West Vancouver approves five-storey hotel to replace iconic Troll's Restaurant
The Bay hotel will occupy the corner of Bay and Royal Avenue in Horseshoe Bay, with ground-floor shops and 42 rooms across upper floors.
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West Vancouver council has approved a plan to redevelop a historic corner of Horseshoe Bay into a five-storey boutique hotel, replacing Troll's Restaurant after 80 years of operation.
The Bay hotel will sit on three lots at the corner of Bay Street and Royal Avenue. The project includes 33 standard hotel rooms on the second and third floors, nine larger suites on the fourth floor available for short or long-term stays, and a partial fifth-floor rooftop amenity space for guests and community events. Ground-floor retail space will house the existing Spirit Gallery, a cafe, and a restaurant.
Council approved the plan on June 22 following a public hearing in early June. Members of the public and local business owners spoke in support, citing the need for a hotel in West Vancouver and the opportunity to revitalize the village after changes at BC Ferries have reduced walk-in customer traffic. "The need for a boutique hotel in West Vancouver is long overdue," said Megan Sewell of Sewell's Marina, whose family business is celebrating its 95th year.
Ab Troll, the third generation to run Troll's Restaurant, said his family carefully considered who would purchase the property and how they would treat Horseshoe Bay.
Some residents raised concerns about the building's massing and design. Councillor Nora Gambioli called the design "a bit massive and potentially a bit clunky," while Councillor Christine Cassidy said it resembled a ferry terminal rather than the "little Nantucket" aesthetic she envisioned for the neighbourhood. Councillor Sharon Thompson, however, supported the design as "quite suitable."
The underground parkade will accommodate 43 vehicles, with a shared vehicle access ramp from Bute Street.
