Bisha Hotel & Residences

The need for a new luxury hotel speaks to Toronto’s growth in general, and its growing status as a tourist hotspot. What’s more, the original plan for 88 Blue Jays Way involved an 18-storey building, but developers had to rezone the site — perhaps due to the project’s high demand. Thanks to its shift in zoning, the Bisha Hotel & Residences reaches to an astounding 42 storeys high.

Following in the footsteps of the Four Seasons and the Thompson Hotel, 88 Blue Jays Way is home to a sizeable luxury hotel as well as 355 luxury condos in the King West neighbourhood. Lifetime Developments paired with Rudy Wallman and his team at Wallman Architects to create the modern and lavish Bisha Hotel & Residences, with Gh3 in charge of the landscape architecture.

While the hotel and residences were built in 2017, the red brick podium has in fact been around much longer: the front entrance of the hotel was formerly a single-family dwelling. During construction, additions were made to both sides of the house — mimicking its appearance in order to blend in while increasing area and the potential for density.

The front entrance leads directly into the hotel, however there’s also a drop-off spot for both residents and hotel guests on the north side of the building. Soaring above the red brick base is, naturally, a glass tower. Vertical copper fins and glass panels surround the façade, reaching past the uppermost story to form a barrier that surrounds the rooftop terrace.

While some buyers might be wary of being overwhelmed by hotel guests (also known as tourists), those interested in 88 Blue Jays Way will be glad to hear the residences cover more than two times the amount of space as the hotel. In terms of suites, there are 93 hotel rooms and 344 homes found throughout the building.

Unsurprisingly, the building has more than its fair share of amenities that range from the standard to the opulent. Residents have access to a gym, a rooftop terrace with garden, infinity pool, bar and cabanas, a games room, multiple meeting rooms, a lounge, and even a hair salon. There’s also a concierge on site, as well as guest suites and visitor parking for when homeowners choose to entertain. In addition to the residences’ amenities, those living at 88 Blue Jays Way can also pop over to the hotel’s restaurant, bar, or 24-hour café on a whim.