The new high-rise Cosmopolitan Hotel in Toronto is a tall, thin pre-cast concrete and aluminium tower with a muted, limestone coloured faŤade that soars 25 stories above the city's financial district. An exclusive, luxury hotel, catering specifically to a celebrity and executive clientele, the 97-unit hotel was designed by Charles Gane at Core Architects, and opened in late 2005. Every aspect of the hotel is designed with Feng Shui principles in mind, and the project is in collaboration with noted celebrity energy consultant Sylvia Noble, who choreographed 'the flow of energy' within each element of construction and design. This energy consultant is not to be mistaken for the 'green' environmental experts often brought in on high profile urban skyscrapers, although there was an awareness of environmentally friendly design in the small building footprint, sustainable materials and natural light and ventilation.
Noble is interested in integrating the mind and body in interior design. For example, her interest in the number eight features prominently at the Cosmopolitan, drawing inspiration from the body's eight 'chakras' her influence extends to the location (even the address was hand-picked, at number "eight" Colborne street), to the decor (eight energy stones are arranged on guest pillows rather than the usual chocolate, and eight bamboo plants are in each room) to the interior architecture (there are eight swinging doors on every floor). Her work with Hollywood celebrities makes her in demand for glamorous, luxury interiors. In considering the interior design of the rooms, Noble used floor to ceiling windows 'to create light energy' and deep brown colours and slate features 'to ground the energy'. Soft blue accents 'calm the energy'. She also designed 'Dance of Light', a natural gemstone fountain (similar to those she designed for celebrity clients Barbara Streisand and Jerry Seinfeld) that stands at seven feet tall for 'open eye meditation' and makes a lively play of light and shadow on the ceiling. Arnold Schwarzenegger requested a special fountain by Noble for the Dalai Lama's birthday.
This unusual concept is the work of local entrepreneur and self professed 'non-hotelier' Gil Blutrich of Skyline International. Blutrich's first hotel project, which opened nearby in 2004, is the 247-room Pantages Suites Hotel and Spa, also designed by Core Architects. The $60 million, 45-floor tower is located between two theatres, and offers convenient, downtown amenities to the tower's mix of hotel rooms, 454 condominiums, and enormous parking garage. The entry from street level is into a double-height glazed atrium. The enormously successful, residential style hotel was voted number one luxury hotel in the city on Toronto.com and plans began for a second hotel, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, that would draw on the most successful aspects of Pantages. The 'Serenity' floor at Pantages is a luxury, 'zen' environment with air purifiers and yoga mats, and clients were drawn to the idea of a spiritual retreat in a tower about the city. The Cosmopolitan is an entire hotel full of these suites, but with even more amenities.
In developing the 'serenity' concept, Blutrich says he was inspired to create a 'mix of Eastern design sensibilities with Western technology.' The rooms, which are designed specifically for comfort during long stays, feature a fully furnished kitchen, (complete with appliances, china and utensils), a quality air purifier, washer/dryer, Sony CD player, a flatscreen televisions (with a 24 hour meditation channel), a 24-hour concierge and a hybrid-electric house car. Standard in room features include a meditation mat, 400 thread count Egyptian cotton bed linens and wireless Internet. Hollywood actress Kate Hudson recently stayed her for several weeks while filming in the city.
The Cosmopolitan also has two penthouses, that were constructed and designed by the hit TV show 'The Designer Guys' filmed in Toronto. With a combined square footage of 2,400 ft2 in addition to stargazing lofts, wraparound balconies and decadent decor, the Cosmopolitan's penthouses have striking views over the city and lake.
The hotel also has a luxury spa where guests can complete the body/mind experience of the Cosmopolitan, and perhaps indulge in the Shinzen's signature treatment, a heavenly Auryvedic massage in one of the 50m2 exclusive treatment rooms. In the coming months, a large, glass enclosed Solarium and Oasis Juice Bar will open to complement the spa facility, with a living garden wall, waterfall and sunken hot tub. Designed by young designers Cecconi Simone with floor to ceiling windows, a 12-person Jacuzzi, and Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) flooring this will be an essential part of the experience.
At the ground floor, leading from the street, Antonio S. Tadrissi from Prototype Design Lab has designed a series of sculptural wall panels that feature wavy, undulating laser cut panels drawing the guest into the newly opened Doku 15 restaurant.
Steps from downtown, yet located somewhere between Eastern meditation and a laidback Canadian sensibility, this specialist luxury hotel is a unique experience with innovative interiors and a holistic design approach.
Words by Terri Whitehead
