Rendering by Norm Li.
After years of construction and renovations, the Drake Hotel Properties Group has announced that their new, five-storey 'Modern Wing' expansion of the Drake Hotel will open their doors for guests as of December 1.
The presence of the Drake Hotel has not gone unnoticed in the West Queen West neighbourhood. Over the past 17 years, the property has been a cultural hotspot for all things food, art, entertainment, and hospitality. The opening of this stunning new wing marks the beginning of an exciting next chapter for the beloved hotel.
The vibrant expansion stretches east of the original structure on Queen West, with the newly renovated Drake Sky Yard (imagined by CompanyCompany) sandwiched between the hotel's two towers. There will be an additional 32 carefully designed guest rooms, which will bring the new grand total to 51.
Joyce Lo, Creative Director of Drake Hotel Properties, says, "We are excited to open our doors and invite everyone to experience a tactile treat - a localized and immersive experience for the senses. We believe that the Modern Wing will be a canvas for diverse expressions of local and international art and design."
Creativity and artfulness have forever been at the centre of the Drake Hotel, and the team is excited to capture the dynamic evolution of the legendary property. With new layers of architecture, interior design, furnishings, objects and art, the new vibe will be comforting and relaxing while encouraging some guests' curiosity to discover some of the surprises the wing will have in store.
With multiple floors to play with, The Drake's in-house design and art curation team have joined forces with Diamond Schmitt Architects and DesignAgency to offer "imaginative public spaces and cultural amenities, capped with a polished steel boxcar-inspired, cantilevered rooftop level suite."
"The façade of the handcrafted brick building features apertures intersected by oversized contemporary windows, a considered reference to historic, ghosted windows that pay homage to the street's traditional landscape."
Guests -- both visiting the property or staying overnight -- will be invited to check out their 'referential signature playful style' in the re-envisioned lobby, general store, meeting and event spaces, and intimate street-front bar, all of which will house a curated collection of exceptional artworks by a diverse group of artists.
The hotel's original and 'Classic Wing' will retain the Drake Lounge, Dining Room, Sky Yard rooftop, Drake Underground performance venue, and of course, the neighbourhood favourite, Drake Café.
Bookings are now open for stays as of December 1, 2021, when the new 'Modern Wing' at the Drake Hotel (located at 1150 Queen Street West) will be revealed and welcome guests inside. To reserve your room, visit the Drake online, and feel free to check them out on Instagram, where you can have a sneak peek at all they have in store before the big opening day in a couple of months.
