View source for Nathan Phillips Square

{{Short description|Public square in Downtown Toronto}}
{{distinguish|Phillips Square}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Infobox urban feature
|name=Nathan Phillips Square
|image_place=Nathan Philips Square, 2022.jpg
|image_caption = View of square from southwest
|pushpin_map=Canada Toronto
|pushpin_map_caption=Location of Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto
|coordinates = {{coord|43|39|9|N|79|23|1|W|region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
|location=Bay Street and Queen Street
|address2=[[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
|place_type=City square
|owner=City of Toronto
|designer=[[Viljo Revell]]
|features=reflecting pool/skating rink; peace garden{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
|amenities=skate rentals;underground parking
|surface=[[concrete]]{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}
|area={{Convert|4.85|ha|acre}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tclf.org/landscapes/nathan-phillips-square|title=Landscapes > Nathan Phillips Square|publisher=The Cultural Landscape Foundation|access-date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>
|open= September 13, 1965<ref>{{cite web |url=http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2013/08/phase-three-starting-nathan-phillips-square-reno |title=Phase Three Starting on Nathan Phillips Square Reno |first=Brandon |last=Leal |date=August 21, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2014|publisher=urbantoronto.ca}}</ref>
|dedicated_to=[[Nathan Phillips (politician)|Nathan Phillips]], Mayor of Toronto
}}

'''Nathan Phillips Square''' is an [[city square|urban plaza]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada. It forms the forecourt to [[Toronto City Hall]], or ''New City Hall'', at the intersection of [[Queen Street West]] and [[Bay Street]], and is named after [[Nathan Phillips (politician)|Nathan Phillips]], mayor of [[Toronto]] from 1955 to 1962.<ref name=CoTtour>{{cite web| url=http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/nps.htm| title=City of Toronto > Toronto City Hall tour > Nathan Phillips Square| publisher=City of Toronto| access-date=July 12, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713055058/http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/nps.htm| archive-date=July 13, 2009| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The square was designed by the City Hall's architect [[Viljo Revell]] and landscape architect [[FORREC|Richard Strong]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tclf.org/pioneer/richard-strong|title=Richard Strong {{!}} The Cultural Landscape Foundation|website=tclf.org|access-date=2016-08-09}}</ref> It opened in 1965. The square is the site of concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights, and other public events, including demonstrations. During the winter months, the reflecting pool is converted into an [[ice rink]] for [[ice skating]]. The square attracts an estimated 1.5 million visitors yearly.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Urban Toronto |url=http://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/toronto-city-hall-and-nathan-phillips-square |title=Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square |access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> With an area of {{convert|4.85|ha}}, it is [[List of city squares by size|Canada's largest city square]].

Nathan Phillips Square is used regularly for art exhibits, concerts, rallies and other ceremonies. Annual events include a New Year's Eve Party and the [[Cavalcade of Lights Festival]] lighting of the official Christmas tree. The annual [[Nuit Blanche]] art festival sets up art exhibits in the square, and has also utilized the parking garage located underneath the square.

==Features==
The square is rectangular in shape, with the edge of the city hall meeting the square on an angle on the north side. The main portion of the square is paved with two sizes of reinforced concrete slabs. The square has a reflecting pool, a peace garden, a permanent stage and several sculptures, including ''[[Three Way Piece No.2: Archer]]'' by [[Henry Moore]]. Around the remaining perimeter of the square runs an elevated concrete walkway. Outside the walkway are treed lawns dotted with various other memorials and monuments, such as [[Oscar Nemon]]'s statue of Sir [[Winston Churchill]] (c. 1977),<ref name=CoTtour /> and a [[Rome|Roman]] column. Beneath the square is one of the world's largest [[Multi-storey car park|underground parking garages]].<ref name=CoTtour /> In 2012, illuminated "disappearing" fountains were installed among the slabs, used for decoration and cooling.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Urban Toronto |url=http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2012/09/illuminated-fountains-add-colourful-splash-nathan-philips-square |title=Illuminated Fountains Add Colourful Splash to Nathan Philips Square |date=September 7, 2012 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> The square is property of the City of Toronto. Smoking is prohibited in the entire square.<ref>[http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_636.pdf Chapter 636. Public squares] toronto.ca</ref>

===Elevated walkway===
[[File:Nathan Phillips Square from above.jpg|thumb|An elevated walkway extends around the square's perimeter.]]
The elevated concrete walkway connects to the podium of the City Hall at the height of its roof and extends around the perimeter of the square. Staircases connect the walkway to the floor of the square in several locations. On the south side, the walkway extends across Queen Street to the [[Sheraton Hotel]]. On the west side, the walkway is connected to the back of the permanent stage, which also serves as a grand staircase. The walkway is closed during winter months.

