Bengal treasures to stay after Empress overhaul
Features that gave the Bengal Lounge much of its character — from the tiger pelt to the iconic sign — aren’t going anywhere.
The lounge will live on as a social event space, which can be booked for weddings, graduation parties and other private events, Fairmont Empress Hotel general manager Indu Brar said Tuesday.
“For those who love that room, they can come back and have a very personal and special experience in there, but it won’t be a curry buffet,” Brar said.
Not everything will remain. Fresh paint, new drapes and a flooring restoration are on the books.
“It needs a bit of a facelift,” said Brar, who became the first female manager of the Empress in March.
The first bookings are expected this fall.
The lounge closed to the public in April as part of a $30-million to $50-million renovation for the Empress.
News of the change drew fire from locals, who wanted the 61-year-old bar to stay open.
Suzanne Johnston, who gathered 6,500 signatures for an online petition to “save” the lounge, said she was pleased some elements would be preserved.
“There are some others who are still a little disappointed because it’s not going to remain a lounge anymore and the curry buffet will be gone. But I’m happy with the outcome,” Johnston said.
“We live in this sort of day and age where it’s out with the old and in with the new. Things don’t have much of a chance to become historical. I’m happy with the outcome that at least some of it is being preserved.”
Vancouver developer Nat Bosa and his wife, Flora, bought the 108-year-old hotel in 2014. Reno- vations have been underway since October.
A major focus of the renovation involves refurbishing the Empress Dining Room, creating a new bar in what was the harbourside dining area and cocktail lounge component adding to the tea lobby.