OTTAWA — Major changes are in the works for the iconic Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel in the national capital.

The plan is to add as many as 200 long-term stay suites in the hotel just steps from Parliament Hill, in addition to an exterior courtyard and approximately 427 underground parking spaces.

Shovels are expected to be in the ground in the fall of 2017, with the new suites expected to be ready in 2020.

There was no immediate word on cost of the project.

Public consultations will take place at a later date, but there has already been a flurry of negative reaction to online depictions of the planned expansion.