Designed by Munge Leung, the Bisha Presentation Centre—unveiled at a party hosted by project partners INK Entertainment and Lifetime Developments on Thursday—is a 5,000-square-foot showroom with space available for select events. The venue, in the entertainment district on Blue Jays Way, is intended to showcase Bisha Hotel & Residences, a 41-storey hotel and condominium project designed by Wallman Architects.
“For the last 10 years I’ve been working on putting together the launch of a luxury brand in the hotel sector, and what I wanted it to be is a luxury brand with an edge. There’s no shortage of luxury hotels,” INK C.E.O. Charles Khabouth said in reference to the soon-to-open Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La, and Four Seasons projects. “But what we lack in Toronto is a luxury brand with an edge to it. I’m trying to marry the two together.”
The sales centre includes a model suite, a bar area, a presentation room with a model of the property, and a lounge filled with custom furnishings selected by Khabouth and his design team during buying trips to cities like Paris and New York. “We’re not picking up a catalogue. The idea is to have a few key pieces that will become the signature pieces of the project,” Khabouth said. The space, which holds as many as 400, will be available for select events. “It needs to be something that fits in with what we’re launching here, which is a luxury brand,” he explained.
The property, expected to open in 2014, will include 100 hotel rooms and 332 suites. A focal point will be Bisha’s two themed floors—inspired by rock 'n' roll and Hollywood—designed by Khabouth in collaboration with Munge Leung. The rock theme will be depicted through a black and red palette with leather and lace, hardwood, and plush fabrics. The Hollywood floor will have luxe finishes, lush greenery, and a fresh and airy Los Angeles vibe.
Named after Khabouth’s childhood nickname, Bisha will include 30,000 square feet dedicated to amenities, restaurants, and event space. The ground floor will include a 24-hour café, the second and third floors will house a two-storey casual dining restaurant along with a business centre and terrace lounge. A rooftop restaurant, bar, and 7,000-square-foot patio with an infinity pool will be located on the 41st floor.
Khabouth and Mel Pearl of Lifetime Developments envision the property as the first of several projects. “We’re so big on importing brands into Toronto. We’re just as capable of creating our own. The Four Seasons did it. That’s my inspiration,” Pearl said. “I would never do this for a one off. We’re very committed and see this as a legacy project for us.”
