Culture Trip has named Queen’s Marque and Nova Scotia as one of the best sustainable travel destinations for 2021. Muir, the heart of Queen’s Marque, will bring refined and distinctly Nova Scotian hospitality to the vibrant Halifax Waterfront in Fall 2021.
Read the full story here: The Best Sustainable Travel Destinations for 2021
Muir, coming to the Halifax Waterfront in Fall 2021, has been included on Harper’s Bazaar’s ‘20 Best Places to Travel in 2021’ list.
Read the full story here: www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/travel-dining/a35091014/best-places-to-travel-2021/
Muir, coming to the Halifax Waterfront in Fall 2021, has been included on CNN Travel’s ‘21 Places to Go in 2021’ list.
Read the full story here: www.cnn.com/travel/article/places-to-visit-2021/index.html
The Muir, coming to the Halifax Waterfront in 2021, has been included on Condé Nast Traveler's ‘21 Best Places to go in 2021’ list.
Read the full story here: www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-to-go-in-2021
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (September 29, 2020): The Residences at Queen’s Marque welcomes its first residents this month, signifying an important milestone in the phased opening of the Queen’s Marque district.
The Residences, located at 1715 Lower Water Street in Halifax, feature over 100 apartments (four styles, 32 floor plans) and offer a first-of-its-kind lifestyle experience in this region. The Residences are part of the $200-million Queen’s Marque waterfront district which brings together Nova Scotia-inspired architecture and craftsmanship; luxury leased apartments; exceptional services and amenities; a significant public art collection; curated food, beverage and retail offerings; and Muir – a refined, gracious 109 room hotel opening its doors in 2021.
Along with the first residents, one of several major public art installations at Queen’s Marque - the “Light Chocks”, is now complete and illuminating Lower Water Street. The “Light Chocks” features a pair of glowing columns that incorporate abstract Fresnel lenses, similar to the lenses once used throughout Nova Scotia including the iconic Sambro Island Lighthouse. Aligned with the design approach and aesthetic throughout Queen’s Marque, this architectural installation is Born of this Place – inspired by Nova Scotian values, traditions and craftsmanship, while being contemporary and forward-looking. The Residences at Queen’s Marque and the “Light Chocks” were designed by celebrated Nova Scotian architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, Design Associate Shane Andrews, and their colleagues at MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects.
“Through design, materiality and craftsmanship, Queen’s Marque nods to our past yet imparts a modern Maritime relevance”, says Scott Armour McCrea, President and CEO, The Armour Group Limited. “As a vibrant urban community, Queen’s Marque invites people to live, play, work, stay and connect deeply – with each other and with this place.”
The Residences’ apartments offer a curated collection of comforts, amenities and services including an expansive outdoor terrace; a private dining room; a media room; a wellness and fitness centre; guest suites; complimentary kayak and bike rentals; access to a private sailboat and motorboat; and a car and driver service.
To learn more about Queen’s Marque, please visit queensmarque.com.
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About Queen’s Marque
Queen’s Marque, conceived, developed and operated by The Armour Group Limited, is a new urban district on the historic waterfront, in the heart of downtown Halifax. Queen’s Marque is opening in stages with full completion expected in Summer 2021. This new neighbourhood features over 100 luxury leased residences, office space, curated food and beverage, retail space, 75,000 square feet of public space, a significant public art collection and Muir, a refined and distinctly Nova Scotian hotel experience (opening Spring 2021). To learn more about Queen’s Marque, please visit queensmarque.com.
About The Armour Group Limited
The Armour Group Limited is a multi-dimensional investment firm that encompasses a variety of businesses within Atlantic Canada. The company is primarily defined by their leading position as an integrated real estate development and construction firm. The multi-generational practice is dedicated to the principles of excellence and is built on the mandate of creating a “sense of place” in their work. The company is unique in its integration of the concept design, development, construction and internal management of all real estate assets. To learn more about The Armour Group please visit armourgroup.com.
