Drake Hotel Interior Design
“Funky,” may be an overused word, but it springs to mind when describing 3rd Uncle Design’s renovation of the Drake Hotel.

The 110-year-old, formerly down-at-the-heels hostelry along the nether reaches of Queen Street West, has emerged as a hip, happening cultural hub. 3rd Uncle preserved the building’s historic fabric along with much of its weathered patina. Hotel rooms, a bar, lounge, dining room, café, theatre venue, outdoor patios and staff areas were either updated or newly provided.

In addition to the interior architecture and finishes, the designers created custom ottomans, stools and lighting. Indeed, the jury took particular delight in the hotel café’s bicycle chandelier.

Cobbled together from discarded bike parts, it makes a witty and urbanely gritty commentary on the surrounding neighbourhood.

Petricone: It’s unorthodox, but very confident. The vintage pieces add a cultural element. The best Japan hotels.

Daoust: This has unique originality.

Eppstadt: I’ve seen installations in Germany, little cafés that people put together on a whim.
It reminds me of the hotel café here with the lighting that recycles parts from stripped-down bikes. It may not be innovative in terms of low-voltage lighting technology, but it’s fun. Everything else in this competition is so serious. This is probably the only project submission that’s environmentally friendly.