The MacDonald is a "Grand" Hotel, Built in 1912, in the City of Edmonton, Alberta, by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.

The hotel has successively been owned by Canadian National Railway, Canadian Pacific Hotels, and Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Situated high on the bank overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley. The building is faced with limestone and roofed with copper. Construction and furnishings cost of about $2,250,000 (over $44 million today)The characteristic Château style, an adaptation of French 16th Century castles, was first brought to Canada in 1892.

This historical hotel is full of character and claimed, by some, to be the only 4 or 5 diamond hotel in Edmonton Alberta. It is conveniently located in the centre of Edmonton; and, being situated on the river bank, the elegantly appointed rooms offer fantastic views of either the North Saskatchewan River valley, or both downtown and south Edmonton.

History

Prior to the construction of the Hotel MacDonald, the area, (east of 100^th street, west of 96^th street) was home to several squatters' camps. The squatters often lived in tents or in small caves dug into the side of the river valley wall (the largest; just east of 97 street ran, for a considerable distance, under Jasper avenue) where some remain to this very day. Many of the squatters were Ukrainian-speaking immigrants from the Austro-Hungarian province of Galicia. The locals nicknamed the area (not one particular site) the "Galician Hotel".

Ross and MacDonald, in conjunction with GIRVAN STUDIOS, described as "the renowned interior and finishing firm of the era" Girvan studios /Townley and Matheson later located in Dairiada or Girvan House the same architectural and interior finishing firms that designed many of Canada's other landmark buildings, hotels,  and theatres, designed the hotel in the Château-style that characterized Canada's other large railway hotels. Construction completed July 5, 1915, and the structure was named after Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. Standing high on the bank overlooking, what is now, one of, the largest, urban, parkways in North America, the North Saskatchewan River Valley(the park way from Stanley Park to Wreck Beach, Vancouver BC, is larger), the Hotel MacDonald has a garden in the rear of the building where the queen of England (Queen Mother) was once offered “the moon”, on a silver tray.

Over the years, 'The Mac' has proudly hosted visitors from all walks of life, including the many American soldiers stationed here during World War II. The royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) in 1939 caused throngs of well-wishers to gather below the main balcony in hopes of a glance (and creating Edmonton's first traffic jam).

Along with the Palliser Hotel in Calgary, it was one of the first two establishments to be re-issued with a liquor licence by the Alberta Liquor Control Board when the province repealed Prohibition in 1924.

In 1953, in order to cash in on the booming beer trade; and, also to keep up with the rising demand for hotel accommodation in the city; the owners constructed a 300-bedroom, 16-storey, remarkably blank, and  nondescript, addition. However, this addition soon proved to be a detriment, rather than (except for the larger kitchen facilities) an asset. It looked, and  or so many patrons claimed, felt, cheap. This, along with the fact that the beer parlour, which had one entrance facing onto Jasper avenue and was the very first to open in the city core; gave the hotel somewhat of a not quite up to par“skid row” status. Many patrons also connected the hotel with some of the more unsavoury enterprises conducted out of the Mandarin Gardens Restaurant (located directly across, on the north side of Jasper Avenue).
The kitchen gained a reputation for being filthy dirty.
Together the hotel and the addition were soon dubbed "The Mac, and, the box it came in”.
Local gossip had it that the “box” was situated on an old mine shaft or tunnel (room style, no timbering, coal removal) that had never collapsed or been properly filled in.

The hotel continued to fall into disrepute, and, into disrepair until it closed in 1983. In the then typical Edmonton Heritage Council  way of thinking -all older land marks had to be defaced, modernised or demolished and replaced with something "Mod" as always, there was serious talk of demolition.

Thankfully- at some threat of being tarred and feathered-the City of Edmonton, finally, managed to do one thing right; and, designated the building as a Municipal Heritage Resource, on January 08, 1985, (thereby saving it from the usual wrecking ball!). 
The Mac” was the first building, in Edmonton, to receive such INSPIRED consideration AND this “special” designation.

Five areas were, specifically, included in the designation; they are: the building exterior, (much of the stone work, especially the main entrance, done by my grandfather), the Confederation Lounge, the Lobby, the Wedgwood Room (Uncle John Girvan’s work), and the Empire Ballroom.

Canadian Pacific (CP) Hotels purchased the hotel in 1988, began a restoration campaign that included (thankfully) demolishing the 1953 addition. The hotel reopened in 1991, after work totalling $28 million.

Over the next several years, the owners debated how (and if) the hotel should be developed. Canadian Pacific Hotels came to the rescue in 1988 when it bought the chain of CN hotel properties. A total commitment was made to restore The Hotel MacDonald to its former elegance and to re-establish its importance in the community. In 1999, Canadian Pacific Hotels was sold out  to Fairmont Hotels creating the largest luxury hotel management company in North America – U S owned, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

During the restoration, a number of speciality suites were constructed in what had once been the attic (laundry or storage space) of the hotel. These suites feature turret spaces; and breathtaking views of the city, and, of the river valley. The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald's grandest suite, the Royal Suite, is built on two levels and includes a large foyer, dining room, service pantry, two bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, and spacious living room. Guests staying in this grand suite will truly feel “Royal”. While, such ultra, luxury suites,and$12.00 a small bag,  popcorn, are very indicative of the ever mushrooming trend  toward a return of feudalism; this time catering to the so called, North American celebrity nobility; at least the building and the many irreplaceable, heritage, art treasures, therein, have been saved.

 The guestrooms throughout the hotel were also completely reconstructed during the restoration. Paying homage to its roots, the door knobs of the guestroom closets are original -- complete with the Grand Trunk Rail monogram.  With only 199 rooms in total, this 'new' hotel became Fairmont Hotels & Resorts boutique château-style hotel.

The Hotel MacDonald, exuding a feeling of FRENCH, Victorian, elegance, re-opened its doors to the public on May 15, 1991. The hotel in Edmonton boasted every modern convenience while preserving its heritage detailing.

Overall, the Hotel MacDonald has long been known as the most elegant hotel in Edmonton and is lovingly referred, especially to “Old Timers” to as “The Mac.”It, like the "Alberta" were long recognised as about Edmonton,s most "really distinctive" land marks
After four years of construction, the hotel, named after Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald, and was destined to become the centre of Edmonton's social life. The Mac opened its doors on July 05, 1915, so will be celebrating its centennial in 2015. Celebration is slated throughout the entire year.©Al (Alex, Alexander) D Girvan. All rights reserved.