QUEEN’S MARQUE DISTRICT
A true cultural beacon for Nova Scotia and beyond, Muir is an integral part of the vibrant Halifax Waterfront in the new Queen’s Marque district. This new urban district is located in the absolute centre of the city’s downtown core and is ushering in a new chapter to the iconic and historic neighbourhood steeped in the rich mercantile and entrepreneurial spirit of the region.
Paying homage to Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage, the district marries modernity with tradition, adding luxury-leased residences, commercial offices, a multi-million dollar public art collection, expansive public plazas and event spaces and a natural amphitheatre, along with curated shopping and dining options. In the centre of the main square, massive granite stairs lead directly into the Atlantic Ocean. At the very heart of the district is Muir, offering refined, distinctly Nova Scotian hospitality – located in a destination where locals and visitors connect and with Nova Scotia, in a setting so Born of this Place, that it simply couldn’t exist anywhere else.
MATERIALITY
Designed by celebrated Nova Scotian architecture practice MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, with interiors conceived by award-winning Canadian designer Alessandro Munge of Studio Munge, Muir follows a distinctly local narrative inspired by the enduring spirit, character and materiality of Nova Scotia. Featuring an honest Born of this Place design, this style removes unnecessary flourishes creating a purposefully understated and modern aesthetic that expresses the culture and history of the region. It is a nuanced luxury of craft and substance. Honest materials like salt and pepper granite, sandstone, Muntz copper metal and walnut, along with subtle details, evoke a sense of place – nodding respectfully to the past while looking forward to the future.
LODGING
Featuring local original landscapes and ceramics, each of Muir’s 109 guest rooms and suites are designed with honest materiality, quality craftsmanship and thoughtful amenities and spaces. Bespoke furniture and lighting, designed and crafted in Canada, reflect a modern interpretation of East Coast design while offering comfort, productivity and a distinct sense of place. Connecting land and sea through Muir’s immediate oceanside locale, virtually all guest rooms greet visitors with expansive water views.
Muir’s rooms and suites offer comfort, serenity and inspiration in equal measure. Suggesting the feeling of a modern stateroom in a luxury ocean liner, the design and décor are warm, understated and textured. With curved corners and white oak floors and walls, each room is a sanctuary where bespoke furniture and lighting, designed and crafted in Canada, reflect a distinct sense of place. Inspired by luminous portholes, the in-room bar is a showpiece, finely crafted in walnut and featuring a curated refreshment collection.
Impeccable attention to detail, such as custom-designed, braided rug and bespoke tartan blanket, honour the character and traditions of Nova Scotia in a fully modern way.
Standard Rooms:
- Standard King: 392-506 square feet
- Signature King: 379-497 square feet
- Signature Double Queen: 465-494 square feet
- Deluxe King: 503-672 square feet
Suites:
- Junior Suites: 629-652 square feet
- Shannon Suites: 710-804 square feet
- Thrumcap Suites: 1015 square feet
- The Watch: 2,075 square feet – a unique Canadian experience with 270-degree water views.
ARCHITECTURE & LANDSCAPE
When designing the entirety of the Queen’s Marque district, celebrated Nova Scotian architecture practice MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects took inspiration from the historical, cultural and natural forces that have shaped Nova Scotia. The architecture throughout the district applies historic details in a modern Maritime way, emphasizing pure, honest materiality that includes stone, metal, wood and glass. The result is a contemporary and dramatic silhouette, suggesting the grand sweep of a vessel and the graceful bend of a ship’s bow. Throughout the district, shapes, site lines and vistas connect to the harbour and naturally extend into the water.
Muir’s design and construction warrant closer scrutiny to expose the thoughtfulness, precision and craftsmanship involved in its making. From wharf vernacular and forms, embodied through the addition of thoughtful details like a wrack line, a plimsoll line, ballast boxes and survey markers, along with Muntz panel engravings, every facet of Muir is considered, integrating historical symbols and markers in a meaningful, yet contemporary, way.
Muir is constructed from sandstone sourced from Wallace Quarries in Wallace, Nova Scotia, to complement the existing sandstone in the neighbourhood, creating a ‘sandstone district’. The ‘Light Chocks’ are a pair of dramatic, glowing columns that incorporate abstract Fresnel lenses, similar to the lenses used in lighthouses throughout Nova Scotia. Located at the entrance to Muir, the ‘Light Chocks’ appear to hold up the building, creating a signature entrance to the porte-cochère and lighting the way to Muir. This architectural art installation is an example of the Born of this Place design – inspired by Nova Scotian values, traditions and craftsmanship.
ARTISTRY IN ENGINEERING
For the Queen’s Marque district to be constructed, engineers navigated challenging architectural endeavours to realize the vision for the area. With a nod to the vast history that has graced the shores of Halifax, Queen’s Landing creates a direct and intimate connection to the magnificent Atlantic Ocean with 10 massive granite steps that descend into the water.
At the Queen’s Marque site, a steel sheet pile cofferdam was constructed, encircling the parkade structure, which was built two levels below harbour level. The top of the cofferdam is set 9.5ft above the Canadian Geodetic Datum (CGD), which protect against the high tide, storm surge and projected sea-level rise.
