Steps from one of Toronto’s busiest transit hubs, the newly opened Union Hotel is betting that travelers and locals alike will embrace its distinctly Toronto-centric approach to hospitality.
The 189-room property at 60 York Street, which officially opened on April 2, represents the latest chapter for a building that has been a Financial District fixture since 1933. Following an extensive renovation, the former Strathcona Hotel has been transformed into what General Manager Kevin Slean describes as “a place to connect” rather than just a place to stay.
During an exclusive walkthrough with 6ixRetail.com, Slean revealed how the Silver Hotel Group-owned property has positioned itself at the intersection of convenience and local culture.
“We embraced the name ‘Union’ because we thought it was very fitting for this property as being a gathering spot, joining people together,” Slean explained, noting the natural connection to the historic Union Station across the street, which began construction in 1914.
This connectivity advantage is central to the hotel’s identity. With immediate access to subway, UP Express, GO Transit, and VIA Rail, the property has become a de facto airport hotel despite being in the heart of downtown – guests can reach Pearson Airport in approximately 30 minutes via UP Express.
Local partnerships form the backbone of the Union Hotel experience. The lobby café and lounge, Humble Donkey, serves Sam James Coffee and pastries from Breadhead bakery. “When we were actually viewing the menu, we wanted to make this space comfortable, a little bit sophisticated,” said Slean. “We actually Googled ‘comfort food Toronto’ and incorporated those familiar items, then just put our little spin on it.”
The lobby itself features multiple zones designed for different needs – communal tables, private work spaces, and casual lounge seating – making it an increasingly popular meeting spot for Financial District professionals seeking alternatives to traditional office spaces or chain coffee shops.
“People can actually branch off into our On Air Booths,” Slean pointed out during the tour. “If you need to take a little private call or just have a few minutes of some private time, you’ve got that space available.”
Instead of traditional minibars, rooms feature temperature-controlled kettles for optimal coffee brewing and alarm clocks that can be customized with preferred music. “If you are into, let’s say, rap music, I can actually come and set your clock so that you’ve got some rap music playing just upon coming into the room,” Slean explained.
The hotel’s design pays subtle homage to the area’s textile industry heritage. Toronto industrial designer Gino Marocco hand-crafted each team member’s uniform, with excess fabric repurposed into tote bags available at the UH Marketplace in the lobby. Furniture pieces throughout the second-floor event space, “the 6ix,” resemble spools of thread.
Art by local creators features prominently throughout the property. Hello Kirsten created an abstract mural in the lobby celebrating Union Station, while Emily Mae Rose’s raccoon mural pays homage to the city’s unofficial mascot. Each guest room displays unique artwork, some featuring tracings of brickwork from nearby buildings.
A literary partnership with the Giller Prize ensures Canadian literature is featured in every room, with a dedicated CanLit Library near the front desk showcasing prize-winning novels.
The UH Marketplace in the lobby offers local food and beverage options, including products from Amsterdam Brewery, Cheese Boutique, and wines from Niagara and Fonthill. The marketplace also sells hotel-branded merchandise, including the increasingly popular raccoon stuffed animals that have become an unofficial hotel mascot.
For visitors exploring Toronto, the hotel’s central location provides immediate access to mainstream attractions like the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and Scotiabank Arena. However, the property takes particular pride in connecting guests with lesser-known aspects of the city.
“We are constantly working with various partners,” Slean noted, adding that the hotel participates in local events like Summerlicious and Winterlicious to integrate into Toronto’s downtown ecosystem.
With room categories playfully named Chic, Groovy, Swanky, and Posh Suite, Union Hotel is positioning itself as an alternative to standardized chain hotel experiences. Its “live life unscripted” theme encourages guests to chart their own paths through Toronto.
“We really like to think of ourselves as that hidden gem—something to be discovered, something to be experienced,” Slean said.
For a building with nearly a century of history – including appearances in films like “Suicide Squad” (2016) and “Pixels” – that sense of discovery feels fitting for its latest incarnation.
Union Hotel is located at 60 York Street in Toronto’s Financial District, directly across from Union Station. The property features free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk service, a fitness centre, meeting facilities, and full air conditioning. Rooms start at $212 per night. More information is available at unionhoteltoronto.com.
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.