SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The doors may not yet be open to guests at the Nova Hotel being built on 49 Street but that's not stopping it from expanding.

The current stage of construction at the new Nova Hotel being built next to the Explorer Hotel. The development company, Nova Builders, was recently approved for a four-storey, 73-room extension for the left side of the property. - Karen K. Ho/NNSL photo

Nova Builders, the company behind the development, plans to increasing its number of rooms by almost 50 per cent.

The company's development permit was approved by the city's department of planning and lands on Nov. 6 following a two-week appeal period.

The plan is for a 73-room extension on the left side of the property where a 146-room hotel is currently under construction.

Site plans show a four-level structure with joint walkways to the main hotel on the top three floors. Each of the floors have 16 to 20 rooms which also feature balconies.

In an interview in June, Nova Builders president Mike Mrdjenovich said the new hotel will offer a restaurant and convention hall with capacity for 240 people.

At the time, the plan was to have the hotel open late next year.

The company has built other projects in the city, including the Nova Court hotel across from the Stanton Territorial Hospital and the Chateau Nova which now operates as part of the Days Inn hotel chain.

In June, Nova Hotels president Aleksa Mrdjenovich said her company was excited to get back into the Yellowknife market after starting here with the Chateau Nova hotel, which is now the Days Inn.

Rainer Launhardt, vice-president of hotels at Nunastar and owner of the Explorer Hotel, said he anticipated the increase in number of hotel rooms will negatively affect businesses.

"What it means with the other hotels coming on, in the short term, is that we expect occupancy rates to soften in the market," he said.

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