Trio of leading Canadian designers present their vision for the prestigious MuseumHouse penthouse at roundtable discussion in Toronto
TORONTO, October 19, 2010 — A water wall spanning two stories, a grand staircase joining two elegantly-appointed floors, and an indoor-outdoor fireplace designed both for its stunning aesthetic and quaint comfort.   
These are but a few of the luxurious features unveiled today as principals from three of Canada’s top design firms, Powell & Bonnell, Munge Leung, and Patty Xenos Design, present their unique renderings for the $12.8 million, 5,618 square-foot penthouse with 1,152 square feet of stone terraces and an internal elevator, located atop MuseumHouse, Toronto’s most exclusive new condominium. Why three designs? Yorkville Corporation, the project’s developer, challenged the three firms to produce distinct visions for the two-storey space in an effort to exemplify the array of possible layouts for the full-floor suite’s design.
Located on Bloor Street West across from the Royal Ontario Museum, this intimate, 19-storey condominium will be clad in limestone, metal and glass, and will feature only 26 full and half-floor residences, each with grand terraces, private elevator access, and panoramic views of the city.
“We commissioned these designs to provide the owner of this wonderful landmark suite with a space they could personalize to satisfy their elite tastes,” said Sol Wassermuhl, the principal of Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, which designed MuseumHouse. “This building has set the bar for elegance and luxury in Toronto, so we decided that the prestigious penthouse space should be as unique as the building itself.”
The result of the designers’ creative labour: three stunning interpretations that will set this penthouse apart from all others in the city:
Powell & Bonnell: Designing with an art-loving ‘citizen of the world’ in mind, the Toronto-based firm set out to maximize wall space without sacrificing the home’s bright and airy quality. “Our vision offers a penthouse space where every room could house an inspiring and eye-widening collection, which is the essence of any collection that’s worthy of being housed in glass,” explained Powell & Bonnell principal Fenwick Bonnell.
Munge Leung: The firm sought to pay homage to neighbours such as the ROM and Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts by creating an unpretentious and highly-livable space designed to showcase collectibles. “As in an art collection, each of the elements in our design contributes its own unique aura to the surroundings, resulting in a brilliant whole that is much more than the sum of its parts,” said Munge Leung principal Alessandro Munge.
Patty Xenos Design: The Montreal-based firm endeavored to create the ultimate space for living and entertaining by designing functional rooms to thrill the senses. “Our goal was to create a sophisticated penthouse that’s both timeless and sensitive to the five-star lifestyle needs of its cosmopolitan residents,” explained Patty Xenos of Patty Xenos Design.
 
MuseumHouse is scheduled for occupancy in Fall, 2011.