TORONTO — Toronto’s Annex Hotel has named Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar as its new Chief Culture Officer as the brand prepares for global expansion. With significant growth plans over the next five years, the brand will expand into New York and Los Angeles in the next 12 months.
In his new role, Caesar will work alongside the Annex Hotel team to develop a culturally relevant space for creatives, modern travellers and locals through art, design, music and programming.
“The Annex embodies the kind of hotel that I think is relevant in today’s society,” says Caesar, CCO of the Annex. “Having essentially lived out of hotels the last five years, I’ve experienced almost every kind of hospitality offering. During my stays at The Annex in Toronto, I have always been impressed by their deep understanding of guest needs, always going above and beyond to deliver a service that the modern traveller actually wants from a hotel. The way that the Annex has combined design, culture and technology was like nothing I have ever experienced. It is an incredible brand that will relevant globally, and I’m really excited to be a part of the team.”
“From the moment we met, it was clear that Daniel Caesar understood our vision. His insight on experience, design and culture blew us away,” says Ryan Killeen, COO of The Annex. “Great hotels are generally expensive, offer unnecessary amenities and say more about themselves than the local culture and community. Daniel’s style, cultural significance and artistic talents will add an incredible layer to our brand an enable us to connect in a meaningful way with locals in new cities around the world.”
The Annex has also welcomed Eric Lachance as the hotel’s new lead designer. Lachance was nominated for Artwork of the Year at the 2018 Juno Awards for Caesar’s album, Freudian. In addition, Chieff Bosompra, founder of Aunty Lucy’s Burgers, will now be the lead programmer for the hotel’s food-and-beverage offerings.
