Toronto Hotel X (was Hotel in the Garden) | ?m | 27s | Exhibition Place | NORR

Exhibition: Hotel and Conference Centre Projects

EXHIBITION PLACE ENTERS INTO EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HKHOTELS
FOR NEW HOTEL DEVELOPMENT

September 24, 2007, TORONTO – The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place today approved of entering into exclusive negotiations with HKHotels following their response to a Request for Proposal for the development, construction and management of an on-site, privately-financed convention hotel.

HKHotels is a privately run company that successfully operates four boutique hotels in New York City and a new resort hotel in Prague. The hotel developer has put together a strong development team that includes NORR Architects and Urban Strategies, and is committed to achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating design standard. The first phase of this development recommends an urban resort-style hotel, with at least 300 rooms, complimented by amenities including tennis courts, pool, health club, underground parking and green space.

“The proposal from HKHotels demonstrated a well thought out urban master plan for the hotel site. It combines the needs and quality of a convention-style hotel, with environmental sensitivity and spectacular design features that will compliment the existing buildings on the grounds including the award-winning Direct Energy Centre and the many heritage properties at Exhibition Place,†said Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, Chair of Exhibition Place.

Four potential sites, each representing approximately 3.5 acre parcels were identified by Exhibition Place in the 2006 Request for Proposal and Hotel Development Market Brief. HKHotels proposal sited the hotel in the lands south of the Direct Energy Centre, and adjacent to the Automotive Building (see site plan attached).

About Exhibition Place:

Exhibition Place is Canada’s largest entertainment venue, attracting over 5.2 million visitors a year. The site is an integral component of Toronto and Ontario’s economy, particularly with respect to sport, festivals, recreation, culture and tourism. Occupancy of the proposed hotel would be driven by exhibition and convention delegates and attendees at Direct Energy Centre and the new Conference Centre project; and those attending annual events such as the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Grand Prix, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Besides creating a business synergy with the tenants across the grounds, demand for a hotel will also be driven by new commercial and residential developments such as Liberty Village and Fort York Neighbourhood surrounding Exhibition Place.

The selection of a hotel developer is yet another element in the ongoing rejuvenation of Exhibition Place and follows City Council’s approval of the proposed renovation of the Automotive Building to create a Conference Centre complete with ballrooms and meeting facilities. In 2004 Exhibition Place undertook an environmental stewardship initiative, which included the promotion of sustainable development, environmental initiatives and leading edge green technologies and practices across the 192-acre site. This environmental initiative has resulted in award winning recognition across North America, and has established Exhibition Place as a world leader in energy-efficient technologies.

About HKHotels:

HKHotels is a fully integrated hotel company involved in the construction, ownership and management of hotel properties. Founded by Henry Kallan and based in New York, HKHotels is a privately owned and operated hotel collection that takes a unique perspective to the business of hospitality. Since opening its first property in 1992, HKHotels has become renowned for developing hotels that have a distinct point-of-view and offer an outstanding level of service quality. Designs for new HKHotels are currently under development in other key locations in the U.S. and Europe.
For additional information go to www.explace.on.ca
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Louroz
 
Backgrounder for HKHotels Release

Backgrounder for HKHotels Release


About HKHotels

• HKHotels is a privately run company that successfully operates 4 boutique hotels in New York City: Library Hotel, Hotel Giraffe, Hotel Elysee and Casablanca Hotel

• It has also created and launched a music concept hotel in Prague and the 187-room Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan

• HKHotels takes a unique approach to the business of hospitality. Each of their European-style hotels has its own personality and charm. HKHotels philosophy is to anticipate, meet and exceed guest expectations.

• Mr. Henry Kallan, the president and owner of HKHotels is regarded as one of the most innovative “indie†hoteliers in New York.

• The HKHotels Development Team includes: NORR Architects (also the architect for the Conference Centre project at Exhibition Place) and Urban Strategies to advise on community consultation.

About the Proposed Hotel Development

• The hotel will be a year-round attraction, with resort style amenities (tennis courts, pool, health/exercise sports club component, green spaces)

• First phase will be and urban resort hotel with at least 300 guest rooms all with a view of Lake Ontario or the City of Toronto

• Amenities include café, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, roof garden lounge, balconies, balconies, health spa, underground parking and underground connections to the Conference Centre (in the renovated Automotive Building) and to Direct Energy Centre.

• HKHotels is committed to at least LEED Silver rating design standard

• The Exhibition Place hotel will be themed similar to the boutique hotels in New York

• HKHotels will be the developer and operator

• The Hotel plan includes linkages to Stanley Barracks and HKHotels is committed to enhancing and exhibition in a sensitive manner all heritage elements on the site.

• HKHotels is committed to community consultation in their development process

• Occupancy of the proposed hotel would be driven by exhibition and convention delegates and attendees from Direct Energy Centre and the new Conference Centre project; and those attending annual events such as the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Grand Prix, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

• Besides creating a business synergy with the tenants across the grounds, demand for a hotel will also be driven by new industrial, commercial and residential developments such as Liberty Village and Fort York Neighbourhood surrounding Exhibition Place.

Louroz
 
I hope they take into account the Toronto Grand Prix's noise when designing the windows. It's gonna be REALLY noisy for those guests if they don't make some sort of sound proof window scheme.
 
caltrane74 said:
How did BMO Field/Toronto FC get left out of this report?
Click to expand...

Maybe no one expects the franchise to survive by the time the hotel is built. Or maybe they'll feel that the structure will implode with one more faulty screw. Just kidding. Seriously, it is bizarre that it was left out.
 
BMO field should build its own hotel in the parking lot immediately adjacent to the stadium the way SkyDome did theirs.

Exhibition Place needs year round uses to keep these grounds relevant.
 
Had Stanley Barracks not been demo'd a half century ago, someone'd be claiming this does to Stanley Barracks what Pure/Clear Spirit does to the Distillery District...
 
These grounds are my great little secret. They are beautiful with great buildings, and no one knows about them.

I think this is a great step in getting the area some use. It is such a great place for history, gardens, views, walking, etc etc etc.
 
MetroMan said:
I hope they take into account the Toronto Grand Prix's noise when designing the windows. It's gonna be REALLY noisy for those guests if they don't make some sort of sound proof window scheme.
Click to expand...

You have to take into account the fact that given the location, many of the guests will be there for the Grand Prix, and they may have a good view of the event. They don't even race at night.
 
CSW2424 said:
Maybe no one expects the franchise to survive by the time the hotel is built. Or maybe they'll feel that the structure will implode with one more faulty screw. Just kidding. Seriously, it is bizarre that it was left out.
Click to expand...

Wow, that was like so "4 months ago" ...

But yeah, whomever writes these Press Releases for the EX should be notified that they have a large stadium on their grounds that's used for a lot of sporting events - that this year have brought over 500,000 people (TFC Games, National team games, friendlies, U-20 World Cup)
 
FutureMayor, any new info on this site? Is it proceeding along with the Allstream Centre?

42
 
Exhibition Place Hotel Development

HK Hotels will present a hotel proposal

Notice of meeting......
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Long over due. I hope that the new hotel has at least occupancy for at least 2000 people. I also hope that there is also an affordable restaurant with good food of course since there's really nothing down there when the ex isn't running.
 
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