The Walper Hotel

Kitchener, an hour and a half outside of Toronto, is one of Canada's fastest growing communities. Catalyzed by its universities and the burgeoning tech industry, it is a hub for innovation as well as the home for internationally recognized institutions such as the Perimeter Institute and RIM Ltd. Downtown Kitchener's most recognizable landmark, the historic Walper Hotel has played a pivotal role in the city's social and cultural scene since it was established in 1893. More than a hundred years later, the heritage site's dated accommodations were unable to meet the contemporary demands of modern business travelers and locavore millennials looking for a landing spot. The region's burgeoning tech industry attracts a discerning clientele, and the hotel's renewal targets these visitors, bringing the best of the old into the future. As a collaboration between three design firms, the Walper was transformed into a modern boutique hotel while celebrating its historic details and pairing them with bold contemporary design.



The lobby and public spaces contrast traditional details such as decorative crown mouldings, wainscoting and trimwork with sleek, contemporary finishes and furniture. The finishes derive from a clean, white palette that highlights the colourful artwork, playful light fixtures and bold custom furniture in warm woods. The mosaic tile flooring in the lobby is a custom pattern inspired by the map of Kitchener's own urban grid. The second floor features a rejuvenated bar and lounge area - traditional aspects are once again referenced here, but the clean wood flooring is installed in an angular pattern, defining smaller zones within the expansive lounge. Here, guests can mingle over light snacks during social hours or relax privately, given the variety of cozy seating options.