Local venue The Loft at Lune 1860 receives international design recognition

Ezra Silverton and Lisa Mok, married and business partners, are proud recipients of the recognition for their business Lune and the Loft.

The Loft at Lune 1860, a local event venue owned by Ezra Silverton and Lisa Mok has received a first-place recognition in the Event Space category at the 22nd Annual HD Awards by Hospitality Design Magazine.

This is one of the hospitality industry’s leading international design awards programs.

Silverton and Mok are in a little bit of disbelief receiving such recognition, despite being the second time Lune has received this award.

“We hear a lot of positive feedback from guests when they visit the property, but being recognised internationally at this level feels incredibly special,” said Silverton.

“For us, the recognition validates the level of intention and passion that goes into what we do at Lune.”

Silverton and Mok have always approached the property as a highly personal and design-driven experience, so to see it resonate internationally feels incredibly rewarding.

This award also introduces Lune and Huron County/Goderich to a wider audience, helping attract guests and collaborators who value thoughtful hospitality and design.

This award places Lune alongside hospitality projects from around the world and recognizes it among the top-designed event venues internationally. Second-place went to a hotel in Tokyo and third went to a project in Virginia.

Receiving such a prestigious nod from a leading international design awards program, is a significant achievement for a rural Ontario venue, as well as for the region’s growing tourism and hospitality profile.

“This recognition means a great deal to us because Lune was created with the intention of building something thoughtful, lasting, and connected to the surrounding landscape and community,” remarked Silverton.

“We’re incredibly proud to see a project from this region recognized on an international stage.”

Nearly 475 people attended the awards event at Wynn Las Vegas during the 2026 Expo on May 5, honouring the year’s best and most innovative achievements in design.

Reflecting on their journey, Silverton mentioned that he and Mok never intended to open a venue business at all. It began when a friend asked if they could host their wedding at the property.

Following that request, interest started growing organically and inquiries continued to pour in.

“Over time, we realised there was an opportunity to create something truly unique that blended architecture, design, hospitality, and the surrounding landscape,” admitted Silverton.

Lune was never designed to feel like a traditional event venue or banquet hall. Silverton says the experience is much more residential in nature, which changes the atmosphere of a wedding entirely.

Guests can move through the space the way they would at home, with different moments unfolding naturally throughout the property rather than within a single formal room.

“That intimacy is what people connect to most,” said Silverton.

“Weddings here tend to feel less performative and more personal, while still offering the level of service and functionality needed to host events properly.”

Lune 1860 offers a 2,000 square-foot sanctuary with six, floor-to-ceiling cathedral windows that draw natural light deep into the room.

While the scent of wild herbs and seasonal blooms drift through the open doors, guests are walking along organically sized Italian marble stone floors offering grounding and presence.

Throughout the property, there are quite a few design elements that guests comment on regularly. One of the most memorable is the large moon light fixture in the main hallway by Italian designer Davide Groppi.

According to Silverton, it was so oversized that they had to temporarily dismantle the front entry wall, including the door and surrounding windows, just to bring it into the house.

Guests also tend to notice the arches, curves, and softer architectural forms throughout the property, which still feel relatively uncommon in Canadian design.

The Loft is a quiet study in atmosphere and intention. Designed for weddings, celebrations, photoshoots, corporate retreats, and meaningful gatherings, this space comfortably accommodates up to 100 seated guests.

According to Silverton, the Loft began not as something set out to build, but as a simple ask from a friend.

What was once a large barn garage soon became a canvas.

According to Silverton and Mok, The Loft draws inspiration from the monolithic cathedral traditions and monastic architecture. It creates a space built for unity, reflection and connection.

Beyond the design itself, Silverton believes couples are drawn to the feeling of the property. It can feel private, immersive, and intentional in a way that’s difficult to replicate in more traditional venues.

“Many couples tell us they’re drawn to the space exactly as it is, without feeling the need to heavily decorate or transform it with large floral installations,” Silverton said.

“The atmosphere already exists within the architecture and interiors themselves.”

During weddings at the property, Silverton explains there is a very emotional and joyful atmosphere. People come together to celebrate love, family and shared experiences.

“We feel honoured to be trusted with such important moments in people’s lives,” added Silverton, saying that a lot of feedback they receive has more about the overall feeling.

“One of the things we hear most often is that people didn’t want the day to end, which always feels special to us.”

Previous recognitions and awards include a 2025 Top Wedding Venue in Canada and a 2025 International Design Award. Previous recognition through the HD Awards for the restoration and redesign of the main house, while this most recent award was for the Loft, the second major building Silverton and Mok redesigned on the property.

According to Silverton, the project continues to resonate because it offers something quite different from most venues in Canada.

From the beginning, the focus was never just on creating an event space, but on building an experience shaped by architecture, materiality, atmosphere, and a strong sense of place.

That approach tends to connect with people in a more lasting way, Silverton adds.

June through September tend to be the busiest months for Lune and the Loft, which is typical within the wedding industry, especially for outdoor and countryside venues.

For more information visit www.lune1860.ca/blogs/stories/the-loft