Castles have long been a topic of intrigue, imposing in their size, opulent in their décor, and rich with history. When most people speak of castles, they tend to think of famous landmarks in England, Scotland, and throughout Europe. However, the city of Toronto has a castle of its own — Casa Loma, meaning Hill House in Spanish.
Originally, this was the residence of financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, who constructed the castle over a 3-year period, from 1911 to 1914. Architect EJ Lennox was renowned for many other city landmarks and chose to build the castle on a hill at an altitude of 140 meters. The house employed 300 workers to complete the job and came with a price tag of $3.5 million to build. To put this in perspective, $1,000,000 in 1914 is equivalent in purchasing power to approximately $28,371,600 today. With a square footage of 64,700 and containing 98 rooms, Casa Loma was touted as the largest private residence in Canada and was extremely modern for its time. Conveniences included an elevator, an oversized oven big enough to fit an ox, a central vacuum, a pool, multi-jet showers, and bowling alleys in the basements. However, of all these interesting extras, the two secret passages are likely the most talked about.
On the main floor and second floor, lavish sitting rooms abound, along with his and her private bed and baths, and a multitude of bedrooms for visitors and servants. One of the bedrooms was designed and decorated for Queen Elizabeth should she ever decide to visit. Unfortunately, however, she never did.
** For our Things to See and Do in Toronto video, including views of Casa Loma, click HERE or read on important information, links, and original photos.
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- Casa Loma
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- Casa Loma
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- Casa Loma
Over time, the massive household became too costly to operate, especially with so many servants on the payroll. Not to mention that the annual property taxes increased from $600 per year to $1000 per month following World War One. Despite that Pellat auctioned off artwork and furnishings to pay down some of the debt, he and his wife left the castle in 1923.
Since then Casa Loma has changed hands more than a few times, and there have been many legal battles. Currently, it is owned by The Liberty Entertainment Group. And it still stands as one of Toronto’s more interesting and most visited tourist attractions, as people from both near and far tour the games room, the breathtaking atrium, the infamous underground passageway between the main house and the stable,s and the antique car garage. Plus, there are spectacular gardens surrounding the castle that are perfect for a scenic stroll.
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- Casa Loma
The third floor, which was left unfinished, today serves as the Regimental Museum for The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Pellet himself was one of the regiment and became a commanding officer who was knighted for his dedication.
This castle is a must-see for shutterbugs and Instagrammers. But be prepared for a lot of walking — between the long sweeping hallways, expansive grounds, and many, many staircases, you’re sure to be tired after your visit. If you need somewhere to rest your tired feet, try the seasonal outdoor patio where you can grab a drink and a bite to eat. The view of downtown Toronto is magnificent, and the hot dogs are pretty good, too. For guests in the mood for upscale dining, don’t miss Blueblood Steakhouse.
Casa Loma hosts an Escape Room series with virtual and in-person games. Plus, there are numerous and varied events on the property throughout the year, including live music performances. For a full calendar of events, click HERE. For hours and current ticket prices, click HERE. Or, for more information, call (416) 923 1171
Photo Credits – Go GlobeHopper