Toronto City Hall and Rental Cars Toronto

Visit one of Canada’s most distinctive landmarks when you travel to Toronto with your rental cars Toronto. Built in 1965 to replace the old City Hall (built in 1899), Toronto City Hall was designed by architect Viljo Revell from Finland, landscape artist Richard Strong, and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel. The Toronto City Hall is great place to visit with your rental cars Toronto. If you are coming during the winter don’t forget to grab your skates so that you can try your skating skills on Toronto City Hall’s outdoor rink. Besides the winter time, the summer holds a multitude of events that entertains visitors from all over.

A design competition

For years, Toronto had been looking to build a more modern city hall. In 1954, three of Toronto’s larges architectural firms were selected to design the new city hall. However, the plans drew lukewarm reviews and the planned $18 million city hall was rejected during a referendum in December 1995. In 1956, Mayor Nathan Philips decided to hold an international competition for the design of the new city hall under the terms of the International Union of Architects. The competition came under criticism as many felt that a Canadian should design the city hall.

And the winner is…

Over 500 designs were submitted to the panel of five judges that included some of the world’s greatest experts in architecture. Finally, in September 1958, Viljo Revell’s design was chosen by 3 out of the 2 judges. Revell complained that his collaborators, Heikki Castren, Bengt Lundsten and Seppo Valjus did not get enough credit for the design and requested that their names to be listed as the architects. With an $18 million budget, construction of the building began in 1961 and was completed in 1964. Unfortunately Revell died just before the City Hall was completed.

The many changes of City Hall

Since its grand unveiling, you will find many changes at Toronto City Hall when you travel with your rental cars Toronto. In 1997 to 1998, Toronto architect Bruce Kuwabara designed a connection to the two towers and the upgrades of the council chambers. New additions were also made including the Peace Garden, a memorial to Hiroshima, an abstract bronze sculpture by Henry Moore called The Archer, and a statue of Sir Winston Churchill. However, several things were also closed including the observation deck, gift shop, and the wading pool.

Time for new things

In 1991, the Toronto City Hall became a designated property of historical and architectural significance under the Ontario Heritage Act. In 2005, the Toronto City Hall celebrated its 40th birthday and new plans are being made to re-design the Nathan Phillips Square.

A celebration all year around

The Toronto City Hall is a main site for several festivals including fireworks and outdoor concerts, so don’t be surprised when you find some sort of big event happening in front of Toronto City Hall when you visit with your rental cars Toronto. A major festival that happens at Toronto City Hall is that annual Cavalcade of Lights which begins at the end of November to the end of December. Another special event that you should take advantage of when you travel with your rental cars Toronto is the Doors Open Toronto. This event opens various locations previously closed to the public including the council chambers, the Mayor’s office, and the 27th floor.

Before you go…

For more information on Toronto City Hall when you visit with your rental cars Toronto check out their official website at http://www.toronto.ca/ or call Toronto Tourism at 1 800 499 2514