Toronto Star

Nathan Phillips Square needs more than a makeover. It needs more than a facelift. It needs a full-blown redesign; an imaginative reworking. This square, more than any other place, deserves being called the heart of Toronto. It cradles the seat of government for Canada's largest city. Flanked on one side by the Victorian splendour of Old City Hall, and on the other by elegant Osgoode Hall, Upper Canada's seat of justice, the square is nestled in history. It is also a living place — a true centre of the community. People gather here regularly for rallies and demonstrations, concerts, a summer farmers' market, religious celebrations, an art festival, ice skating and more. Surmounting it all is a masterpiece of original design — the soaring curves of Toronto City Hall, designed by Viljo Revell and recognized around the world as a sterling example of modern architecture.