Casa Loma: The Silver Screen's Favorite Mansion

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Join us as we explore Casa Loma, Canada's iconic mansion and the favored filming location for numerous Hollywood blockbusters. From the grand architecture to the fascinating history of its original owner, financier Henry Pellatt.
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, City of Toronto Archives
CC BY 2.0(creativecommon...) Photos from: Flickr User: daryl_mitchell, Scarlet Sappho, saebaryo, John Vetterli, Robert Taylor, Dennis Jarvis, elPadawan, Carsten, Larry Koester, Ivan Hernández, Ted Drake, PoYang_博仰, Xander Ashburn, Thomas Quine, André Carrotflower, Richie Diesterheft
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Music from Epidemic Sound

[@jillatherton4660]

What a splendid confection.

[@wmd9750]

Such a good video! Poor Sir Henry! I live quite near Casa Loma and always love passing by. . In fact I had my high school graduation formal there. Dinner in the library, dancing the conservatory. A quirky and eccentric part of Toronto's rather conservative history. Congratulations and thank you! William

[@RADIUMGLASS]

I visited Casa Loma during August 1987. I still have my sand sculpture souvenir of the castle on a shelf. When we were there the TV show Friday The 13th The Series was being filmed on the grounds.

[@lisadolan689]

It’s like getting a wee little present you weren’t expecting when there’s a new upload. Thank you Ken 🙏☺️

[@monicacall7532]

The blue Wedgewood bedroom is to die for! Wedgewood is my favorite style of pottery, so to see this lovely room was wonderful. I also liked the stained glass and plaster work ceilings throughout the house. My other favorite room is the library. It is definitely a book lover’s paradise!

[@DecorTours]

I love the evolution of your channel. From walking around St. Louis to touring homes of St. Louis to picture tours of homes everywhere. You’ve come such a long way in a short time.

[@ThisHouse]

Thank you so much! Cheers!

[@toddhensley880]

I could live in the library!

[@Gerry1of1]

From $600 a year to $1000 per month! That's robbery. There should be limits how much a tax can go up per year

[@_Martine_]

That’s how government takes away peoples property.

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

The key reason to build it was the guy wanted to entice royalty from Europe and important families from the U.S. and increase his prestige to an international level. He felt it could lead to money making opportunities. Outside of Canada he was a nobody. It totally failed. No one came except those looking for a free ride.

[@acatte1]

OOOoooo nice! Please do Parkwood Estate next, built by R.S. Mclaughlin. The Prince of Wales, Edward, would hunt and relax there, they filmed many movies as well. It is located in Oshawa Ontario. I have to add that many items were bought from Casa Loma to decorate Parkwood. The daughters also hosted the group of 7 artists. It was on Hilters list of places to bomb

[@drand9585]

I thought an interesting feature of Casa Loma were the tunnels leading to the stables and garage.

[@aflong62]

The blue and white bedroom took my breath away! I saw Casa Loma several times when visiting Toronto in the early 70s. Thank you for sharing the castle's grandeur with your viewers!

[@badbiker666]

This is the second time you have featured a house to which I have been. It was a long time ago, but I chaperoned a school trip for one of my daughters to Toronto, and the itinerary included Casa Loma. Honestly, I barely remember it. What I remember most was the kid who misbehaved, tried to slide down a stairway banister, fell, and broke his leg. He was the son of one of the other chaperones, too!

[@Reapunzil]

Yay! a Canadian house :) I wish they had kept more than they did of it and I wish u could go up the towers still but still worth the trip if u are in Toronto Edit: that blue was her favorite blue which is why everything in her room was covered in it

[@jeffreydavis7657]

Her room looked like it was made by Wedgwood! Simply stunning.

[@bobbbxxx]

When Pellat went bankrupt over a century ago, the contents of Casa Loma were sold.

[@LJB103]

I've visited several times - quite magnificent. It's a pity that you omitted one of the more unusual things in this house: to get to the garages/carriage house, there is a tunnel from the basement and under the street to them. Sir Henry ended up living with his chauffeur at the end (per one of the docents). The home next door: Spadina House is worth a video. Excellent video.

[@kays749]

Yes. The tunnel is great fun.

[@TarynsTime]

That's great information. Now looking to deep dive more history of it.

[@LJB103]

@@TarynsTime BTW: He lived with his chauffeur only because he was broke and the chauffeur took pity on him.

[@justbreathe_]

That’s the first thing I think of. That’s where the gift shop is too

[@ropeburnsrussell]

Magnificent. My jaw is hanging open.

[@wdjones4735]

Oh boy! The stained glass is stunning👍🏻…..and a bottle of wine (or two)🍷 Thanks for sharing😊

[@silvermanandbuddy5111]

I drive by this monument of architecture everyday on the way to work and the stables are equally spectacular. ❤

[@Rocketjay12]

I visited there with family back in 1966 after my graduation from grade school.

