Premiere Executive Suites

What started as a couple of condominiums in Halifax, has burgeoned into a network of fully-furnished executive suites in cities across the country, all focused on one thing – personal service.

Just over a decade after it was established, Premiere Executive Suites/Halifax has 220 units throughout the Maritimes, and is a financial partner in cities like Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton, contributing to the network of more than 800 suites coast-to-coast.

President Suzanne Bachur says the business started modestly, when founder and Nova Scotia entrepreneur Tim Moore learned about the idea of extended stay accommodations from a fellow passenger on a flight.

With a keen interest in real estate and recognizing a need in Halifax, he bought a condo and leased it out fully furnished as a dual investment. Following the purchase of five additional condominiums, Moore realized he had a growing business opportunity.

That’s when Bachur entered the picture. She and her husband had several Swiss Chalet franchises and knew Moore through a long standing friendship and joint business ventures.

“His plan was to buy another 10 to 15 condos and re-lease them furnished. He asked me to do the financials and paperwork, in my spare time when I wasn’t busy with my own franchises,” she laughs.

They worked together to buy more condos and set them up. They hired their first interior designer full-time, and that’s when they realized Premiere Executive Suites was expanding to a new level. Within the year, their operation grew to a portfolio of 30 units, which meant they hired additional administrative support, a full time sales associate and a house keeping division. It was at this point that Halifax financial professional Jeff Somerville joined as a partner.

“There was a strong market for what we were offering. Business was booming and we had to keep up with demand,” Bachur says.

Premiere Halifax’s four-star accommodations include properties ranging from the contemporary flagship, Bishop’s Landing, to the more unique and traditional Mary Queen of Scots Inn.

Recognizing Premiere Executive Suites’ success and similar values and goals, Southwest Properties joined the partnership in 2005. Today Southwest Properties is the majority shareholder.

The company has earned many accolades for its success in business, having twice been recognized by Canadian Business as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies, and one of Profit magazine’s Top 101 Companies in Atlantic Canada for six consecutive years. Bachur says one of the company’s proudest distinctions is their three-year position as one of the top five Best Places to Work in Atlantic Canada.

“Premiere has a very strong culture with an emphasis on respect, integrity and family values. We have a passion to offer high quality accommodations and personal service,” says Bachur.

Bachur believes Premiere Executive Suites succeeds largely because of the supportive business community in Nova Scotia, and because of the openness of the people. She is proud to say that Premiere Executive Suites offers the same friendly Nova Scotian approach to its clients coast-to-coast.

“The Nova Scotia business community values success in a different way. It’s not just defined by the bottom line. It’s also about having happy employees and giving back to the community. The lifestyle balance plays a huge role in business success here. It’s not an afterthought.”

Premiere Executive Suites clients are 65 per cent corporate, 40 per cent of which are longer term guests who tend to stay for more than 12 nights.

“Our business model is focused on the mobile employee who has a need for a higher quality accommodation that feels more like home,” Bachur explains. “Employees can even bring their family with them to stay at no additional cost. That’s the kind of thing our clients are looking for to keep their employees happy. We work hard to understand client needs and deliver the services that keep them coming back.”

Bachur adds that Premiere Executive Suites/Halifax is focusing its efforts on the business in Atlantic Canada, but still has a fair portion of other franchises in cities across Canada. She says the company’s success comes from working hard to develop relationships with clients and other Premiere Executive Suites offices to ensure that we provide exceptional service to clients at a national level.

Premiere intends to continue its growth throughout the Maritime region, focusing on areas that have not yet been fully developed, including St. John’s, Saint John, Moncton and Dartmouth. Bachur says she’s looking forward to strong growth here and across the country.

“When people come into one of our suites, they’re coming into our home. We treat them well and we make a point of getting to know them,” explains Bachur. “We’re proud that we can demonstrate to our members the warmth of Nova Scotia. We set a standard and take pride in sharing with other franchises what makes Nova Scotia such a great place to live and work.”