Turning 50 in Style

Zoomer | March 22nd, 2011
Isadore Sharp marks the 50th Anniversary of the Four Season Hotels with a tree planting outside the Toronto location. photo: Tom Sandler

It was 50 years ago that the first Four Seasons opened up on Jarvis Street in Toronto as the Four Seasons Motor Inn. Founder Isadore Sharp admits that he had no grand plans initially but simply wanted to make money off a real estate deal. In the 1960s, when opening the Four Season-Sheraton on Queen Sharp knew he wanted to build medium size hotels of exceptional quality. “it was an evolution rather than a far-sighted vision,” Sharp says. The company now has 84 hotels in 34 countries and is an iconic symbol of style and elegance.

The Toronto location’s Studio Café marks the birthday with a $19.61 lunch special for the next two weeks. All proceeds go to Japan earthquake relief.