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Casa Loma was the realisiation of the dream of financier Sir Henry Pellatt to build a romantic castle, designed by architect E. J. Lennox in 1911 construction took three years and $3.5 million dollars to build, horrendously over budget but affordable when you have a personal wealth of $17 million Unfortunately a series of financial mishaps meant Sir Henry`s fortune dwindeled away and the Pelletts gave up Casa Loma after only ten years In its heyday Casa Loma was the epitome of luxury and no expense was spared on its fittings and furnishings, there was an attempt to turn it into a hotel but this failed and eventually it was abandoned before beiore being taken over by the City of Toronto and run by the Kiwanis Club [a charity] in 1937 today it is an interesting insight of the excesses of wealth in the early 20th century, there is also a museum of the Queen`s Own Rifles Regiment [of which Sir Henry was a lifelong member] on the third floor you can explore the `secret` passageways and the tower rooms, one passage in the basement runs for 800 ft below ground at a depth of 18 ft and connects the main house with the stable complex across Austin Terrace, the gardens to the rear of Casa Loma were renovated in 1989 and include a water garden, a secret garden and a woodland walk, there is also a dancing fountain adjascant to the lower terrace Casa Loma is open daily from 9.30 - 5 [closes at 1pm Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day] its a good place to visit on a Monday when the other Toronto museums are all closed entrance prices are $16 for adults, $10 for seniors [60+] and youths [14-17] and $4.75 for children 4-13 there is a cafe and gift shop. The house is wheelchair accessable, but there are steps at each end of the tunnel from the basement to the stables Leave a Comment Address: 1 Austin TerracePhone: 416 923 1171Website: www.casaloma.org
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| | | | Casa Loma: Casa Loma: Toronto's Treasure House | Tip Rating: | | | | |
This is one of the most famous attractions in Toronto, a sumptuous palace that rivals the French chateaus or English treasure houses. It was designed by the architect E.J. Lennox, who also designed the powerhouse at Niagara Falls, for the business tycoon Sir Henry Pellatt. It was completed in 1914--just before the outbreak of World War I. Sir Henry was by all accounts a very colorful, flamboyant character. In his youth, he set a new world record for running the mile (4:42). He created a fortune in business and investments. One of the most successful of those investments was in early electric utilities. He also joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (similar to the National Guard in the US), and became one its chief benefactors. He contributed a good part of his own funds to the force. But during World War I, times turned bad for Sir Henry. Eventually, growing financial difficulties forced him to sell Casa Loma in order to pay debts and reduce expenses. It was a hotel for a while. Then, the Kiwanis bought it, restored it, and opened it as a tourist attraction. It takes a few hours to tour this mansion and its gardens. When I visited, it was undergoing further restoration. But the interior and the gardens are exquisite. Next to the CN Tower, this is the most famous attraction in Toronto, a must-see. Leave a Comment Address: 1 Austin Terrace Toronto, Ontario M5R 1X8Phone: (416) 923 - 1171Directions: At the corner of Davenport Road and Spadina Avenue, in the Uptown area.Website: http://www.casaloma.org/ Other Contact: info@casaloma.org
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