The World of Hospitality Issue 52 2023 | Page 4

HOTELS & RESORTS

Sid Lee Architecture Pulls Back the Curtain on the Interior Design of Toronto ’ s New W Hotel

- SID LEE ARCHITECTURE -
Sid Lee Architecture is proud to unveil its revitalization project of a Bloor Street hotel for the opening of W Worldwide ’ s latest property in Toronto ’ s Yorkville neighborhood . Based on themes derived from the city ’ s current and historical heritage , the fresh look of W Toronto reflects the banner ’ s desire to assert itself as a showcase for local culture .
Rethought as a multitude of mises en scène , the new spaces echo the diversity of the urban center , and through a fluid design experience , the W Toronto facilitates an encounter with the city within its own walls .
CONNECTED TO THE STREET “ Connection to the community being an important part of W ’ s DNA , it was vital to connect the hotel to its context , but the original closed-off layout of the building represented an integration challenge ” says Martin Leblanc , architect and principal partner at Sid Lee Architecture . “ Our team relied on a seamless connection between the interior and the exterior to turn the hotel into a connectivity hub .” That idea was deployed namely around architects-Alliance ’ s addition of an elevator accessible directly from the street .
On the ground floor , the facade opens onto the street and allows for a direct connection with PUBLIC SCHOOL : the hotel ’ s café by day , and cocktail bar by night . The action is set around a casual circular bar adorned by notched black marble panels that fit the context of the designer stores of Bloor Street , while remaining approachable and inviting , and chic yet accessible .
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