Reservations have opened for a new sustainability-focused property, created by a team that includes David Rockwell of Rockwell Group, SH Hotels & Resorts and Mohari Hospitality.

This new hotel located in the centre of downtown Toronto will embody 1 Hotels’ sustainable luxury philosophy.

Reconnecting guests with nature

Founded by Barry Sternlicht, CEO and chairman of Starwood Capital Group, the nature-focused 1 Hotels brand has started accepting reservations from 4 August 2021 onwards for its inaugural scheme in Canada.

Real estate investment company Mohari Hospitality acquired and redeveloped this site in Toronto’s King Street West neighbourhood. The property has been designed in partnership with SH Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Starwood Capital Group, and Rockwell Group founder and president David Rockwell.

“As a world-class city with globally respected sustainability programmes, Toronto is an exceptional new base for 1 Hotels,” said Sternlicht. “Protecting the one planet is why we are called 1 Hotels, and this mantra fuels the spirit of each property. It is my hope that every guest visiting 1 Hotel Toronto feels encouraged to maintain that appreciation for the preservation of our planet long after their stay.”

Mark Scheinberg, founder of Mohari Hospitality, added: “Having grown up in Toronto, I’ve watched the incredible regeneration that the city has experienced in recent years. By redeveloping one of Toronto’s hospitality and entertainment icons, Mohari is helping to transform the downtown area and provide an exciting and relevant hospitality destination that can be embraced by the local community. We’re delighted to have partnered with SH Hotels & Resorts to bring 1 Hotels, a leader in luxury sustainability, to Canada for the first time.”

Nature-inspired lifestyle venues

The hotel comprises 112 guestrooms, including 21 suites, with impressive skyline views. The design connects guests with the natural environment through the use of sustainably sourced wood furnishings, plus innovative initiatives such as an onsite organic composter and a bee hotel. Distinguishing features of each room, meanwhile, include heated floors, plants, organic linens, yoga mats and organic bath products.

Rockwell said: “We have long admired 1 Hotels’ sustainable and eco-friendly ethos, and we are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to design the new 1 Hotel Toronto with a biophilic emphasis. Our vision for the hotel invites guests to celebrate Toronto’s ecology through materiality, programme and locally made artwork.”

On opening, guests will be able to dine at indoor-outdoor casual all-day restaurant 1 Kitchen Toronto, offering plant-based dishes, sustainably harvested fish and cold-pressed juices. All ingredients will be sourced from within a 50 km radius of the property.

As for the hotel’s lobby bar, Flora, it’ll provide a place for visitors to socialise and unwind around a fireplace, private areas and communal spaces. In addition, the onsite organic garden 1 Hotel Garden Pavilion has seating for 40 people.

In the future, these will be joined by the first Canadian venue from The Madera Group, Casa Madera, offering an immersive indoor-outdoor dining experience with Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, DJs and performing artists, and a cocktail programme including non-alcoholic options. Harriet’s Toronto, by nightlife specialist The H.Wood Group, is also due to open as a rooftop venue, delivering an open concept sushi bar, cocktails, poolside bottle service rituals and low-key live music.

Additional amenities include a fitness centre and four meeting and ballroom spaces for events.

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