A grand, new look for Toronto’s grand dame of hotels.
The Fairmont Royal York celebrated its 90th birthday yesterday and also unveiled a sleek, sexy and very much updated look that no doubt will give the hotel a huge lift.
Surrounded by employees, guests, and members of the community, hotel officials unveiled its transformed lobby, designed by Rockwell Group, and the new lobby bar, called CLOCKWORK in honour of the jazzy new clock; a meeting place for Torontonians for nearly a century.
Hundreds of people crowded the famed lobby for the celebrations, which were inaugurated with entertainment from Big Smoke Brass Band. Present at the grand reveal event were such dignitaries as Toronto Mayor John Tory, Regional Vice President, Accor Central Canada and General Manager of Fairmont Royal York, Edwin Frizzell; Project Lead for KingSett Capital, Paul Campbell; and Partner at Rockwell Group, Greg Keffer.
The new look features plenty of art deco notes and pale pink lighting, as well as gold accents and tons of nods to the hotel’s historic past.
David Nevell of Buxton, Derbyshire, England may have been the first person to check into the new hotel lobby, gathering himself in front of the cool check-in kiosks that feature scenes of famous Fairmont hotels across Canada.
Nevell, who arrived in North America after a trip on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, said he came to Toronto as a kid in 1969 and vowed to someday stay at the Royal York. His first visit didn’t come until 2014, and his second began today.
“They’ve done a very, very tasteful job,” he told me. “I’m pleased that they didn’t allow the hotel to get run down but instead did this beautiful renovation.”
“Owning and overseeing the repositioning of the Fairmont Royal York, one of Canada’s most iconic and enduring properties, is a responsibility we have treated with care, dedication and great respect,” said Paul Campbell, Royal York project lead at KingSett Capital, Fairmont Royal York ownership group. “This is much more than just a hotel – it represents much of the history and soul of our great city.”
Britain’s David Nevell at the new check-in desk at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. JIM BYERS PHOTO
After the ribbon cutting, the hotel officially unveiled its new lobby and lobby lounge, CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails, as well as REIGN Bar. An additional restaurant and bakery are set to open in the coming days as part of the hotel’s complete signature dining experience, REIGN Restaurant + Bar + Bakery.
“A pivotal part of the Fairmont Royal York, CLOCKWORK will honour our legacy with a new statement timepiece,” said Edwin Frizzell, regional vice president and general manager, Fairmont Royal York. “Our ‘90th Anniversary Clock’ is dedicated to the people of the city of Toronto, as well as the past, present and future colleagues of Fairmont Royal York who have, for 90 years, been the beating ‘heart’ of our hotel.”
Since opening on June 11, 1929, Fairmont Royal York has welcomed many heads of state and celebrities and has been host to many historical moments. To honour its past, the hotel commissioned author and historian Dr. Carolyn Harris to help create a self-guided history tour for guests to explore the hotel’s public spaces and learn more about its storied past. Looking ahead to the future, the hotel is sponsoring Toronto of the Future – a unique exhibition running from June 25 to July 1 that highlights the real estate and infrastructure projects expected to shape the landscape of the city.
The new lobby design at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. JIM BYERS PHOTO
To capture the hotel’s legacy and Golden Era roots, Frank Rea of Forget Me Not flowers designed a stunning floral installation, The Celebration Cake, which will be on display in the hotel lobby for the month of June. In honour of 90 years, Fairmont Royal York also donated 90 room nights to Heritage Toronto, who will disperse them across the city for not-for-profits to raise funds to support their public heritage programming and the work of the over 100 community and volunteer organizations in Toronto. “I am so thrilled to help celebrate Fairmont Royal York’s 90th birthday as they unveil their transformation,” said Mayor Tory. “The hotel is truly an icon here in the city of Toronto, and I am excited for it to continue welcoming guests from all over the world to the city for another 90 years.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory with the Fairmont Royal York Celebration Cake
In addition to the lobby and dining spaces, the hotel also recently launched an entirely new Fairmont Gold offering — its luxury “hotel within a hotel” experience — and will soon reveal updates to its world-renowned meeting and event spaces as part of the property’s most extensive restoration project to date. The hotel will also soon reveal its new Legacy Suites, set to open later this summer.
For more information about Fairmont Royal York’s transformation, please visit thefairmontroyalyork.com and for its complete dining experiences visit, thefairmontroyalyork.com/taste. Follow REIGN and CLOCKWORK on Instagram @REIGNToronto and @CLOCKWORKToronto and Facebook @CLOCKWORKRYH and @REIGNRYH
