TORONTO — Oxford Properties Group has unveiled its designs for the redevelopment of the historic Park Hyatt Toronto in downtown Toronto, which is already under construction and slated to re-open in early 2020.
The property will be redesigned to include a 219-room luxury Park Hyatt hotel in the site’s North Tower, while the site’s heritage South Tower will feature 65 luxury rental apartments, as well as 40,000 sq. ft. of high-end retail space and restaurant options throughout the complex.
“Oxford’s goal is to connect people to exceptional places and our plans for the new Park Hyatt hotel will deliver that for Toronto residents and visitors alike,” says Tyler Seaman, head of Hotels and Multi-Residential, North America, Oxford Properties. “We felt a deep sense of obligation to create a vision that not only respects and embraces Park Hyatt Toronto’s storied history, but one that also reflects Toronto’s emergence as a truly global city.”
The property’s heritage-designated South Tower will be completely retained and restored, making it the first high-rise in Toronto to be totally retained in an adaptive re-use project. The interiors are being designed by Toronto-based Studio Munge and will use materials and finishes that celebrate Canada — including limestone flooring sourced from Owen Sound, Ont.
“The design of Park Hyatt Toronto and The Residences at Two Avenue Road is rooted in creating a true sense of place by connecting the iconic experience with Canada’s undeniable beauty. With this fundamental principal, we found inspiration in the Group of Seven who also drew from nature. We admired how they captured their surroundings within art and we evolved this concept into its design,” says Alessandro Munge, principal at Studio Munge. “The essence of Canada’s landscapes and diverse seasons are modernized throughout every area and enhance the guest’s journey as they move from public spaces to intimate guestrooms and residences. Bespoke details, such as carpet designs informed by autumn leaves and Canadian-stone performing as expressive accents honour what the country has given to us.”
KPMB Architects — known for its heritage work including the Royal Conservatory of Music and the ongoing revitalization of Toronto’s Massey Hall — will be in charge of the project’s architecture.
The renovated Park Hyatt will feature 38 suites, including a presidential and two multi-level suites; a redesigned lobby experience; and a new 8,000-sq.-ft. Stillwater Spa with 13 treatment rooms.
The connecting pathway between the property’s North and South towers will be replaced by an expanded multi-level podium that will house the hotel lobby and a ground-level, 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant with a roof deck overlooking Yorkville. It will also include 14,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, including a new ballroom that can accommodate 600 guests.
“Our plans for the Park Hyatt hotel restore it to its intended original purpose when the building first opened in 1936 as a mixture of hotel rooms and residential apartments,” says Mark Cote, head of Development – Canada, Oxford Properties. “We’re proud to be updating another world-class landmark in Toronto that has a strong focus on Canadian-sourced materials.”
