Easton’s Group of Hotels is joining forces with a team that includes IBI Group, ERA Architects and Studio Munge to build a 392-key property in Toronto’s historic Distillery District.

The latest addition to Curio by Hilton’s portfolio involves the transformation of a complex heritage building in Canada’s largest city.

A landmark conversion

This proposed new full-service hotel by Easton’s Group of Hotels centres around the last remaining heritage building still to be restored and integrated into Toronto’s Distillery District. Located at 60 Mill Street, Curio by Hilton Toronto Distillery District will be the only hotel within 1 km of the historic district.

The landmark project will rise 31 storeys high, while preserving the heritage façade of the building’s first three storeys, and be overseen by a team that includes IBI Group, ERA Architects and Studio Munge – with a distinct visual separation created between the old and new elements.

Upon completion, it’ll mark Curio by Collection’s entry into Canada.

“We’re thrilled to bring Curio by Hilton to Canada, supporting the Distillery District as a vibrant community and tourist destination that is highly in need of hotel accommodations,” said Dr Steve Gupta, founder and chairman of The Gupta Group. “Working with an immensely talented team of architects and designers, Easton’s Group of Hotels will restore this historic building and transform it into a cherished landmark, celebrating its prolific history while leaving a legacy for decades to come.”

Connecting guests with the site’s past

This building has not been restored or used for over 30 years due to complications surrounding its unusual design – technically six storeys, but with no floors due to the fact that it was originally employed to store barrels of alcohol, with these storage racks then supporting the overall structure. The renovation work will convert these six storeys into three levels suitable for the Curio by Hilton hotel, maintaining the long windows and exposing the original brickwork to connect guests with the site’s past.

In total, the property will span a gross floor area of 288,000 sq ft and encompass 392 guestrooms, along with a wealth of amenities. Among the facilities being promised are ballrooms and conference spaces within the existing heritage areas, plus a spa and gym, a rooftop bar and restaurant with impressive views, a main lobby floor with restaurant and lounge, and five underground levels including four for parking.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2022.

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