What Are Your Opinions On The Recommended Change Of Use Of Casa Loma?

Casa Loma is a rare architectural treasure of Canada, and once the country’s largest private castle. Sir Henry Pellatt instructed 300 men to build his castle, which took 3 years to accomplish.

When Sir Henry’s monopoly on street lighting in Toronto was withdrawn by the city itself and his company was getting deeper and deeper into debt, Sir Henry’s insolvency forced him to sell his properties to claw back some cash. The house was earmarked to become a luxury hotel after permission for change of use was given in 1925. Of course remodelling to make the house suitable for purpose took place, but the idea of a luxury hotel never caught on and 4 years later had to close its doors.

In 1937, the Kiwanis Club volunteered to take care of Casa Loma and turned the house into a museum of the history of Sir Henry and the Toronto of his day. Thirty thousand visitors a year come to look at this extremely prominent attraction, which proves that the Club had the right idea. The museum pays fees and taxes to the municipal budget and is self sustaining, which means it doesn’t take cash from the budget like many visitor attractions do.

It has been a shock therefore, to find out that the Council want to take back the property and have devised a new strategy to make money out of the building, even though the Club is still going strong and is extremely popular. It’s likely that the house will be placed on the Toronto property market and sold off to an interested investor. It’s hard to conceive that an individual would be happy to take possession of the entire property again, but the City may decide to turn Casa Loma into a condo building.

With the previous renovations and the care taken by the Kiwanis Club, the property is very modern and comfortable, with large rooms. The Forest Hill neighbourhood is across the road and with fast access into the city, Casa Loma has everything individuals need.

So it is going to be understandable if these units are purchased quickly as the district is going to be quite sort after. The property market is showing us that luxury properties is extremely popular, especially as the most expensive condo in Toronto has just been sold at a staggering $28m.

Individuals appreciate the fact that the attraction is available to visit and gives a reminder of the history of the industrial revolution. They believe that the economic value to the council if it is sold should not be part of the equation, that the historical value of the attraction as well as cultural heritage is more important.