary
● Element Calgary Downtown is a striking example of innovation and revitalization, transforming a once-vacant office tower into a vibrant hospitality destination. The eco-conscious hotel reimagines 170,000 square feet of former office space into a lively hub for travellers and locals. The project represents Calgary’s first office-to-hotel conversion, breathing new life into the downtown core while setting a precedent for future-forward urban development.
● Date Opened: June 19, 2025
● Number of Rooms: 226 rooms
Bow & Bend Rooftop
● Bow & Bend Rooftop Bar & Lounge, located on the top floor of the Element Calgary Downtown, brings a fresh perspective to Calgary’s dining scene. With panoramic views stretching across the Bow River, Kensington, and west to the Rocky Mountains, the 12th-floor venue offers one of the city’s most unexpected and spectacular vantage points. Designed as both a welcoming neighbourhood spot and a destination for visitors, Bow & Bend balances relaxed comfort with elevated style. Expansive picture windows and a spacious patio create a light-filled, airy setting that encourages guests to linger over cocktails or gather for memorable local bites.
● Date Opened: June, 26 2025
● Can seat 210
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