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
Beautiful spot in the heart of Toronto
Nathan Phillips Square is one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks a must-visit for anyone exploring the city. The view of the Toronto sign with the City Hall towers in the background is amazing, and the reflection in the water makes for perfect photos, especially at sunset or when the lights come on at night.
The atmosphere is lively and welcoming, with tourists, locals, and street performers adding great energy to the place. It’s perfect for a nice walk, taking photos, or just relaxing and enjoying the city vibe.
Definitely a must see when visiting Toronto! 📸🍁
Luis fernando Arias vargas - 4 weeks ago
The perfect spot to take a photo with the iconic Toronto sign. It’s spacious and great for ice skating in the winter. Is a lively, fun gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Highly recommended!
Alicia Riveros - a week ago
Nathan Phillips Square is such a beautiful spot right in the heart of Toronto. You can walk around, see lots of landmarks, and just enjoy the atmosphere without spending a dime.
We were there recently during our trip to Toronto and really loved it — it’s a great place to take photos and just soak in the city vibe.
And of course it’s dog-friendly.
Victoria Shair - a month ago
Nathan Phillips Square is one of the most iconic landmarks in downtown Toronto. It’s always full of life, with events, markets, and cultural festivals happening throughout the year. In the summer, the open space with its fountains is a great place to relax, while in the winter the skating rink under the Toronto sign makes it a magical spot for families and visitors.
The location is very central, right in front of City Hall, making it easy to stop by if you’re exploring downtown. It can get quite busy, especially during big events, but that’s part of its charm.
Overall, it’s a must-visit place to experience the energy and diversity of Toronto.
Amer Hakim - 2 months ago
Nathan Phillips Square is one of the best places to experience the heart of Toronto! Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been here a hundred times, the energy never gets old. The famous TORONTO sign, the buzzing crowds, food vendors, the surrounding architecture, and the seasonal events all make every visit special.
During the winter, the outdoor skating rink is magical with sparkling lights and music. In the summer, the fountain, festivals, and public art installations bring the square to life. It’s the perfect spot for photos, dates, hangouts, or just enjoying the city vibe.
Clean, lively, iconic, and full of culture — definitely a 5-star experience!
Shigeru Erwin - a week 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.
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
