Monthly Archives: November 2013

(Original link at Post City Magazines.)

Brianne Hogan

Musicale or garden party at Casa Loma, circa 1915

Since Casa Loma’s pretty much bankrupt, Sir Henry Pellatt’s great grandniece thinks the castle should go back to its roots and become a major player in the party scene again to recoup some dough. If this picture is any indication of the mansion’s former glory days, we think she’s onto something. Have you ever seen Casa Loma this blown up? And a zip line? By the looks of these crunked people, this place was off the hook. Whatever the heck a musicale is, we want another one. (Source: Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 4047)

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)… Read the rest

(Original link at the Toronto Star.)

Though it receives between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors annually, Casa Loma has fallen into disrepair.

By: Christopher Hume

Published on Thu Nov 14 2013

Torontonians have never quite known what to make of Casa Loma. Henry Pellatt’s great folly has been a feature on the skyline for a full century, but in a community that distrusts those who would stand out its grandiosity has kept it from becoming a feature of city existence.

Nick Di Donato hopes to change all that. The president of the Liberty Entertainment Group wants to reintroduce the “House on the Hill” to Torontonians and make it part of their lives.

If things go according to plan, Di Donato will turn the architectural extravaganza into a mixed-use complex that includes a restaurant and event rooms, as well as a museum and exhibition spaces devoted to the history of Toronto.

“We describe it as the Toronto experience,” Di Donato explains. “We … Read the rest

(Original link at the Town Crier.)

By Eric Emin Wood
Tues. Nov. 12, 2013

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT: Casa Loma has a new permanent manager after the city voted to accept a recommendation by its temporary caretaker.

Liberty Entertainment Group has been named as the new permanent manager for Casa Loma.

The organization best known as operators of Exhibition Place’s Liberty Grand entertainment complex was endorsed by the five-member board of temporary caretaker Casa Loma Corp. and received a unanimous vote of approval Oct. 30 by the city’s executive committee.

The new operator is in place for the next 20 years.

The city-appointed Casa Loma Corp. took over from the Kiwanis Club in 2011, and was charged with finding a new manager for the castle. The Kiwanis Club had managed it since 1937.

While the proposed lease agreement is being kept under wraps until it comes before city council in mid-November, Ward 21 councillor Joe Mihevc said he is “positive” about … Read the rest