Discipline : Interior Design
Categories :
Culture, Sport & Leisure / Wellness Center & Spa
: Grand Winner
Categories :
Culture, Sport & Leisure / Gym, Sports & Recreation Center
: Gold certification
The existing fitness space within this downtown Toronto landmark hotel had become disconnected from its surroundings, failing to reflect the hotel's prestigious legacy or its commitment to luxury, health, and well-being. The design challenge was to transform this small, outdated, and uninspiring gym into a cutting-edge wellness hub that could resonate with the modern guest—one who places a high value on fitness and self-care.
A key hurdle was repositioning the fitness area to elevate its prominence within the hotel’s overall guest experience. This was not just about creating a functional workout space, but about embedding fitness as a central element in the hotel's identity. Moreover, the gym sat above a busy ballroom, which presented structural challenges.
Despite these obstacles, the design needed to honour the hotel’s rich history while introducing a luxurious, forward-thinking wellness environment. The result was a harmonious balance of heritage and modernity—a space that not only serves as a fitness center but also as a sanctuary for holistic well-being, where guests can escape, recharge, and discover new forms of self-care.
The redesign of the hotel’s gym redefines fitness, luxury, and well-being, blending historical elegance with modern vitality. Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s Art Deco heritage, the design emphasizes scale, proportion, and "muscle." This is seen in the thick, sinuous lines and luxurious materials that evoke strength and refinement. Mirrored detailing encourages guests to embrace their reflection.
Functionality meets luxury throughout the space, with soundproofed flooring to mitigate noise from the ballroom below. The gym is divided into distinct areas for cardio, strength training, functional exercises, and free weights, offering diverse workout options.
This transformation reflects the hotel’s commitment to sustainability, integrating elements of their decarbonization strategy while elevating the guest experience. More than just fitness, the new wellness offering embraces a holistic approach to health, nurturing both physical and emotional well-being for every guest.