About Mackay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects
MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects is based in Halifax, Lunenburg and Kingsburg, Nova Scotia and Denver, USA. The practice works locally and internationally on cultural, commercial, academic, and residential projects, providing full architectural, interior design and urban design services. In
over 35 years of work, the practice of MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple has built an international reputation for design excellence confirmed by over 145 awards, including the prestigious 2017 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture; the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal and the RAIC Firm Award. For more information please visit mlsarchitects.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Bagnell Styles
The Armour Group Limited
cbstyles@armourgroup.com
July 22, 2020 (Halifax, NS) - The Armour Group Limited (“Armour”) has begun an extensive redevelopment of 236 Brownlow Avenue, in the Park Place Corporate Campus, located in Dartmouth’s City of Lakes Business Park.
The newly named “Park Place Landing” (the former head office of Lawton’s Drug Store) is the most recent addition to the amenity-rich Park Place Corporate Campus. The redevelopment includes:
· reduction and modernization of space
· replacement of mechanical and air quality systems, bringing them up to today’s standards
· exterior refresh and expanded landscaping
· new multi-level, interconnected parking structure with 225 covered spaces
· a “Winter Garden” - a glass-enclosed, south facing atrium and casual, communal gathering area with indoor green-scaping for year-round use and a connected outdoor terrace for warmer months.
This ‘like new’ building will offer 35,000 square feet of prime, light-filled, contemporary office space that is highly efficient, lower cost to operate and environmentally friendly. The redevelopment will cost approximately $9 million and expected completion is Fall 2020.
With 8 buildings, including 7 leading-edge office buildings and the Delta Dartmouth Hotel, Park Place Corporate Campus is Halifax’s largest contiguous suburban office complex. The campus pairs location with premium services and amenities available to the entire campus community including premium hotel, meeting and wellness facilities, a selection of food and beverage options, ample parking and 24-hour security and maintenance.
“Park Place Landing adds 35,000 square feet of prime contemporary, highly-efficient office space to the amenity-rich Park Place Campus. The year-round Winter Garden feature continues our commitment to incorporating non-traditional meeting and work spaces, responding to the changes in how we work today” says Scott Armour McCrea, CEO, The Armour Group Ltd.
Park Place Campus is located at the intersection of Burnside Drive and Hwy 111 with direct access to Hwy 111 and Hwy 118. Burnside Drive is set to become a major thoroughfare as part of the Burnside Connector project, creating a high-speed bypass to connect to Bedford and Sackville.
The Armour Group Limited’s future plans for the site include a further 80,000 sq. ft. of A-Class office space, with highly visible Burnside Drive frontage. Construction is expected to begin in the next few years.
The Armour Group Limited
The Armour Group Limited is a multi-dimensional investment firm. Our practice encompasses a variety of businesses within Atlantic Canada, but primarily, we are defined by our leading position as an integrated real estate development and construction firm. Our multi-generational practice is dedicated to the principles of excellence and is built on the mandate of creating a “sense of place” in our work. The company is unique in its integration of the concept design, development, construction and internal management of all real
estate assets.
Media Contact:
Scott Armour McCrea
Chief Executive Officer
The Armour Group Limited
902-422-4424
smccrea@armourgroup.com
www.armourgroup.com
Toronto, ON – June 30, 2020 – Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced a deal to bring its Autograph Collection brand to Halifax, Nova Scotia with a 110-room hotel to be called MUIR, Autograph Collection. The property’s developer, The Armour Group Limited, expects to open the hotel in Spring 2021 as part of Queen’s Marque, a mixed-use project in the heart of Halifax that is poised to redefine the city’s waterfront.
“We’re delighted to be working with The Armour Group to open our first Autograph Collection hotel in Nova Scotia, in the much loved city of Halifax – a destination where domestic and international travellers are increasingly coming to work and play,” said Paul Loehr, Regional Vice President for Development, Canada, Marriott International. “MUIR, Autograph Collection, will appeal to locals, leisure and business travellers alike – and anyone who seeks the brand’s promise of curated, one-of-a-kind travel experiences that leave a lasting imprint.”
The five-story hotel is slated to open as part of Queen’s Marque, a $200-million mixed-use development in Halifax’s historic waterfront area. The property will include a premium restaurant and lobby bar, a 1,000 square-foot event gallery, and access to an 8,000 square-foot wellness centre equipped with an array of fitness equipment, hydrotherapy and cold plunge pools, and a halotherapy salt room.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Marriott International to create a new, premium destination in the heart of Halifax,” said Scott Armour McCrea, CEO, The Armour Group Limited. “Our RFP process was extensive. We looked for an affinity partner whose brand aligned with our vision for Muir. The Autograph Collection brand stood out because of our shared commitment to creating a truly unique experience that delivered a distinct sense of place.”
