Just about two years since the Park Hyatt Hotel temporarily closed at Avenue Road and Bloor, a significant renovation of the property at the west edge of Toronto's Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood has been gradually unfolding. Designed by KPMB Architects with ERA Architects overseeing heritage elements, upgrades to the Oxford Properties-owned site include changes to both the 1936-built, 17-storey south tower and the 1956-built north tower, as well as a totally rebuilt low-rise structure connecting the two.

Looking north to Park Hyatt Hotel's south tower, image by Forum contributor G.L.17

We last checked in on the project in May, 2019 when structural steel installation for the south tower's new upper level and new exterior elevator bank were wrapping up. In the months since, glazing has enclosed all but the uppermost levels' lobbies for the elevator bank, while weatherproofing has been added to the new north facade in advance of finishing materials.

Looking southwest to the Park Hyatt, image by Craig White

There is even more happening inside of the 1936-built tower, where hotel and office spaces are being converted into 65 new luxury rental apartments to be known as Two Avenue Road. Other changes to the heritage exterior include the recent replacement of the windows with new insulated sash windows, improving the building's energy performance while returning the exterior to its original aesthetic.

New windows installed at the Park Hyatt, image by Craig White

Between the south tower and the 1956-built north tower (its Modernist aesthetic since covered by a PoMo recladding and two-floor upwards extension in 1997) is a new low-rise connecting volume, being built with structural steel. It replaces a single-storey connecting building and open drive court.

Looking north on Avenue Road, image by Craig White

This low-rise section recently reached structural completion, and crews have since begun installing backing for the first exterior finishes. The first panels of glazing are now in place towards the interior of the low-rise volume's ground floor. This area of the complex will house a sheltered drive court, new reception area and lounge, bar, ballroom, and dining areas.

Low-rise section at the Park Hyatt, image by Craig White

Though there is still much work left to do, hoarding around the construction site advertises an early 2020 reopening for the property, which is also getting thoroughly updated and upgraded hotel suites as part of the renovations.

Renovated Park Hyatt Hotel, image courtesy of Oxford Properties

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

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