How We Got Here
It started with an old warehouse on King Street and a pretty wild idea.
Back in 2018, the building at 285 King Street West was just another forgotten industrial space. But walking through those dusty corridors, I saw something nobody else did - the bones of something special. Those exposed beams, the raw brick walls, the iron framework... they told a story of craftsmanship that Toronto's growth had left behind.
We didn't want to build just another hotel. God knows Toronto's got plenty of those. What we wanted was to create a space where the city's innovative spirit could actually breathe. A place where a tech startup founder could grab coffee next to an artist, where business meetings happened in rooms that felt more like living spaces than corporate boxes.
The name 'Nexaryn Forge' wasn't some marketing team's brainstorm - it came from what this building used to be. A metalworks forge that supplied parts for Toronto's early construction boom. We kept that legacy alive, literally. Half the fixtures you'll see are refurbished from the original equipment.
"We're not trying to be the biggest. We're trying to be the one you remember."
The Craft Philosophy
Everything here has intention. We work with local artisans who actually care about their work - the folks making your morning pastries have been perfecting their recipes for decades. The furniture? Custom-built by a woodworker from Leslieville who sources reclaimed timber. Even our Wi-Fi network's named after Toronto neighborhoods because, well, why not make it personal?
Innovation Hub Mindset
We've got co-working lounges because hotel lobbies shouldn't be wasted on awkward waiting. Our conference rooms have proper tech - none of that "let's spend 20 minutes figuring out the HDMI cable" nonsense. And yeah, there's fast Wi-Fi everywhere. Because it's 2025, and slow internet is basically a crime.
A Different Kind of Vision
By Alexandra Chen, Founder
I'll be honest with you - I didn't go to hotel management school. My background's in architecture and urban planning. Maybe that's why Nexaryn Forge doesn't feel like a typical hotel. I kept asking "why does it have to be this way?" about pretty much everything.
Why do hotel lobbies feel like waiting rooms? Why's the good coffee always hidden away? Why can't business travelers have a decent workspace that doesn't feel like a prison cell? Why do "boutique" hotels think they have to be stuffy to be upscale?
My grandparents ran a small inn back in Vancouver. Nothing fancy, but people remembered it. They came back year after year. Not because of the thread count or the marble bathrooms - because it felt real. Like someone actually gave a damn about their stay. That's what stuck with me.
When we opened in 2019, Toronto's hotel scene was pretty predictable. You had the big chains doing their corporate thing, or you had these ultra-minimalist boutique spots that were beautiful but felt kinda cold. We wanted to split that difference - quality and attention to detail, but warm. Professional without being uptight.
"I wanted to build the kind of place where I'd actually want to stay. Turns out, a lot of other people wanted that too."
The Space Itself
Industrial Meets Comfort
We kept the raw elements - exposed brick, visible ductwork, steel beams - but softened 'em with natural materials. Oak floors, linen drapes, plants everywhere. It's industrial but it doesn't feel harsh. You get the character without feeling like you're sleeping in a factory.
Light & Air Flow
Those massive windows weren't original to the building - we punched through walls to get them. Natural light matters. There's actual research showing it affects mood and productivity. So yeah, we spent a fortune on windows. Worth every penny when you see the morning sun hit that main lounge.
Spaces That Adapt
Nothing's locked into one purpose. The conference room becomes an art gallery on weekends. The bistro turns into a jazz venue Thursday nights. That co-working lounge? Perfect for wedding receptions, actually. We built flexibility into everything because life doesn't fit into neat boxes.
Hidden Quiet Corners
Not everyone wants to be social all the time. We've tucked away little nooks throughout the building - reading corners with good lighting, window seats with city views, small terraces on upper floors. Sometimes you just need to disappear for a bit, y'know?
We're Part of King Street West
Not just located here - actually part of it.
Local Partnerships
Our pantry's stocked with stuff from nearby shops. The coffee's roasted three blocks away. Those cookies at check-in? Baker down on Adelaide makes 'em fresh every morning. We're not doing this to be trendy - these folks are just really good at what they do.
Community Events
Once a month, we open up the main floor for neighborhood stuff - artist showcases, startup pitch nights, book clubs, whatever. It's not a big PR thing. The space is here, might as well use it for something that brings people together.
Supporting Local Talent
That art on the walls? All local artists, and yeah, it's for sale. The furniture maker, the textile designer who did our drapes, the metalworker who built our lobby desk - all Toronto-based. Supporting local isn't charity, it's just smart. These people are incredible at their crafts.
Doing Right By The Planet
Look, sustainability's become such a buzzword that it barely means anything anymore. But here's what we actually do:
- Energy Systems: Solar panels on the roof cover about 40% of our power needs. The HVAC system's smart - it learns usage patterns and adjusts automatically.
- Water Conservation: Low-flow everything, greywater recycling for the green roof irrigation. Guest laundry's optional, not automatic.
- Waste Reduction: Composting program, refillable amenity dispensers instead of tiny bottles, partnerships with food rescue organizations.
- Materials: Reclaimed and recycled where possible. When we buy new, it's durable stuff built to last decades, not fast furniture that'll be landfill in five years.
Are we perfect? Nah. Running a hotel uses resources - there's no way around that. But we're trying to be thoughtful about it, and we keep looking for ways to do better.
Come See For Yourself
Honestly, reading about a hotel only tells you so much. The vibe's something you gotta experience in person.
Drop by for coffee in the bistro, check out the co-working space if you need a change of scenery, or book a room when you're in Toronto. We're at 285 King Street West, right in the thick of things.