Target takes over Toronto hotel for TIFF

Target might not have any Canadian-based stores yet but that hasn't stopped them from making a splash at TIFF. For the duration of the festival, the mammoth US-based retailer has done a takeover of the 7 story Templar Hotel near Adelaide and Peter Streets. The hotel has been transformed with splashes of the familiar Target red and bullseye and is intended to function as both a festival event space and hangout spot for filmmakers, industry and media.

I stopped by on day one of the festival to find the hotel mostly empty. On the top floor they've set up a filmmakers lounge with complimentary drinks, snacks, WiFi, red lounge chairs and bullseye-branded tables throughout. I suspect the hotel will get more use in the coming days as word gets out and they start hosting more events like a bloggers brunch today and the Q after Dark party with Jian Ghomeshi on Saturday night.

Check out more photos of the space below.

Photos by Jimmy Lu.