Former homeless shelter-turned-swanky Toronto boutique hotel officially open

A Toronto hotel that once served the community as a homeless shelter has gotten a brand-new lease on life as it opens its doors as a stylish new boutique hotel.

What was known as the Strathcona Hotel for over 90 years is finally reintroducing itself to Toronto as Union Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel that pays homage to the city's past, present and future.

Originally opened in 1933, Strathcona Hotel was a stalwart lodging in downtown Toronto for nearly 9 decades before closing down in the early days of Covid-19, whereupon it was leased by the City of Toronto for use as a temporary homeless shelter until August 2023.

It was then that Silver Hotel Group, owners of Strathcona Hotel as well as a number of similarly notable Toronto hotels like the Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown and The Anndore House, decided it was time to do a complete revamp of the hotel, reinventing it from the inside out. 

Thus, Union Hotel was born.

Lobby seating area.

The 189-room, 12-storey hotel has been totally redesigned under the watchful guidance of Calgary's FRANK Architecture & Interiors (recently behind Lulu Bar and Bridgette Bar in Toronto) to paint an eclectic yet cohesive portrait of Toronto as it is, was, and will be.

One major way that they've achieved this idea of capturing Toronto's essence at the stay has been by partnering with a number of local artists, makers and vendors to ensure that the city's creative spirit is baked into every corner.

Humble Donkey, the lobby cafe and lounge, is the heart of the hotel.

Each team member's uniform has been hand-crafted by local industrial designer Gino Marocco; Humble Donkey, the hotel's lobby cafe and lounge, which serves Sam James Coffee and treats from Breadhead, features a mural by Hello Kirsten; and each room includes a selection of works by local artists.

In a broader sense, the hotel's design boasts a similar blend of design philosophies and eras.

Starting with the facade, which has been updated with charcoal brick and large windows, and carrying through into the decidedly retro feel of the lobby, with its warm colour palette and blend of wood and tile accents, the curated atmosphere of the hotel is immediately evident.

A Groovy double guest room.

As for the guest rooms, you can choose between four different room styles: Chic, Groovy, Swanky and the Posh suite, each adorned with work by local artists to invoke the desired vibe, if you will, alongside a selection of lush toiletries and amenities designed to make the time you spend not out exploring the city all the more comfortable.

The hotel also includes a lobby library stocked with books from Canadian authors, a fitness centre and a special social area on the second floor with outdoor courtyard access that can be rented for private events or parties.

A Swanky guest room.

"We've paid exceptional attention to the details to ensure our guests have every opportunity to explore Toronto on their own," says Union Hotel's General Manager, Kevin Slean. "It's about living without a script because that is where the best experiences happen."

Union Hotel is now open, and reservations are available online through the hotel's website.

Union Hotel is located in the heart of the Financial District at 60 York Street.