Nathan Phillips Square

Toronto, ON

Public Space

Nathan Phillips Square is an outdoor plaza located immediately in front of Toronto City Hall, on the northwest corner of Queen and Bay Streets. The square opened in 1965.The square is paved with concrete surrounding a reflecting pool that serves as a skating rink in winter months. It is a free gathering place for leisure and community events.

In the summer, tourists and locals congregate around the reflecting pool. In winter, the pool is transformed into a popular outdoor skating rink. A speakers’ corner podium is located at the southwest corner of Nathan Phillips Square to promote free speech. Outdoor chess tables are available for public use on the southeast corner of the Square, at Bay and Queen Streets.

The Square is named for Nathan Phillips, who was Mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. Mayor Phillips was an early supporter of the new City Hall and of the international design competition that was ultimately won by Finnish architect Viljo Revell.

Nathan Phillips Square has always acted as a place of public and political exchange.

A team led by PLANT Architect Inc. and Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners began revitalizing the square in 2007.