SAN FRANCISCO — Sonder Holdings Inc. increased its footprint in Canada in 2021 by opening new properties and contracting hundreds of additional units across Montreal and Toronto.
In Montreal, Sonder recently opened the Sonder Saint Paul, a 20-unit hotel in a heritage building in Old Montreal, as well as the Sonder Maisonneuve, a 157-unit new-build property, located in the heart of downtown Montreal. Sonder Maisonneuve hosts fully equipped studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, all with balconies, in-suite laundry and kitchens. Guests also have access to amenities including a rooftop pool, sauna, and gym.
Sonder currently operates more than 385 units across the city in neighbourhoods such as Griffintown and the Plateau and has more than 270 additional contracted units across two other properties, including the Board of Trade building on Saint-Sacrement.
The company, originally founded in Montreal, has also established an additional decision-making centre for its global operations in the city and plans to add hundreds of positions at its corporate office on Viger Street.
“We’re thrilled to be working with a well-capitalized and reliable partner such as Sonder. Their proven, innovative hospitality model is driving a global guest experience that we feel is the future of hospitality and that was started and built right here in Montreal,” says Richard Rumpf, vice-president of Prime Properties and the owner of multiple Sonder-operated properties in Montreal.
Sonder also continues to expand in Toronto and recently contracted more than 110 units in four additional locations, spread across desired neighbourhoods such as the St. Lawrence Market and the Entertainment District. These units are in addition to the over 120 live units across five existing Sonder locations in Toronto.
“Canadian cities are international destinations that provide a great mix of contemporary apartment-style and hotel properties that work well in our portfolio,” says Martin Picard, co-founder and global head of Real Estate at Sonder. “Our offering is oriented towards the modern traveller and emerging traveller subsets such as digital nomads. We look for properties located close to cultural or travel destinations and that are well-suited to design-forward, tech-enabled experiences. While Sonder is a global company now, our roots are in Canada and we plan to continue to grow our presence across the country.”
The company also operates a 66-unit property in the West End of Vancouver and is exploring expansion opportunities in Ottawa, Quebec City, Calgary, Banff and Victoria.
