Casa Loma Toronto
The Casa Loma Toronto is one of the city’s top tourist attractions and hospitality venues. Each year over 350,000 visitors tour Casa Loma and the estate gardens. A perfect backdrop for special occasions, Casa Loma Toronto also plays host to over 250 private events annually. The unique architecture has also made it a highly desirable location for film, television and photo shoots.
Step back in time as you explore the former estate of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man. An unabashed romantic, Sir Henry engaged the noted architect E.J. Lennox to help him realise a life-long dream – the creation of a ‘medieval’ castle on the brow of a hill overlooking Toronto. Begun in 1911, it took 300 men nearly 3 years to complete and cost $3,500,000 at that time. Sir Henry enjoyed Casa Loma for less than 10 years before financial misfortune forced him to abandon his castle home. We hope you enjoy this intriguing legacy of an extraordinary Canadian.
Who built the Majestic Castle
It was a young man called Sir Henry Pellatt who was behind the creation of Casa Loma, which is today one of Toronto’s most famous landmarks. Henry was born to British parents in Kingston, Ontario on January 6, 1859. He was a child who was ambitious from his youth. Sir Henry Pellatt left his studies at Upper Canada College when he was 17 years old to pursue a career in commerce in the family business. By the age of 23, he became a full partner in his father’s stock brokerage firm Pellatt and Pellatt. That year also marked his marriage to Mary Dodgeson whom he met when he was 20 years.
Sir Pellatt’s travels to Europe gave him the love for fine art and architecture which would spur his vision of Casa Loma. This romantic side was mirrored by his other lifelong passion with the military, specifically the Queen’s Own Rifles. Even though he knew that the challenge ahead may be daunting and hard at times, he knew his destiny was to build a ‘House on the Hill’.
Explore the many floors
There are a number of floors within Casa Loma Toronto, which as a visitor you can explore. The Great Hall with its 60′ high ceiling is a focal point as you enter into the Casa Loma. From the herringbone oak floor patterns in the library to the dining room lined with circassian walnut. Each room on the ground floor offers something unique.
Head up the second floor to discover lavish suites used by Sir Pellatt himself, including his amazing bathroom. From the third floor there are stairs to the castle’s tower. This is also where the current Queen’s Own Rifles Museum is situated.
Head down to the lower level and you’ll find the gift shop and cafe. Once upon a time these two rooms would have been used as an exercise room and bowling alley by Sir Pellatt. An unfinished swimming pool has now been turned into a theatre where visitors can watch plays.
An 800 foot underground tunnel joins the main house was stables. The tunnel features an exhibit of Toronto’s Dark Side, which tells the story in archival photographs of Toronto’s darker days such as Prohibition, The Depression, The Plague, The Great Toronto Fire, and Toronto’s first plane crash.
Gardens & Grounds
Stroll idyllic gardens that cover acres of land around the castle. From the stables and carriage room to the secret garden and potting shed. Beautiful plants and flowers create a magical feel, along side flowing fountains and one of a kind sculptures. The gardens are simply breath-taking, creating the perfect backdrop for this majestic castle.
Facilities & Guided Tours
The Liberty Café is the ideal spot for a morning coffee with a fresh pastry. This charming café features pressed sandwiches, fresh pastas, pastries, specialty coffees and juices. The café is open daily between 10am-4pm.
The Terrace Grill is a seasonal outdoor casual service restaurant. It offers stunning views of Casa Loma as well as the estate gardens and city skyline. This restaurant is only open during the warmer months.
The Casa Loma Gift Shop is open seven days a week, 9:30-5:00pm with the exception of Christmas Day. Originally designed as a three-lane bowling alley, this gift shop offers unique souvenirs to travellers visiting.
The Casa Loma frequently hosts special functions, including weddings, corporate functions, film shoots and much more. Please contact the events department is you would like to discuss your options further.
Self-guided multimedia tours are available in English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean and American Sign Language. Audio Descriptive Tours for the visually impaired are available in English and French too.