Old City Hall

One of the last great structures from British colonial era, Old City Hall serves as a testimony of Canada’s desire to step out of the shadow of Britain’s rule and the towering presence of their neighbor south of the border, especially when it came to establishing a city skyline comparable to that of New York. Since the 1970’s, when city government moved their offices to the adjacent new City Hall, this building has taken a new role as a courthouse for domestic and family court. Supposedly haunted (the cellar of the building was once the city’s jail, where many inmates met their demise). Tours of this building are limited, and unless you’re here for a hearing, most Torontonians don’t really get a chance to see the inside of this building. On Remembrance Day, the poppies worn by Canadians and Commonwealth citizens are placed on the Cenotaph in front of this building to mark the official end of the holiday.
For more on the hauntings going on in here, please visit:

Terrible service, frustrating, and every experience has been a hassle and taken a long time. There are efficient, helpful well functioning parts of bureaucracy, but they are not here. Its a lovely building, but hope you never have to call or deal with any of their registries, or clerks, they do not feel their job is to deal with the public. Getting information they are supposed to provide is aggravating so don’t expect anyone to be helpful.

A nice building, but going here as part of my job is not among my favourite things to do. Parking is limited, and traffic is always a mess in the area, so taking public transit is a must. I have never eaten at the cafeteria here, so I cannot comment on that. The court rooms are heated, but most lack air conditioning, making being there during the summer in full legal robes a less than pleasant experience. That being said, most of the more serious criminal cases in the GTA get sent here, so if you want to go watch a criminal trial, this is the place. Its better than a movie and free! So long as you are not the one on trial, its enjoyable. I usually go grab lunch down at the eatons centre when I am here,

ok it’s really a courthouse but i LOVE the architecture there!!! i could sit and stare at the ceilings for hours!

Toronto Old City Hall is a wonderful large last century building located in downtown. It’s clock tower seen from Bay street is extraordinary and It’s Romanesque Revival architecture is very fascinating. The building is being used from Ontario Justice Court.

Old City Hall was pretty lame for Doors Open Toronto. You weren’t allowed to take pictures anywhere inside the building and there was only one room open in the whole building (a small court room).

One of the greatest pieces of old Toronto left in the city, «Old» City Hall is one of my favourite buildings.
It’s massive clock tower is fabulous, but did you know that it was once going to be knocked down to make way for more modern skyscapers (back in the 60’s)? Thank god that didn’t happen.
My favourite thing about this spot is when the days after Remembrance day, people come to the cenotaph war memorial in the front of the old hall and place their poppies in the grass in front of it. Did you know that THAT is what you are supposed to do with your old poppies?
I am full of facts. Just try me.