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The W Hotel Toronto held its grand opening yesterday at 90 Bloor Street East, part of the multi-use complex on the northeast corner of Yonge and Bloor. Offering a look at the stunning interiors and unique social spaces that it offers hotel guests and Torontonians alike, the location is only the second W Hotel in Canada. Part of the Marriott International group of hotels, the W brings a pop of colour inside and a sleekly renewed exterior — particularly at night when plenty of lights highlight its face on the street — to the sprawling complex.
The new exterior and new spaces are designed by architects—Alliance. Facing Bloor Street, that means a slipcovering of an unremarkable brutalist wall with staggered raised panels over a] white planar background, etched at night by strips of LED lighting, and punctuated by a glowing orange elevator that shuttles behind translucent panels, transporting guests to the rooftop bar and restaurant from entry level. (The interior of the elevator provides no view to the street.)
From street-level, "Public School" can be accessed. The coffee house, kitchen, and bar is driven by barista culture by day and bar-inspired fare by night.
The plant-forward menu is served across two levels, accentuated by interiors designed by Montreal-based Sid Lee, offering funky and colourful late 60s/early 70s-style seating.
Also found around the hotel are bear figurines created by BE@RBRICK of Japan. Bearbrick is a unique vinyl toy, and a desired collectable since its first release around 21 years ago. The playful figurines found at the W Toronto are unique in particular, as they feature artwork, licensed through the Andy Warhol Foundation, of the late Jean Michel Basquiat, whose work remains relevant today given social and political climates around the world.
Heading up to the sixth floor, we find the lobby/lounge, which W calls the "Living Room" in locations around the world. Highlights of the W Toronto's custom 5,000 ft² space that is meant to evoke 1970s Yorkville, include a communal fire pit, a circular bar featuring “Toronto Tapas” – shareable bites that have been created to represent the diverse neighbourhoods of the city.
The first ‘W Sound Suite’ in Canada – the hotel's one-of-a-kind recording studio, is also on this level. Situated across from the Living Room, the Sound Suite is fitted with professional recording equipment where musicians, podcasters, and others can create.
The Living Room also offers access to "The Yard," an outdoor courtyard terrace surrounded by five storeys of guest room windows.
The W Toronto features 254 guest rooms, including 30 suites -– two of which are two-storey "Extreme Wow", or Presidential suites. In the guest rooms, "floating" beds are under-lit by warm, glowing light and situated in front of a sapphire velvet curtain that can be drawn open, or shut with the press of a button.
Guest room design touches include curved banquettes for lounging on, dressing room-style vanity mirrors, and a full-service cocktail bar. Each room also comes with a clothes steamer.
W Toronto’s 3,300 ft² FIT gym is designed for guests to focus and recharge. The space features a yoga and barre room...
...as well as a weight room and a cardio room – that has fresh water on tap.
Finally, heading up to the 9th floor, having popped out of the street-side elevator, we arrive at "Skylight," the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant. Offerings include signature cocktails, and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
Views from the oversized windows and open terrace offer a look over Bloor Street. In addition to the main room, with its nightly DJ booth and performance stage, Skylight features "The Loft" for semi-private events...
…"The Den," an intimate seating, people-watching nook, and "The Terrace," with high-tops or cozy birdcage-style seating booths.
You can learn more about the W Toronto from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | architects—Alliance |
