What was one of Toronto’s grittiest strip clubs is now home to a restored talking point-filled hotel and inevitable summer hot spot.
The 125-year-old building that once housed the landmark strip club Jilly’s (and a boarding house) has been transformed into The Broadview Hotel – a boutique hotel and multi-functional event space that could become a new reason for the downtown set to venture east of Yonge.
With a facade designed by ERA Architects (the team behind the revitalization of Maple Leaf Gardens) and interiors by DesignAgency, the Broadview Hotel – scheduled to open its doors in June – features 57 guest suites, restaurants, bars and event spaces.
The team responsible for the two-year revitalization project has placed a strong emphasis on preserving the rich, storied history of the building, and has even been recognized with the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellent in Conservation.
This preservation of the past is reflected in things like both the original façade and arched windows, an artistic elevator feature wall made from pieces of the original fire escape, wallpaper inspired by layers of pre-existing wallpaper and some old signage, like the original “New Broadview Hotel.”
The Broadview Hotel’s Lobby Café+ Bar
On the ground floor, you’ll find a soon-to-be bustling café that transforms into a cocktail and champagne bar by night. Also on the lobby level is The Civic, an 80-seat restaurant from the culinary team behind Ascari Enteca and Hi-Lo Bar. Featuring factory glass windows, a wine cellar and the original brick façade, The Civic will serve up dishes inspired by Victorian England, but with a modern spin. Potentially your next birthday dinner go-to, restaurant offers a semi-private space for up to 12 people.
Lincoln Hall
The Broadview Hotel also offers a versatile venue for everything from launch parties and corporate events, to meetings and weddings. On the second floor is the exposed brickwork and steel beam-filled Lincoln Hall and Terrace, the venue’s original theatre that is now an event space. With over 3,000-square-feet of venue space and an additional 1000-square-foot terrace, it allows for seated dinners for up to 150 guests and cocktail events for 240.
Broadview Hotel’s Lincoln Terrace
One of the most stunning features of the space – and likely the major draw for the in-the-know cocktail-sippers from across town – is the 360 square-foot Rooftop bar/restaurant and terrace. This seventh-floor rooftop offers Instagram-worthy views of the Toronto skyline and the Don River, complete with a 360-degree glass pyramidal skylight and a shared indoor/outdoor bar that’s designed to facilitate interaction. It will offer a more casual fare, like a bay scallop ceviche and refreshing summertime salads. The rooftop can host up to 240 people for a cocktail reception.
Another unique spot is the history-rich Tower, which also sits on the seventh floor and was left almost untouched from the original, complete with exposed brick and a vaulted ceiling. It can also accommodate private dinner parties, in addition to up to 30 guests for cocktail receptions. For all your summertime celebrations, it can be booked in conjunction with the rooftop (not this summer, however, bookings at the Broadview don’t begin until September). Overlooking the corner of Queen and Broadview, the Dominion Suite is another solid option for smaller cocktail receptions or intimate engagements, accommodating up to 14 guests for seated dinners and up to 20 guests for cocktails.
As for the hotel suites, the pet-friendly rooms include touches like vinyl record players, king-size beds outfitted with luxury linens and an eclectic mini bar filled with a carefully curated selection of locally sourced goods (it’s basically a hipster’s haven).
With a Drake Hotel feel, the new spot will likely cater to a similar clientele of movers and shakers in everything from the arts and entertainment sector, to finance and law, once it opens its iconic doors. Whether the spot is enough to make the east end as cool as the west is to those with dollars to drop and booze to consume, however, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, you can check out a virtual tour of the space here.
For more info and reservations visit www.thebroadviewhotel.ca
All renderings courtesy of Norm Li.
