W Toronto celebrates a culture clash of design

W Hotels Worldwide has announced the opening of W Toronto. Rising 11 stories in the creatively charged neighbourhood of Yorkville, the hotel is a celebration of Toronto’s storied art scene, diversity of culture, and legacy of non-conformity.

Designed by global creative agency Sid Lee, W Toronto is a juxtaposition of the city’s biophilia, man-made city grid and brutalist architecture. The contrast begins with the exterior, where the brutalist façade has been transformed through warm, LED lighting that illuminates the night sky, including a glowing, opaque orange lift to take guests to the rooftop bar and restaurant. The journey begins on the 6^th floor, where the W brand’s signature lobby-lounge drips in jewel tones of ruby, amethyst, and topaz, with curved lines and velvet furniture reminiscent of Toronto’s late 60s and early 70s counterculture movement. Other highlights of the 5,000ft² space include a communal fire pit, a circular destination bar featuring cascading amber lighting, and access to The Yard, an outdoor terrace surrounded by a three-story atrium of guest room windows, creating a voyeuristic tension between public and private.

W Toronto features 254 guestrooms – including 30 suites – two of which are Extreme Wow Suites. Drawing inspiration from Toronto’s illustrious theatre district, beds are flanked by stage-inspired pendant lights and situated in front of a sapphire velvet curtain that can be automatically drawn open or shut. Design touches include curved banquettes, dressing-room style vanity mirrors, “record-like” tables in honour of Toronto’s musical legacy and nods to nature, like the abstract floral wallpaper and mushroom-shaped accent lights. As a playful wink to personal artistic interpretation, Double Queen Rooms are adorned with wall art that reads “Not everything has to mean something. Some things just are.” by Canadian writer and musician Charles de Lint.

Music and creative artistry take centerstage at W Toronto, boasting Canada’s first W Sound Suite, the brand’s signature recording studio experience. Situated off the Living Room, behind a one-way tinted window, the W Sound Suite is outfitted with professional equipment where accomplished and novice musicians, podcasters and other creatives can draw inspiration from the city and hotel scene.

From the psychedelic rock of the 60s and the hip hop of today, to the street art of Graffiti Alley, Toronto is known for its multidisciplinary artistic legacy. W Toronto honours and adds to this cannon with a collection of original work beginning with the W Monument on Bloor Street. Created by Sid Lee, it reflects biophilia and hippie culture through the use of natural crystal rock patterns and the bold palette of psychedelia. The journey continues with three murals by Dutch-born artist Mikael B. At the driveway is “Below The Surface,” a mesmerising interpretation of undersea volcanic eruptions; “Hidden Gem” inspired by Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock and Peter Saul with an array of colours and geometric shapes; and “Clear Vision,” an abstract experimentation of colour in the meeting and event space.

Leading the creative culinary charge at W Toronto is Executive Chef Keith Pears, who brings star quality to W Toronto’s three distinct beverage and food venues, taking guests on a progressive journey from morning to late night. It begins with Public School, the rebellious, ground floor coffee house, kitchen and bar driven by barista culture by day and new school tonics, elixirs and low or no alcohol beverages by night. The playful, unpretentious, plant-forward menu is served across two sweeping levels, accentuated by inviting, late 60s/early 70s seating in a palette of soothing earth tones as well as “Toronto Gush,” an original mural by Costa Rican-born artist Alan Ganev, inspired by Toronto’s Graffiti Alley.

The Living Room pays homage to Toronto’s standing as the most multicultural city in the world. Featuring Toronto Tapas – light, shareable bites representing the city’s diverse neighbourhoods – the menu includes: Barbacoa Tacos (Kensington Market); Jerk Chicken Skewers (Little Jamaica); and Fogo Island Cod Cheeks (Little India). Sparkling is the theme of the Living Room beverage program, with Champagne, rare bottles and a Perlini corking system allowing for unique flight experiences, bubbly by the glass as well as sparkling cocktails, such as the Celery Sour and the Green Goddess Bloody Mary.

As the sun sets, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Skylight, casts a spell on the city’s late-night scene with alluring curated cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The indoor-outdoor boho oasis overlooks Toronto’s iconic Bloor Street, celebrating the provocative and artistic spirit of the 60s Yorkville hippie revolution. In addition to the bazaar-inspired main room – with a 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 birdcage-style seating). The menu includes familial-style mezze, salatas, and freshly made maneesh served with tagines as well as an over-the-top Seafood Tower with oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, escabeche, tuna and scallop crudos, king crab legs, lobster, and caviar.

“From its street art scene and ongoing musical legacy, Toronto is a natural fit for W Hotels,” says Benoit Racle, Vice President, Brand Management, W Hotels Worldwide. “Our unassuming, playful interpretation of luxury is poised to make W Toronto a regular stop for those living and working in Toronto as well as the perfect place for an out-of-town guest to revel in the city like a local.”