[@ishure8849]

G'day TH, I went through Casa Loma thirty years ago my favourite room was up in the attic past the signs that said no entry, looking at those huge timber beams was a highlight 👍.

[@Matityahu755]

WOW. Ken, I love this house/castle /mansion. It's just stunning. If ever you take a vacation to the UK you could do a few shows of the stately homes and palaces that are on offer. You would be in your element travelling up and down the UK visiting and documenting your visits. Please, please, PLEASE consider going to the UK.

[@susprime7018]

The library with the wonderful glass doored bookcases and wonderful sculpted ceiling.😊

[@sumerlawrence]

As a Toronto native I've been there many times. The grounds are really beautiful during the summer. Definitely worth a visit albeit a little expensive. The tunnels are great although I don't want to think what has gone on down there - lol

[@StillBloom]

So nice to see a hometown attraction. We used to go to Casa Loma on school trips all the time and I still love it! My favourites have always been the hidden staircases, the stables, and the conservatory. Thank you for sharing this with the world!

[@MichelleSinTO]

My favourite features of Casa Loma have always been the indoor pool, bowling lanes, and of course the conservatory & library. Special nod to the secret staircase from Sir Henry’s Study. The gardens are also stunning.

[@philipgermani1616]

This brings back memories of my late dad. We toured the home about 30 years ago, and were in awe. I recall climbing all the way to the top of the tower, and my dad just shaking his head. The views of Toronto were magnificent! Thank you for helping me relive a fond memory.

[@christopherkraft1327]

This is such a grand & opulent mansion, I especially like the dining room with its rich dark wood paneling!!! 👍👍🏣

[@jimc4731]

I remember beautiful parquet floors in the castle! JIM ❤

[@mrs.g.9816]

Every room in that house is gorgeous! I especially like the blue bedroom.

[@RolandMueller-xu8rv]

Henry Pellatt lost his Hydro Electric Monopoly when James Beck, an Ontario MPP who was anti-monopoly, formed the Government run Ontario Hydro. With the loss of this fortune and the Great War's effect on his business investments and increased taxes, he did not complete his dream castle. He later had to live with his chauffeur until his death. (The City of Toronto recently restored the crumbling mortar in the outer stonework. It cost the City $18,000,000 and the work lasted almost 10 years.)

[@barbfinlay5798]

So glad you have featured this home, I was going to recommend it to you. There is a dark and kinda spooky tunnel that leads from the basement to some of the outer buildings. If you grew up in Toronto or the surrounding area you have probably been there at least once in your life.

[@randyboglisch137]

Thanks again for a wonderful tour of a marvelous confection of a home

[@amada2941]

I look at this little house, which by the way is spectacular 😍 Who will clean this place? Because it would take a battalion to make it possible in at least a week.👀

[@betsybauer7340]

Special place, lived in the T. for 6 years

[@vernicethompson4825]

My favorite room shown here has to be the Lady's bedroom, done in blue and white. So pretty. And the sitting room next to it is almost as beautiful.

[@andywood5699]

My Parents went to dances at Casa Loma. My father, along with other neighbourhood boys would break in and run around when the building sat idle. I took students to the Castle and my favourite place is the underground tunnel. I feel sorry for Sir Henry Pellett. He lost everything.

[@jackesioto]

2:43 - Although ''casual'' in the 19th century was still quite formal! This was an era obsessed with etiquette and decorum.

[@waynegray5568]

Oh Canada!

[@mileshigh1321]

Thanks Ken! Having lived in Toronto and visited Casa Loma, I knew you would do it justice with a great video!

[@corinnelaking569]

I have visited and toured Casa Loma with my family. However, I wasn't aware of the WW2 history. A very informative video on a grand old estate. Thanks so much for creating and sharing this!🙂

[@Paulftate]

what some people call a house 😂❤

[@jimwiskus8862]

Or a “summer cottage”, like the mansions in New Port, RI. They were only there, in New Port, 8-10 weeks out of the year. 😊

[@user-tf2ru7oz6w]

My parents visited Casa Loma years ago when they visited Toronto. They brought me the guidebook. It's a very beautiful place and I'm g;lad to see that it was restored and opened. I think it was later owned by the Kiwania Club. I know there was a building that was located across from the mansion that was separated by a road but was connected by an ubderground tunnel. i'm glad you included among youn THIS HOUDR programs .

[@tonydelgobbo6797]

Been there many times. Casa Loma is beautiful to tour

[@sharonalexa]

I live in Toronto. Casa Loma is a dreamy place to visit on a summer day. The gardens are beautiful.

