| City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square tips and photos posted by real travelers and Toronto locals. • 95 Photos
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 by kris-t
Work on the Romanesque Revival building designed by E.J. Lennox began in 1889. Lennox "signed" his name in scrollwork around the first floor exterior. When it opened on September 18, 1899 it was the largest building in Toronto, and the largest municipal building in North America.
Toronto City Council moved to the new city hall in 1965, and soon after plans were made to start construction of the Eaton Centre. The original plans called for old City Hall to be knocked down and replaced by a number of skyscrapers, leaving only the cenotaph (or in one plan, the clock tower) in the front. Public outcry forced authorities to abandon these plans, and today the building is the home of the municipal courts.
An annex to this building, Manning Chambers, was demolished to make way for the current Toronto City Hall.
At the foot of the front steps on Queen Street is the Cenotaph, erected to honour the dead from World War I and World War II during Rememberance Day cermonies every November 11.
The building is sometimes used to film movies and television shows, such as This is Wonderland. Leave a Comment
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The Toronto City Hall is within the Nathan Phillips Square in Downtown Toronto. The square is named after Nathan Phillips, the Mayor from 1955 to 1962.
This tourist attraction became popular to both tourists and Canadians. The locals congregate around the pool to relax and people watch in the summer time and enjoy the Peace Garden in the middle. It is also at this season of the year when free concerts, dance performances and art exhibition are being held. You will also enjoy winter season in Toronto. The pool is being used and transformed as an outdoor skating rink. Please be aware that there are skates for rent in a small building at the square.
In one of the photos I posted here, you will see the arches over the pond or ice rink. This is called the Freedom Arches that was built in the Year 1989. There are still a lot to see at the Square to make your stay in Toronto a memorable one. Other tourist attractions can be reached on foot if you enjoy walking.
Come visit Toronto and I will show you around the downtown core including the most visited Nathan Phillips Square and The New Toronto City Hall.
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It has to be noted that the tourist spot in the intersection of Bay & Queen Streets which is known as the Old City Hall is the third built by the City of Toronto. The first city hall was burned down. The second is located inside the St Lawrence Market. The third is the popular Old City Hall. The fourth is the current or New City Hall. The Old City Hall was designed by EJ Lennox in 1887 to fit central site at head of Bay Street. In one structure, these municipal buildings combined on City Hall in the east portion and Court House in the west. The building, constructed mostly of sandstone from Credit River Valley was begun in 1889. Massive, round arched, and richly carved. It is in the Romanesque Revival style then popular in expanding cities throughout North America. The interior, as complex and monumental as the exterior, includes a large stained glass. One of the highlights of the Old City Hall is the Clock Tower which measures 300 feet tall. On Decembeer 31, 1900, the bells rang for the first time the largest of which is called Big Ben weighing 11,648 pounds. Come visit the Old City Hall of Toronto and the other "must see" attractions are just within walking distance. Address: 60 Queen St W, Toronto ON M5H 2M3Directions: Get off by Subway Train at the Queen Subway. Proceed to the Queen Street. Old City Hall is between Eaton's Centre and Nathan Phillips Square. You will not miss it!Website: www.toronto.ca
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 The Old City Hall,
Toronto by Paul2001
The exterior of the building is adorned with brilliant red stonework that can rarely be matched anywhere in the Americas. Some of the figures depicted on the facade are quite grotesque and are said to be of city councillors whom Lennox had fight with over budgeting. The most notable obvious feature of the Old City Hall is the dominating 103.6m high clock tower. Four gargoyles now sit peering out from the tower, overlooking Queen Street.
The interior of the Old City Hall has many interesting features such as mosaics, murals and stained glass windows.
