The Walper Hotel was originally built in 1893 and was designated as a historic landmark under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1983. Despite hosting many notable guests in its heyday, hotel fell out of fashion and declined into a state of disrepair until Perimeter Development saw the opportunity to restore the hotel to its former glory.
BNKC Architects was hired as the base building and restoration architect to give the property a much-needed face-lift. Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, Jill Greaves Design and Dialogue 38 combined efforts for the hotel’s interiors. The Walper now greets guests with 92 unique rooms that exude a hip, boutique vibe rivaling similar restored establishments in Toronto, and abroad.
The renovations include a new lobby, reception, atrium, upgraded corridors, gathering space, public lounge, banquet / event hall, conference centre, meeting rooms, 150 suites, kitchen and dining room, as well as public and private washrooms.
Photography: Michael Muraz
In 2020, the project was awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation and was nominated for a 2019 Architecture Conservancy of Ontario Award.
The project is the recipient of the following interior design awards:
2018 Hotelier Magazine, Design Award Winner – 50–200 Rooms
2018 Canadian Interiors, First Place – Best of Canada
2017 Interior Design Award, Honorable mention – International Boutique Hotels
2016 ASID Awards, First Place – Professional Design Awards/Outside-the-Box