Location: Intercontinental Hotel Yorkville, 220 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON

Area: 245m2 (2640 sq.ft.)

With InterContinental’s intention to update its restaurant within the hotel situated in Toronto’s exclusive Yorkville neighbourhood, the Designer was retained to transform Signature’s into an elegant, comfortable dining venue fusing contemporary design with a ‘farm-to-table’ approach set forth by the resident Chef.

As part of the brief was to create flexibility, the Designer took into consideration the client-base being the modern traveler alongside its wide use from local and international business people alike. Expanding on flexibility, varying types of seating and environments were introduced that range from semi-private booth seating, communal tables that can be easily joined together to create larger dining experiences as well as banquet seating for single diners. With an area that provided an existing sunken room off to the side, the Designer took advantage of this full length additional area by creating a more relaxed form of dining and turned it into a lounge-dining area, flooded by natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the private outdoor seasonal terrace: Sky Lounge; a perfect setting to enjoy all year round.

Furthermore, part of the Chef’s mandate was to share the cooking experience. By transforming the existing bar that was hidden and strictly utilitarian, the Designer opened up the bar by providing a more inviting, curved sitting area where not only your favourite drink can be experienced yet providing dual duty where culinary classes can be held alongside varying offerings for diners to partake in.

For those more private dining moments, small group meetings or special occasions, an exclusive room tucked quietly in the corner of the restaurant is the private dining room. With an overall eclectic feel, the space was created with an invitational experience by using soft and elegant finishes, warm and textured materials along with varying lighting moods offering flexibility in order to create that perfect dining experience.

From custom signage, tables, seating and lighting, the overall dining experience became an instant hit as one of the go-to dining places, providing a seasonal farm-to-table menu.