[@the23rdbryan]

Visited twice as a teen in the 1980s. Great memories ! Thanks !

[@PaliSuttas]

My mother was entertained at Casa Loma - for lunch, as I recall - by the daughter of the owner while she was studying for her B.A. in Psychology at the University of Toronto.

[@marciafallon7653]

I gasped when I saw the stained glass dome in the atrium!

[@richardpointer5257]

I used to walk past this house on my way to school.

[@keithdavis9897]

love this channel................love the old homes, mansions and they history behind them

[@leonardgilbert1762]

Excellent job Ken! Love all the great shots. There's a book out there called "The King of Casa Loma by Carlie Oreskovich". It tells an interesting story about this interesting man. Thanks again Ken ... Len from Toronto.

[@jackesioto]

Casa Loma isn't a house, it's a CASTLE!

[@kendranewton9071]

That library was my favorite

[@davidbrims5825]

Why a Spanish name ? I was expecting a hacienda style house.

[@jpavlvs]

That's a snooker table not a pool table.

[@BamBamBigelow.]

Holy Moly, my parents took me and brother/sister here in youth. Amazing house overlooking Toronto

[@rickyt3961]

beautiful! thanks🏰

[@fredsavage4925]

Good ol' "how dare you try to own something" canuk land.

[@bobbates7343]

I have flat feet . About forty years ago I went to Casa Loma and walked around the place . I had some very sore feet by the end of that walk. I can not imagine why anyone would want a house that big or some even bigger. The stables sure I would love to have those but the house is much to large for me . I remember reading the men who shoveled the coal to heat the place where paid something like fifty cents a hour.

[@miechelojpaganopagano2771]

I was there back in 1976, did not really see much ,because it was under restoration.

[@itsjean3666]

Thanks Ken!

[@jonclassical2024]

Hi Ken...I have toured Casa Loma in 1988....it is amazing...Happy Pride month to us Ken!

[@MrCherbear1990]

Slight correction…No part of Harry Potter was filmed at Casa Loma. It was used as “Hogwarts” for the premiere of Deathly Hallows.

[@BellaCroyda]

I'll buy it. It's beautiful.

[@charlesmayfield5262]

I have always wondered about the Castle "home, house, mansion" lol...where scenes from the movie "Death Becomes Her" was filmed, Is Casa Loma the place?

[@dwightroberts7721]

Yeah. The hallways I remember from XMen

[@colourwheel5703]

Back in the 60’s I went here on a school trip. We went down to the underground tunnel.

[@Laura-zy5jp]

Cassadine Loma is massive and stunning Estate!!Famous for its beautiful ground and gardens . I like Casa Loma as it was when privately owned. The original furnishings were lovely . The library is very grand burltperhaps a little too cluttered with furnishings if the had robe moved to acces the rows of books. Beautiful floor to ceiling windows and gorgeous chandeliers. How grand!! It’s sad that this man had to auction off so much of his homes furnishings and treasures and ultimately let the government take over such a gorgeous estate. Thank heavens it wasn’t demolished!! I can’t begin to even imagine the number of household staff and groundskeepers needed to maintain a residence of this size. The sheer size of it is incredible!! Casa Loma is a lovely piece of my home Canada’s history Thanks for profiling this grand estate😊😊👏🏻👏🏻🌺🌼🌸💕🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@gandfgandf5826]

Another remarkable survival. Favourites were the breakfast room, the Louis xvi round room and all the bedrooms that were shown. Of the larger rooms the library. Always the library. The other grand spaces were well suited to having a few hundred "friends" over to show off your dust collectors. A truly great film location for sure.

[@singularseeker]

Been there when I lived in Toronto...The main entrance is really on the other side of the castle.....he moved out of the house eventually and moved to Spadina Road...

[@equine2020]

I visited. Wow

[@kimberlysusie701]

This house is like the Biltmore of Canada.

[@rabit818]

I suspect the owners did not see rooms for weeks. A GPS is needed.

[@jabom99]

"...his collection of Model T's and other luxury vehicles." Lol

[@olafbigandglad]

Fun Toronto fact - Cas Loma is on Spadina Road. That's not the fun part . The fun part is that north of Bloor Street it's Spah-deen--a Road and south of Bloor it's Spah-dye-na Avenue

[@user-mv9tt4st9k]

😂😂

[@alecs1196]

Incorrect Toronto Fact: Casa Loma's address is #1 Austin Terrace. It is NOT on Spadina Road. That not the fun part. The fun part (which you ALSO got wrong) is that the ENTIRE STREET itself is and always has been called Spadina (Spa-dynah) all the way from Lake Ontario PAST Bloor St. (where it changes from an Avenue to a mere Road! LOL) running northwards to the base of the hill at Davenport Rd.(actually the original shoreline of Lake Iroquois) upon which Casa Loma sits high above, as well as the much older estate and mansion right next door to the castle (also an amazing house museum), which is called: Spadina.... pronounced:"Spah-deen--a" The name originates from the Ojibway word ishpadinaa, meaning "high place/ridge"or "sudden rise in the land." When Spadina House was first built, it was a country estate far from then "downtown" Toronto. Spadina Ave/Rd was initially the driveway leading up to the house from their dock /landing on Lake Ontario.

