Metro Hall
Encyclopedia
Metro Hall is a 27-storey Postmodern
office tower at the corner of Wellington and John Streets in Toronto
, Canada
. It looks out onto Pecaut Square
. Part of the three-tower Metro Centre complex, the building was completed in 1992 to house the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (Metro) and its employees. The building continues to be used in other capacities by the new City of Toronto following municipal amalgamation in 1998.
originally opened in 1964, one of its twin towers was intended for Metro Toronto offices and the other for the City of Toronto; the two councils shared the central Council Chamber. Eventually this space proved inadequate and committee facilities and councillors' offices were relocated to 390 Bay Street, across from City Hall; Metro Council continued to meet in the City Hall council chamber.
Two proposals for a new hall exclusively for Metro use were shortlisted. The proposal by CN
called for a building adjacent to the SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre
). The winning proposal by Marathon Realty was a cluster of three towers looking down on Roy Thomson Hall
. It was built to the west of downtown in the former industrial area that saw a number of major developments around the same time.
The plan was not without controversy. The massive structure cost approximately $211 million, which many felt could be better spent. Then-North York
mayor Mel Lastman
harshly criticized Metro Council's decision to locate the building downtown
, arguing that it would be more equitable and much cheaper to build the headquarters in the suburbs. Proponents of the plan claimed that the building would save money in the long term due to savings on rent, which by 1987 was estimated to have reached $7 million per year.
The agreement to build the new Hall was signed in 1988, and the building was completed in 1992. It was linked to the PATH
underground walkway system, stretching it further west. Only the main building housed Metro employees with the two smaller structures rented out by Marathon to private companies. Pecaut Square
, a large public square between the buildings, was completed as part of the Metro Hall project. It was formerly known as Metro Square, but in April 2011, Toronto City Council voted unanimously to rename the public space after the late civic leader David Pecaut
. The lower level of the main building contains other amenities such as a community centre and library.
In 1998 the Metro level of government was merged with the city governments
, and it was decided that the new city would be headquartered at Toronto's iconic City Hall. Metro Hall was nonetheless used temporarily while City Hall was refitted to accommodate the large number of councillors. The empty council chamber was used as a temporary homeless shelter
in 1999 at the behest of then city councillor Jack Layton
, and was converted to a 3-1-1
call centre in 2007. The call centre is now the only circular call centre in the world.
There was some talk of selling Metro Hall, but it remains in use for many municipal employees. In 2001 the city asked for bids, but the highest received was $125 million, far lower than the facility had cost. Metro Hall was used for filming in the Left Behind films as the U.N. building, or Global Community Head Quarters. It was also used for many television shows including an episode of 1-800-Missing. A scene from the 2010 film Saw 3D, involving a public trap, was filmed at Pecaut Square.
Postmodern architecture
Postmodern architecture began as an international style the first examples of which are generally cited as being from the 1950s, but did not become a movement until the late 1970s and continues to influence present-day architecture...
office tower at the corner of Wellington and John Streets in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It looks out onto Pecaut Square
Pecaut Square
Pecaut Square is a large concrete-and granite-clad plaza located in front of Metro Hall in Toronto, Canada. The square supports the PATH network connection between Metro Hall and nearby buildings such as Metro Centre...
. Part of the three-tower Metro Centre complex, the building was completed in 1992 to house the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (Metro) and its employees. The building continues to be used in other capacities by the new City of Toronto following municipal amalgamation in 1998.
History
Following Metro's inception in 1954, its politicians and employees were scattered in more than a dozen buildings around Toronto. When the new Toronto City HallToronto City Hall
The City Hall of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is the home of the city's municipal government and one of its most distinctive landmarks. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell and landscape architect Richard Strong, and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel, the building opened in 1965...
originally opened in 1964, one of its twin towers was intended for Metro Toronto offices and the other for the City of Toronto; the two councils shared the central Council Chamber. Eventually this space proved inadequate and committee facilities and councillors' offices were relocated to 390 Bay Street, across from City Hall; Metro Council continued to meet in the City Hall council chamber.
Two proposals for a new hall exclusively for Metro use were shortlisted. The proposal by CN
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
called for a building adjacent to the SkyDome (now the Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre is a multi-purpose stadium, in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated next to the CN Tower, near the shores of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989, it is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League...
). The winning proposal by Marathon Realty was a cluster of three towers looking down on Roy Thomson Hall
Roy Thomson Hall
Roy Thomson Hall is a concert hall located at 60 Simcoe Street in Toronto, Ontario. It is the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Opened in 1982, its circular architectural design exhibits a sloping and curvilinear glass exterior. It was designed by Canadian...
. It was built to the west of downtown in the former industrial area that saw a number of major developments around the same time.
The plan was not without controversy. The massive structure cost approximately $211 million, which many felt could be better spent. Then-North York
North York, Ontario
North York is a dissolved municipality within the current city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the central part of the northern section of Toronto. As of the 2006 Census, it has a population of 635,370. The official 2001 census count was 608,288...
mayor Mel Lastman
Mel Lastman
Melvin Douglas "Mel" Lastman , nicknamed "Mayor Mel", is a former businessman and politician. He is the founder of the Bad Boy Furniture chain. He served as the mayor of the former city of North York, Ontario, Canada from 1972 until 1997. At the end of 1997, North York, along with five other...
harshly criticized Metro Council's decision to locate the building downtown
Downtown Toronto
Downtown Toronto is the central business district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately bounded by Bloor Street to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, the Don River to the east, and Bathurst Street to the west...
