Downtown Hudson’s Bay to launch new restaurant and lounge

CALGARY – The Hudson’s Bay Company has enlisted Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants to create a new “integrated lounge” that will include late-night cocktails and entertainment at the flagship Bay store in downtown Calgary.

The cost of the project wasn’t disclosed in Thursday’s announcement.

The Calgary project builds on the two companies’ collaboration to create a new venue at HBC’s Queen Street store in downtown Toronto — part of the HBC’s strategy of creating a more upscale look at many of its department stores.

The Calgary project, which will include a large outdoor patio and full-service event venue, also brings in INK Entertainment — which is working with O&B Restaurants for the first time.

WATCH: Calgary’s downtown Hudson’s Bay Company on Stephen Ave is celebrating its centennial. Historian Harry Sanders joins Global Calgary with details.

“For Calgary, we envision the restaurant as having a vibrant integrated lounge space that will transition well into late night cocktails and entertainment,” said Andrew Oliver, president of Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants.

Phase 1 of the project, set to open next spring, will include a 7,500-square-foot ground-floor restaurant that will offer lunch and dinner and 4,000-sq. ft. lower-level lounge offering cocktails and an outdoor patio.

Phase 2, which will include a 20,000 sq. ft. event space on the sixth floor of HBC’s Edwardian style building in downtown Calgary, is slated to open in the fall of 2014.

“We are extremely excited about the new hospitality offerings planned for our Calgary Downtown location, living up to our promise to bring new, high quality brands and experiences to Hudson’s Bay,” said Bonnie Brooks, HBC’s president.

“At 100 years, our Calgary Downtown location is one of the most recognized landmarks in the city. We want to build on that legacy by showcasing this beautiful and historic building, as well as Hudson’s Bay’s forward-thinking approach to the lifestyles of our shoppers.”