There was talk of demolishing the old structure when Toronto built it's latest City Hall but wiser heads prevailed and the Old City Hall still stands. It still is an active courthouse. I even have had to go to court here a couple of time to bear witness in a couple of criminal cases. Leave a Comment
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 Toronto City Hall @ night by coolpanda87
Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, Toronto city hall stands as a contrasting post-modern building surrounded by comtemporary architecture. It was originally envisioned to be an eye with the two towers acting as eyelids. However, now it is now widely known as the UFO, the flying saucer, or the burrito.
Outside, there is the Peace Garden, which offers a green respite from the bustle of the city. The garden is home to the eternal flame lit by Pope John Paul II from an ember of the Hiroshima Memorial, as well as Henry Moore's sculpture "The Archer".
Though not all of City Hall is accessible by public, you can pop in at the lobby anytime & view any displays designated for public enjoyment. Also, during Council meetings, you could enter Toronto's Council Chamber, a public area that accomodates 300 people. From here, you can hear fierce debates & arguments as Toronto councillors plot the future course of this city. Especially those who are curious about democracy, you could see it all in action @ Toronto City Hall. Everyone here is free to speak the mind and express their opinions on any issue that concerns the city.
In the middle of the first floor rotunda is a Golden Book of Remembrance, where the names of 3500 Torontonians who died in WWII are inscribed. Along the east wall of the rotunda, just inside the front door, is artist David Partridge's Metropolis, a mural made entirely of nails. On the West side rotunda, a scale model of the area of Toronto is on view. It allows visitors to locate landmarks, historic sites & future development that is taking shape in the core of the city.
On the second floor is offices of 44 Toronto city councillors & of the Mayor of Toronto. Leave a Comment Address: 100 Queen St. W.Phone: (416) 338-0338Directions: On intersection of Queen & Bay From Eaton Centre (Queen subway station), exit from Indigo Mall Entrance & walk to the mass of flags. From Osgoode subway station, walk East on Queen Street.Website: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/city_hall_tour/index.htm
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 Toronto City Hall by windsorgirl
In front of City Hall you wil find Nathan Phillips Square which becomes a public skating rink in the winter time. Leave a Comment Address: Queen St WestDirections: Exit at the Osgoode or Queen Street Subway stations.
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 "New" City Hall and the
architectural curves by CdnJane
I didn't really take a picture of the curved towers, or of Old City Hall - just took a picture of some of the architectural features. Leave a Comment Address: Queen St between Bay St. & University Ave
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 The City Hall and Nathan
Phillips Square by Paul2001
The building consists of two carved concrete towers that surround a flying saucer shaped chamber where the local city council meets. This chamber seats 300 people so if you want to see Toronto's local elected officials in action, then feel free.
Before the City Hall a square has been laid out now named after Mr. Phillips. The square is very busy with locals from the business district who come here to relax during the lunchtime period on hot summer days. There is a large reflecting pool in the square which during the winter month is turned into a skating rink that is very popular. Skates can be rented at a kiosk. There are also several gardens spread out throughout the square and a large sculpture created by Henry Moore known as "The Archer". Festivals and concerts are frequently held in the square. This includes the Toronto Jazz festival which is held in late June.
On the downside, the square has been inhabited by scores of homeless people of late. However recent legislation has been passed that will hopefully clean up this problem. Leave a Comment Address: 100 Queen Street WestPhone: 416/338-0338Directions: North of the Business DistrictWebsite: www.city.toronto.on.ca
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 A child enjoying the pool
at Nathan Philips Square by mim95
Nathan Philips Square, situated in front of the City Hall, is a popular spot for free concerts, festivals and skating in winter, when the pool is turned into a skating rink. Leave a Comment Directions: NW corner of Queen & Bay, a block west of the Eaton Center or Queen subway station.Website: http://www.toronto.ca
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 The Clock Tower of the
Old City Hall of Toronto by mim95
You have to go up close to the building to truly admire this masterpiece, as there are lots of detailed stone works and carvings, especially in the front entrance. It was the City Hall of Toronto until 1965, when the new city hall was completed. Leave a Comment Directions: NE corner of Queen & Bay, a block west of the Eaton Center or Queen subway station.
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