When it comes to Canadian real estate royalty, few residences carry the cultural heft and sheer grandiosity of Calgary’s ultimate trophy property. Perched atop the southwest side of the prestigious Princeton Hall in Eau Claire, the three-level sky estate of the late philanthropist and Calgary Flames co-founder Harley Hotchkiss and his wife, Rebecca, remains the standard-bearer for Western Canada’s ultra-luxury market—poised to set the record for the most expensive condo sale in the city’s history when it sells.
Designed by Gibbs Gage Architects with grand interior curation by the late Arthur Fishman, the 5,500-square-square-foot palace in the sky is an unapologetic nod to 17th-century French royalty. The three-bedroom, six-bathroom residence directly mirrors the Baroque splendor of the Château de Versailles, boasting hand-crafted Versailles-panelled parquet hardwood, French granite balconies, and custom millwork featuring embedded Renaissance paintings and gold leaf foiling.
Arriving via private elevator direct to the suite, guests are immediately greeted by dramatic 20-foot ceilings, light-flooded floor-to-ceiling west-facing windows overlooking Prince’s Island Park and the Bow River, and a three-story, architecturally striking oval staircase clad in Italian Crème Marfil marble with hand-forged artisan iron railings.
In the main salon, a two-story Whilshire wood-burning fireplace serves as the anchor, illuminated by a hand-crafted Dessin Fournir Duveaux antiqued 22-carat gold-leaf chandelier and framed by Clive Christian-styled mouldings.
The opulence continues into the private quarters and bathrooms, which feature signature Sherle Wagner gold fixtures and French sandstone painting techniques. For the ultimate work-from-home setting, the entire 14th floor is exclusively dedicated to a sprawling private executive office suite.
"An international buyer will see that this property would be well over $20 million in other parts of the world. The design is what you would see in London, Paris or New York," Rachelle Starnes told the Calgary Herald when the property first hit the market. Starnes co-lists the penthouse with Katina Martin, both of The Starnes Group at Coldwell Banker Mountain Central.