===Peace Garden===
The Peace Garden was created as a memorial to the [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing of Hiroshima]], as well as the "commitment of Torontonians to the principle of world peace."<ref name=CoTtour /> The [[sundial]] at the south end of the garden pre-dates the peace memorial; inscribed with the words "In appreciation of the opportunity to serve," it was originally installed in 1969, designed by G.R. Johnson (in consultation with H.H. Rogers and [[John C. Parkin]]), and presented by Nathan Phillips to the residents of Toronto. Fifteen years later, during the city's [[sesquicentennial]], then [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[Pierre Trudeau]] turned the first sod for the Peace Garden, which was to sit immediately north of, but also incorporate, the pre-existing sundial. 
[[File:Peace Garden at Toronto City Hall.jpg|thumb|The Peace Garden at night|left]]
The {{convert|600|m2|ft2|abbr=on}} garden consists of a pavilion, a fountain, and surrounding plantings. The [[gazebo]] is a stone-clad cube with arched openings on all sides, capped with a pitched roof, and with one corner of the structure deconstructed, to signify conflict and the fragility of civilization. The fountain's pool encroaches into this removed corner, with an [[eternal flame]] placed in the water so as to appear as though it supports the pavilion structure, to symbolize hope and regeneration. [[Pope John Paul II]] lit this flame with an ember from the [[Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park#Peace Flame|Peace Flame]] in [[Hiroshima]], and poured into the pool water from the rivers that flow through [[Nagasaki]]. The entire monument was formally dedicated by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]], [[Monarchy of Canada|Queen of Canada]], in October 1984.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/peace_garden.htm| title=City of Toronto > Toronto City Hall tour > The Peace Garden| publisher=City of Toronto| access-date=July 12, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224041741/http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/peace_garden.htm| archive-date=February 24, 2006| df=mdy-all}}</ref> As part of the redesign of the square, the Peace Garden was moved from the centre of the square to its western edge.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.yongestreetmedia.ca/devnews/peacegardensreloc0922.aspx|title=Nathan Philips Peace Gardens begin move as part of $46.8 million square redesign|date=September 22, 2010|author=Bert Archer|journal=YongeStreet}}</ref>

===Reflecting pool and skating rink===
{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Ice rink at Nathan Phillips Square - 20230114.jpg
 | total_width = 330
 |footer= A reflecting pool that is also used as a skating rink in the winter is located in the southeast of the square
 | image2 = NathanPhillipsSquare.jpg
}}
The reflecting pool is situated in the south-east corner of the square. Spanning the reflecting pool are three concrete arches; originally just an architectural feature and support for rink lighting, these were dedicated as the ''Freedom Arches'' in 1989, to commemorate those who fought to obtain or defend freedom. At the same time, a piece of the [[Berlin Wall]] was placed at the southern base of the central arch.<ref name=CoTtour /> To the west of the reflecting pool is a pavilion where food is available; and [[ice skates]] are available for rental during the winter months when the pool is used for ice skating.

