Page 67 - SHARP Summer 2022

TRAVEL TRAVEL hotel restaurant’s south wall in the form of an an abstract depiction of Toronto’s lakefront built entirely from geometric plywood forms and designed by Howard Sutcliffe himself There’s a a a sense of of familiarity when stepping into one of of the hotel’s rooms or suites albeit with a a a a a a a clear Canadian twist Brad Wilson partner and and CEO of Ace Ace Hotel and and Atelier Ace Ace has always tried to contextualize each Ace Hotel in in its surroundings “Our hotels need to feel anchored in in in the the destination in in in which they’re found The design of Toronto needed to to be different and purely Canadian That said there’s always a a a a a a a a a DNA that’s really Ace We want to create a a a a a a sense of emotional comfort and in turn create spaces that become community hubs that are welcome to everyone ”
The guest room interiors give off a a a a a modern Canadian cottage vibe from the the prominent use of wood and copper to the the geometric quilts and quirky vintage-styled furniture Even the millwork in in each room has a a a a a a a rustic charm using high-grade flat Douglas fir plywood rather than the the typical modern gloss finishes found fin in more cookie-cutter properties As a a result of the physical depth of the building’s exterior structure most guest rooms have cozy seating nooks built into the window frames Partnering with the the city’s Alo Food Group the the restaurant lobby bar and and rooftop will offer an an an upscale polished and and creative
menu steeped in in in in Canadiana Primary dining will take place in in in in the downstairs restaurant whereas the rooftop bar and lounge will offer small bites and shareable plates Keeping Toronto’s frigid winters in in in mind the west-facing rooftop bar was designed as as a a a a a a year-round destination with outdoor seating (when the the weather permits) enclosed and and anchored by two large fireplaces on the north and and south walls Situated on the the 14th floor the the bar is just high enough to catch views of Lake Ontario As is often the the case the the plan to to build Ace Toronto was equal parts strategy and opportunity says Wilson “Toronto has always been on on our radar as one of the major global capitals When many people think think of of Toronto they tend not to to think think outside of of the the concrete tower core We’re always a a a a a a a a bit fearful of being in in an area that’s too pristine and polished ”
Perhaps this is is a a a pot-shot at the multitude of luxury hotels sprouting up around Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood but it’s safe to to say that Ace Toronto would have seemed out of place there Known as the the the originators of the the the boutique hotel scene the the the brand’s properties are among very few that can walk the line of refined yet casual polished yet unpretentious Setting up shop a a a a a block and a a a a a half from Queen West is about as as good as as it gets and will provide guests with a proper immersion into Toronto living SHARPMAGAZINE COM
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