Canada's biggest hotel, The Delta Chelsea along Gerrard Street West just north of Yonge-Dundas Square, has announced it will be under new owners in a few months. Delta, which has another hotel under constuction on lower Simcoe Street as a part of the Southcore Financial Centre, has over the past few years been attempting an overhaul of its image as part of an overall vision to become the premier four-star brand in the country.

Delta Chelsea, image by Jack Landau

After Delta's 37-year-history with the almost-1,600-room hotel, the company will be leaving management duties to the Langham Hospitality Group, who own numerous luxury brands worldwide. The new hotel name will drop the Delta and become just the Chelsea Toronto. With the relative affordability, family atmosphere and downtown hotel balconies to boot, this Toronto landmark has subsequently seen a lot of wear. Despite an interior renovation in the early 1990s, the aging building is starting to look out of place in the midst of an evolving neighbourhood with new projects like Aura at College Park, Sickkids Research Tower and the Ryerson Student Centre essentially surrounding it on three sides.

Not long ago, we reported on the hotel's plans to renovate the building and bring it up date. Although there has not been any word on whether the renovations will still happen we can be sure once the new owners take up residence something will happen. Below is a picture of the Chelsea's proposed renovations when complete.

Proposed Renovations for Delta Chelsea, image Courtest of Great Eagle Holdings

Delta will not have a hotel in Toronto for close to 18 months after departing the current location, while it puts all efforts into its new flagship location south of Union Station, which when complete will rise 45 storeys. Delta has certainly made a strategic decision moving to Simcoe. With a whole host of companies and projects moving close to Union and the lake, this area is slowing becoming the new centre of Toronto's business world. Below is a rendering of the project currently under construction, designed by Page+Steele/IBI group Architects.

New Delta Hotel Toronto, image courtesy of Great West Life

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