Housed within the former site of a Canadian glass manufacturing facility, Nobu Hotel Toronto is now open in the heart of the city.
The existing street-level facade grounds the project in local architectural memory, while original glass blocks are preserved within the fitness area. Above, two slender residential towers connect through a central podium. A dramatic opening between the ninth and tenth floors allows daylight to cascade into the interior, offering guests in the gym framed views of descending rain or snow.
Leaning on material honesty
Encompassing 36 guestrooms across five levels, the property, designed by locally-based Studio Munge, feels like an elevated sanctuary, drawing inspiration from the Japanese ryokan.
The arrival sequence pairs abstracted Canadian topography with references to traditional Japanese layered forging techniques, anchored by a bespoke installation from Toronto-based artist Dennis Lin.
An intentionally restrained material palette creates continuity throughout the public spaces, with weathered Tundra Grey stone from Turkey and rift-cut white oak complemented by carved wood elements and hand-dyed indigo textiles.
Guestrooms at Nobu Hotel Toronto
Designed as spaces of restoration, the guestrooms prioritize expansive city views and feature a soft spectrum of blue tones referencing the sky and water.
The experiential centerpiece of the layout is the iconic wooden soaking tub, complete with generous living areas and walk-in closets. Positioned beside the windows, the tub honors traditional Japanese bathing rituals while keeping the urban landscape cleanly framed.
A culinary experience at Nobu Toronto
The hospitality experience culminates in a two-level, 10,000-square-foot Nobu restaurant and bar that blends Japanese-inspired design with Canadian craftsmanship.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by an alluring bar and lounge centered around a 28-foot bronze chainmail chandelier that descends from the mezzanine, imitating the drapery of a Japanese kimono. Handcrafted Kawara Japanese roof tiles adorn warmly lit pillars that elevate the two-story space.
Continuing the journey upstairs, visitors find a 20-seat sake bar and a terrace reminiscent of urban Japanese gardens. Bringing to life the iconic artwork The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika, the bar space is adorned in a blue and white color palette expressed in the plaster finish that curves across the layered ceiling. As guests proceed through the wave, they reach a 140-seat courtyard dining room, inclusive of a sushi bar and a private tasting room rendered in contrasting dark cherry wood.
In the main area, circular timber beams featuring intricate Japanese joinery details ripple around a suspended light and porcelain art installation crafted by Canadian ceramic artist Andrea Braescu. Tucked behind the cascading chandelier is an intimate 20-seat private dining room, enclosed within bronze-tinted glass panels that offer a glimpse of the ground-level bar below.