[@krazmokramer]

Fabulous mansion. But there's LOTS to be said for living within your means in case something goes wrong.

[@moocowdad]

you should do one on dundurn castle in hamilton western end of lake ontario 50 miles from casa loma its gorgeous and imho much better

[@markjohnson9485]

I enjoyed the tour, but it would have been more interesting. Had you traveled to the top of the towers to explain if they were living quarters or what they were used for.

[@tedsmart5539]

Next do Dunsmuir Castle at Hatley Park in Victoria, BC, Canada please.

[@dontarguewithidiots7459]

Not me looking up every movie this house has been in. lol

[@purplebutterfly7257]

It would be great if you could do one of Paletta Mansion in Burlington Ontario Canada.

[@ThisHouse]

Thank you for the recommendation, cheers!

[@purplebutterfly7257]

@@ThisHouse your welcome 🙂

[@alex0589]

My favorite use of this place is a meta apparition as itself (for once) as a filming location of a fictional movie in "Scott Pilgrim vs. the world" (2010)

[@ibuguru]

1. The conservatory. The stained glass dome is about the finest stained glass work I have ever seen. And perfect design for a conservatory. Magnificent! 2. The Library - as a bookworm, I adore libraries, and this one with the glass-fronted doors is really wonderful. Have not been to Toronto in many, many years, but never heard of Casa Loma. As something of a "house-freak," I would have loved to visit! BTW, I hated that white & gilt bed in the guest room. So overdone, it's ugly, the only ugly item in a wonderful house.

[@drewberesford]

I don't think Casa Loma was used in filming either Beauty and the Beast or Harry Potter, as you state at the beginning of the video. Please, what is your source for this?

[@deborahlinton9635]

Just as an FYI there are many secret stairways behind bookcases and beside fireplaces where he went to in order to hide from creditors.🇨🇦

[@lisadolan689]

Ken, what are the little bath for in the bathrooms?

[@vernicethompson4825]

He called them sitz baths, as you sit in them to wash that part of your body. Said to be good for easing hemorrhoids too.

[@lisadolan689]

@@vernicethompson4825 ok

[@Eyedbythetiger]

So the government basically stole this house? Going from $600 per year to $12000 per year is too extreme.

[@georgespalding7640]

You know you got to pay for that free healthcare somehow.

[@olafbigandglad]

Except this happened about 35 years before we had universal health care.

[@gandfgandf5826]

To pay the WWI debt possibly. I read that the UK took 80 years to pay off all WWI debts. Canada being a commonwealth country may have had to do the same. Always money for war.

[@echolot]

I went to school here..

[@coldlakealta4043]

the luscious nooks and crannies in the gardens - scene of generations of PDAs from wedding party attendees and prom goers - guilty as charged

[@IsaacSmelcZhan]

casa loma stomp

[@jamesdavis5096]

How about this regular house

[@majorneptunejr]

Beautiful house, but not familiar to me. I have never seen any of the movies you have mentioned.

[@rogercook8277]

65 thousand Square feet with 98 rooms? That would be to much house for me, no matter how rich I may be. P.S. So him and his wife didn't sleep together? Mmmmmmmmm.. 😮😮😮

[@billmolyneux8251]

🎉

[@roberthenleynola]

The Model-T was a LUXURY vehicle??? Henry Ford must be spinning in his grave.

[@user-ci4wf1qb7e]

It’s a snooker table not a pool table

[@donjohnson3701]

TAXES. From $600 a year to $12,000 a year! That is correct, you never really own property, you just lease it from the government. You miss a payment, they are ready to take over.

[@johngibson4834]

I Wonder What The Value Of Casa Loma Would Be Today In 2023 ?

[@tjblum57]

Raising taxes like that. Aholes. Reminiscent of my rent increase.

[@abialo2010]

ive been there before when i was a little kid. went to wwf at sky dome then the next day on the way home we stopped there. A homeless guy broke into our minivan while we were inside. bums are the scum of the earth

[@paco7992]

What a shack! That poor, poor family! Why, that place is barely enormous. Think of all the sacrifices they made their guests suffer through. The whole place being hardly huge and only slightly grandiose, the day to day hardships of living there must have been unspeakable!