{"id":3752,"date":"2025-01-03T14:03:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T19:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/?p=3752"},"modified":"2025-01-03T14:04:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T19:04:16","slug":"the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall","title":{"rendered":"The Construction of Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall, located at 60 Queen Street (opposite Nathan Phillips Square), has been an iconic structure and a vital part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/uk\/eternal\/vilyam-makkenzi-istoriya-pershogo-mera-toronto\">city&#8217;s<\/a> heritage since 1899. Initially serving as Toronto&#8217;s city council chambers, the building now functions as the Ontario Court of Justice in 2024. Its clock tower, standing over 103 metres, has been marking time with its chimes in downtown Toronto for more than a century. Learn more at <a href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/uk\/\">torontoyes.com<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_76 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a31dde095009\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a31dde095009\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall\/#History_of_Torontos_Old_City_Hall\" >History of Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall\/#Edward_James_Lennox_The_Architect_of_Old_City_Hall\" >Edward James Lennox: The Architect of Old City Hall<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall\/#Design_and_Architecture_of_Old_City_Hall\" >Design and Architecture of Old City Hall<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall\/#The_Clock_Tower_and_Bells\" >The Clock Tower and Bells<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/eternal\/the-construction-of-torontos-old-city-hall\/#Building_the_New_City_Hall\" >Building the New City Hall<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_Torontos_Old_City_Hall\"><\/span>History of Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The city of York was officially renamed Toronto in 1834, at which point the first city hall was established in a market building at King Street and Jarvis Street. Though this early civic hub was temporary, it laid the foundation for Toronto\u2019s municipal governance. Before the grandeur of Old City Hall on Queen Street, Toronto&#8217;s government operated in much more modest quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxdve49pezzmhcaqhctgdzskiv2-_whdpd89twyqz__8uzqsh1rtak97d22xv8yb0-ng97hxpsecnjwfidwkyyq7ad_dkzekikwubjphm5ml5dln3b1d9csamfhje_s40jssbi4nfakeyxv22kphk9do3o8jhwsauqqyb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>By the late 19th century, Toronto was experiencing rapid growth. With an expanding population and increasing demands for municipal services, there was a pressing need for a larger, more functional city hall. In 1885, Toronto launched an international competition to design a new courthouse, but budgetary issues delayed the project. However, another competition was held a year later, and this time, the project moved forward. Architect Edward James Lennox was selected to design a dual-purpose building to serve as both a courthouse and city hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction officially began in 1889, but like many large-scale projects, it faced significant challenges. Budget overruns, delays, and disputes marred the process. Initially allocated $200,000, the project\u2019s final cost soared to $2.5 million, a staggering sum for the time. Despite these setbacks, Old City Hall opened its doors in 1899, immediately becoming Toronto\u2019s largest building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Edward_James_Lennox_The_Architect_of_Old_City_Hall\"><\/span>Edward James Lennox: The Architect of Old City Hall<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Edward James Lennox, the architect behind Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall, played a pivotal role in shaping the city\u2019s architectural identity. His design for the hall is a prime example of Richardsonian Romanesque, a style named after American architect Henry Hobson Richardson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxerdk4-rfvla-jlqncica4qim-kw8e1pabd3xhyjeaw_pehrs3ilws4avy_wqouuvg1hsiyr8fb9mequizi6jpjk8crzks8mcvpq5ru58zjopyqeb6o5761bomrao9olv_k7kg0makeyxv22kphk9do3o8jhwsauqqyb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Romanesque Revival style, which originated in Europe in the 11th and 12th centuries, is characterized by thick stone walls, rounded arches, and heavy masonry. Lennox embraced these elements, drawing inspiration from Richardson while incorporating dormer windows and contrasting stone colours to blend timeless elegance with modern innovation. As a personal signature, Lennox etched his name into the building\u2019s cornices, an act of self-recognition amid criticism from city councillors over budget excesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Design_and_Architecture_of_Old_City_Hall\"><\/span>Design and Architecture of Old City Hall<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The building\u2019s construction used local materials, including reddish-brown sandstone from Credit Valley and a darker sandstone from New Brunswick, giving the structure its layered aesthetic. These materials define the Romanesque Revival style\u2019s emphasis on grandeur and durability. Architectural features include triple-arched entrances, steep hipped roofs with copper details, and large arched windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxc2ffv9yhscvub2zqe9jn1ary5lbwqihje7noc9wtjk-uoi57b-e6ffcwnjgku8pkudxrgagfln64frzz1lbxkrs6rkevfmde2aluyb904qmcewl9i1ivdlpv0kffmwdmm1c8evuwkeyxv22kphk9do3o8jhwsauqqyb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside, visitors are greeted by a two-storey marble-clad lobby, adorned with intricate bronze and iron railings. A stunning stained-glass window by Robert McCausland, titled The Union of Commerce and Industry, celebrates Toronto\u2019s economic growth. The Romanesque-inspired interior also features decorative plasterwork, sculpted columns, and finely crafted wood elements. Renowned artist George Agnew Reid contributed murals depicting Toronto\u2019s early history, adding cultural depth to the interior\u2019s artistry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Clock_Tower_and_Bells\"><\/span>The Clock Tower and Bells<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The clock tower is a defining feature of Old City Hall and serves as a visual anchor for Bay Street. At its peak, the tower was the tallest structure in Canada, holding this distinction for 18 years. Manufactured by Gillett &amp; Johnston in England, the clock was manually operated until it was automated in the mid-20th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tower contains three bells that chime every quarter hour, with the largest bell, the &#8220;bourdon,&#8221; striking the hour. Intricate carvings, including gargoyles and grotesques, adorn the tower. Local legend holds that some of these grotesques caricatured city councillors who opposed Lennox, with the architect even including his own likeness among them. In 2002, bronze replicas replaced the original gargoyles, which had deteriorated due to weather exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_the_New_City_Hall\"><\/span>Building the New City Hall<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By the mid-20th century, Old City Hall struggled to meet the demands of Toronto\u2019s growing municipal government. Efforts to construct a new city hall began in 1943, but repeated proposals were rejected until 1956, when Mayor Nathan Phillips launched an international design competition. Finnish architect Viljo Revell won with his bold, futuristic concept, selected from over 500 submissions. Completed in 1965, the New City Hall became a celebrated landmark of modern architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.torontoyes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/ad_4nxecwvs1rywwk3medmwxwt_mq92xdg3h-4hktlbxm1pln2104tkmsuxgbo7-m2nebxmpxanec1nuaaorasy67cdtq0gnm3o3ecqvlvmmaz8jfmk10sxesxzpaccxaigk6oqbv3_y6wkeyxv22kphk9do3o8jhwsauqqyb.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With the completion of the New City Hall, Old City Hall\u2019s future became uncertain. Controversial plans emerged to demolish the building to make way for the Eaton Centre, preserving only the clock tower as a monument. Public outrage led by preservationists, particularly the group Friends of Old City Hall, successfully saved the building, ensuring its place in Toronto\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1989, Old City Hall was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, cementing its status as one of the country\u2019s most significant architectural treasures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Toronto&#8217;s Old City Hall, located at 60 Queen Street (opposite Nathan Phillips Square), has been an iconic structure and a vital part of the city&#8217;s heritage since 1899. Initially serving as Toronto&#8217;s city council chambers, the building now functions as the Ontario Court of Justice in 2024. Its clock tower, standing over 103 metres, has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":419,"featured_media":3083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[497],"tags":[1782,1786,1781,1785,1792,1790,1784,1789,1787,1794,1793,1795,1783,1788,1791],"moimportance":[648,101,104],"motype":[491],"moformat":[93],"class_list":{"0":"post-3752","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-about-the-mayor","8":"tag-architectural-heritage","9":"tag-architectural-masterpieces","10":"tag-architecture-of-the-city-hall","11":"tag-city-buildings","12":"tag-city-hall-restoration","13":"tag-city-symbols","14":"tag-construction-of-old-city-hall","15":"tag-gothic-architecture","16":"tag-gothic-style-of-building","17":"tag-heritage-preservation","18":"tag-historic-buildings","19":"tag-historic-buildings-of-toronto","20":"tag-historic-landmarks","21":"tag-history-of-old-city-hall","22":"tag-toronto-city-hall","23":"moimportance-vichna","24":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","26":"motype-eternal","27":"moformat-longrid-korotka"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3752","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/419"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3752"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3752\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3765,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3752\/revisions\/3765"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3752"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3752"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3752"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3752"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3752"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/torontoyes.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3752"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}