The first Ace Hotel in Canada has opened in Toronto
Ace Hotel Toronto stands as testament to the quiet but regenerative power that thoughtful architecture and design can have on its environment. Set in the heart of Toronto’s historic Garment District – a neighborhood fueled by innovation and industry at the start of the 20th century – the building’s character and material palette recall the robustness of the surrounding brick-and-beam factories and warehouses.
Ace Hotel Toronto — the brand’s inaugural home in Canada — opens its doors o July 26, 2022. The 123-room ground-up project was designed by revered Toronto firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects, led by Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe, recipients of numerous awards including the 2021 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, the nation’s highest honour for architecture. Anchoring the building is Alder, a seasonal wood-fired restaurant from critically acclaimed chef Patrick Kriss, which will open for dinner service on August 9. Chef Patrick also helms the menus for The Lobby, as well as the hotel’s rooftop bar and lounge, Evangeline, opening later this year.
Ace Hotel Toronto stands in the city’s historic Garment District, a neighbourhood ignited by innovation and industry at the start of the 20th century, once a manufacturing centre that grew into an influential artistic hub. At a nexus of neighbourhoods including Queen West, Downtown and Chinatown, and within walking distance of famed music venues, galleries, bars and restaurants, the hotel joins an area long defined by many of the independently minded and community-focused institutions that form the city’s cultural backbone. Ace Hotel Toronto stands as testament to the quiet but regenerative power that thoughtful architecture and design can have on its environment. Set in the heart of Toronto’s historic Garment District – a neighborhood fueled by innovation and industry at the start of the 20th century – the building’s character and material palette recall the robustness of the surrounding brick-and-beam factories and warehouses.
“Long a leading global light for its forward-thinking approach to city-making and design, Toronto is
a city that embraces originality and is rooted in the same open-to-all philosophy that founded Ace.
We could not be more proud to open Ace Hotel Toronto — the architectural magnificence of Shim-
Sutcliffe Architects’ work has created a bona fide wonder. They have built an inherently civic space
that respects the neighbourhood’s storied past while nurturing its future. Likewise, Chef Patrick Kriss
has worked in tandem with our team to create something exceptional at Alder, a restaurant with an
honest reverence of seasons and quality. It is with great gratitude to the gifts of friends near and far
that we welcome all to finally fill this remarkable space.”
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Although a new building, the robust, solid architecture of Ace Hotel Toronto was designed to convey timelessness, and feels effortlessly at home amongst its surroundings. Shim-Sutcliffe Architects’ work — imbued with modesty, honesty, and an appreciation of place, as exemplified by the studio’s famed Integral House — evokes a particularly Canadian spirit and feeling. The building’s red brick facade recalls the important role bricks pressed from Don Valley clay played in forming the city’s visual identity, and guests entering the lobby catch a glimpse of Horizon Line, a three-story site-specific art installation abstractly representing Lake Ontario’s glittering waters, designed by A. Howard Sutcliffe. A rhythmic series of soaring, poured-in-place, concrete structural arches rise from the semi-subterranean restaurant to a level above. The Lobby, clad in red oak lining and inspired in form by a wooden tray, is suspended by slender steel rods from these massive supports and offers guests a variety of viewpoints and scales within the impressive space. With a sun-dappled seating area replete with vintage and custom Atelier Ace furnishings, and views overlooking the neighbourhood green space St. Andrew’s Playground Park, The Lobby is rich with texture and warmth, offering space for life to take place.
At its heart, Ace Toronto is a civic space built for gathering and trading in words, intimacies and bright ideas. A meeting of rough-hewn textures and sleek comforts, the hotel’s interiors, designed by Atelier Ace, take their cues from the city’s legacy of manufacturing and textiles as well as Ontario’s landscape of dense forests and looping riverways. Ace Toronto’s original art program features pieces by nearly 40 artists, the majority of whom share ties to the city. The far-reaching works enrich the hotel’s public and private spaces and glow of humanity.
