Groupe Robin Announces the Construction of a Double Banner LEED® Hotel in Granby

Granby, November 26, 2024 — Groupe Robin is proud to announce that the fifth hotel built and managed by the family business will be located in Granby. Thanks to the nearly 15-years-long partnership with the IHG® chain, the company will opt for a quality hotel product with a new double banner hotel, including a Holiday Inn Express & Suites and a Candlewood Suites. This ambitious project constitutes a 20-million-dollar investment and is designed to meet the diverse needs of all types of clients while supporting the region’s economic and touristic development.

An Innovative Hotel Project

This double banner hotel — the second for the IHG® chain in Quebec and for Groupe Robin — will offer 128 rooms and studios, namely 83 rooms designed according to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites standards and 45 studios with a fully equipped kitchen to meet the needs of clients who stay for an extensive period of time. The project also includes a future expansion for the addition of 40 rooms.

The hotel’s Signature design will create a warm and welcoming atmosphere thanks to a careful selection of elegant, accessible and ecofriendly materials. The accent colours outside and inside the hotel are a nod to the Zoo de Granby and reflect the importance of anchoring this new building in its environment and connecting with the community.

The installations and services will ensure clients a comfortable stay, whether it be for a single night or a longer period of time. Highlights include a gym, an interior pool, a warm buffet-style breakfast, an exterior terrace with a BBQ, a laundry room, a bike and electric bike storage area, a low-cost market space and a specialized kitchen tool location service.

This project will accommodate diverse clients, namely corporations, sports teams and tourists, for short- or long-term stays, contributing to making the city of Granby shine.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

Loyal to its mission to build a sustainable future, Groupe Robin is committed to carrying out a LEED® certification process for its new hotel in Granby, reducing its environmental impact and water and energy consumption. This will be Groupe Robin’s fifth LEED® hotel, giving evidence to its devotion to environmental practices. Nellie Robin, president of Groupe Robin, said, “Fourteen years ago, in 2010, we opened our very first Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Saint-Hyacinthe. It was the first LEED® certified hotel in Canada and in North America for the IHG® chain. We’re proud to build and manage projects that are resilient in the face of climate change and beneficial for the community!”

Economic and Touristic Impact

This new hotel project with an international banner will complement the existing regional offer and enrich the touristic experience, contributing to shining a light on the region for the national and international client base. Julie Bourdon, Maire of Granby, mentioned, “We’re glad that Groupe Robin has chosen Granby for the construction of its new hotel. This project highlights the vitality of our economy and our capacity to attract leading investors. As well as contributing to the economic dynamism, this hotel will play a key role in the development of Granby’s touristic scene, consolidating its reputation as a staple destination that attracts numerous visitors every year.”

The company benefitted from the proactive and visionary assistance of Commerce Tourisme Granby to carry out its project. Félix Dionne, municipal counsellor and president of CTGR, highlighted, “The arrival of Groupe Robin in Granby is an important step in the development of our community. By identifying the hotel needs and supporting this project, Commerce Tourisme Granby and the region are reaffirming their commitment to promising initiatives that will have a sustainable impact on our territory. We’re convinced that this announcement will contribute to reinforcing Granby’s attractiveness as a touristic destination while having positive effects on our local businesses.”

Moreover, Groupe Robin is working toward collaborating with regional businesses, the convention centre and the Zoo de Granby to position itself as a partner of choice in welcoming a diverse client base (corporations, sports teams, families and entertainment) during major events, congress and high season, supporting the capacity to host local tourism.

The company favours the employment of local partners for the hotel’s construction. Almost 100 workers will be employed by the promoter and the sub-contracting companies for the building to take shape. Groupe Robin is planning to create about 30 new quality positions for the operation of this hotel, contributing to the local economy. Nellie Robin explains, “For us, it’s important to establish relationships with local partners so they contribute to the project’s success and be proud! I’d like to thank Caroline Denommée at Denommée Architectes for her remarkable work, bringing a touch of Granby to our project!”

Strategic Location

Granby was chosen naturally by Groupe Robin thanks to the city’s great potential. Located at the intersection of routes 112 and 139, the site in full expansion with the construction of the new overpass on Route 139 is located near an important industrial park, the Technum innovation zone in Bromont, the convention centre, as well as the Zoo de Granby that attracts almost 600,000 visitors every year.

Ideally located near regional bike lanes, the hotel will also be designed to facilitate bike access with secure parking spaces. Nellie Robin mentioned, “We’ve been evaluating sites in Granby for several years now! I’d like to thank Bryan Furlong, Nicolas Forand, Daniel Touchette and Mathieu Couture for their vision to add a hotel to their development project!”

The construction of this important project is planned to begin at the end of winter 2025 and to open in spring 2026. All concerned members are impatient to begin construction and welcome the first clients to actively participate in the touristic and economic development of the city of Granby.

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For more information, please contact:
Elisabeth Caron
Marketing & Communications Director
450-250-2222
ecaron@grouperobin.com