Toronto’s historic Omni King Edward Hotel will begin a $6.5 million revamp of its Crystal Ballroom this August. The ballroom is scheduled to reopen in early 2017. The hotel completed a $40 million renovation last year.
Rendering of the 5,000 square foot Crystal Ballroom renovations, which will incorporate an old world charm and modern design elements. (CNW Group/Omni Hotels & Resorts)
The Crystal Ballroom first opened its doors to great public acclaim in 1922 on the 17th floor of Toronto’s first luxury hotel. It was home to many of the city’s prestigious social functions from the 1920s through the 1970s.
“This is a significant historical space that was at one time the epicenter of Toronto’s colourful social scene,” said Christophe Le Chatton, general manager, The Omni King Edward Hotel. “We are looking forward to recreating it into a venue that brings back its former glory while reaffirming the Crystal Ballroom’s position as the premiere social function venue in the city.”
Crystal Ballroom Renovation Elements
Similar to the newly-renovated hotel property, the Crystal Ballroom’s restoration will be heavily influenced by its original interior. Its existing ornate mouldings, 12-meter high coffered ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows will remain central features.
Renovation elements include:
- Pre-function space floor finished in mosaic tile
- New permanent bar added
- New carpeting in the ballroom, the design of which will reflect motifs from the early 1920s rendered in contemporary fashion
- Updated chandeliers and wall sconces with ornate crystal elements
The 5,000-square-foot ballroom can accommodate up to 300 people.
Omni King Edward Hotel
The King Edward Hotel opened in 1903. It was designed by Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb and Toronto architect E.J. Lennox for developer George Gooderham’s Toronto Hotel Company at a cost of $6 million. The first hotel of its kind in Toronto, it set a new standard for luxury and quickly became the hotel of choice for the city’s elite, as well as convention goers, political figures and business travelers.
Moncur Design Associates Inc. and Omni Hotels & Resorts are responsible for the new look and design of the Omni King Edward Hotel’s Crystal Ballroom.
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