Toronto Power Generating Station
+VG Architects was the design leader for the winning proposal submitted by Pearle Hospitality to Niagara Parks Commission for a transformational $200 million-plus private-sector investment to restore the National Historic Site while creating an unparalleled visitor experience, including the first five-star boutique hotel at the falls, befitting its location overlooking iconic Horseshoe Falls.
Opened in 1906 to supply hydroelectric power to the Toronto market and mothballed since 1974, the palatial powerhouse was designed by Toronto-based architect E. J. Lennox (1854-1933), best-known for Toronto Old City Hall and Casa Loma.
“The sheer scale of Toronto Power is unrivalled by any other Beaux-Arts-style building in Canada other than Union Station,” says Robert G. Hill, author of The Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada: 1800-1950—and Toronto Power boasts finer and more prolific detailing.
The powerhouse redevelopment will provide a world-class visitor experience unlike anything currently offered in the destination or the province, including the first and only five-star boutique accommodation at Niagara Falls, a variety of culinary offerings, multiple indoor and outdoor free public viewing areas, a craft brewery, a wellness and social spa, theatre, museum and art gallery and event space.
LOCATION
Niagara Falls, Ontario
COMPLETED
2027
SIZE
300,000 ft² – 500,000 ft²
SERVICES
Adaptive Reuse
PRESS
The Ventin Group Ltd. to be Prime Consultant for $200 million redevelopment of Toronto Power Generating Station at Niagara Falls
Canadian Architect
Toronto Power Generating Station
Architizer
Reimagine Historic Toronto Power Generating Station
Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks Unveils Groundbreaking Private Sector Revitalization Investment for Toronto Power Generating Station
The Niagara Independent
Pearle Hospitality Awarded Redevelopment of Niagara’s Toronto Power Generation Station
Urban Toronto
Elora Mill owner chosen to redevelop Toronto Power Generating Station
CTV News Kitchener
York Regional Police Association (YRPA) New Office & Facility Clubhouse
The new office and clubhouse facility at 63 Eric T. Smith Way in Aurora offers YRPA and its members a new contemporary facility with office space for the association’s growing staff complement as well as additional rentable office spaces for suitable tenants. The facility also includes a new private member social space and a separate event space.
The two-storey building presents an elegant, contemporary expression upon approach. The first storey is clad in Eramosa limestone (quarried locally in Wiarton) with large storefront openings into the Credit Union space. The second floor is open and transparent with large expanses of glass accented by translucent glass and aluminum panels. All office areas are provided with operable windows to allow for natural ventilation during the spring and fall seasons. The north side of the building is crowned with a gently sloping standing seam metal roof interrupted by a two-storey entry lobby atrium of curtain wall glass. A continuous ribbon of clerestorey windows allow natural light into the north side tenant spaces.
The rear south facing façade is accented by a rhythm of stone piers with wood beams and soffits which define a continuous terrace that provides both open air trellis and covered outdoor spaces. The member terrace is punctuated at the west end by a stone clad fireplace. The terrace opens directly off the member dining and games rooms offering outdoor dining and lounge areas.
LOCATION
Aurora, Ontario
COMPLETED
2021
SIZE
35,962 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction
Table Rock Restaurant & Retail Store
This redevelopment project is intended to modernize and refresh Table Rock Centre, enhancing a flagship location that supports and advances Niagara Parks Commission’s (NPC) vision and acts as a welcome centre to Niagara Parks while offering a variety of products, services and experiences that appeal to NPC’s broad range of visitors.
The project will renew and differentiate the culinary, retail and attraction experiences within Table Rock Centre, as well as generate a significant rate of return on NPC’s capital re-investment and grow revenues at Table Rock Centre to contribute to Niagara Parks self-sustaining operations.
The Table Rock Centre consists of two buildings connected by an indoor concourse area. The north side of the building, originally constructed in 1926, houses on the main floor a retail store, Welcome Centre, Journey Behind the Falls attraction and additional visitor amenities. The upper level contains the Niagara’s Fury attraction and retail store, a Welcome Centre, Retail Shop, Horseshoe Landing Patio and the Grand Hall viewing area. A new Bistro will be incorporated.
The south building, constructed in 1974, offers quick serve culinary outlets as well as a retail store and visitor amenities. The second-floor houses NPC’s full-service restaurant, Elements on the Falls which overlooks the Horseshoe Falls and the upper Niagara River.
