The Gladstone Hotel will reopen in September under a name that pays homage to an engraving on the Queen West landmark’s exterior: Gladstone House.
Developers Streetcar Developments and Dream Unlimited, which bought the building from the Zeidler family last March, have now announced some details around the 132-year-old hotel’s reopening, which will happen in phases.
In a press release, the developers said the hotel will continue to program art and culture events, including the popular Drag Brunch in the Melody Bar. The hotel will “maintain its emphasis on culture, art and diversity, while ensuring the building’s rich history and iconic original architecture remain preserved,” a statement reads.
London, UK-based design firm Elastic Interiors revamped the Gladstone’s interiors, which now includes a ceiling mural in the lobby by Legends League artist and designer Bryan Espiritu.
Event programming details have not been announced, but wedding, corporate and other private event bookings, as well as room reservations, are now open via the hotel’s sleek new website. The first available room booking date is September 7.
Each of the hotel’s 55 guest rooms, as well as public spaces, will feature work by local artists. The artists were chosen via a call for submissions that attracted more than 500 entries, the hotel said in a statement.
The bistro and bar promise to offer a “true lobby bar experience” and will reopen in the fall for daily service. Gladstone House will also open three studios devoted to “lifestyle, fitness and art programs.”
Meanwhile, the Melody Bar will also reopen later in the fall with programming “targeted to entice the neighbourhood as well as the Greater Toronto Area,” the hotel said.
Streetcar and Dream both have experience transforming historic properties into tourist destinations. They also operate the Distillery District and the Broadview Hotel.
Crescent Hotels & Resorts, which oversees the Broadview, will manage the Gladstone.
Correction (July 21, 2021): An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Streetcar operates Streetcar Crowsnest. Streetcar is the venue’s lead naming sponsor. This story has been updated.
