(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

140-seat fine dining restaurant plus much more

David Paterson

Published on Sat Nov 30 2013

For 70 years, Casa Loma has been sitting in genteel semi-retirement on a hill overlooking Toronto. Because it was too glorious to demolish but lacked an obvious use, the city has left the grand old lady to languish like some embarrassing aging relative clinging to life well after her best years are behind her.

Having taken direct control of the castle in 2011 after the Kiwanis Club — which had run it for 74 years — stepped aside, the city now believes it might finally have a solution to the problem of what to do with Casa Loma.

It plans to turn over the running of large parts of the site to Liberty Group, a Toronto-based company that operates restaurants and event spaces. At its November meeting, Toronto City Council took a break from gutting the powers of the mayor long enough to approve the deal almost unanimously.

Liberty Group says it will invest $3 million in upgrading the castle’s interior, including installing a new air conditioning system and upgrading the heritage experience with new smartphone apps and tablet computers.

It’s also planning on adding new exhibits, including turning an underground tunnel into a museum dedicated to Toronto’s seedier side.

But the company also wants to put the castle on the everyday radar of Torontonians. Liberty Group President Nick Di Donato said he wants to increase visitor numbers from the current 300,000 a year to 500,000, and drawing more local visitors to the castle is crucial to that goal.

“What we find, when we ask Torontonians if they have been to Casa Loma, is (if it wasn’t for a wedding), the last time they went was likely at school,” he said.

The company hopes it can lure Torontonians back with attractions and exhibitions themed around events like Black History Month or Fashion Week. But much of its success will hinge on the opening of a new restaurant that will be accessible from the street and aims to draw foodies who are not necessarily looking to visit the rest of the castle.

Though Liberty Group has not released details of its ideas for a restaurant, in its proposal, the company promises a destination dining experience that “will revolutionize the way Casa Loma is perceived within the marketplace.”

Di Donato said it is envisioning a mid- to high-end eatery, set amid the castle’s Gothic revival splendour, and perhaps a terrace for taking coffee while enjoying the view of the city afforded by Casa Loma’s hilltop location.

However, there are questions about whether a restaurant at Casa Loma can succeed, given its quiet neighbourhood location and the intense competition in Toronto’s dining scene.

Mark McEwan, whose McEwan Group runs a number of restaurants, including Yorkville’s One, believes the new eatery will have its work cut out for it.

“The restaurant industry in the city is overblown right now and you have to work hard to keep your clients,” he said.

McEwan sees a high-end restaurant being difficult to sustain and suggested that the new operators might have to riff off the location with a menu that evokes the castle setting.

Di Donato points out that it is experienced in running restaurants and events in heritage properties and currently operates the elegant Liberty Grand ballroom at Exhibition Place and the Coral Gables Country Club, a Miami landmark built in 1924.

Among those who support Liberty Group’s plans is Trelawny Howell, great-grandniece of Sir Henry Pellatt, who built Casa Loma in 1914. Howell has been sharply critical of the way the property has been managed in the past.

“You want to see how things are run, look at the best in the world. Go to the Louvre; look at the restaurant there. They have a phenomenal restaurant. It’s massive and it’s beautiful,” she said.

Joe Mihevc, councillor for Ward 21, in which Casa Loma resides, firmly supports the deal with Liberty Group and believes the company will prove very capable of operating the castle as an attraction while maintaining its heritage value. He added that the City of Toronto stands to benefit monetarily from the deal.

“This was a very good deal for us financially, and it will allow us to invest in the buildings to the north side of Austin Terrace,” he said, referring to the castle’s hunting lodge and stables.

The city is mulling over turning one of the buildings into a museum of Toronto.

The castle has always struggled to find a place in the hearts and minds of Torontonians.

Whether the new operators can draw in sufficient numbers of visitors to spark a recovery in the castle’s fortunes is currently impossible to say. Either way, another chapter in Casa Loma’s strange but compelling story is about to be written.

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

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.)

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 Pellatts 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 think Casa Loma is an opportunity to have a museum of Toronto that explores history through revolving exhibits that will change on a quarterly basis.

But as Di Donato also admits, Casa Loma must do more in terms of what it does for Toronto, not just tourists.

Though it receives between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors annually, Pellatts fairy tale chateau has fallen into disrepair and been diminished by unsympathetic additions such as the nearby parking structure. Inside, the building is in relatively good shape, but sparsely furnished and somewhat desolate. The Kiwanis Club, which has run the castle since 1937, never succeeded in making it an exciting place to spend time. On the other hand, Di Donato credits Kiwanis with having saved it from demolition. But the fact Casa Loma could have faced destruction says much about the citys ambivalence.

