The first 35-unit Sandman Inn opens in the small northwestern town of Smithers, British Columbia. Located along Yellowhead Highway, the Inn is a success among families and business travellers seeking comfortable roadside accommodation and a good night’s rest.

Adding a new tier to Northland’s hotel portfolio, Sandman proudly opens its first prominent city location in downtown Vancouver. The modern, fully equipped high-rise sets the foundation for the company’s successful expansion into higher-end hotel accommodations.

Northland acquires the franchise rights to Denny’s Restaurants in Western Canada. Offering guests this convenient, on-site dining experience at select Sandman Hotel locations is highly regarded and sets the standard of brand unity between hotels and restaurants.

The first standalone Denny’s location opens in Vancouver’s famous West End neighbourhood and gains popularity quickly. In the coming years, more standalone sites open, ushering in a new wave of restaurants for Western Canada.

With an exciting decade of expansions and new additions, Northland acquires Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill at 180 W. Georgia St. in Vancouver BC. 

With foresight into the potential of Canada’s food & hospitality industry, Northland acquires the rights to Moxies chain of 24 company-owned and franchised restaurants. The decision is an immediate success, and the first new concept Moxie’s Classic Grill opens with rave reviews in the Shawnessy neighbourhood of Calgary, Alberta. 

In light of the success at Moxie’s, Northland launches the first Chop Steakhouse & Bar on Stony Plain Rd in Edmonton, Alberta.  

With strong family roots in the city of Kamloops, BC, and a big fan of Canada’s favourite sport, Tom Gaglardi, in partnership with some of the most distinguished alumni from the NHL and WHL, purchases the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.

Adding sophistication and elegance to their hotel portfolio, Northland acquired The Sutton Place Hotels. Purchased as a single entity in Vancouver, the luxury hotel brand continues to grow across Canada with the opening of The Sutton Place Hotel Revelstoke and The Sutton Place Hotel Halifax.

Inspired by opportunities to expand internationally, Sandman Signature Hotels embraces the UK and opens Sandman Signature Newcastle Hotel in 2011. Famous for its industrial heritage, friendly Geordie hospitality, and the Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC), the hotel is ideally located directly across the road from St. James Park and makes their onsite Shark Club Gastro Bar the place to go before and after every match.

Daring into the Lone Star State, Northland purchases the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars. Immediately, the decision is a success as attendance goes up by 5,000 people a game.

After celebrating Sandman’s 50th anniversary, Northland opens Sandman Signature in Plano, Texas, marking the company’s first hotel property in the US.

Grouse Mountain Resort joins Northland’s extensive family of hospitality and entertainment brands. The Resort’s dynamic and authentic mountaintop playground offers guests year-round access to activities, attractions, and panoramic views of the city and sea.

Celebrating an impressive company milestone, Northland Properties opens King Blue Hotel Toronto in the city’s Entertainment District. A contemporary-modern luxury boutique hotel inspired by the neighbourhood’s dynamic energy while also paying tribute to Toronto’s deeply-rooted architectural history with the hotel’s front-facing exterior built from the original six stories of the Canadian Westinghouse Company building constructed in 1927.