Oxford Properties Group, the global real estate arm of OMERS, revealed designs for its redevelopment of Park Hyatt Toronto. The plans create 65 luxury rental apartments at Two Avenue Road, the site’s heritage South Tower, 40,000 square feet of high-end retail and restaurant options throughout the complex, and a 219-room luxury Park Hyatt hotel in the site’s North Tower. The 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 project is already under construction and slated to re-open in early 2020.
The interiors of both The Residences at Two Avenue Road and Park Hyatt Toronto are being designed by Toronto-based Studio Munge. Both the hotel and residences feature local Canadian materials throughout including limestone flooring sourced from Owen Sound.
“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. 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,” says Alessandro Munge, principal, Studio Munge.
The project’s architecture is being designed by another Toronto-based firm, KPMB Architects.
The Residences at Two Avenue Road will feature 65 one- and two-bed rental apartment units, including five penthouse suites, which will range between 900 and 1,800 square feet. The 219 Park Hyatt hotel guestrooms in the North Tower will include 38 well-appointed suites, including a presidential and two multi-level suites, a redesigned lobby experience and a new 8,000 square foot Stillwater Spa with 13 treatment rooms. The connecting pathway between the North and South towers will be replaced by an expanded multi-level podium that will house the hotel lobby, a ground-level premium-upscale 10,000 square foot restaurant with a roof deck overlooking Yorkville, and 14,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a new, 600-person capacity ballroom.
The complex will also feature 20,000 square feet of prime retail in the restored heritage South Tower with 100 feet of frontage along each of Bloor Street and Avenue Road. The retail space will comprise two floors of 10,000 square feet, with the second floor enjoying double height ceilings that give the opportunity for 30-foot clear heights with a mezzanine level.