Its a historical venue, Di Donato insists. And we believe people love heritage buildings. We also believe we have to maintain heritage buildings. From a business perspective, these buildings give us a unique opportunity to differentiate ourselves from everyone else.

The Liberty Group proposes a Toronto museum for the third floor, a display of architectural models in the attic and a function space at street level. An underground tunnel would become a gallery dedicated to the underbelly of Toronto, the Depression, the Great Fire, criminals and negative stuff.

Di Donato also has high hope for Casa Lomas towers, which he calls quite spectacular, though currently, he says, theres nothing there.

As he imagines it, Casa Loma will be transformed into an educational facility where students can learn about early 20th-century Toronto and the Industrial Revolution that was fast changing the city. Pellatt, who made a fortune in electricity, built his home to showcase the potential of new developments such as the light bulb.

The largest single expense, however, will be adding air conditioning; modern visitors like to keep their cool. Exterior restoration, partially complete, will continue in phases, which means the building will not have to close.

The Liberty Group, which successfully restored the old Ontario Government Building at Exhibition Place as well as the former Consumers Gas showroom on Toronto St., expects to take possession of Casa Loma in January.

As Di Donato explains it, the new arrangement is a sign of Toronto accepting itself as a great city. Like every great city, Toronto has a history and architecture is a part of that history.

In the aftermath of Rob Ford, the notion of Toronto as a great city doesnt have quite the force it once did. Indeed, theres a direct connection between the kind of jeering hostility that greeted Pellatts downfall decades ago and the mentality that more recently gave rise to Ford Nation. As Casa Lomas history makes clear, if Toronto does achieve greatness, it will have to be thrust upon us.

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

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 the proposal, noting that Liberty was chosen because of the company’s heritage plans for the castle, and because it provided the best financial deal for the city.

According to the board’s letter, the agreement includes $7.4 million to continue the castle’s restoration, which Mihevc said will include upgrading the kitchens and installing air conditioning.

He also praised Liberty’s tourism and event promotion plans, which include a fine dining facility.

“You cannot beat the vista on the back patio of Casa Loma that overlooks the city,” Mihevc said. “I think Liberty has seen it, and I think they’ll be excellent city partners.”

Trelawny Howell, great-grandniece of original owner Sir Henry Pellatt, said she is “delighted” a new operator has been named. She has suggested Liberty in the past, she said.

Howell advocated for termination of the Kiwanis agreement for more than a decade. She urged city officials to use a public application process when choosing a new company to take its place.

“I’m happy that the Liberty Group has won it,” she said. “It would obviously require someone of their calibre to take this on.”

She was less enamoured with the 20-year lease, the type of agreement that she said allowed Kiwanis to run the castle for 74 years despite accusations of mismanagement.

“I know in this case Liberty Grand is going to be putting some $7 million into this over the next five years, so from that point of view they may need some protection,” she said. “But it needs to be re-evaluated every year and held accountable.”

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

For 73 years, the Kiwanis Club had run Casa Loma but the city, unhappy with how it was being managed, took it over and a year ago and issued a request for proposals.

By: Paul Moloney
City Hall Bureau reporter

Published on Thu Oct 24 2013

The company that runs the Liberty Grand banquet facility at Exhibition Place has been picked to bring fine dining to the city-owned Casa Loma.

City of Toronto officials are recommending the city grant a 20-year lease to Liberty Entertainment Group starting Jan. 1.

For 73 years, the Kiwanis Club had run the facility but the city, unhappy with how it was being managed, took it over and a year ago issued a request for proposals.

Assuming city council approves the proposed lease, Liberty Grand would turn ground floor rooms and the patio into a fine dining establishment and use the library and sun room for large functions, said Councillor Joe Mihevc.

Theyve done an excellent job at the Ex of respecting the heritage component and also providing a business model that works for them and works for the city, Mihevc said.

The company will invest about $7 million in capital improvements over the first five years and pay rent to the city of $1.6 million to $2 million annually, rising with inflation over the 20-year lease, said Councillor Josh Matlow.

Among the improvements is adding air conditioning to the castle.

Liberty Entertainment Group president Nick Di Donato said he couldnt detail his plans because the bid has yet to be approved. It goes to Mayor Rob Fords executive committee Oct. 30 and on to city council Nov. 13.

We have a considerable number of plans. Obviously, city staff is pleased with that because theyve recommended us, Di Donato said.

Mihevc said he expects Casa Loma will receive more visits from residents and tourists.

I think theyre going to do a smashing job at Casa Loma to polish the jewel that desperately needs polishing, and make it an attraction for Torontonians, he said.

Matlow said the restaurant will be an asset, bring in needed revenue and give people a reason to come back over and over again.

