Oliver & Bonacini Acquires Carlu

TORONTO — Canadian restaurant, catering and event company Oliver & Bonacini (O&B) has purchased The Carlu, a historic event space in Toronto.

Originally opened in 1930 to house Eaton’s Seventh Floor, The Carlu was designed by French architect Jacques Carlu. In 2003, it was reopened as The Carlu event venue after an extensive restoration led by Jeffry Roick and Mark Robert. Recognized as one of Toronto’s best examples of Art Moderne architecture, The Carlu has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

O&B’s growth in the event sector, in and just outside of Toronto, has included the historic Arcadian event complex on Queen Street; Malaparte at the TIFF Bell Lightbox; the Toronto Region Board of Trade; the Windermere House in Muskoka, Ont.; the Westin Trillium House in Collingwood, Ont.; and, most recently, Trump Toronto. O&B is actively working on newly constructed event spaces in Calgary and Montreal, which will be introduced during the next 18 months. The company intends to develop an extensive one-stop portfolio of top-level event spaces to accommodate every client need, from social requirements, to full-service corporate conferences and events.

“We’re very excited to be managing this magnificent venue and couldn’t be happier to be bringing our passion for food and service to The Carlu’s distinctive setting of elegance and grandeur,” said Andrew Oliver, president of Toronto’s Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants. “We have great respect for what’s been accomplished at The Carlu. Working with The Carlu events’ team, we look forward to continuing the legacy of excellence that has been upheld throughout the years.”

The transition of The Carlu management to O&B will take place March 2.