Trump organization shares 'alternative facts' about Vancouver tower

The inauguration of US president Donald Trump just over a month ago heralded the start of a new heightened era of misinformation, fake news, and alternative facts.

And now, some of the President’s own unique brand of bullsh*t is trickling down to Vancouver.

See also

• Construction worker flies Mexican flag from the roof of Vancouver's Trump Tower
• Mayor Gregor Robertson calls for removal of Trump's name from tower
• Protests planned for Trump Tower Vancouver official opening on February 28

Apparently, the new Trump International Hotel & Tower in Vancouver is “the first property to open in the city in over 6 years,” according a tweet earlier by the Trump Organization on Tuesday’s grand opening event.

Tomorrow marks the official grand opening of @TrumpVancouver The 69-story tower will be the first property to open in the city in over 6 yrs pic.twitter.com/Vc8N5NFOgd

— Trump Organization (@Trump) February 27, 2017

However, “first property” couldn’t be further from the truth.

Billions of dollars worth of developments, including a number of towers, have been completed over the past half decade in one of the hottest real estate markets in Canada.

With that said, if “property” is taken to mean as a hotel property – which is the largest division of the Trump Organization – it could be a reference to the reopening of Hotel Georgia under the Rosewood brand, which occurred about six years ago.

But even that conveniently ignores the 2014 opening of Hotel Blu & Residences Vancouver on Robson Street near BC Place.

A lightning rod for controversy

Trump Tower has been a lightning rod for controversy given its association with the Trump family.

The tower has already been a magnet for protestors, with a string of demonstrations gathering at its doors over recent months. Further protests are also banned ahead of the Tower’s official opening in Vancouver on Tuesday, February 28.

Several demonstrations have been organized to coincide with the arrival of the US President’s two eldest sons, who will be in Vancouver for the official grand opening of Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver.

About the tower

Trump Tower features a 147-room hotel operated by the Trump Hotel Collection, 238 market residential units, Mott 32 signature Chinese restaurant, and Drai’s Pool Bar Nightclub.

All of the residential units have been sold, and the hotel had its soft opening in late-January.

Local developer and tower owner Holborn Group originally proposed the tower in 2007, but the project was put on hold shortly after the effects of the recession began to take its toll on the real estate and financial markets. At the time, the development’s brand and hotel partner was the Ritz Carlton, however, the international hotel chain did not return to the project when it was revived in 2011.

The tower’s twisting design is by late Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson. The essential architectural elements of the tower’s design remain the same under the Trump brand.