The Queen’s Marque mixed-use project will also include 142 luxury leased residences, 50,000 square-feet of premium retail and restaurant space, 120,000 square-feet of office space and 2.5-acres of public space that will feature a central plaza, an amphitheater and an extensive public art collection.
Once open, MUIR will join the Autograph Collection’s diverse and dynamic global portfolio of nearly 200 inspiring, distinctive hotels carefully crafted with vision and passion, making each hotel singular and special.
This signing underscores Marriott International’s growing premium portfolio in Canada, where the company now has five open Autograph Collection hotels across the country – including the DOUGLAS in downtown Vancouver and the iconic Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina.
About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,400 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 134 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly awarded travel program with 141 million members globally. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.
About Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 180 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 30 countries and territories. Each is a product of passion and a personal realization of its individual founder’s vision, making each hotel singular and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection hotels offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or follow along to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
About The Armour Group Limited
The Armour Group Limited is a multi-dimensional investment firm. Our practice encompasses a variety of businesses within Atlantic Canada, but primarily, we are defined by our leading position as an integrated real estate development and construction firm. Our multi-generational practice is dedicated to the principles of excellence and is built on the mandate of creating a “sense of place” in our work. The company is unique in its integration of the concept design, development, construction and internal management of all real estate assets.
June 24, 2020 (Halifax, NS) - Exceptional and distinctly Nova Scotia luxury comes to the Halifax waterfront with MUIR, a new hospitality experience that expresses the essence of Nova Scotia through refined design, amenities and warm, gracious service. The Armour Group Limited today unveils the brand which
will welcome guests in 2021.
MUIR, Gaelic for sea, takes inspiration from the forces that have shaped Nova Scotia and its people. Our rugged architecture, sea faring traditions, strong, resilient character, warmth and hospitality have all influenced Muir. At Muir, you’ll see and sense Nova Scotia in the design, décor, amenities, art collection and in refined, elevated regional dining. Every piece of furniture and lighting throughout Muir is bespoke, designed and made in Canada, reflecting a modern interpretation of traditional East Coast design. Each hotel room will feature original art and pottery from our region. Muir evokes a sense of this place in a contemporary, uncommon way.
Designed by acclaimed Canadian designers Studio Munge, MUIR’s contemporary design honours traditional materials and craftsmanship. MUIR is a one-of-a kind destination that symbolizes an unwavering commitment to authenticity through a modern lens that is unparalleled in the region and welcoming to locals and visitors alike. It is born of this place and simply could not exist anywhere else.
“MUIR is a physical and spiritual manifestation of Nova Scotia, exploring materiality and craftsmanship of our past yet imparting a contemporary relevance. It is an invitation to an inspired future. Anyone who visits Muir will see this softly spoken in every detail” says Scott Armour McCrea, President and CEO, The Armour Group Limited.
As the centrepiece of the Queen’s Marque district, designed by celebrated Nova Scotia architect, Brian MacKay-Lyons, MUIR is an essential waterfront location and vibrant setting against a backdrop of prime restaurants, galleries, shops and nightlife. The result sets a new and distinctive standard for luxury in Halifax and beyond.
MUIR is pleased to welcome its General Manager, Desmond Acheson. A deeply seasoned hotel executive, Mr. Acheson is a native of the UK, educated in England and Ireland and now, Canadian by choice. He has worked around the globe from London to Whistler, from Cairo to Hong Kong and has held leadership positions with many of the world’s most revered luxury hotel brands including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
For more information and to follow the MUIR story as it unfolds, visit Muirhotel.com.
To explore MUIR further, please contact:
Catherine Bagnell Styles
Executive Vice President Marketing & Communications, The Armour Group
902.422.4424 x253
cbstyles@armourgroup.com
Internationally acclaimed Canadian artist David Spriggs
March 12, 2020 (Halifax, NS) – Queen’s Marque, a mixed-use development on the Halifax waterfront, has begun to open its doors. The development, which features luxury residences, office premises, food and beverage spaces, and Halifax’s first five-star luxury hotel, will also be home to a significant new, locally curated, public art collection.
