24. Darko Vranich: President & CEO, Vrancor Group

By Bob Bratina, Mayor of Hamilton, 2011-2014

Shortly after I became mayor, the first privately-funded construction crane downtown in 25 years was erected to build The Staybridge Suites hotel at George and Caroline streets. This was the beginning of Darko Vranich’s plan to invest nearly $125 million in 600 hotel units and 300 residential units in Hamilton’s downtown core. The Staybridge and Homewood Suites hotels are now functioning, two residential buildings, Bella Towers and the old Federal building are in progress, and a fifth structure is in the advanced planning stage. This is in addition to his purchase and multi-million dollar make-over of the Sheraton Hotel. Darko’s faith in downtown Hamilton has provided us with a dramatic increase in tax revenue from previously underperforming properties, hundreds of permanent jobs in the much-needed new hotels, and a boost in confidence for residents who have waited for years to see something positive happen in the core, as well as significantly increasing and up-grading Hamilton’s hotel sector. The word Darko uses with regard to his investments here is “opportunity”, and those of us who love Hamilton owe much to him for helping to restore our faith and self-esteem as a great Canadian city.