The Snuneymuxw First Nation has completed the acquisition of the remaining ownership stake in the Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo, bringing the nine‑storey hotel entirely under the First Nation’s control.
Local control of a recent downtown addition
The purchase was completed through Petroglyph Development Group (PDG), the Snuneymuxw’s wholly owned economic development corporation. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Located at 100 Gordon St. across from the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, the property opened to guests in March 2023 after construction that began in January 2020. The hotel contains 172 guest rooms and currently employs 48 people, according to the First Nation’s announcement and related public information.
“This acquisition is about bringing prosperity home. Full ownership of the Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo allows us to continue building lasting benefits for our people and the region,” said Mike Wyse, chief of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
BC Assessment records cited in reporting list the property’s assessed value as $24.5 million as of July 2025, made up of roughly $1.29 million for the land and $23.2 million for the structure.
Economic and development context
The acquisition consolidates local ownership of a building that filled a long‑standing shortage of hotel rooms near Nanaimo’s conference centre. For the city, the move secures revenue streams and local control of a prominent downtown asset at a time when Nanaimo is balancing growth pressures with community and environmental priorities.
The hotel’s construction drew attention for its building method. The exterior shell was assembled using 140 structural panels manufactured by Vancouver‑based Nexii in Squamish and transported to Nanaimo for installation — a prefabricated approach touted as a greener, faster alternative to conventional construction methods.
Nexii later underwent financial upheaval, including a bankruptcy sale in 2024, followed by reorganization and relaunch. The Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo, however, has been operating since 2023 and remains an important piece of downtown infrastructure.
Immediate implications for Nanaimo
- Jobs: The hotel directly employs 48 people and supports downtown hospitality services.
- Conferences and tourism: Proximity to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre helps attract events and delegates who need nearby accommodation.
- Indigenous economic development: Full ownership by Snuneymuxw strengthens the band’s control over local assets and the potential to direct profits and management decisions back into the community.
The City of Nanaimo selected the developer who ultimately built the hotel following a competitive process in late 2017. The project advanced through the pandemic years into construction and completion, becoming one of the newest large hotels in downtown Nanaimo.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Gordon St., Nanaimo |
| Rooms | 172 |
| Employees | 48 |
| Assessed value (July 2025) | $24.5 million |
For residents watching downtown development, the handover of this asset to Snuneymuxw marks a notable shift. It places ownership and operational control in the hands of the local First Nation, rather than an external investment partner. That change may influence hiring, procurement and long‑term planning decisions tied to the hotel and neighbouring properties.
While details about the purchase price and any planned operational changes were not released, the announcement frames the acquisition as a step toward bringing sustained local benefits. Municipal staff and business groups in Nanaimo have previously highlighted the need for more accommodation capacity to support conventions, events and tourism; the Courtyard by Marriott has been part of that capacity improvement since opening.
As Nanaimo navigates growth, climate goals and reconciliation commitments, the consolidation of this downtown property under Snuneymuxw ownership will be watched by community members, business leaders and Indigenous partners for how it shapes future development and shared prosperity.