The first major installation happens on Friday, March 13, 2020, when internationally acclaimed Canadian artist David Spriggs completes the installation of ‘Zenith’. Zenith is a 14-ft standing sculpture that will be a beacon within the central business district and the waterfront, located in the office “public room” of Queen’s Marque and visible from the exterior at the George Street Plaza.
“In my work, I explore space and time, movement, and colour as well as the symbols of power and thresholds of form and perception. I was inspired by the power of the ocean and chose the name Zenith to represent aspiration and accomplishment. I hope the viewer finds it positive, powerful and uplifting,” says Zenith creator David Spriggs.
Zenith is an arresting and powerful wave-like form painted on multiple transparent panes, referencing the strength and dynamism of both the ocean and the people of Nova Scotia. The visual experience of Zenith will change throughout the day and night, as it interacts with the changing light.
“Public art is what distinguishes great places. When art intersects with public spaces it brings humanity and life to constructed environments, creating an incubator for conversation and meaningful interaction. Our place on the water’s edge plays an important role in our history, culture and economy. The expression of our home, as depicted in Zenith, is the perfect addition to Queen’s Marque and the Halifax waterfront. Congratulations to The Armour Group on the installation of David Spriggs’ work and for their ongoing commitment to creating space for public art,” says Nancy Noble, Director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Zenith is the first installation of an extensive and significant art collection intended to make Queen’s Marque a cultural destination for locals and visitors. Locally curated, the Queen’s Marque collection draws from the best regional and global creative talent, all inspired by Nova Scotia and its people.
About David Spriggs
The artwork of David Spriggs lies in a space between the 2 and 3 dimensions. In his work he explores phenomena, space-time and movement, colour, visual systems and surveillance, the strategies and symbols of power, and the thresholds of form and perception. Spriggs is known internationally for his unique large-scale 3D ephemeral-like installations that use a technique he pioneered in 1999 layering transparent images. David Spriggs is currently based in Vancouver, BC. He was born in 1978 in Manchester, England, and immigrated to Canada in 1992. He received his Master of Fine Arts from Concordia University, Montreal, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University in Vancouver. He undertook student residencies at Central St. Martin’s College of Art in London, England (1999) and the Bauhaus University in Weimar, Germany (2006). He has exhibited internationally at galleries and museums such as Messums Wiltshire in the UK, Arsenal Montreal in Canada, the Prague Biennial 5 in the Czech Republic, the Louis Vuitton Gallery in Macau, and at the Sharjah Biennial 9 in the UAE. His work can be found in many prestigious collections such as in Hotel VIC Hong Kong, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec.
Energy Infrastructure first of its kind for Multi-Purpose Development in Atlantic Canada
Halifax, Nova Scotia – October 16, 2018 – The Armour Group Limited (The Armour Group) has invested in green energy infrastructure for the Queen’s Marque District. The technology will enable the complex to operate with a level of energy efficiency that is projected to be 50% better than buildings designed in the 1990s, saving approximately 4 Million Kw hours per year.
Through a District Energy Plant, the Queen’s Marque Development will benefit from passive heating and cooling using sea water and active chilled beam technology. This will mean tangible energy cost savings for both commercial and residential tenants, effectively removing reliance on conventional heating methods and fossil fuels while preserving an efficient and responsive system.
“We have used sea loop cooling at other projects along the waterfront with great success,” notes Armour Group CEO Scott Armour McCrea. “However, in the case of Queen’s Marque, we have invested in chilled beam technology and a District Energy Plant – which will enable us to provide energy efficient heating and cooling to an additional 500,000 square feet of downtown development over time.”
This is the first time technology of this nature has been deployed at a multi-use building in Atlantic Canada. The system was designed by local firm M&R Engineering Ltd., a continuation of Armour’s commitment to work with highly skilled partners in the local market.
Queen’s Marque is currently under construction on the Halifax waterfront and will represent an almost $200 million private investment into Nova Scotia by The Armour Group. The project is set to be complete in 2020.