A new hotel is set to rise in the heart of downtown Langford – but for the Chu family, the project is more than bricks and mortar. It’s the next chapter in a legacy built on food, hard work and community spirit.
Four generations of the Chu family joined local dignitaries Wednesday (Aug. 13) for a groundbreaking ceremony at 830 Goldstream Ave., marking the first step towards construction of the six-storey, 103-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott.
“My dad never wanted to sell this land,” said Holden Chu, speaking about his 91-year-old father Stan. “He wanted something built here for the family and the community – not just another condo, but something that would last for generations and give back to the people here.”
Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the hotel will feature one-bedroom and studio units with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, fitness facilities and flexible workspaces – designed for both extended stays and weekend getaways.
The project is a partnership between Ho Goon Holdings, Sargent Construction and Metropolitan Hospitality Management, operating together as Stan’s Landing in honour of Stan Chu’s legacy.
That legacy began in Langford in 1969, when Stan and wife Donna opened the city’s first Asian dining spot, Stan’s Langford Restaurant, located near the old fire hall on Goldstream Avenue.
Chu and his sister Jan Dong, grew up working there in the 1970s, learning the value of hard work from their father, prepping food, waiting tables, bussing, and cooking.
“It was not all about the money, but it was about family and community – that’s what my father taught us and I just so appreciate it,” said Chu.
For Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson, the development represents far more than a hotel.
“It will serve as a home away from home for athletes competing at Starlight Stadium, for students and visiting faculty members at the John Horgan post-secondary campus opening next month, and for visitors from around the world exploring Vancouver Island,” he said.
Goodmanson added that the new hotel will strengthen Langford’s ability to attract more international events and visitors, enriching the city’s culture and quality of life for residents, while giving the local economy a boost.
“To the Chu family and the development team, thank you for choosing Langford for this significant investment,” he said.
For Chu, seeing shovels in the ground marks both a milestone and a promise kept to his father, who quietly watched the groundbreaking ceremony unfold. “This is for my dad," he said. "It's about my father's legacy."
