Global Gaze
The Drake Hotel expands with new Modern Wing of artistic rooms, an intimate bar, and bold artworks
The Drake Hotel‘s new Modern Wing marks the continued evolution of the property, with 32 additional guestrooms, a bold new art collection, an intimate Queen St. West facing bar, and a stunningly appointed lobby. Built in 1890 as Small’s Hotel, the property was frequented by passengers of the nearby Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1949 it was expanded and renamed the Drake, but the hotel eventually waned with the closure of the local railway station. In the 1970s it became a flophouse, and through the 1980s and 1990s served as a punk bar and a rave venue. In 2004 the property was reinvented as one of Toronto’s first, stylish boutique hotels, and an internationally recognized bastion of art, culture, and design.
Modern Wing
The legendary property continues its evolution, unveiling the brand-new Modern Wing – capturing the essence and sensibility of The Drake – while heightening the thought-provoking art, design and cultural elements the property is renowned for. The Modern Wing is a vibrant 5-story contemporary building adjoining the original hotel. It offers 32 additional guest rooms, an intimate street-facing bar, meeting and event spaces and a new hotel lobby, capped with a polished steel, cantilevered rooftop level suite. The Modern Wing’s welcoming spaces are unique to themselves, awash in warm tones, patterns and local artistry.
Upon entering the lobby through a revolving door complete with brass grill details in the tradition of historic hotels, you are transported to a welcoming, timeless, and textured living room, where plush fabrics, a hand-woven rug and mixed media art counterpoint the flowing forms of the custom reception desk and furniture. The impressive brick-clad fireplace is the perfect backdrop to enjoy a pre-dinner signature Drake cocktail from the new street-facing lobby bar, prior to ambling into the connected Drake Lounge for dinner while seated in a cozy green leather booth.
Guest Rooms
In signature style, the new guest rooms are welcoming, whimsically sophisticated, and calm. Cleverly placed windows offer modern figures that swath the rooms in light. The rooms are decorated in rich colours with warm woods, textured fabrics, custom carpets, in house designed blankets and curated wallpaper complementing the original art pieces that adorn each space. Entries feature handcrafted, locally designed sconces. The comfortable accommodations are populated with luxe amenities: in-room tablets for contactless access to concierge services and amenities, plenty of USB charging ports, stay cast-enabled large screen televisions, Frette linens, hand steamers, custom Drake robes, Malin + Goetz bath products and locally sourced mini-bar treats.
Terrace Suite
Atop the Modern Wing sits the Rooftop Terrace Suite, with its oversized outdoor terrace and enviable views of the Toronto Cityscape. This apartment in the sky, comprising two bedrooms, two full washrooms, kitchenette with bar, large living room and enviable patio, was designed to harness elements of a boxcar, while creating a sophisticated retreat that is equal parts residence and private social space. Designed for touring musicians, luminaries or special occasions, the large, well-appointed living room, with its timber terrazzo topped bar, handpicked furnishings, generous seating and commanding views from its floor to ceiling windows is the jewel atop the new building. The two washrooms are clothed in marble art-deco wall tiles, and the inviting soaking tub and oversized shower in the principal bathroom are adorned with luxury fixtures. The exterior is clad in polished stainless steel, creating a living canvas as nature’s panorama reflects onto its veneer. The patio, which spans the length of the building is the ideal outdoor living space for an intimate event, cocktail party or simply an open-air respite from the hustle and bustle of the city below.
All About the Art
Throughout the hotel, guests will experience a variety of exceptional artworks by a diverse group of local and international artists intended to spark conversation and inspire understanding. Behind the reception desk is Toronto-based Stephanie Temma Hier’s Evening Shadows and a Skittish Whisper, a multi-dimensional mixed medium artwork of linen, oil paint and sculpture. In the lobby, Ajax-Ontario’s Malik McCoy presents a 3-D generated animated video titled Botanist. From Iqaluit, Saimaiyu Akesuk’s bright illustration adorns the entire back wall of the lobby’s RM111. Micah Lexier’s Newspaper was commissioned to commemorate the opening of the Modern Wing. Artworks can be found in stairwells, hallways, public spaces and guestrooms representing a plethora of mediums and artists.
Amenities include 24-hour front desk with full concierge service, room service, front of the line reservations for dining and access to on-property cultural events + programming.
The Drake Hotel – 1150 QUEEN ST W | 416.531.5042 | THEDRAKE.CA | @THEDRAKE Book your stay here.
About the Author
Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.