Guest suites are conceived as restful urban cabins, with Douglas fir panelling, copper accents, custom Shim- Sutcliffe lighting and side tables, and deep-set window benches built into the structure offering connection to the city’s shifting seasons and light. Considered material, constructed time, tremendous shifts of scale and sensitivity to place coalesce at Ace Hotel Toronto, bringing a future-facing structure and unprecedented creative centre to the city.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Chef-Partner Patrick Kriss oversees all dining menus at Ace Hotel Toronto, working with Executive Chef Devin Murphy, who runs daily kitchen operations, and Pastry Chef Victoria Ammendolia. Widely regarded as one of the world’s top culinary talents, Chef Patrick holds the distinction of being awarded the title of “Outstanding Chef” by Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants consecutively from 2017-2020. His flagship Toronto restaurant, Alo, holds a rare four-star rating from The Globe & Mail, and in addition to Alo, Chef Patrick and his Alo Food Group own the popular and critically acclaimed local restaurants, Aloette, Salon and Alobar Yorkville.
Alder aims to be an all-day hangout for Toronto, a welcoming, relaxed respite for both neighbours and farflung visitors. At the heart of the restaurant is its signature wood-fired hearth and grill, from which seasonal ingredients are gently transformed by open flame and smoke. For the menu, Chef Patrick draws inspiration from the gastronomic traditions and techniques long-practised in and around the Mediterranean. Highlights from the dinner menu include Half Grilled Chicken with harissa jus; Grilled Red Pepper Carpaccio with garlic, olive, anchovy and paprika; and for dessert, gluten-free Coconut Cream Pie and Dark Chocolate and Peanut Mille-Feuille. Alder also features a full bar program pouring classically inspired cocktails — such as the Tyrian with absinthe verte, browned yoghurt, pineapple and roasted coffee cream — local craft beers, and an eclectic selection of wines spanning a range of styles, varietals and both established and up-and-coming vintners.
Alder’s house red and white wines are specially blended and bottled for the restaurant by famed Canadian winery Pearl Morissette. Beverage Manager James Park oversees the bar program, and Sommelier Arashasp Shroff curates the wines. Alder opens for dinner August 9 with breakfast, lunch and brunch to come. Dinner reservations are now open, and can be booked via Alder’s Tock page.
Continuing a long-standing Ace tradition of open community spaces, The Lobby is a stunning meeting spot offering a menu of pastries and locally roasted Sam James Coffee in the morning, followed by craft cocktails, wines by the glass, beers, snacks and shareable small plates later on. Menu highlights include Tuna Tartare with caper, parsley and crispy shallot; Alder Burger with griddled smoked havarti, bomba mayo and pickles; Potato Flatbread with lardo, rosemary and chili; an Everything Bagel Croissant; a Miso, Sesame and Ginger Cookie; and for drinks, the Ace Martini with local gin or vodka, vermouth blend, mastica and tarragon brine; and the nonalcoholic Good Vibes Only with spirit-free tequila, fermented pineapple, citrus and chili. The Lobby also features a robust calendar of music, arts and cultural programming. It’s open daily from 7AM–11PM, walk-in service only, with private space rental available. Located 14 stories high, rooftop bar and lounge Evangeline offers sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape.
The 80-seat lounge is spread across a cosy indoor area and an open-air patio, with DJs taking to Evangeline’s decks every weekend. A site of light-hearted fun and eats, Evangeline will serve snackable finger foods and small plates, along with beer, cocktails and wines by the glass. Evangeline will officially open later this year and will be open late night year-round.
Located 14 stories high, rooftop bar and lounge Evangeline offers sweeping views of the surrounding cityscape. The 80-seat lounge is spread across a cosy indoor area and an open-air patio, with DJs taking to Evangeline’s decks every weekend. A site of light-hearted fun and eats, Evangeline will serve snackable finger foods and small plates, along with beer, cocktails and wines by the glass. Evangeline will officially open later this year and will be open late night year-round.
Reservations are available for booking at acehotel.com/toronto, with rates starting at $399 CAD / $305 USD.
Ace Hotel Toronto is developed in partnership with Zinc Developments and Alterra Group.
