By Jessica Finch

An impressive spa concept has opened at Toronto’s Bayview Village and it’s unlike anything in a Canadian shopping centre to date. Called the Hammam Spa by Céla, the massive space caters to an affluent demographic that is known to frequent the area.

Located on the south east end of the Bayview Village mall and across from a Pusateri’s Fine Foods grocery store, the Hammam Spa by Céla spans across two levels. The ground floor operates as a retail space and the second level houses an impressive spa component. It is contained in part of the space vacated by a Chapters bookstore last year.

This 13,000 square-foot spa is a transformative, otherworldly space. A modern interpretation of traditional Turkish baths, and tailored to relieve everyday stresses, Hammam Spa by Céla transports you to Eastern Europe with soft music, aromatic smells, a lavish tea room (with treats such as baklava and Turkish delight), and a full-service Turkish-inspired spa.

At the spa, one may “discover a place where ancient traditions create a modern retreat, where nature’s beauty works in harmony with your own, and where renewal and growth are elementary”, its website states. Hammam Spa by Céla says that it is designed to host guests and their many needs by indulging one in a range of transformative treatments inspired by age-old rituals. Services provided include intensive facials, many of which use the SkinCeutical skincare line. That includes a range of luxury massage services, high-end manicures and pedicures, a variety of detoxifying wraps, and what it is best known for, Turkish baths.

*PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (TURKISH BATH SUITES)*

A Turkish bath promises to sooth and cleanse one’s body with purifying and refreshing bathing techniques that are designed to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. It begins in the Hammam by Céla steam room before heading to the the Turkish suites, where each suite houses a heated Marble bed to relax on while one’s senses are ignited by a mixtures of hot and cold water, layers of moisturizing bubbles, and eucalyptus black soap.

The Hammam tea room provides an opportunity for the relaxation to perpetuate after one’s treatment. Designed with hand-painted murals on the walls and intricate wooden bucket chairs that envelop you as you sit, Hammam’s tea room is always stocked with tea and Turkish treats. The colour palette of deep greens, navy blues, greys, and burnt oranges create a tranquil space to lounge in. Hammam’s tea room was created to provide a space for people to rest either before or after their treatment and it is the perfect space for silent reflection or group interaction, says Hammam Spa by Céla founder, Celine Tadrissi.

Adjacent to the tea room is a dedicated manicure and pedicure space. A row of manicure chairs are lined up at a long, light-wood table, with individual sinks installed for convenience and ease of operation. Behind is the pedicure area. Designed with privacy and comfort in mind, each pedicure chair is somewhat enclosed and independent to those next to it, with a curtain partition between each one. The same beautiful wooden chairs that can be found in the tea room are placed intentionally within this space, inviting guests to switch off.

Much of the space was designed by Antonio Tadrissi, Celine’s husband and the President of Prototype Design Lab. Antonio is an internationally celebrated artist, recognized for his work in architecture, interior design, and industrial designs, to name a few. Prototype Design Lab is a multi-platform design studio and workshop based in Toronto.

SLIDESHOW (swipe)

PHOTOS: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (PRIVATE FACIAL ROOMS)

In addition to the above amenities, there are multiple private massage and facial rooms as you walk further into the spa. Each room provides ultimate privacy and silence, with some set up for couples massages.

Perhaps the most breathtaking aspect of Hammam Spa by Céla is the steam room. Covered from floor to ceiling with small, iridescent tiles, the large room creates an other-worldly experience. This immersive experience can be enjoyed before or after a treatment or on its own.

*PHOTO: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (STEAM ROOM)*

For the past 14 years, Hammam Spa has been servicing the people of downtown Toronto at its 602 King Street West location. Located on the north-west corner of King Street West and Portland Street, the original Hammam Spa services approximately 900 guests a week. It’s a telltale sign that a second location was needed, said Celine.

At just over 7,000 square feet, the King Street location features a very different decor from its new sister spa. While providing the same luxury and full-service treatments, its rustic decor set just below ground level offers a very different feel than that of the location at Bayview Village which resides on the second storey and hosts high ceilings and an open concept.

SLIDESHOW (swipe)

PHOTOS: HAMMAM SPA BY CELA (RETAIL SPACE AND FRONT ENTRANCE)

As part of the retail aspect in both locations, Celine’s skincare range, Céla is available for purchase, along with particular SkinCeuticals products, and other high-end brands for skin and hair.

Launched last year, Céla, was a product of trial and error, created with Hammam clients in mind and perfected partly due to their feedback, Celine says. Born of Celine’s love of skincare and natural ingredients, Céla came to be in the back room of the King and Portland location. “I played around with ingredients and guests would give me feedback on the different concoctions.” Finally she developed the perfect blend of ingredients to service her clients’ needs and today Céla is available for purchase in both Hammam locations.

Screen Shot 2020-01-12 at 2.54.24 PM.png

Céla pays homage to Canada and the extensive abundance of northern botanicals housed within its borders. Canada is not often utilized to its full extent when it comes to natural ingredients usable for skincare, says Celine, which turns out to be ten times the amount found in Switzerland, a country renowned for its miracle skincare contributions. Céla is the first, and currently the only, Canadian, luxury skincare line and aims “to nourish the body and soul alike”. Céla products are used in many of the spa treatments provided at Hammam, primarily in the full body treatments.

Hammam also offers a range of medical aestheitc treatments under the guidance of Dr. Sean Rice. “I’m very excited to be partnering with Hammam Spa and SkinCeuticals to establish Hammam Medical Aesthetics. Celine and I share the same approach and focus to provide exceptional client care and service which is why this is such an inspiring collaboration. The extension of offering Medical Services of Injectables, Industry leading Laser and Skin treatments only complements the high level of products and luxurious services Hammam and SkinCeuticals have become known for. I know Hammam Spa at Bayview Village and Hammam Medical Aesthetics will become a destination for those seeking an elite level of personalized beauty and care, in the most stunning surroundings.”

Bayview Village is currently the only shopping centre in Canada to feature such a spa concept. At 13,000 square feet, the Hammam spa acts as an anchor while at the same time providing heightened experiences for guests. For several years now, Bayview Village has been curating experiences at the centre in an effort to attract affluent locals to the centre, while at the same time differentiating Bayview Village from other shopping centres in the area. Bayview Village is owned by QuadReal Property Group. Under the direction of Melissa Evans-Lee, VP of Marketing at QuadReal, Bayview Village has been positioned as a “glam” destination. In the spring of 2017, Retail Insider was welcomed to the centre and given a tour that included a meal at one of Bayview Village’s restaurants, as well as treatments at a local beauty retail concept. The addition of the Hammam spa takes the experience at Bayview Village to a whole new level and will no doubt attract affluent locals from nearby areas such as the Bridle Path — while Yorkdale is home to luxury retailers, it lacks the experience that Hammam will provide to Bayview’s guests.

To book an appointment or to learn more about Hammam Spa by Céla visit hammamspa.ca/hammam-spa-locations