Gothic grandeur meets Toronto’s skyline at Casa Loma. Casa Loma is Spanish for Hill House. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to a vision. It embodies ambition.
Casa Loma began in 1911. Financier Sir Henry Pellatt dreamed of a medieval castle. He wanted it on a hill overlooking Toronto. Pellatt hired architect E. J. Lennox to bring his dream to life. Lennox also designed other city landmarks. The result was Casa Loma.
Casa Loma cost about $3.5 million. It took 299 workers three years to build. The start of World War I halted progress. Casa Loma has 98 rooms covering 200,000 square feet. It was the largest private residence in Canada.
Imagine an oven large enough to cook an ox. Casa Loma included an elevator. It also had two secret passages in Pellatt’s office. The house had a central vacuum. There were plans for a pool and bowling lanes. These were never completed.
Sir Henry Pellatt’s fascination with castles stemmed from his European roots. He imported artisans to design furniture and features. Casa Loma boasts five acres of gardens. A tunnel connects the house to the Hunting Lodge and stables.
Step inside the Oak Room. It was originally the Napoleon Drawing Room. This is the most decorated room. Wood panels in the style of Grinling Gibbons encase it. Three artisans spent three years carving them. Italian craftsmen created the ornamented plaster ceiling. Indirect lighting enhances it. A Louis XVI style light standard once stood here. It had 24 bulbs.
Casa Loma has a rich history. It became a luxury hotel during Prohibition. Wealthy Americans sought a place to drink legally. The city seized Casa Loma in 1924 for unpaid taxes.
Kiwanis Club of West Toronto leased Casa Loma in 1937. They operated it as a tourist destination. During World War II, the stables concealed secret research. Scientists developed sonar devices for U-boat detection here. The area was marked with an Under Repairs sign. This allowed workers to come and go without suspicion.
Casa Loma is a popular filming location. Movies like X-Men and Chicago used it. It has also appeared in television shows.
Girl Guides have a long history with Casa Loma. Lady Pellatt often invited them to her home. Their first visit was in 1913. Guides toured the conservatories and stables. They climbed the circular staircase. They had tea in the Palm Room.
Today, Liberty Entertainment Group manages Casa Loma. They continue to upgrade the mansion. The Blueblood Steakhouse offers fine dining.
Casa Loma stands at 140 meters above sea level. It is 66 meters above Lake Ontario. The views from Casa Loma are stunning. It overlooks the escarpment and Spadina Avenue.
From a private residence to a tourist attraction, Casa Loma continues to evolve. Its architecture and history captivate visitors. Its stories of ghosts add to its allure. Casa Loma remains a Toronto icon.