Address: 51 Camden Street, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V2
Website: www.acehotel.com/toronto
For more details, please stay tuned for our online magazine.
ABOUT ACE HOTEL
Ace Hotel reimagines urban spaces for people who make cities interesting. Our approach to all our projects is simple — we seek to genuinely embrace local culture in the areas we inhabit. We bring together narratives, artists and materials that speak to the building, to the site and to the city. From there, we welcome in the alchemy that’s created. Our worlds are vast and dynamic. We build relationships with a wide range of people — makers, thinkers, creative do-it-yourselfers in the fields of art, technology, music, fashion, media and gastronomy. We are curious about the history and geography of the buildings and neighbourhoods we inhabit, and let these guide us to someplace new. By honouring the architectural, social history of a site, with an eye for the future that envisions respectful and nuanced dedication to a community, we create inspired spaces full of local art, intentional design and curious possibilities.
Ace was founded in Belltown, Seattle in 1999, with current locations in Seattle, Portland, New York, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Kyoto, Brooklyn, Sydney and Toronto.
Hilton Announces Signing of Fourth Resort in the Maldives
Scheduled to open at the end of this year, Hilton Maldives Amingiri will mark the entry of Hilton’s flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand into the Maldives. It will be the fourth resort under the company’s portfolio of brands in the Maldives, joining Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton.
109 all-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri will welcome guests from end 2021
Hilton (NYSE: HLT), one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd, a hospitality focused subsidiary of Maldivian construction and real estate development company Amin Construction Pvt Ltd to launch the 109 all-villa Hilton Maldives Amingiri.
Scheduled to open at the end of this year, Hilton Maldives Amingiri will mark the entry of Hilton’s flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand into the Maldives. It will be the fourth resort under the company’s portfolio of brands in the Maldives, joining Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Guy Phillips, senior vice president, development, Asia Australasia, Hilton, said, “The Maldives remains one of the world’s most highly sought-after destinations and the signing of Hilton Maldives Amingiri reflects the excellent growth potential we see in the market. We are delighted to be embarking on this partnership with Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd to launch our Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in the country. We are confident their experience in developing world-class resorts in the Maldives, combined with Hilton’s strong commercial engine, will place us at the top of mind for leisure travelers when it is safe to travel again.”
Hilton Maldives Amingiri is strategically located on Amingiri Island in the Male Atoll, directly accessible from the Maldives’ Velana International Airport via a 15-minute speedboat ride. The resort will feature 109 well-spaced beach and water villas, each with a private pool, including an exclusive six-bedroom villa ideal for travellers looking to reunite and create new travel memories with loved ones around the world in an iconic destination after more than a year of connecting remotely. A pool, spa, fitness centre and salon will also be available for guests to clock in time to work out or refresh themselves at.
Guests can enjoy an array of dining options from the resort’s six restaurants and bars to suit their mood and palate throughout the day, including:
Habitat: the resort’s all-day dining restaurant which celebrates international cuisines inspired by cultures ranging from the Mediterranean to South East Asia through its live kitchens, presenting a delectable breakfast spread in the morning before evolving into an a la carte dining venue for lunch and dinner where guests can enjoy themed nights offering guests indulgent flavours from around the world.
Re-Fuel: A teens-only zone where junior guests can gain access through a secret speakeasy-style entrance in the Kids’ club. The rooftop deck is a tranquil Oasis where Teens can relax and unwind. A dedicated bar will serve a curated menu specifically catering to the needs and wants to the teenage traveller.
EDEN: An adults-only resort’s destination bar specializing in champagne and gin-based drinks in a highly bespoke and intimate setting where guests can celebrate special occasions with unparalleled views of the Maldivian sunset.
Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, brand management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “As the most recognized name in hospitality, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has one of the largest footprints across the globe. Even more importantly, the brand is known the world over for the positive impact it brings to each new destination we enter through the employment opportunities we create and renowned levels of hospitality we bring to the location. We are thrilled to be seeing our flagship brand represented in the Maldives and look forward to providing the perfect setting for families and friends to reconnect and make new travel memories when the resort debuts in the coming months.”
