David Silverberg | digitaljournal.com

A view of two Four Seasons Hotel Toronto properties, with the new property on the left in the horizon and the old hotel on the right

Toronto – The iconic Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, located in the city’s trendy Yorkville district, is now closed for good, as management and visitors eagerly anticipate the successor, a 55-storey tower still under construction just around the corner.

Every season passes, and now its Four Seasons Toronto’s turn. The 35-year-old hotel at 21 Avenue Road closed its doors in anticipation of the opening of a new location on Yorkville Avenue, expected to be completed later this summer.

It’s an end of an era for many who made the Four Seasons their temporary home while visiting Toronto, or for those who dined at their celebrated restaurants such as Studio Cafe. Many Torontonians also frequented the hotel during the Toronto International Film Festival to catch a glimpse of movie stars coming in and out of the popular tourist destination.
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New Condo Guide

As one of the most anticipated projects this year, Camrost-Felcorp is rebuilding the gateway to Yorkville with the conversion of the Four Season’s hotel building at 21 Avenue Rd.

Building on its upscale character, unrivaled history and celebrity association, the New Residences of Yorkville Plaza will emerge as an iconic residential address offering an exclusive selection of pied-à-terre, one- and two-bedroom suites that will become a pinnacle for this famed stomping ground at the corner of Yorkville Ave. and Avenue Rd.

“This project is beyond iconic,” says Matthew Davis of The Design Agency. “It’s really where everyone wants to be.”
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hoteliermagazine.com

TORONTO — The Iconic Four Seasons hotel in Yorkville officially closed on Wednesday in preparation for the opening of its new location at the corner of Yorkville Ave. and Bay St. this summer.

“I’m calling this our flagship hotel because it’s in Toronto — in our hometown — but also because it embodies everything we’ve learned over these last 50 years,” said Isadore Sharp commenting on the new location as quoted in the Toronto Star. “All of that is incorporated into a state-of-the-art great addition to Toronto. The hotel is dramatic in its scale as well as its architecture. That first experience when you arrive is going to be as glamourous as it is generous — more so than any other hotel in town.”

The old building at the corner of Yorkville Ave. and Avenue Rd. will be turned into a condo residence with retail businesses on the ground floor.

Beth Kormanik and Anna Sekula in New York | bizbash.com

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TODAY’S CALENDAR: The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament begins in Las Vegas, the Sony Ericsson Open continues in Miami

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1. INAUGURATION PLANNING BEGINS: The presidential election is still months away, but planning for the inauguration ceremony kicked off yesterday. According to The Hill, the January 21 event will have a budget of $1.2 million, about $3,000 less than in 2009 and $13,000 less than in 2005. New York Senator Charles Schumer was voted to head the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. thehill.com/homen…

2. BING FIRINGS TIED TO SUNDANCE: This past week the Microsoft brand publicly fired two marketing executives, Eric Hadley and Sean Carver. Ad Age: “An internal investigation turned up a list of violations, which Ad Age has learned included problems with line items and dates on purchase orders related to the three-story Bing Bar in Park City, Utah, Microsoft’s celeb hangout during the Sundance Film Festival.” They also paid more than $1 million to a marketing agency not approved by Microsoft, and Carver took a first-class flight without proper approval. adage.com/article…
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Marcia Chen | CityNews.ca

Yorkville’s landmark Four Seasons Hotel is closing its doors temporarily while it moves to a new location down the street.

The Avenue Road building, which helped transform Yorkville from its bohemian roots into the luxury destination it is now, closed Wednesday ahead of its makeover.

“I have a lot of guests, a lot of employees. A lot of farewells, a lot of goodbyes. It’s just a very emotional, difficult day for all of us,” said Dimitrios Zarikos, Regional VP & GM, Four Seasons Hotel.

This summer the hotel will reopen as the New Residences of Yorkville Plaza — a 31-storey tower housing high-end condos and shops at the corner of Avenue and Yorkville Avenue.

“I’ve been here since 1978. It’s bittersweet, because I’m also very excited about the new place one block down…but it will be sad to say goodbye to this lovely old building,” said Liloo Alin, chef concierge, four seasons hotel

Renovations are also planned for Hazelton Lanes and the Park Hyatt nearby.

Click here for more information.

Featuring video from CTVNews.ca | globeandmail.com

The iconic Four Seasons tower in the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood will be turned into a condo … » View Video