Exploring Toronto's Casa Loma

Would you ever guess that there’s a 98-room Gothic revival castle in the middle of Toronto, Canada? No? Then Casa Loma might surprise you. When we visited in May 2019, it was almost impossible to resist drawing a comparison to the sophisticated, private mansion of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, which was built around the same time. Unlike the sprawling wooded grounds of the Biltmore, however, Casa Loma sits smack in the middle of urban Toronto; from its towers, you’re exposed to one of the best views of the city’s skyline.

And being a true castle, it’s far more ostentatious in its architecture and design than the elegance and warmth of the Vanderbilt’s private Asheville residence. Both homes are incredible testaments to the imagination and creativity of two very different men in the early 1900s; but both homes tell wildly different tales that showcase both the uplifting and the destructive power of wealth.

The History of the Castle

In the early 1900s, Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a Canadian soldier and financier who accumulated an immense wealth from the founding of the Toronto Electric Light Company in 1883 and brought electricity to the city, decided to invest his $17 million into a private chateau in Toronto. At the time of its completion, Casa Loma was the biggest house in North America.

Remarkably, his castle included a 10,000 book library, a plant-filled conservatory with marble floors and a stained glass ceiling, a 60-foot-tall Great Hall, a stables built with Spanish tile flooring, indoor bowling alleys, a rifle range, bronze doors, secret passageways, 30 bathrooms, and a never-completed swimming pool that now . . . is filled with gravestones. Sir Pellatt was an ostentatious spender. He paid $250,000 (in 1911 dollars) just to inscribe the names of his horses in 18-carat gold onto the stable doors.

By 1920, the Canadian electricity market became publicly owned, and his main source of income disappeared. He was forced to sell everything he could at just 17% of its original cost. He and his family abandoned the house in 1924. Today, the city of Toronto owns Casa Loma and it stands as a museum and tourist attraction.

We spent a beautiful, lovely morning at the castle. When you enter through the main entrance, you find yourself in the Grand Hall, which has 60 foot ceilings and sculptured figurines lining the pillars. An organ sits in front of a tall bay window overlooking the gardens.

We quickly walked onto the outdoor patio to admire the view of the city. Since Casa Loma is so close to downtown, it’s easy to spot the CN Tower and other famous buildings in the Toronto skyline. At the time we visited, the museum was serving coffee and lunch on the patio.

After, we took a detour to the home’s basement. Eighteen feet beneath the house, a secret tunnel runs for 800 feet from the main house to the stables and garages, where several antique Ford carriages and cars are on display. Pro tip: the secret tunnel was so freezing cold! If you have any interest in enjoying the exhibits that run the length of the tunnel, bring a jacket!

Very cold and regretting not bringing a sweater

Back in the house, also on the first floor, sits the Conservatory, a marble-and-glass structure filled with plants. Take a secret passageway in the library up to the second floor to view bedrooms, bathrooms, and living quarters.

The third floor hosts exhibits about World War II, Canadian military, and the electric company. More excitingly, venture to the back of the third floor to climb to the top of the two towers crowning the roof: the Norman Tower and the Scottish Tower. Both towers require visitors to climb a set of wooden stairs and then a steep curving, iron staircase. The Norman Tower is open-air and offers the best view of Toronto; the Scottish Tower, the highest point in the castle, is enclosed.

After visiting the house, make sure to explore the gardens and greenhouse out back. They offer a verdant glimpse into the native species in southeastern Canada.

Fun Facts About Casa Loma

Due to its unique architecture, Casa Loma is a popular filming location for movies and television. In the basement, you can peruse movie posters and watch clips from movies filmed at the house. These include X-Men, Chicago, Descendants, and Titans. Matt was most enthused about X-Men!
At night, you can play Casa Loma’s version of the Escape Game. You’re given 1 hour and a secret mission that involves you and your friends trying to escape the castle. (“The year is 1941. You and your team have been recruited to an undercover Anti-Submarine Detection Research Centre in the Tower of Casa Loma . . . Will you escape?”)
If you buy a Toronto City Pass, the price includes a visit to Casa Loma, CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the zoo or the Science Center.
Tickets are $30/adult, $20/child*