Daniel Welk, Asset Manager, Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd, said, “For over a century, Hilton has built a stellar reputation with its ability to deliver performance and growth through their strong teams and commercial capabilities. We are confident our partnership with Hilton will be a successful one and are excited to work with them to bring to life our shared vision of delivering the most exceptional levels of service and hospitality to international travelers to the Maldives when Hilton Maldives Amingiri opens.”
The upcoming Hilton Maldives Amingiri will feature Hilton CleanStay, an industry-leading programme to deliver a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection across all of Hilton’s hotels globally, providing peace-of-mind from check-in to check-out.
For more about Hilton Hotels & Resorts, visit https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton/
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok opens and marks the debut of Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants in South East Asia
IHG ® Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, brings Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ signature heartfelt service and distinctive design to the heart of Thailand with the opening of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
Located in Bangkok’s Langsuan area, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok offers convenient access to prime districts such as Sukhumvit, Silom, Siam, and Chidlom, and serene views of the tranquil Lumphini Park – one of the city’s largest green spaces.
The hotel takes its name after Maa-lai, the traditional Thai floral garland symbolic of welcome, good health, and respect to honor guests, families, and loved ones. This art form has inspired many contemporary interpretations and resonates perfectly with Kimpton in Bangkok, where age-old traditions take on a modern edge.
Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests, offering an inspiring design that evokes curiosity, to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul. The hotel’s design narrative was brought to life by P49 Design and fuses storied Thai history with the urban intensity of the city, by mirroring the relentless tempo of life in the old capital through handwoven Thai textiles and echoing the edgy eclecticism of modern Bangkok. This resonates through raw concrete, oversized furnishings, and metallic touches, and translates into the inspired design from the hotel public areas to restaurants and bars, and the artfully designed guest rooms and private residences.
All 362 of the hotel’s rooms and suites – including 131 serviced residences – are the epitome of design-led luxury, each thoughtfully designed with bespoke amenities and inspiring décor, promising an immersive experience for all who stay. Whether guests are looking to relax in the comfortable 48sqm Deluxe Room after sightseeing and shopping or enjoy the whirlpool jacuzzi in the spacious 320sqm Celebrity Suite for an anniversary treat, there are layers of detail at every turn.
Bespoke HARNN bathroom amenities, a VIFA Helsinki sound system, robes by Christian Develter for Tube Gallery and a curated personal bar stocked with bottled cocktails by LAIBA and artisanal local snacks are just a few highlights of the luxuriously appointed rooms. Suite occupants also enjoy access to the Maa-Lai Lounge on the 30th floor, where they can savour the sight of lush Lumphini Park and Bangkok’s characteristic skyscrapers from dawn to dusk.
First-class food and beverage programmes play a big part in Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across the world. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok boasts four distinct and immersive dining venues. CRAFT is a haven for brew lovers with a unique selection of local and international single-origin coffee and coffee blends, beer and cocktails, while Stock. Room elevates the neighbourhood grocerant concept with seasonal pop-up kitchens serving Thai street eats to have on-site or take home. Sophisticated cocktail bar, Ms.Jigger, presents narrative-driven cocktails while Bar. Yard hosts a rooftop barbecue with tropical drinks, farm-to-plate comfort grills, DJs and stunning city skyline views.
The hotel’s lifestyle programming – part of Kimpton’s DNA – delivers memorable experiences; starting with a morning kickstart coffee and tea, to yoga lessons with breathtaking views from level 41 and Kimpton’s Social Hour, where the brand’s vision to enable human connection comes to life as guests mingle with locals. The hotel adopts Kimpton’s industry-leading pet-friendly attitude and provides all four-legged friends with their own amenities and menu.
With connection and wellness top of mind, the GYM provides professional-led nutrition consultation, high-intensity workout classes and zen stretches, while the amaranth spa by HARNN is a sanctuary of serenity with nature-inspired spa treatments, manicures and pedicures. Guests can also enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel’s outdoor pool which overlooks the sprawling green park.
For more information, please visit: www.kimptonmaalaibangkok.com