=== Spirit Garden ===
A spirit garden was created in the square as part of the city's [[Truth and Reconciliation]] efforts. It contains a monument listing the 18 [[Canadian Indian residential school system|residential schools]] that existed in Ontario. There is a turtle sculpture that was created by [[Anishinaabe]] artist [[Solomon King (artist)|Solomon King]]. There is also artwork depicting the [[Three Sisters (agriculture)|Three Sisters]]. Other installed features include a teaching lodge, [[inukshuk]], spirit canoe, and wampum path.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maracle |first1=Candace |title=Toronto opens Spirit Garden, a space for residential school survivors, in Nathan Phillips Square |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/spirit-garden-residential-schools-toronto-1.7383101 |website=CBC News |access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:BayandAlbert.jpg|thumb|The future site of Nathan Phillips Square in 1918.]]The area currently occupied by the square was part of [[The Ward, Toronto|the Ward]] and was a major immigrant reception area during the first half of the twentieth century characterized by poverty during the late 1800s and early 1900s, with Black families settling on the site followed by the large wave of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe during this period.<ref name="cta">{{citation |title=Local Chinese History at the City of Toronto Archives|publisher=City of Toronto Archives |number=13 |url=http://www.toronto.ca/archives/pdf/chinese_eng_web.pdf}}</ref> From 1910s leading up to [[World War II]], the immigrant neighbourhood was gradually settled and developed by the Chinese immigrants into [[First Chinatown, Toronto|Toronto's first Chinatown]].<ref name="py">{{citation|title=Chinatown: An illustrated history of the Chinese Communities of Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax |last=Yee |first=Paul |publisher=James Lorimer & Company Limited |location=Toronto, ON, CAN |year=2005}}</ref>

===Development of the square and opening===
Following [[World War II]], the [[City of Toronto government]] prepared to construct a civic square in Chinatown, through a by-law which prohibited further development except for public purposes or parking lots.<ref name=cta/> With voter approval in 1947, the city began acquisition of sites inside Chinatown from 1948 to 1958, with expropriation and demolition of various shops and restaurants in 1955 for the development of the square.<ref name=cta/><ref name=py/> With the procurement of the land completed and the design of City Hall finalized in 1958, construction commenced in 1961.

The south side of Queen Street opposite City Hall was considered a 'commercial slum' and in August 1964, Toronto City Council voted to expropriate the south side for development appropriate to the new civic square.<ref>{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |title=10 years to renew Queen - Manthorpe |date=August 14, 1964 |page=31}}</ref> The businesses on that side of the street included two burlesque theatres, pawn shops and a cinema. The south side was vacant at the time of the City Hall opening but was eventually occupied by a new hotel, connected by a pedestrian bridge over Queen Street to the square.

The rink was completed before other features in the square, and was officially opened by Mayor [[Philip Givens]] on Sunday, 29 November 1964. This was also the first operational part of the new City Hall.<ref name="Anchors Aweigh">{{cite news|last1=Staff|title=Anchors Aweigh, Givens Opens Civic Square Rink | work =The Globe & Mail | url=https://media.proquest.com/media/pq/hnp/pc/26291927/page/17/pdf|access-date=2 December 2017|date=30 December 1964|location=Toronto|page=17}}</ref> It was rushed to completion before the December [[1964 Toronto municipal election|1964 municipal election]].<ref name="Anchors Aweigh" /> Other dignitaries present that afternoon were former mayors [[Nathan Phillips (politician)|Nathan Phillips]] and Allan Lamport.<ref name="Phil Skates On Nate's Ice">{{cite news|last1=Staff|title=Phil Skates On Nate's Ice|work=Toronto Daily Star|issue=2–Star Edition|date=30 November 1964|page=21}}</ref> The rest of the square and City Hall was formally completed in September 1965.

[[File:Toronto - ON - New City Hall5.jpg|thumb|''The Archer'' by [[Henry Moore]], was installed in the square in 1966.|left]]

To add decoration to the square, City Hall architect [[Viljo Revell]] wanted a sculpture by British sculptor [[Henry Moore]]. He selected the ''Three-Way Piece No. 2'' (''The Archer'') at a cost of over {{CAD|100,000}}. Its purchase was controversial. Toronto Mayor Philip Givens was in favour of the purchase, but some objected to the cost and to the abstract design. The City Council rejected the purchase of the sculpture, but its purchase was funded by a public subscription fund, and the sculpture was installed in 1966.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Spacing |url=http://spacing.ca/toronto/2009/07/09/the-archer/ |title=The Archer |date=July 9, 2009 |first=Shaun |last=Merritt |access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref>

After the 1972 [[Summit Series]], the Canadian men's ice hockey win was feted with a public ceremony hosted by the mayor and the Ontario Premier.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Montreal Gazette |title=Toronto gives warm welcome |page=1 |author=Canadian Press |date=October 2, 1972}}</ref>