Queen’s Marque and Muir were designed with the future in mind. A Sea Water Loop reduces Muir’s carbon footprint and creates one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the region. Water is drawn from the harbour, harnessing the renewable energy of the sea through active chilled beams for heating and cooling. Natural conduction is utilized to circulate warm and cooled air, eliminating the need for boilers and creating further energy efficiencies through heat recovery.
TASTE
Queen’s Marque district will be Nova Scotia’s foremost culinary destination, offering thoughtfully curated dining options that blend progressive and familiar fare and evoke a one-of-a-kind sense of place. Muir’s on-site dining options include Drift and BKS, a secret speakeasy.
Drift
Featuring modern takes on classic Atlantic Canadian dishes and traditions, Drift is an ode to Nova Scotia’s land, people and history. As elevated and distinct as Muir itself, Drift is set in an expansive yet comfortable dining room with detailed craftsmanship and premium materiality complemented by an outdoor patio with stunning waterfront views.
Drift offers a refined atmosphere where guests and locals lounge by the fire, taste the latest vintage or sample a curated cocktail at the iconic Drift bar. A menu inspired by the natural abundance and culinary traditions of Atlantic Canada includes perfectly sourced ocean-fresh seafood and fresh, elevated takes on traditional fare such as Blueberry Grunt and Hodgepodge. Plus, hand-crafted cocktails, curated wines, craft beers, and premium spirits round out the menu, emphasising local distillers and regional ingredients.
BKS
Located on the third floor, Muir introduces BKS, a secret speakeasy with a hushed and moody feel that offers a space away from crowds for those seeking a refined retreat and premium experience. The intimate cocktail lounge is exclusive, open to registered hotel guests and members only. In warmer months, the creative libations are best savoured on the private waterfront terrace – the most sought after in the city, with the water almost close enough to touch.
A place of distinction, discretion and refinement, the speakeasy features classic and innovative cocktails with lineage inspired by Halifax’s prohibition-era rum-running past, made with specialty premium rums, single malts and local spirits. Offering direct water views and exclusive access to an expansive outdoor terrace, the speakeasy overlooks the esplanade. The speakeasy is exclusively for guests of Muir, their friends and speakeasy members.
ART
Each of Muir’s 109 hotel rooms proudly showcases an original Nova Scotia landscape painting, commissioned purposefully for Muir and inviting guests to get to know Nova Scotia through art.
True Colours, Muir’s own art gallery features a rotating collection of regionally curated art pieces. Open to Muir guests for their enjoyment and as an intimate event and meeting space.
Stimulating a deep and reflective connection to the region, a multi-million dollar public art collection is foundational to the very fabric of both Muir and Queen’s Marque, inspiring conversation and interaction. Locally curated, the collection is inspired by the people and geography of this region and features acclaimed local and international artists.
Included is ‘The Sirens’ Calling’ – a towering dramatic series of four sculptures by renowned Canadian Artist John Greer. Beckoning those who gaze upon them, the sirens – each facing a cardinal direction – speak to the dual role of the harbour as both a place of departure and a haven.
WELLNESS
Moments of stillness, reflection and renewal are offered in abundance at Muir. Unparalleled oceanfront access creates a calming and serene environment that naturally inspires deep thought and self-reflection. This overwhelming natural connection is matched by Muir’s ultra-premium fitness and wellness centre, Windward Wellness. Encouraging holistic reinvigoration, the centre is replete with a vitality spa pool, cold plunge pool, halotherapy salt room, infrared sauna and eucalyptus steam room, along with high-performance fitness equipment, yoga, spin rooms and group classes.
NURTURING THE ENVIRONMENT
From the sourcing of our building construction materials to the fabrication techniques of our custom furnishings, we have sought to achieve the highest standard of quality while minimizing environmental impact.
At each phase, from design, through construction and into the guest experience, Muir is committed to sustainable and responsible practices. Natural energy efficiency was created by building on a north/south axis, allowing for passive heating and cooling while minimizing solar heat gain. New building practices and high-efficiency windows allow deeper natural light penetration. Sustainable practices are built into all aspects of operations, reducing waste and natural resource usage while incorporating renewable energy sources. Muir works with regional partners and suppliers to provide local products and ingredients, reducing our carbon footprint while providing an authentic Nova Scotian experience.
Materials such as granite and cobblestone are used throughout Queen’s Marque district. Some of the granite was reclaimed from the original seawall and is 200-250-years-old. The cobblestone located along Lower Water Street is also reclaimed and estimated to be approximately 200-years-old. It is located in the George Street Plaza landscaping.
BUSINESS & GATHERINGS
At Muir, business travel is enhanced with high-quality food and beverage venues, a central business district location, and access to an exclusive car and driver service and a complimentary executive/board meeting room for eight. With comfort, convenience and functionality at the forefront of Muir’s design, guest rooms and suites offer well-appointed workspaces that feature bespoke floating walnut desks, triple-pane glass soundproofing and the fastest Wi-Fi available.
Guests seeking a memorable space for events or business meetings will gravitate to Muir’s distinct venues. The 1,200-square-foot True Colours gallery offers a dramatic harbour-facing backdrop for unique affairs and corporate events. The Wardroom – complimentary for guests – is a fully appointed, private executive meeting space for up to six guests. The Watch, embraced by the sea on three sides, boasts bespoke furniture and a commissioned art collection in a 2,075-square-foot event space that holds two private bars and a private tasting room. And, as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, travellers may also reap Bonvoy rewards for their stay.
