What if I told you that 1 King West was once voted the most admired building in Toronto? That’s right. Today we are standing in front of 1 King West Hotel & Residence. It is located at 1 King Street West in Toronto’s financial district. This building is more than just a place to stay. It is a symbol of Toronto’s architectural evolution.
1 King West is a condo hotel completed in 2006. But there’s more to the story. A new tower was attached to the side of the heritage Dominion Bank Building. The original bank building dates back to 1914. This makes 1 King West a blend of old and new.
The Dominion Bank Building was an early 13-story skyscraper. Four additional floors were added on top of this heritage building. The neighboring Michie & Co. Grocers & Wine Merchant was demolished in 2001. This made room for the residential tower that is part of 1 King West.
One King West boasts 575 suites. These include two 3-story penthouses. Approximately 600 employees work here. You can find suites in the new tower or in the historic building.
Darling and Pearson designed the Dominion Bank Building in 1914. The Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance Revival detailing is stunning. Stanford Downey Architect Inc. handled the renovation of 1 King West.
Originally, 1 King West was a bank. The Grand Banking Hall is a prime example of early 20th-century classicism. Ornate details abound including stately Corinthian columns and towering windows. Today, it has been converted into a large meeting room with a bar.
Down in the basement, you will find the historic bank vault. Frederick S. Holmes designed it. This vault can now be used for private meetings or meals. You can even grab a drink at the lobby bar called Teller’s Bar.
Each suite in 1 King West is individually owned. Profits are shared among suite owners who place their suites in the hotel pool. This arrangement is more common in resort towns. The individual owners financed the purchase of the hotel’s common assets. They now control the company that manages the hotel operations.
One King West is directly connected to the city’s underground PATH network. You will find a subway station literally in the basement.
In 1879, this location became home to the head office of The Dominion Bank. This lasted for an impressive 126 years. By 1914, the bank’s rise led to the construction of an early 12-story skyscraper. The vault was meant to impress. It illustrated the strength and stability of Dominion Bank. The circular door is 4 1/2 feet thick and weighs over 40 tons. Before installation, 19 horses and 8 men dragged the door up Yonge Street.
In 1955, a merger with the Bank of Toronto formed The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Many head office functions moved to the current Toronto-Dominion Bank building. However, a branch continued to operate at 1 King West into the nineteen-nineties.
One King West set the trend toward preservation and restoration in Toronto’s urban real estate development. In 2006, the bank underwent a 100 million dollar transformation. The 51-story condominium tower atop is nicknamed “The Sliver”. It boasts one of the most slender height to width ratios in the world. This makes it one of the tallest residential buildings in Canada.
So, next time you pass by 1 King West remember its story. It is a story of transformation, preservation, and architectural innovation. A unique blend of history and modernity.