Since the 1980s, the square has been used as the set for a number of films, such as ''[[The Kidnapping of the President]]'', ''[[Resident Evil: Apocalypse]]'', and ''[[The Sentinel (2006 film)|The Sentinel]]''. [[Khalsa Day]] is celebrated annually at the square with a day of music and food.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://torontoist.com/2013/04/khalsa-day-takes-over-the-downtown-core/ |title=Khalsa Day Takes Over the Downtown Core |publisher=Torontoist |first=Chris |last=Dart |date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

===21st century===
A design competition was launched in the start of October 2006, soliciting proposals from forty-eight local and international firms for a revitalization of the square, and, on March 8, 2007, it was announced that the team led by [[PLANT Architect Inc.]] and [[Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners]] (both of Toronto) had won the competition.<ref name=CoTdesign>{{cite web| url=http://www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition/plant.htm| title=City of Toronto > Nathan Phillips Square Design Competition > Plant Architect & Shore Tilbe Irwin| publisher=City of Toronto| access-date=July 12, 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312032604/http://www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition/plant.htm| archive-date=March 12, 2007| df=mdy-all}}</ref> The project was first estimated to cost CAD$45 million, but its final cost is expected to tally $60 million.<ref name="torontoist-2013-04-29">{{cite web |url=http://torontoist.com/2013/04/councillors-revive-plan-for-north-americas-largest-bike-station-at-nathan-phillips-square/ |publisher=Torontoist |title=Councillors Revive Plan for North America's Largest Bike Station at Nathan Phillips Square |first=Desmond |last=Cole |date=April 29, 2013 |access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> Originally intended to be completed in 2012, the project is expected to be completed in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=City of Toronto |url=http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=5104962c8c3f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=5ecd962c8c3f0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD |title=Modernizing Nathan Phillips Square |access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref>

The design is based on the idea that Nathan Phillips Square has always acted as an [[agora]], the ancient [[Athens|Athenian]] place of public and political exchange, with the design defining the concept of the open space of theatre and that of the public square{{spaced ndash}}a theatre for the city, and a square surrounded by a forested perimeter.<ref name=CoTdesign />
[[File:Toronto Nathan Phillips Square (10732006526).jpg|thumb|The square's stage was revitalized with a glazed roof canopy as a part of the municipal government's revitalization program for the square.]]
The plans included demolishing and replacing the food and skate rental kiosk, along with the addition of an upper level roof terrace overlooking the square; a two-level restaurant at the southwest corner of the square, with outdoor patio and terrace dining; a glass tourist information pavilion at the Queen and Bay Streets corner; a versatile stage structure under a glazed roof canopy; redesigned landscaping along the edges of the square that increases the number of trees, planting, mixed tree species; expansion and enhancement of the Peace Garden, with a flowering tree grove, eternal flame, and reflecting pool; landscaping and a café on the podium roof of City Hall; a restaurant and bar at the Observation Deck level of the east tower of City Hall; upgrading the overhead walkways with wood decking, seating, glass balustrades, light wells and improved access; and a seasonal disappearing water fountain in the centre of the square.<ref name=CoTdesign />

Sustainable design elements were also included so as to conform to Toronto's ''Green Standard'', including a [[soil regeneration]] strategy, improved tree planting conditions, and increased biomass and number of trees; facilities for cyclists and the promotion of cycling; an improved pedestrian environment; the control of light pollution; energy efficient design; renewable energy features; opportunities for public education; attention to the on-site microclimate; and local sourcing of materials.<ref name=CoTdesign /> The square redesign includes a CAD$1.2 million cycle station with storage for 380 bicycles and shower facilities.<ref name="torontoist-2013-04-29"/> The cycle station was the cause of some minor controversy at Toronto City Council.<ref name="torontoist-2013-04-29"/>

On May 29, 2010, Mayor David Miller officially opened the first phase of the Revitalization project: the Podium Green Roof Garden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.branchplant.com/landscape/agoratheatre_podiumopening.html |title=PLANT : Nathan Phillips Square Revitalization Competition – Podium Roof Garden: Opening Festvities |publisher=Branchplant.com |date=May 30, 2010 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194225/http://www.branchplant.com/landscape/agoratheatre_podiumopening.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The {{Convert|1.1 |ha |acre}} roof garden includes diverse plantings of sedums, perennials, and trees; a Central Courtyard beneath the Council Chamber; a Public Terrace at the southeast corner of the roof, shaded by a tree planter; benches and shade structures designed to reveal the movement of the sun; and a {{Convert|500|m|ft}} perimeter path which acts as a walking and running circuit around the roof. New lighting has been installed, including new high-efficiency LED floodlights and a perimeter light band, to allow evening events to take place.

