Category Archives: 2013 News

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

(Original link at Post City Magazines.)

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 … Read the rest

(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

(Original link at the Toronto Star.)

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 … Read the rest

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.… Read the rest

TORONTO – At long last, the future of Casa Loma may soon be decided.

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, … Read the rest