Special Events   Rooms Specials  Reserve a Room  Book an Event

Melody Bar Click for more before/after photos Prior to being purchased by the Zeidler family in 2002, the structure had been neglected during the last fifty plus years and needed a tremendous amount of repairs. The entire infrastructure including, heating, electrical, and plumbing had to be immediately upgraded in addition to architectural and cosmetic restoration work. Concerted effort was made to preserve and restore original woodwork and existing architectural detail throughout the hotel. The design team sought out specialists in period woodworking techniques, wood finishes and heritage glasswork in order to restore virtually all of the original windows, floors, and wood trim details. In places where these details were missing or not salvageable, they were replicated utilizing historically accurate materials and techniques. Considerable research and investigative techniques were utilized in order to recreate the Victorian façade on the exterior of the building's first floor extending from the front entrance to the eastern edge of the property. This façade had been altered significantly several times over the life of the building. Restoration specialist, Douglas Roberts was able to recreate the façade by drawing on clues left on the building itself and with reference to the original proposed drawings (which depicted an Italianate style of architecture) as well as a historic lithograph from the early 1900s. The hotel's hand-operated Otis elevator was carefully restored and is now fully functional and intact as it was originally. Repairs were made to the original wooden support beams of the shaft and the restoration team worked to upgrade electrical and restore the original mechanics. The elevator cab was painstakingly restored to reveal all original decorative details. In order to satisfy current building codes, protective Plexiglas was installed in cab. The shaft was enclosed in glass in order to meet code while preserving the visual effect and experience of the elevator ascending and descending within the hotel's grand staircase. The design team developed a first floor plan that kept the existing Melody Bar, renovated the Ballroom to the west and the Art Bar to the east and rebuilt washroom and kitchen facilities. During the construction it was found that the floor above the Melody Bar was failing. Structural beams had to be replaced in order to stabilize the building. During this work a false ceiling was removed and the original extraordinary column caps and friezes were discovered and restored. The columns are quite unique in that their marbled appearance was created through a European fresco technique. Specialists were brought in to repair, preserve, and replicate these details. The second floor was developed as multi-use space which provides a unique setting for receptions, exhibitions, and conferences. The large open foyer and exhibition halls feature original architectural details including a beautiful Victorian balcony which was also restored. The thirty-seven rooms on the third and fourth floors have been left as hotel rooms. The original floor plans have been maintained with the exception of designing individual bathrooms within each hotel room. The beautiful nine feet wide corridors and large open foyers have been retained and transformed into public “living rooms” and gallery showcase spaces for art exhibits. The concept to have each hotel room individually designed by artists was developed by Christina Zeidler to give a unique flavour to the hotel. Each guest room is truly individual and presents guests with a unique experience. The Gladstone has two special suite style rooms including an extraordinary two-story suite that occupies the tower on the fifth floor. Long term plans include a green roof on the adjacent tower suite space to enhance the stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the city. The refurbished Gladstone offers a new experience to travelers and Torontonians. Guests can experience Toronto art from within the comforts of one of the hotel's artist-designed rooms, eat, drink, and attend art related events held right in the hotel, and then step out into the heart of the city's art and design district of Parkdale and Queen Street West, one of Toronto's most vibrant neighbourhoods. PROJECT AWARDS (Click to view) PROJECT CONTRACTORS Client Gladstone House Ltd. Architect(s) Zeidler Partnership Architects Architect Eb Zeidler - Partner in charge, Zale Spodek – Project Manager, T eam Members: Graham Wunsch, Way Chak, JohnBloye, Catherine Nadeau Development and General Manager Christina Zeidler Construction Managers Maher Construction Restoration Douglas Roberts Replication of Original, Historic Moldings Window replicas- Windowcraft, Casting and fitting of plaster capitals above columns in Melody Bar – Peter Zip, Casting and fitting of egg and dart plaster cornice in Melody Bar – Orel Davidhe at DEA Studios, Repair and restore European fresco plaster treatment on columns in Melody Bar – Monster from Brazil Heritage Glaziers Vitreous Glassworks Heritage Wood Finishes Ray Karu Structural Jiri Trichy Designs Mechanical Ece Group Electrical Ece Group Elevator Consultant Katz Drago and Company Inc. Code Consultant Leber Rubes Interiors Christina Zeidler Artist-Designed Room Interiors Project Director Christina Zeidler Artist-Designed Room Interiors Project Manager Suanne McGregor Artist-Designed Room Interiors Christopher Martin + Celeste Toogood, Andrew Harwood, Kate Austin + Kristin Ledgett, Allyson Mitchell, Cecilia Berkovic, Jamie Cheveldeyoff, Tim Friesen + D'Arcy St.Pierre + Patrick Lightheart, Michael Steele, Melissa Levin, Kate Zeidler, Mathew Agostinis + Joel Harrison-Off, Andrew Jones + Joy Walker, Bruno Billio, Suanne McGregor, Adam Berkowitz + George Simionopolous, Julian Finkle, Barr Gilmour + Michel Arcand, Paul Campbell, Lief Harmsen, Heidi Earnshaw, Rayne Baron, Amy McLaughlin + Aleksandr Niestroj, Susan Collett + Penelope Stewart + Nicholas Stirling, Simone Moir + Corwyn Lund, Rob Southcott, Heather Dubbeldam + Tania Ursomarzo, Jenny Francis + Charlene Gilmour + Grant Gilmour, Christiane Klappert, Deanne Lehtinen + Daniel Lehtinen, Heather Dubbeldam + Tania Ursomarzo, Stephen Cruise, Christina Zeidler, Day Milman + Bruno Billio, Christina Zeidler + Jane Zeidler, Millie Chen, Daniel Riitano + Lolli Ursomarzo, Kathryn Walter. Area 28,000 Ft2 Gross Enclosed Area Budget N/A CONTACT INFORMATION: Press Contact: Chris Mitchell 416-531-4635 ext 7105 chrism@gladstonehotel.com OTHER ZEIDLER PROJECTS:  401 Richmond www.401richmond.net    Zeidler Partnerships www.zrpa.com