Turner Hospitality Group will open Florin on June 6 at 80 Richmond Street West, marking the family-owned operator’s strategic entry into Toronto’s recovering financial district with a 136-seat Florentine trattoria housed within the heritage Victory Building.
The restaurant represents Turner’s most ambitious project to date, with the group spending over two years transforming the 1920s-era space. “This represents the next steps for us because we’ve had all of this experience now and can bring it to the next level,” said operations manager Shelby Turner during an exclusive pre-opening tour.
Heritage Building Transformation Drives Design Concept
The 4,200-square-foot restaurant occupies the ground floor of the Victory Building, a heritage property that holds significant architectural distinction. Originally conceived in 1929 as a 26-storey structure that would have been the tallest all-concrete building in the British Empire, construction halted at the 21st floor during the Great Depression. The building was completed in 1937 with a modified design by architects Baldwin & Greene.
Dream Office REIT recently completed a comprehensive facade restoration project in 2022, meticulously repairing and cleaning the building brick by brick while preserving heritage elements. The Victory Building notably was the first office tower in Canada to be completely air-conditioned and features a nautical-themed lobby paying homage to the H.M.S. Victory.
Turner Hospitality Group retained the building’s brass-inlaid flooring, distinctive column structure, and period details that informed the restaurant’s design concept. “When we first encountered this space, the floors immediately captured our attention,” Turner said. “We walked into this magnificent space and observed the columns, the floors, the brass detailing. The character was undeniable—it spoke to us immediately.”
The restaurant’s name derives from the historic Florentine coin, discovered during research into the building’s financial district heritage. Further research revealed an unexpected personal connection for Turner, who grew up in Collingwood. The Victory Building was constructed on the site of the former Gaiety Theatre, and the historic theatre’s marquee sign was later purchased by Collingwood’s Historic Gayety Theatre, where it remains today.
“When we learned about that, we thought,, this is a crazy little tie-in to where I grew up and where my parents reside to the place that we’re about to build out a restaurant,” Turner explained.
Florin’s interior features custom-designed elements that integrate hospitality functionality with aesthetic appeal. Wine storage appears throughout the dining room via built-in banquette buckets and Florence-inspired wine windows. The restaurant includes 90 interior seats with an additional 46-seat patio featuring a meandering garden design.
“We strategically positioned all point-of-sale systems in back-of-house areas to preserve the intimate atmosphere and allow guests to remain fully immersed in their dining experience,” Turner explained.
Strategic Market Positioning in Evolving District
Turner Hospitality Group’s decision to enter the financial district reflects confidence in the area’s post-pandemic recovery and long-term growth potential. “This neighbourhood is evolving into a premier destination for evening entertainment—post-theatre, post-concert gatherings,” Turner observed. “The financial district has always been a strategic target for our expansion.”
The timing coincides with significant infrastructure investment transforming the financial district. Ontario Line construction and new mixed-use developments are driving demographic shifts, while established hospitality operators demonstrate growing confidence in the area’s evolution beyond traditional business hours.
Recent openings include Daphne’s 8,000-square-foot modern American restaurant at 67 Richmond Street West and CKTL & CO’s craft cocktail concept at 330 Bay Street. Marbl Restaurant’s decision to relocate from King West to 40 Temperance Street further signals the district’s emergence as a dining destination.
The area’s transformation potential extends beyond immediate hospitality investments. Hudson’s Bay’s pending closure of its Queen Street West flagship creates a significant opportunity for Cadillac Fairview to redevelop the landmark property into a mixed-use destination, potentially anchoring broader retail and entertainment development throughout the district.
These investments collectively position the financial district as Toronto’s next major hospitality hub, with infrastructure improvements and strategic redevelopment opportunities creating conditions for sustained growth.
Community-Focused Hospitality Excellence
Founded in 2007 by Bruce and Renee Turner, Turner Hospitality Group operates seven locations with over 150 employees across concepts including Mother Tongue, Liquid Courage, Twist, Magnones, Winnies, and Poppy’s.
The group’s mission to “curate unique dining and cocktail experiences that transport guests to different times, places, cultures, and cuisines” drives their development strategy. Each concept reflects specific cultural themes and neighbourhood demographics, with Florin representing their first financial district location and entry into Toronto’s downtown core.
“Our menu focuses on regional Tuscan authenticity, deliberately excluding pizza to distinguish our offering from broader Italian concepts,” Turner said. “We’re committed to introducing Toronto diners to preparations and flavours they may not encounter elsewhere in the city.”
The beverage program emphasizes Negroni variations and Italian wines, with approachable entry points for newcomers to Florentine drinking culture. Florin will operate lunch, aperitivo, and dinner service to capture different demographic segments throughout the day.
“Building a restaurant specifically to achieve industry recognition fundamentally changes your operational philosophy,” Turner reflected. “Our approach prioritizes hospitality excellence first. Recognition may follow, but our core vision centres on creating exceptional experiences for our guests—particularly the local community we’re privileged to serve.”
This community-first philosophy extends to menu accessibility and operational design. Florin will accommodate both quick business lunches and extended dinner experiences, recognizing the diverse needs of the financial district’s evolving demographic profile.
Opening Details: Florin hosts a private grand opening June 5, with public service beginning June 6. Complete operational coverage will follow the opening in 6ixRetail.com.
Florin Restaurant is located at 80 Richmond Street West in the Victory Building. Updates are available via social media channels.
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.