Avison Young introduces unique ownership opportunity for one of only four hotels in downtown Squamish

Squamish, B.C. - Global commercial real estate advisor, Avison Young, announces that The Chieftain featuring the Crash Hotel is available for purchase at a listing price of $12,000,000 – marking a rare opportunity to see one of four downtown Squamish hospitality properties on the market since 2021.

As one of Canada’s 10 fastest-growing communities, Squamish in British Columbia attracts visitors, residents, and businesses to its adventure-oriented lifestyle, its budding cultural scene of festivals, and its strategic location between Vancouver and Whistler.

“This is a remarkable investment opportunity to own a piece of the thriving hospitality market in Squamish – at a time when the province is seeing an upswing in tourism,” said Bijan Lalji, Senior Associate, Capital Markets Group, Avison Young. “A discerning owner will see the profitability here, in a hotel real estate market that is closely held, with only three hotels trading in the last 10 years.”

The property has not been sold since 2018 although it went through extensive revitalization in recent years to blend historic charm with modern boutique hospitality.

The property:

Since 1958, The Chieftain, with its iconic neon sign, has served as a landmark of downtown Squamish on Cleveland Avenue, reflecting the evolution from a resource-based town to an exciting adventure destination. Nestled along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Squamish is perfect as a pitstop or as a long stay.

In 2019, the Crash Hotel, featuring 27 uniquely designed hotel rooms, began operations in Squamish, offering boutique comfort and youthful energy. Amenities include a rooftop lounge, bar/lounge, ski & bike storage, and a digital check-in system for a premium user experience. The prime location provides exceptional visibility and walkability, with immediate access to downtown shopping, dining, parks, the Stawamus Chief, and Sea to Sky Gondola. The future SEAandSKY Pedestrian Bridge will further enhance connectivity from The Crash Hotel to the Waterfront Landing Park across the Mamquam Blind Channel.

The investment:

With only 10 hotel/motel properties in Squamish, the Chieftain & Crash Hotel is one of only four located in the heart of the city. The downtown yields 100 rooms; owning the Chieftain & Crash Hotel’s 27 rooms would equate to owning 25% of the city centre’s hospitality market, with strong, proven returns due to year-round interest from outdoors enthusiasts, film crews, businesses for corporate retreats, and mountain guides. The consistent tourism base supports the hotel’s long-term, ongoing growth. Additionally, four ground-floor commercial tenants generate stable rental cash flow.

Squamish has not been identified as one of the 14 resort municipalities in British Columbia that are exempt from certain regulations. As such, Squamish properties must adhere to the provincial government’s short term rental rules, giving a hotel in this market advantages under the government’s regulated protections to not compete against residential supply influxes from locals and investors.

With flexible site zoning, the location offers meaningful value-add potential for expansion, repositioning, or comprehensive redevelopment – including airspace and vertical expansion rights to add four or five storeys of hospitality or residential.

The sales process:

Offers are welcome any time and will be assessed based on the proposed purchase price, the purchaser’s financial capacity, and the proposed timelines and conditions for closing. The property is being offered for sale unencumbered by brand and management. The Crash Hotel brand, intellectual property, and goodwill are not part of the sales process. Brand licensing and management agreement structuring may be considered through this process. Avison Young can provide more details for interested parties.