Bar Prima: Restaurant Build-Out in Queen West, Toronto

A downtown property whose basement stood under six feet tall, underpinned, structurally upgraded, and finished as a turn-key restaurant behind a new glass block facade.

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Elegant restaurant dining room with curved blue banquette seating, wood-paneled walls, mirrored accents, warm cove lighting, and a geometric black-and-white marble tile floor.

Quick Facts

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1136 Queen West, Toronto

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Restaurant build-out (property conversion)

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3000 sqft

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80–90 seat main floor and basement dining room

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6 Months

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Alter Ego Group

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Structural · Underpinning · Architectural · Millwork · MEP · Glass block facade

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Canada's 100 Best — Best Restaurant Design 2024

The Client

Bar Prima was built for Alter-Ego Group, who bought a downtown property and wanted to convert it into a restaurant. PT has also built Occhiolino for the same group — two venues, one working relationship.

Intimate restaurant dining area with deep blue seating, white tablecloths, decorative blue vases, and a large amber-tinted glass-block window.
Elegant restaurant dining room with blue seating, white tablecloths, mirrored walls, warm gold lighting, and a black-and-white checkered floor.

The Build

Bar Prima is a restaurant build-out in Queen West, Toronto that started below grade. The property's basement stood under six feet in height, without proper utilities, and the structure was not adequate to support a restaurant. PT underpinned the basement to seven feet and carried out the structural work and MEP the building needed, turning the lowest level into a 30–35 seat dining space.

The full project ran as one turn-key build: structural work, architectural work, millwork, and MEP, plus the transformation of the building's old glass facade into a new glass block facade.

The finished restaurant was named one of the best in the country for its design — recognized in Canada's 100 Best, Best Restaurant Design 2024.

Curved burgundy leather banquette wraps around a private dining nook with textured walls, vintage-style mirrors, warm sconces, and a red velvet curtain.
Close-up of an elegant dining table with a black marble top, wine glasses, textured drinking glasses, folded napkins, and blue upholstered bar stools against rich red velvet curtains and warm wood paneling.
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Canada's 100 Best, Best Restaurant Design | 2024

Bar Prima in pictures.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Underpinning is the structural work that raised Bar Prima's basement from under six feet to seven. Combined with the rest of the structural work and the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, it's what turned the lowest level of the building into a 30–35 seat dining room.

PT General Contractor built Bar Prima as a turn-key restaurant build-out for Alter-Ego Group, converting a downtown property the group had bought: basement underpinning, structural work, MEP, millwork, and a new glass block facade all delivered as one project.

As part of Bar Prima's turn-key build, PT transformed the building's old glass facade into a new glass block facade, with the structural and interior work and the new face of the building delivered as one project.

Restaurant construction in Toronto typically requires building permits, zoning approval, and inspections from the City of Toronto's Building Division. Depending on the scope, you may also need fire safety, accessibility, and signage permits. We manage the full permitting process on your behalf — the kind of groundwork a conversion like Bar Prima's depends on.

Every project begins with a detailed, line-itemized quote, Bar Prima's build-out included. We track costs weekly and flag any potential variances before they become issues. There are no hidden fees and no surprise change orders.

Restaurant construction costs in Toronto typically range from $250 to $650 per square foot depending on concept, kitchen complexity, finishes, and site conditions. Bar Prima's under-six-foot basement is one example of a site condition. Commercial kitchen builds are among the most cost-intensive elements of any restaurant project, often representing 40 to 50 percent of the total construction budget. We provide a detailed, line-itemized quote after your initial consultation so you know exactly what to expect before committing.