Whether you’re a tourist on a whistle-stop weekend tour of the city or a dyed-in-the-wool Torontonian, chances are you’ll end up at Casa Loma at some point. The sprawling castle grounds—and the history and mythology enshrouding them—have captivated guests since the last bricks were laid in the early 20th Century.
In this article, Toronto’s top real estate company is creaking open the door of the castle for a peek inside. Join us here at Harvey Kalles Real Estate as we discuss the history, specs, lore, and more of Toronto’s favourite Gothic attraction.
Not So Humble Beginnings: The History of Casa Loma
Casa Loma has been an enduring fixture of midtown Toronto for over 100 years – but it hasn’t always been the Casa Loma we know and love today.
The castle was built in 1914 by a wealthy financier named Sir Henry Pellatt on land the previous owner dubbed “Casa Loma” (Spanish for “Hill House”). With dreams of architectural grandeur, the early Torontonian modelled his estate after Gothic castles, complete with opulent rooms, secret passageways, horse stables, and towering spires. However, Sir Henry fell on hard times during the post-war depression, and was forced to sell the sprawling home.
Subsequently, Casa Loma tried on several outfits: Throughout the 20th century, it was a prohibition-era nightclub, a luxury hotel, a military barracks, etc. In the late 90s, the space underwent a massive, $33 million renovation, eventually landing in the lap of Liberty Entertainment Group, where it remains today.
The private entertainment group uses the historic castle for a range of purposes – like private events, public tours, dance parties, Halloween festivities, symphonies, escape rooms, high teas, and the list goes on. For its diverse use of the space, the company should get credit for making Casa Loma one of the most enduring historical landmarks in Toronto.
Facts and Figures: A Spec Sheet Introduction to Casa Loma
Casa Loma is one of those places you really need to experience. However, if you’re looking for a technical lay of the land in this iconic Toronto landmark, here’s a “spec sheet” introduction to the space. Per the Encyclopedia Britannica and the company website itself, Casa Loma boasts:
- 343,253 square feet of grounds
- 64,700 square feet of floor area
- 7 floors
- 98 rooms
- 5 acres of gardens
- A 60-foot-high Great Hall
- 21 Fireplaces
- An oven “big enough to cook an ox”
- 650,000 annual visitors
- And 250 private functions per year
That should give you some impression of Casa Loma’s magnitude. The castle is a gargantuan, towering presence high on the South Hill above The Annex. It’s no wonder the spot has become the setting for countless movies, as well as one of the most unique wedding venues in Toronto.
The Lore: Ghosts, Clandestine Research Labs, and Secret Tunnels
Naturally, a Gothic castle whose name means “Hill House” is going to have some eerie mythology around it. For its part, Casa Loma doesn’t shy away from the tall tales of haunting, horror and intrigue; it embraces them. (They’re powerful marketing tools, after all).
There are some grains of truth hidden among the lore, as well. Casa Loma does have an underground tunnel. It stretches 800 feet below the Austin Terrace grounds, and has recently become an exhibit in itself, hosting archival photographs of “Toronto’s Darker Days” (like the Depression and The Great Toronto Fire). It’s also a critical set piece in the castle’s annual Halloween spectacle, Legends of Horror.
The fascinating World War II tales are also true. Casa Loma’s stables housed a secret laboratory for Allied forces to develop sonar submarine detectors.
Its ghost stories, on the other hand? Those depend on your penchant for believing in the occult. Stories of a muttering man near the stables, a maid dressed in white, and Sir Henry Pellatt himself have circulated the grounds for years. In some cases, Casa Loma workers swear they’ve seen the apparitions. One famous story involves a young boy seeing a spitting image of Sir Henry in a second-floor window. Shown a photo of Sir Henry by Casa Loma employees, the boy reportedly said, “That’s him. Why is he so mad?” Chilling stuff – if hard to verify.
How to Enjoy Casa Loma
You’ve read through this digital journey and are now itching for the real thing. Luckily, there are several ways to enjoy Casa Loma castle and grounds.
The easiest way is to show up, grab your Casa Loma tickets at the door ($25 to $40, depending on age), and tour the grounds yourself. It’s one of Toronto’s finest places to take pictures, so make sure you have a good camera (or de-smudged phone camera lens) at the ready.
Alternatively, check out the Casa Loma site to see what events are on the docket. As mentioned, Casa Loma events are frequent (and always a spectacle), ranging from symphonies to escape rooms, haunted houses to high tea.
You can also bundle the castle with other famous Toronto residences as part of the Millionaire’s Row Toronto walking tours, where you’ll also visit Rose Hill, Summerhill, Woodlawn, and other mansion hotspots.
Lastly, to live out a fantasy of Gothic banquets, you can make a reservation at a Casa Loma restaurant – either The Gardens at Casa Loma (so-so food with impeccable ambience) or BlueBlood Steakhouse (great food, great atmosphere, high prices). For a full Casa Loma experience, you could even combine each of the activities above.
Whether you’re a ghost hunter looking for signs from the beyond, a history buff with a free afternoon, or a hungry midtown resident in search of a lavish steak dinner, Casa Loma’s got you covered.
If you’re searching for luxury properties with views of the castle, connect with Toronto’s top realtors at Harvey Kalles Real Estate. We’d be honoured to show you options around midtown Toronto and chat strategy for your upcoming real estate purchase. The areas surrounding the castle are dense with fantastic properties, so drop us a line to start the search.