Not included in the deal are buildings north of Austin Terrace hunting lodge, potting shed, garage and stables that require about $11 million in exterior repairs.

The politicians want to turn the north complex into a museum. City staff are recommending a feasibility study be done on a potential museum and that the city issue a request for expressions of interest to find new uses for the buildings, including a museum.

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

Casa Loma, one of the city's oldest attractions, may be getting a new lease on life.

Liberty Entertainment Group has put forward a recommendation to revitalize the iconic Edwardian manor. The company is known for its upscale events and venues, such as the Liberty Grand and the Rosewater.

Their plan includes a restaurant and upgrades to the event space, revenue that could help fund a Toronto museum on the property.

A year ago, the city asked for proposals from companies for the future of the iconic castle.

"There were some ideas just to sell the castle, turn it into a hotel, maybe even a casino," said Coun. Josh Matlow.

Casa Loma's fate has been in limbo for more than two years since the city ended a longterm agreement with the Kiwanis Club to manage the site. At one point Mayor Rob Ford said a $20-million repair backlog and high operating costs may force the city to sell the 98-room manor.

The Liberty Grand proposal will be brought to the city's executive committee meeting next week, before heading to city council in November.

(Back to Casa Loma Trust website.)

The Kiwanis Club ran the landmark for 73 years, but the city scrapped the agreement about two years ago — and Toronto City Hall has been accepting proposals ever since.

Now, officials with the city and Liberty Entertainment Group are discussing a 20-year deal to install a fine dining restaurant and banquet hall in the 98-room Edwardian landmark.

The financial terms of the deal are not yet known, but CityNews has learned at least $7-million will be invested by Liberty Entertainment Group to renovate the tourist attraction.

The company declined to comment but details released by the city state that Liberty Entertainment “will make a significant capital investment in the interior of the Main House. Further, over twenty years the base rent from the lease will generate income for the City greater than that earned under continued management by Casa Loma Corporation.”

Under the proposed agreement, a “high-end restaurant” will operate in the west-side of the building, Coun. Joe Mihevc told 680News.

“The rest really will be much the same. It will still be a tourist attraction. There will be banquet facilities as there are now,” he said.

Air conditioning will be installed in several renovations that will be the responsibility of Liberty Entertainment should the proposal be approved by city council, he added.

“People will enjoy it, I think, a lot more because the amenities will be upgraded and it will be used more often than it is now,” Mihevc said.

“It is used basically about one-third of the time now and with a new operator that has expereince in the restaurant and catering business, we expect that it will be full house more often than not.”

Casa Loma — which cost $3.5-million to build back in the early 1900s — is the former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt. The city seized Casa Loma in 1933 after roughly $28,000 was owed in back Mihevc said, “I think on the financial side it is very attractive to the city it will ensure that Casa Loma has an income for this city for the next 20 years.”

He said the coach house, horses’ stables and potting shed are not part of the proposal but it will allow the city to consider development for the area as the site of a Toronto museum.

“All the great cities of the world have a museum that tell the story of their city. We need one. We can finally start to explore that given that we will have some financial resources that will come out of this deal.”

It will be debated at the executive committee meeting on Oct. 30. Click here to read the agenda.

If approved, city council would consider the plan at its meeting on Nov. 13.

“You never know with this council if there will be opposition but I suspect given that there is good financial return for the city, given that Casa Loma will be used more often and become a well-loved place — not just for that one time that people go to it but many more times than has been the case up to now — I think councillors will find this an exciting proposal and will work with it,” Mihevc said.

The Liberty Group operates the Liberty Grand ballroom at Exhibition Place, the Rosewater Supper Club and the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

TIMELINE: A history of Casa Loma

1911: Financier and industrialist Sir Henry Pellatt draws up plans with architect E.J. Lennox to build his dream castle.

1914: Casa Loma is completed after three years, using more than 300 men and $3.5 million. The private home is filled with artwork from Canada and around the world.

1924: Sir Pellatt and his wife Mary are forced to auction off the contents of Casa Loma due to financial hardship.

1933: The City of Toronto seizes Casa Loma after roughly $28,000 was owed in back taxes.

1937: After being leased by the city and restored by the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma, Casa Loma opens as a tourist attraction.

June 2011: After more than seven decades, city council agrees to end management deal between the city and Kiwanis Club and look for long-term strategy for Casa Loma.

October 2012: A request for proposal is issued to find a suitable operator for Casa Loma.

October 2013: City staff recommends that council broker a deal with Liberty Entertainment Group to improve and manage Casa Loma’s main house and grounds.

Timeline courtesy of Casa Loma and City of Toronto