Toronto exploring new plans for Old City Hall
A Toronto real estate firm says the property should be transformed into a retail space
It's been a Toronto landmark for more than a century, but there could be major changes coming to Old City Hall.
The city's Government Management Committee will meet on Monday, Oct. 5 to discuss plans for the building after provincial and municipal courts vacate the property in approximately six years.
The city hired brokerage firm Avison Young to evaluate the historic building and make recommendations on future uses.
In its report, Avison Young says "the highest and best use for Old City Hall would be a conversion to a retail centre that contains a mix of food service, leisure, event and civic uses."
It has identified a total of eight potential "themes" for the property:
- International Trade
- Arts & Culture
- Best of Toronto
- Specialty Retail
- Technology/Innovation Centre
- Post-Secondary Education
- Finance
- Office space
Councillor Pam McConnell (Ward 28, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) says whichever combination is chosen, the focus should be on making Old City Hall a vibrant and accessible space.
"What we have to do is acknowledge the heritage component of Old City Hall and start moving it into the public realm," McConnell said.
"It is iconic," she added. "It needs to be open to our public."
Old City Hall was the largest structure in Toronto when it opened in 1899. It was also the biggest municipal building in North America.
It has housed provincial and municipal courts since 1972, and the report recommends the court's lease be extended to 2022. It says the extension will "allow the existing provincial court facilities to remain in place until the province completes a new court facility."
"Right now there's all these security barriers," said Kaitlin Wainwright, Director of Programming at Heritage Toronto. "So if you want to go into Old City Hall have to go through security checkpoints."
Wainwright says introducing a primarily retail space could be a smart move, if the right type of stores and tenants are chosen.
"The best thing we can hope for is people to go in and access it and use it and understand the history that took place there," she said.
A previous council decision about Old City Hall recommended the property's courtyard be reserved for a potential Toronto museum. Avison Young says that should remain an option for the building, but other possibilities should also be considered.