(Photo courtesy of The Anndore House)
If you're going to celebrate an opening, this is how you do it.
I'm about to take you inside a celebration with Toronto’s movers and shakers for the grand opening of The Anndore House and Constantine restaurant.
After much anticipation, The Anndore House has hit the scene as the newest boutique hotel in Toronto. It's run by general manager Anthony Campaniaris and is the latest addition to the growing portfolio of Silver Hotel Group.
Toronto drag queen Lucy Flawless (Eric Rich) (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
The history of this spot at 15 Charles St. E., is vast. It was built in 1955 as a residence hotel frequented by some of the city’s most eccentric personalities and visitors.
The building has had many lives over the decades, having once housed one of the city’s most intimate in seductive jazz bars.
This past is celebrated by maintaining its original name, structure and brick.
Theatre by Comittee performers (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
Nods to decades past can be found in details like record players in each room, with a vinyl library available at the front desk, retrofitted rooms and contemporary art inspired by vintage photography and the national landscape.
With a total interior reno, the 11-floor, 113-room hotel is a hub for the city’s stylish set and travellers alike.
Theatre by Committee performers (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
Designed by top local firm Cecconi Simone, helmed by Elaine Cecconi and Anna Simone, the spacious loft-like rooms and suites feature king or queen beds. And rooms range from 225 to 500 square feet, with spacious closets and living spaces in each one.
Bathrooms are on-trend, yet timeless, with dimensional subway tile, rainforest showers and exposed brass faucets.
This summer, The Anndore House will unveil the next phase of its story with a second-floor meeting and party room that includes an expansive terrace with park views.
Contract Magazine's Designer of the Year, Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge, designed the common spaces using rich jewel tones that imbue the hotel with warmth and eclectic character.
Christian Bennet and hotel general manager Anthony Campaniaris (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
At the fete, alcoholic beverages were flowing, and food was passed around, while guests ebbed and flowed throughout.
From between The Bar at Constantine, through the grand restaurant space, up and down elevators and staircases, and in-and-out of various hotel rooms ...
Each room and floor was a trip into a different decade, where performance artists were dressed and performing rumoured stories of the hotel's past.
Theatre by Committee performers (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
In one room, my girlfriends and I were styled in flashy vintage looks, then sent to another room for a '70s themed photographer to snap our Polaroid.
In another, an in-room record player filled the space with music, while two women in full '50s looks were dancing. Of course I joined them in doing the twist. As Bernadette Morra entered the room, I invited her to join me in a shimmy shake — though she politely declined.
Traci Melchor of CTV's etalk (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
The event was so well conceptualized and put together.
Still, I kept finding myself drawn to Constantine, the latest venue by Toronto food God, chef Craig Harding. No doubt it is the hub of the space.
Unlike his other top-tier posts La Palma and Campagnolo, this restaurant is vast.
Alexandra Hutchison, Craig Harding, Domenic Scarangella (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
Constantine is a soulful amalgamation of Italian and Middle Eastern flavours. Conceptualized and opened by AlterEgo — the group behind La Palma.
(AlterEgo is the child of chef Craig Harding and his designer wife Alexandra Hutchison (Campagnolo) and Domenic and Jack Scarangella and Steve Christian of Mercatto.)
Hailey Manning, Zoë Innanen, Lindsay Mariko, Kate Taylor (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
While housed inside The Anndore House, Constantine will be a culinary destination for locals and travellers alike. The Bar at Constantine is a sexy, moodier destination in and of itself. And its kitchen is entirely open in the middle of the space.
Andrea Petrak, Kathryn Davis and Lee Laliberte (Photo courtesy of Ryan Emberley)
The hotel also houses Crows Nest, a barbershop, and Scarlet Door café, and offers perks like valet parking, along with rental cruiser bikes.
Plus, everything about a guest's stay can be controlled through a custom-designed app, from check-in to unlocking the doors, dimming the lighting, adjusting the temperature and exploring the team's recommendations for living like a local.
