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Ryerson University's City Building Institute has released a report (PDF here) discussing potential uses for Toronto's Old City Hall, set to become vacant in 2021 when the lease for the municipal court services and provincial courts expire. Titled "A New Life for Old City Hall," the report focuses on case studies of older buildings that have been repurposed for new uses, some specifically as museums dedicated to the history of their city. The report itself does not make recommendations, though its intention is to create interest for the general public and those interested to discuss possibilities of the Hall's future.
Toronto is one of the few remaining large cities without a museum dedicated to its history. The location and accessibility of Old City Hall could be a fantastic opportunity to realize its potential, but more is needed than merely placing artifacts and other collectibles into the 1889 Romanesque Revival building. This is where the report looks at case studies—both local and international—to draw inspiration from. For instance, it digs into case studies such as the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, and more locally with the Design Exchange on Bay Street. Each of these can give lessons that Old City Hall can lean from, including how to use scale models (in the case of Berlin) to promote more civic engagement with the general public.
In the second half of the report, New Ideas for Old Buildings, it is worth mentioning that the City wants the building to be open to the public, have a mix of uses incorporated, while being financially sustainable for the years to come. One case study that's in a similar nature is One Spadina Crescent. Built in 1875 and once home to a Presbyterian college, the building was purchased by the University in Toronto in 1974. Now, the project is in its final stages of construction for the new Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Once complete, the new facility will better integrate the pedestrian scale in its immediate surroundings, and welcome the community into the school.
All of these elements from the case studies will perhaps provide benchmarks against which the City and its citizens can wight the options regarding the future of Old City Hall.
Tonight (November 22) marks the first public consultation hosted by the City of Toronto at Metro Hall, 55 John St. at 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The meeting will consist of a presentation, panel discussions, and a question and answer period. More information about the meeting can be found on the City's website.
