Tourism is steadily improving in Canada as both domestic and foreign travellers support a much-needed recovery back to pre-pandemic levels. With hotel occupancies inching up in 2022, hotel construction projects in Canada have never been higher – another positive sign that the hospitality market is rebounding.
According to industry analysts Lodging Econometrics (LE), the forecast is for Canada’s hotel construction pipeline to remain strong throughout 2023 despite recent interest rate increases.
The top cities in Canada for hotel construction at the end of 2022 were Toronto, with a record project count of 65 projects/9,617 rooms, Vancouver (20 projects/3,008 rooms), and Niagara Falls (13 projects/3,899 rooms).
Here are three of the most anticipated hotel openings in Toronto, which are all firsts in Canada:
Nobu Hotel and Residences
The highly-anticipated Nobu Hotel and Residences will open in Toronto in the fall of 2023, including the celebrity-favourite Nobu restaurant.
Nobu Toronto, a dynamic project featuring the world’s first very Nobu branded high-rise residences as well as Canada’s first Nobu Hotel and Nobu Restaurant will be located in the heart of the entertainment district, transforming Mercer Street with its landmark design. Nobu Toronto will rise 45 storeys above the historic Pilkington Glass Factory with two dramatic residential towers, featuring sold out residential units with enviable views of Toronto and 36 hotel suites.
Designated as a heritage site, the base of Nobu Residences Toronto will retain the classic brick façade of the original Pilkington Glass Factory and Art Deco elements from the early 1900s. Toronto-based Teeple Architects and interior design firm Studio Munge are behind the Nobu Residences Toronto’s design.
“Nobu Toronto will be one of the most special destinations in Toronto and we are excited bring this highly anticipated brand to Canada,” said Josh Zagdanski, VP Hi Rise, Madison Group.
Canopy by Hilton Hotel
Canada’s first-ever Canopy by Hilton hotel opened in February 2023. The 184-room boutique hotel at 387 Bloor Street East, just steps from Yorkville is billed as a “luxury lifestyle hotel.”
Canopy by Hilton Toronto Yorkville will feature a contemporary street-view cafe and a retail boutique featuring local businesses. Studio Munge led the hotel’s unique design with layered interiors defined by curved edges and organic motifs.
The hotel, owned and managed by Easton’s Group of Hotels, will feature a modern café with retail offerings from local businesses on the main floor, a highly-anticipated restaurant with impressive views of Bloor St. and the Rosedale Valley, a sleek indoor heated pool, yoga and fitness rooms featuring state-of-the-art equipment, and comfortable meeting spaces. The hotel rooms can be found from the second to ninth floors, while the remainder of the building rising 55 floors comprises of Gupta Group Developments’ Rosedale on Bloor residential units.
“We’re excited to open Canada’s very first Canopy by Hilton hotel in Toronto. With its premium location, the hotel will bring a unique blend of sophistication, convenience and urban living,” says Reetu Gupta, chairwoman and ambassadress of The Gupta Group and Easton’s Group of Hotels.
Riu Plaza
The modern tower building will be a mixed-use property with 350 rooms, meeting space, a gym, bar and restaurant; while the upper floors will be for residential use.
Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts, said that opening of the flagship hotel in Toronto “is a big step forward in our commitment to expanding the Riu Plaza hotel line in the world’s key cities, establishing the RIU brand beyond more traditional vacation destinations. We hope this hotel attracts RIU customers around the world to discover the city of Toronto with us.”
The building is designed in a sophisticated avant-garde style, as a part of the Riu Plaza line, featuring 350 rooms, meeting rooms, a gym, a bar, and a restaurant. As for the upper floors, they will be for residential use.
Upon completion, the project will offer a mix of 353 hotel accommodations and 131 condo units in the 48-storey north tower, while the 49-storey south tower will be occupied exclusively by condos. Both towers will rise to 156 metres (512 ft), sitting atop 10-storey podiums.