====2010s====
In 2011, after the [[Death and state funeral of Jack Layton|death]] of federal [[New Democratic Party of Canada|New Democratic Party]] leader [[Jack Layton]], citizens flocked to the square and covered the walls, pillars and statues with messages written in chalk for Layton and his family.
[[File:Toronto 150.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Toronto sign]] was installed in the square in 2015]]
During the [[2015 Pan American Games]], Nathan Phillips Square was one of the sites of "Panamania", a cultural festival held in conjunction with the Games. Two temporary stages were installed and a platform for performances was installed over part of the reflecting pool. Each evening during the Games, the square was the site of musical concerts, a medal celebration and fireworks. The square also held a count-down clock for the Games, and a "pop-up" store for Pan-Am and Para-PanAm souvenirs.

A large, multi-colored-illuminated 3-D [[Toronto sign]] was also installed in the square for the Games; the sign quickly proved to be popular with locals and tourists alike. The sign was to be relocated elsewhere at the end of 2015, however on September 13, 2015, it was announced that the sign will remain in the square permanently.<ref name=torstar-panamsign>{{cite news|title=Tory takes to Twitter to ask where 'Toronto' sign should go next|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/panamgames/2015/07/16/tory-takes-to-twitter-to-ask-where-toronto-sign-should-go-next.html|access-date=August 16, 2015|work=Toronto Star}}</ref>

The square was the host venue for the closing ceremonies of the [[2015 Parapan American Games]].<ref name=TSClosing>{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Robin|title=Toronto's Panamania comes to an end at Parapan Am closing ceremony|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/panamgames/2015/08/15/parapan-am-closing-ceremony-live-coverage-begins-at-8-pm.html|website=[[Toronto Star]]|date=August 15, 2015 |publisher=[[TorStar]]|access-date=August 16, 2015}}</ref> Nathan Phillips Square was also a venue for [[Wheelchair tennis]] for the [[2017 Invictus Games]].
[[File:Toronto_Raptors_victory_parade_on_We_The_North_Day_-_2019_(48086025892).jpg|right|thumb|The square during the [[Toronto Raptors]] victory parade in June 2019]]
After the [[Toronto Raptors]] won the [[2019 NBA Finals]], the subsequent parade on June 17, 2019, in Toronto culminated at Nathan Phillips Square, with two million people in total attendance, [[List of largest peaceful gatherings|the largest public gathering in one place for one event in Canadian history]]; a shooting broke out in a portion of the square where four people were shot and injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/raptors-rally-shooting-1.5178886|title=4 people shot during Raptors rally at Nathan Phillips Square|publisher=cbc.ca|date=17 June 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Canada}}
* [[List of Toronto parks]]
* [[Albert Campbell Square]]
* [[Clarence Square]]
* [[Maple Leaf Square]]
* [[Mel Lastman Square]]
* [[Pecaut Square]]
* [[Sankofa Square]]
* [[Trinity Square (Toronto)]]
* [[Victoria Memorial Square]]

== References ==

{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons|:Category:Nathan Phillips Square|Nathan Phillips Square}}
* [http://www.toronto.ca/nps City of Toronto > Nathan Phillips Square]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050509032353/http://www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition/ Nathan Phillips Square Design Competition]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080411085544/http://www.toronto.ca/nps_competition/pdf/competitionbrief.pdf Nathan Phillips Square Revitalization Design Competition Brief]

{{Toronto landmarks}}
{{Parks and squares in Toronto}}

[[Category:Festival venues in Canada]]
[[Category:Music venues in Toronto]]
[[Category:Squares in Toronto]]
[[Category:Venues of the 2015 Parapan American Games]]