LOCATION
Niagara Falls, Ontario
COMPLETED
2020
SIZE
120,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation/Redevelopment
PRESS
Dining on the Edge: Table Rock
Canadian Interiors
New Destination Restaurant Opens in Niagara Falls
Food Service & Hospitality Magazine
BlueBlood Steakhouse, Casa Loma
In 2014, Liberty Entertainment Group entered into a lease agreement with the City of Toronto to operate Casa Loma, one of Toronto’s most prominent heritage tourist attractions.
+VG assisted Liberty in securing Heritage Preservation Services approval for several important programming initiatives. One such initiative is the design of a new fine-dining steakhouse within the historically significant Billiard Room, Smoking Room and Oak Room.
The project entailed restoration of significant components of the rooms, new ‘reversible’ installations including a cocktail bar and ice bar as well as a new finishing kitchen, LULA Elevator serving the kitchen from the basement, new kitchen exhaust with economizer and washroom renovations. While the client provided the theming and interior design of the restaurant, +VG prepared Heritage Impact Assessment Statement, prepared permit drawings and coordinated with the client’s engineering team.
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
2,800 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation & Restoration
Royal Canadian Yacht Club City Club
+VG were retained by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club to carry out renovations to the clubs’ two clubhouses, the City Club located downtown Toronto and the Island Club, located on Toronto Island.
The City clubhouse is heavily used during the winter months and provides fitness rooms, indoor pool, racket sports, locker facilities and dining/bar amenities. The renovations involved creation of a new open, flexible and contemporary bistro dining and bar space to replace the existing banquet room on the main floor and extensive updating of the men’s and women’s locker areas and the creation of a new ‘family’ change room to address the changing club demographics. The renovated areas comprised approximately 6,700 ft².
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
COMPLETED
2018
SIZE
6,700 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation
Royal Canadian Yacht Club Island Club
+VG were retained by the Royal Canadian Yacht Club to carry out renovations to the clubs’ two clubhouses, the City Club located downtown Toronto and the Island Club, located on Toronto Island.
The historic Island clubhouse (circa 1919) is the home base for the sailing members of the club and is heavily used during the summer months. The clubhouse is predominantly used by members for ‘apres’ sailing dining and socializing. The upper floor banquet space is booked extensively for weddings and receptions. The project involved the restoration of the building exterior, provision of a new elevator serving the inaccessible upper floor, new main floor member washroom facilities and the creation of a new city-facing bar/bistro/dining area. The renovated areas comprised approximately 10,350 ft² not including outdoor verandah areas that were also restored.
LOCATION
Toronto Island, Ontario
COMPLETED
2018
SIZE
10,350 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation
Oshawa Golf & Curling Club
The project involved various renovation scopes to refresh the private clubhouse that was last renovated in the early 1990’s.
The project entailed:
- Recladding most of the building exterior except for the curling rink
- Renovation and reorganization of the member social areas and pro-shop that improved circulation as well as providing a new contemporary bistro dining and bar area
- Renovation of the locker area and associated shower and washroom spaces including new wood lockers, new plumbing fixtures and finishes throughout.
The reorganization of the ground floor level provided much improved access to outdoor patio areas for members and guests while offering pro-shop staff with direct visual access to the first tee and staging areas.
The renovations were scheduled to minimize impact to the club by staging work to begin on the exterior work during the fall months and interior renovations occurring during the winter. The project was completed for the new golf season. The contractor mobilized on site in September 2016 and the interior areas were completed in May 2017.
LOCATION
Oshawa, Ontario
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
48,112 ft² (Overall Building)
13,780 ft² (Renovation Area)
SERVICES
Renovation
Cataraqui Golf & Country Club
The project involves an extensive renovation and a 3,000 ft² addition to the main floor of the existing clubhouse.
The existing clubhouse was constructed in the early 1970’s and the main goal was to completely refit the golf lounge and locker facilities. The golf lounge includes full food and beverage service with a curling lounge, administration offices, and event spaces on the second floor.
Renovation of 7,400 ft² provides expanded locker rooms and associated washroom areas, including new larger lockers; towel and grooming stations; and increased shower facilities, including barrier-free accessible shower stalls in each locker area. The new golf lounge includes a curved bar, double-sided fireplace, and a variety of seating areas for both casual après-golf gatherings and more formal dining.
LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario
COMPLETED
2011
SIZE
7,400 ft² (Renovation Area)
3,000 ft² (Addition)
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Bell
