Gitxaala Nation purchases Prince Rupert's Crest Hotel

As of today, Prince Rupert's Crest Hotel is under new ownership,
with the Gitxaala First Nation announcing that it has purchased the hotel

Another significant shift in the city's commercial sector  has taken place this morning, with the Gitxaala Nation confirming that they have purchased the iconic Crest Hotel in Prince Rupert.

The prospect of the hotel changing hands had been in the Prince Rumour mill for a few weeks now, the definitive word of the change of ownership coming from Michael Uehara, CEO of Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation.

“The Crest has embodied the essence of the Prince Rupert community for the past 62 years and has consistently delivered superior hospitality and service to residents and guests. Few properties in the world have embraced a sense of place as well as the Crest has done. We recognize that the success of the hotel is due to the dedication and commitment of the management team and staff to provide guests with an outstanding experience at Prince Rupert’s premier hotel.”

Chief Councillor Linda Innes also noted of the opportunity to bring the hotel into their portfolio of holdings as well as to note of ongoing work to add to their economic reach.

“The Gitxaała Nation is very pleased to be the new owners of the Crest Hotel. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to bring the hotel into our Nation’s group of businesses through Gitxaałan Enterprises Corporation. We have and will continue to actively pursue economic opportunities of every viable industry in the area. With the acquisition of the Crest, Gitxaała takes another step in creating long-term wealth and opportunities for the community, the Nation and its members."

The Gitxaala Nation has been very active in building its porfolio of local businesses and other opportunities, a look at the listings of the  Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation provides a good measuring stick as to their investment into Prince Rupert.

Their reach now ranging from industrial to marine, commercial, tourism and now hospitality.

No purchase price was announced as part of today's announcement which  can be reviewed here.

Today's announcement is just the latest indication of the change taking place in the Prince Rupert commercial and industrial sectors, with the Metlakatla First Nation, Lax Kw'alaams and Nisga'a Nation all fully involved in ongoing ventures in the community.

More notes on the Gitaala Nation can be reviewed here.

A look at the Prince Rupert Commercial Sector is available here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.