, arguing that it would be more equitable and much cheaper to build the headquarters in the suburbs. Proponents of the plan claimed that the building would save money in the long term due to savings on rent, which by 1987 was estimated to have reached $7 million per year.
The agreement to build the new Hall was signed in 1988, and the building was completed in 1992. It was linked to the PATH
PATH (Toronto)
PATH is a network of pedestrian tunnels beneath the office towers of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. According to Guinness World Records, PATH is the largest underground shopping complex in the world with 371,600 m² PATH is a network of pedestrian tunnels beneath the office towers of Downtown...
underground walkway system, stretching it further west. Only the main building housed Metro employees with the two smaller structures rented out by Marathon to private companies. Pecaut Square
Pecaut Square
Pecaut Square is a large concrete-and granite-clad plaza located in front of Metro Hall in Toronto, Canada. The square supports the PATH network connection between Metro Hall and nearby buildings such as Metro Centre...
, a large public square between the buildings, was completed as part of the Metro Hall project. It was formerly known as Metro Square, but in April 2011, Toronto City Council voted unanimously to rename the public space after the late civic leader David Pecaut
David Pecaut
David Kent Pecaut, was an American-born Canadian civic leader, city builder and a strategist. He was known for his visionary initiatives, and solutions-based approach to social issues. He was able to convene different stakeholders, and implement holistic solutions. He was instrumental in...
. The lower level of the main building contains other amenities such as a community centre and library.
In 1998 the Metro level of government was merged with the city governments
City of Toronto Act
City of Toronto Act is the name of a series of different acts of parliament that have governed the organization and political powers of the city since Toronto's original incorporation as a city in 1834.-Incorporation of the City of Toronto, 1834:...
, and it was decided that the new city would be headquartered at Toronto's iconic City Hall. Metro Hall was nonetheless used temporarily while City Hall was refitted to accommodate the large number of councillors. The empty council chamber was used as a temporary homeless shelter
Homeless shelter
Homeless shelters are temporary residences for homeless people which seek to protect vulnerable populations from the often devastating effects of homelessness while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact on the community...
in 1999 at the behest of then city councillor Jack Layton
Jack Layton
John Gilbert "Jack" Layton, PC was a Canadian social democratic politician and the Leader of the Official Opposition. He was the leader of the New Democratic Party from 2003 to 2011, and previously sat on Toronto City Council, serving at times during that period as acting mayor and deputy mayor of...
, and was converted to a 3-1-1
3-1-1
The non-emergency telephone number 3-1-1 is a special N-1-1 telephone number in many communities in Canada and the United States that provides quick, easy-to-remember access to non-emergency municipal services or a Citizen Service Center...
call centre in 2007. The call centre is now the only circular call centre in the world.
There was some talk of selling Metro Hall, but it remains in use for many municipal employees. In 2001 the city asked for bids, but the highest received was $125 million, far lower than the facility had cost. Metro Hall was used for filming in the Left Behind films as the U.N. building, or Global Community Head Quarters. It was also used for many television shows including an episode of 1-800-Missing. A scene from the 2010 film Saw 3D, involving a public trap, was filmed at Pecaut Square.
See also
- East York Civic CentreEast York Civic CentreThe East York Civic Centre was the municipal office of the former Borough of East York, Canada, now part of Toronto as the result of municipal amalgamation...
- Etobicoke Civic CentreEtobicoke Civic CentreThe Etobicoke Civic Centre in the Eatonville neighbourhood of Toronto, once housed the municipal government of the former City of Etobicoke. The building was built in 1958 to replace the single storey brick Township of Etobicoke Municipal Hall at 4096 Dundas Street...
- Scarborough Civic CentreScarborough Civic CentreThe Scarborough Civic Centre, located in Toronto, Ontario, was designed by architect Raymond Moriyama for the then Borough of Scarborough. It was officially opened by then mayor Albert Campbell and Queen Elizabeth II in 1973...
- York Civic CentreYork Civic CentreThe York Civic Centre housed the municipal government of the former city of York, Ontario, now part of the city of Toronto. It is located at 2700 Eglinton Avenue West in the neighbourhood of Beechborough-Greenbrook...
- North York Civic CentreNorth York Civic CentreThe North York Civic Centre is a building that once served as the city hall for the former City of North York, Ontario, Canada.Designed by Adamson Associates Architects, the building is located on Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue, and features Mel Lastman Square along the Yonge Street frontage...
- Toronto City HallToronto City HallThe City Hall of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is the home of the city's municipal government and one of its most distinctive landmarks. Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell and landscape architect Richard Strong, and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel, the building opened in 1965...
- Mel Lastman SquareMel Lastman SquareMel Lastman Square is a public square at North York Civic Centre in the North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is named for former North York mayor Mel Lastman....
- Albert Campbell SquareAlbert Campbell SquareAlbert Campbell Square is a hard surface civic square in Toronto's eastern district of Scarborough outside of the Scarborough Civic Centre, named for the former politician, Metro Chairman and first mayor of Scarborough Albert Campbell....
- Nathan Philips Square