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Old City Hall was Toronto’s third City Hall and was built in 1899. It was designed to accommodate the growing staff of civic officials and to combine the City Hall and the court house in one building. Architect Edward James Lennox designed the building in 1888 (he later designed Casa Loma). The impressive building of the Old City hall was the biggest structure in Toronto at that time.

Old city hall was designed in Romanesque Revival style and has remarkable architectural details, gargoyles and a clock tower. The clock tower is 103.6 m /300 f high and looks down Bay Street. The interior has mosaic floor patterned in Buffalo and walls covered with neatly matched marble. The entrance hall has impressive proportions and was used for public events.

In 1965 when the New City Hall was opened the Old City hall was scheduled for demolition during the planning of the Eaton Centre but community activists convinced the city to preserve this important landmark, and in 1989 Old City Hall was declared a National Historic Site. Today Old City Hall is a courthouse for the Ontario government.

Where is Old City Hall: 60 Queen Street West

How to get to Old City Hall: Subway Yonge-University-Spadina to Queen Station

Old City Hall, Toronto


Old City Hall, Toronto, view from Bay Street


Old City Hall, Toronto



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