Toronto's iconic Old City Hall, a national historic site, will be vacant for the first time in over 50 years as the Ontario government moves out. The city is now tasked with finding a new purpose for the sprawling Victorian-era building, with proposals ranging from a museum to restaurants. Challenges include the building's cost to upgrade and its unique layout.
One of Toronto 's architectural gems, Old City Hall , is poised to become vacant for the first time in over five decades. Currently housing the Ontario government's courts since 1972, the sprawling Victorian-era building on Queen Street West at Bay Street will see its sole tenant depart on April 1st. This marks the beginning of yet another city initiative to find a new purpose for the national historic site.
Over the past nine years, proposals have ranged from a wedding chapel and shops to office space, a library branch, and restaurants. City Councillor Josh Matlow emphasizes the emotional and financial investment people have in the building's history, stating, 'There are people who are emotionally invested in the many stories of Toronto, and there are people who want to be not just emotionally invested, but financially invested in that story as well.' Matlow's amendment to the mayor's executive committee, approved last week, pushes city staff to consider not just the museum option, but also the financial implications of making it a reality. This amendment adds to a motion calling for a comprehensive examination of potential uses for Old City Hall, with staff expected to deliver a report by mid-2026. This will be the fourth time in nine years that city staff have attempted to identify suitable uses for the building. Previous endeavors included a 2016 public survey that revealed strong support for a Museum of Toronto, and a 2018 analysis recommending a mix of food service, leisure, event, and civic uses, potentially including a museum, wedding chapel, and Toronto Public Library branch.However, the cost of bringing the 126-year-old structure up to modern standards, estimated at $225 million in 2020 dollars, has consistently been a major obstacle. Director of Property Management Scott Barrett acknowledges the building's age and challenges, stating, 'The building has an inefficient floor plan, due to the grand nature of the interior public spaces.' Despite the hurdles, the city remains committed to finding a way to revitalize Old City Hall. Barrett highlights the potential for temporary uses to introduce a 'light touch' to the heritage space, with the city allocating $16 million this year for maintenance and short-term upgrades. The city is also exploring options for phasing in improvements gradually, starting with areas that can be retrofitted at the lowest cost. While the building's labyrinthine layout and other limitations present challenges, its historical significance and architectural grandeur continue to attract interest. Architect Michael McClelland, who specializes in heritage buildings, points to the building's unique features, such as a pair of gryphons that flank the grand main staircase, as testaments to its historical charm and importance
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