A rendering of the reimagined lobby of the Fairmont Winnipeg. (JRSL / HANDOUT)

Major changes are on the way for one of downtown Winnipeg’s premier hotels.

The Fairmont Winnipeg will temporarily close on July 1 to undergo a “transformational renovation” by its owners, James Richardson & Sons, Limited.

JRSL purchased the hotel in 2024 and committed to extensively renovating all aspects of the property to return the Fairmont Winnipeg to its position as the “city’s pre-eminent luxury hotel.”

“My grandfather’s generation built this hotel, then called the Winnipeg Inn, in 1970 and it has been a mainstay of the downtown skyline for 56 years,” said Thor Richardson, president of JRSL, in a statement on Tuesday.

“When we reacquired the property, we set out to build a hotel that Winnipeggers will be proud of. Our goal is to be world-class.”

What’s changing?

Planned renovations include a complete remodelling of each of the hotel’s 340 guest rooms, the Fairmont Gold lounge, along with the top-floor indoor pool, gym, and sauna. The hotel lobby bar and Velvet Glove restaurant will also be upgraded, and all meeting, banquet and event spaces will be enhanced.

Work has been ongoing to update and modernize the hotel’s plumbing, mechanical and HVAC systems over the past two years since JRSL purchased the property.

“The Richardson family’s landmark investment in the Fairmont Winnipeg is a truly defining milestone in the rejuvenation of downtown Winnipeg,” said Loren Remillard, president and CEO of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

“As Winnipeg seeks to elevate its international profile in the ever-increasing competitive event and tourism markets, this revitalization of the Fairmont Winnipeg will serve as a pivotal asset and a strong statement for Winnipeg as a must-visit destination.”

Once the hotel closes its doors on Canada Day for additional interior construction, a reopening is set for the spring of 2027.