Dillon was retained by the project architects to prepare the landscape strategy, detailed design and landscape construction drawings for the grounds of this boutique hotel on the site of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The concept for the project envisioned the hotel and restaurants in a garden park setting, integrated with the Direct Energy Centre and the Allstream Centre. The main public plaza provides for large events tied to the CNE while the south garden creates a series of gardens, private gathering areas, and other amenities for hotel guests. The public realm contributes to the formal promenade of the Exhibition lands and creates a tree-lined allée with shaded pedestrian urban spaces.
The site design celebrates and reflects the history of the former Stanley Barracks which supported the nearby, restored Fort York, an iconic landmark in Toronto. It reflects the patterns and geometries of the original fort site, and includes the display of the uncovered foundations of the Enlisted Mens Barracks along with the conservation of buried artifacts. The officers’ quarters, the only remaining building of what was once a complex of six stone buildings, regains its prominence and significance in the space. A new plaza with water features celebrates the former military parade ground through a design which represents marching platoons, and allows open views into the site from the adjacent Princes Boulevard.
Sustainable site and landscape design measures were incorporated to achieve the LEED Silver target objective for the development.
Dillon further assisted with the approvals and site servicing of the project with an integrated team that provided traffic, civil, landscape architecture and urban design.