Toronto's Old and New City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto City Hall is a striking landmark featuring a modern architectural design which sharply contrasts the Romanesque Architecture of the adjacent Old City Hall
The adjacent new and old Toronto City Halls overlook Nathan Phillips Square, a popular gathering place for locals and visitors alike. The modern design of the New City Hall which opened in 1965, stands in sharp contrast to the 1899 architecture of the adjacent Old City Hall.
The new Toronto City Hall islocated on a large tract of land north of Queen Street West and west of Bay Street, which was the site of Toronto's first Chinatown. Much of Chinatown had to be displaced to the northwest in order to accommodate the new City Hall.
The modern design was created by Finnish architect Viljo Revell along with associates Heikki Castren, Bengt Lundsten, and Seppo Valju who won a contest to come up with the best design. The modern design consists of a rectangular base from which two curved towers rise to different heights. The circular council chambers are constructed on top of the rectangular base in between the two towers. The tallest tower reaches 27 stories (326 feet).
In front of the City Hall is a courtyard called Nathan Phillips Square featuring a reflecting pool which is used as an outdoor skating rink during the winter months, as well as the Peace Garden which serves as a memorial to the bombing of Hiroshima. The square features a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights and is also used for concerts and art displays.
In stark contrast to the new Toronto City Hall and surrounding buildings, the Old City Hall sits next door and features Romanesque Architecture including a 340 foot clock tower complete with gargoyles and the third largest clock in the world. Built in 1899 this historic Toronto Building now serves as the Ontario Court of Justice.
For anyone interested in architecture, both old and new, Toronto's City Halls are a great place to explore.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: NoToronto City Hall Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N3, Canada
Phone: (416) 392-2489
Official Website: Toronto City Hall
Toronto City Hall Reviews
Rated out of 5
As you walk along Queen Street, you'll notice two big curvy looking towers, a Toronto sign and what looks like a coin fountain thing. ⛲
This vibrant, atmospheric, not so hidden gem will bring you an amazing time at any time whatsoever. 😁 Juicy delicious hot dog and burger shops lined up near for when you're hungry or thirsty. 🌭💧 Skate rentals at that corner building for when your brave enough to get on the ice at winter. ⛸️
All the time during the year, they feature amazing festivals such as an Arabic Festival that I went to and enjoyed. 👳🏻♀️ The food will draw you to it and the music is amazing. It's decorated during Christmas season, where we learn the true meaning of Christmas? Is our city being less mean to each other than normally. 🌟🌲 And even when there's nothing going on, you can still talk to the very friendly people that hang out there and check out the cool canoe art at the North facing left perspective side. 🛶
Come here to Nathan Phillips Square, and enjoy your stay. You may as well considering everything else in Toronto is very expensive. 🌟😁
Feel free to reach out for any help regarding Toronto, the GTA and even Simcoe county.
😁😁😁
Elliot Schembri - 3 weeks ago
Visited this place many times!! They have events there on every season!! In summer it’s beautiful but in winter it’s even better!! People skate a lot there!! I love to enjoy time there! But since after a a lot going on in Toronto! Hope y’all feel me!! People playing chess 💕
Nirooshan Namasivayam - a week ago
The vibes and the ambience in the square were very peaceful and calm when we visited, we had a very nice weather so we were available to take some nice pictures. The picture with the Toronto Sign is a must, as well with the Toronto Old City Hall, that from the square you have a pretty nice angle. What makes the visit more enjoyable is the existence of a cafeteria and bathrooms right to a side, so you can take an ice cream or a shake while enjoying the friendly vibes of the square! And of course you also have some nice angles of the city from here. A must if you are visiting Toronto.
Miguel Gómez - a month ago
Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto is a very lively and vibrant public place, almost like the city’s central gathering point. The famous Toronto sign makes it a perfect photo spot, and the backdrop of the City Hall adds a modern touch. The atmosphere here is always positive, with people enjoying open events, live programs, and festivals throughout the year. In summer it feels like a fairground with music and food stalls, while in winter the skating rink becomes the main attraction. Clean, safe, and always active, this square is truly the heart of downtown Toronto and worth visiting anytime.
Alok Kr. Deepak - in the last week
A vibrant public space in the heart of downtown Toronto. It's well known for its iconic Toronto sign, modernist city hall backdrop, and lively atmosphere. Whether you're visiting in the summer for open-air events and farmers' markets, or enjoying the skating rink in winter, it's always bustling with activity. It's a must-visit spot for both tourists and locals.
Monzer Bouwadi (Monzer.b.) - a month ago
Directions
| TTC Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yonge-University-Spadina | Osgoode or Queen Station | 3-4 Minutes |
How to get to Toronto City Hall by TTC Subway
No Bus required. From Osgoode Station walk east along Queen Street West or from Queen Station walk west along Queen Street West. Nathan Philips Square and the Toronto City Hall is located on the north side of Queen Street West about half way between these two stations.
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Accommodations near Toronto City Hall:
Photo Gallery
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Panoramic view of Nathan Phillips Square showing both the old and new City Hall cc licensed photo by Paolo Costa Baldi -
A view of Nathan Phillips Square with Toronto's Old City Hall in the background cc licensed photo by -Jerome- -
Ice skating at dusk in front of the old City Hall cc licensed photo by Benson Kua -
Toronto City Hall and Fountain at Night cc licensed photo by Benson Kua -
Nathan Phillips Square and the Toronto City Hall at Christmas cc licensed photo by Alex Guibord
