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Old City Hall
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Old City Hall

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About
Castle-like building, built in 1899 in the Romanesque Revival style, features a clock tower, "Friends of Old City Hall" exhibit and a War Memorial.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Old Toronto
How to get there
  • Queen • 3 min walk
  • King • 6 min walk
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Restaurants
3,925 within 3 miles
Richmond Station
2,122
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • International • Canadian
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - York Street
1,992
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Gluten Free Options
Estiatorio VOLOS
763
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Sunset Grill
924
0.1 mi$ • Diner • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Hy's Steakhouse Toronto
536
452 ft$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Canadian
JOEY Eaton Centre
737
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Grill
Ruth's Chris Steak House
790
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Eggspectation
755
385 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Canadian
Sap
612
188 ft$$ - $$$ • Contemporary • Canadian • Vegetarian Friendly
Cactus Club Cafe First Canadian Place
587
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Attractions
511 within 6 miles
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
3,419
497 ftShopping Malls
Nathan Phillips Square
1,078
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
The Toronto Magic Company
74
0.1 miTheaters
The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre
352
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Theaters
Toronto City Hall
663
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
South African War Memorial
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457 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
444 reviews
Excellent
158
Very good
230
Average
48
Poor
7
Terrible
1
shabnamy89
Toronto, Canada20 contributions
Great for photos
Jul 2020 • Solo
Coming across this castle-like building in the heart of downtown is surprisingly eye catching. Great architecture. A good spot to take some photos. The clock’s bell ring creates a great atmosphere in the neighbourhood.
Written February 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
blairkk25
New Jersey2,934 contributions
Good photo opportunity
Apr 2022
I walked past the Old City Hall several times during my visit to Toronto in April 2022. It was a great photo opportunity. It is located near the New City Hall and the Eaton Centre. The architecture is very interesting.
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,640 contributions
Why the gargoyles and gothic elements?
Feb 2019 • Friends
This Romanesque architecture, sandstone-greystone-brownstone building is 120 years old. Since 1965, this former Toronto City Hall has been used as a courthouse. Much of the interior is likely the same as it was over 100 years ago, although the wall hangings were likely changed over the years. Nice clock tower, but why the gargoyles and gothic elements?

After going up the stairs and through security, no interior photos are allowed to be taken.
Written March 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,640 contributions
The courthouse
Sep 2019 • Business
This used to be the city hall before it was moved across the street to a building design I have yet to like. We toured the Old City Hall, but being an actively used courthouse, we were not allowed to take photos. As a tourist attraction, it is not a “Must See.”
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sachin K
New York City, NY5,842 contributions
Architecturally Beautiful
Jul 2019 • Family
The Old City Hall which is now a courthouse is architecturally beautiful and a must visit for any traveler in Toronto. Could not visit inside as it was closed for Canada Day. Certainly worth a photo stop.
Written November 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina64,640 contributions
Beautiful iconic landmark
May 2018 • Solo
This is a very beautiful, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, building and an iconic landmark of the City of Toronto. It was constructed over the 1889 to 1899 period and acted as the Toronto’s city hall from 1899 to 1965. During that period, parts of the building were used as a courthouse and also by the County of York. The sandstone used in the building comes from the Credit River Valley, outside Toronto.

As one enters the Old City Hall through the front doors, you will see a large stained-glass window which was created and installed in 1899 by Robert McCausland Limited, a Toronto stained glass manufacturer that was in the family for five generations, until being sold in 2017. Since 1899, the company has been maintaining and repairing the window as needed.

Since the official City Hall was moved across the road to a new building complex, the Old City Hall has been used solely as a courthouse. On entry and while I was about to take a photo of a large stained glass mosaic window, an officer at security screening told me that photos are not allowed to be taken with courthouses in Canada. Thus, other than photos taken before going through the security screening, I have no photos of the interior of the courthouse.

In the courthouse rooms, are the original wooden pews, similar to those put in many churches 50 to 125 years ago.

The interior of the courthouse is rich in beautiful walls, staircases, windows (some of which are stained glass windows), various displays, and a few statues. The building has an old bell tower clock.

In 2018, Toronto City Council has been discussing the possibility of renovating the building and turning it into a museum.
Written May 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ander A
Chavannes-Pres-Renens, Switzerland119 contributions
Good place
The Old City Hall is a beautiful building, I'm sure that most people agree me. You should go inside the building, seems to be fantastic! It's located in the downtown, so it's easy to get there.

I think they've made a good job keeping that building. Something classic has got its own character!
Written October 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Damien S
Adelaide, Australia4,685 contributions
Nice Architecture
Jul 2019 • Solo
The building stands to represent the historic local governance of the City of Toronto. The building has been well maintained and is worth visiting. Makes for some great photos.
Written July 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sandra M
Galmpton, UK31 contributions
Nice building from out side
May 2019 • Couples
Lovely building, the day we went to have a look it was closed so did not get to see inside. It also had scaffolding round parts.
Written May 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,745 contributions
Architectural treasure
Feb 2015 • Business
Half a century ago, concerned citizens of Toronto rallied to save the Old City Hall, deemed by some to be superfluous when the new, Revell-designed City Hall opened. The campaign succeeded and for many years now Old City Hall has functioned as a court house. Designed by well-known Toronto architect E.J. Lennox, it is a fine example of the style known as Richardsonian Romanesque. Its charms are more obvious from the outside than the inside, however. The building has seen heavy use and the interior needs refurbishing. For all that, it continues to be an important part of the downtown scene.
Written February 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Old City Hall, Toronto

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