The mysterious castle where dozens of films and TV shows were filmed

A businessman's dream of building a castle
The story of Casa Loma begins with Sir Henry Pellatt, one of Canada's best-known businessmen. Inspired by his travels in Europe and especially by European architecture, Pellatt decided to build what was essentially a castle in the heart of Toronto for himself and his wife, Lady Mary Pellatt.

Construction began in 1911. After three years of work by around 300 workers, the enormous 200,000-square-foot (approximately 18,580-square-meter), 98-room mansion was completed. The project cost approximately 3.5 million Canadian dollars at the time.

Designed by prominent Toronto architect E.J. Lennox, Casa Loma was completed in 1914 and became the Pellatt family's home. With its towers, high walls, grand rooms and secret passageways, it was designed as a Toronto interpretation of a classic European castle.

One of the most striking parts of the building is the Great Hall, with its 60-foot (approximately 18-meter) high ceiling. Casa Loma is surrounded by approximately five acres of gardens.

A lost fortune and a castle that changed hands
Casa Loma's grand days did not last long. Pellatt's business empire faced serious financial difficulties in the 1920s. In 1924, the family left the castle, and many of its valuable possessions were sold at auction.

Casa Loma was operated as a luxury hotel for a time, but in 1933, the City of Toronto took ownership of the property because of unpaid taxes. Various ideas for the building's future were considered, including a school, museum and art gallery. At one point, the castle was even considered for demolition.

Casa Loma was ultimately spared. In 1937, it began operating as a tourist attraction and gradually became one of Toronto's best-known landmarks.

The 800-foot underground tunnel
One of Casa Loma's most intriguing features is its 800-foot (approximately 244-meter) underground tunnel, which connects the castle to the stables and carriage house.
Running about 18 feet below Austin Terrace, the tunnel is one of the areas visitors can explore today. The castle's secret passageways are another distinctive feature. In Sir Henry Pellatt's study, hidden doors are concealed behind wooden panels on either side of the fireplace.

Secret work during World War II
One of the most surprising chapters in Casa Loma's history dates back to World War II.
The castle's stables became a secret site for the assembly of ASDIC equipment, an early form of sonar used to detect German submarines. In this way, the grand castle in the heart of Toronto played a role in the Allies' wartime technological efforts against enemy submarines.

Plans that were never completed
Not all of Pellatt's grand plans became reality. An indoor swimming pool was never completed in the basement of Casa Loma. Other recreational facilities, including bowling alleys, were also planned for the building.

Today, the unfinished pool area remains one of the intriguing details from the castle's past and is part of the areas shown to visitors.

Hollywood's castle in Toronto
Casa Loma's distinctive architecture eventually attracted the attention of film and television producers. Nearly 100 different productions have been filmed at the castle. Among them are films such as X-Men, Chicago, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Crimson Peak and The Vow.

In X-Men, Casa Loma's interiors were used for several scenes. The main-floor corridors and Professor Xavier's office are among the locations seen in the film, while the exterior shots were filmed at Parkwood Estate in Oshawa.

In Chicago, Casa Loma's Oak Room was used as the office of lawyer Billy Flynn, played by Richard Gere.
On television, productions including Hannibal, The Boys, Titans, Murdoch Mysteries and The Lost Symbol have also used different parts of Casa Loma as filming locations.