The King Edward Hotel
This grand hotel opened in 1903 and became almost immediately known as the “King Eddy.” It was designed to provide luxury and service in dramatic settings. The 18-storey tower, with its top-floor Crystal Ballroom, was added in 1920-21. Although threatened with demolition in the 1970s, the hotel was revitalized in the early 1980s and this plaque was unveiled in 2003 to commemorate the hotel’s 100th anniversary.
Location:
At the King Edward Hotel, King and Victoria streets, Toronto
Themes:
Buildings and structures
Plaque text:
The King Edward Hotel was built by George Gooderham's Toronto Hotel Company to meet the demand in the rising metropolis for a grand hotel. When it opened in 1903, the hotel, affectionately known as the "King Eddy," was embraced by the city. The fireproof, eight-storey building, designed by eminent Chicago architect Henry Ives Cobb and prominent Toronto architect E.J. Lennox, provided luxury and service in dramatic settings. The 18-storey tower, with its top-floor Crystal Ballroom, was added in 1920-21 to enlarge the hotel. Although threatened with demolition in the 1970s, the hotel was revitalized in 1980-81. On its 100th anniversary in 2003, the King Edward, Toronto's first luxury hotel, remains a vibrant and elegant meeting place for local and international visitors.
