Nathan Phillips Square

City Hall plaza with the famous Toronto Sign and winter ice rink

Nathan Phillips Square is the civic heart of Toronto, the open plaza in front of the dramatic curved twin towers of New City Hall. The square is named after Nathan Phillips, Toronto's first Jewish mayor, who served from 1955 to 1962 and pushed through both the construction of the new City Hall (designed through an international competition won by Finnish architect Viljo Revell) and the plaza's creation.

The square is home to the famous Toronto Sign — three-dimensional illuminated letters that spell the city's name, installed in 2015 and now one of the most photographed spots in the city. In winter, the reflecting pool becomes a public ice rink, and the city maintains it for free (skate rental is available nearby). The Henry Moore sculpture "Three Way Piece No. 2: Archer" stands at the north end of the square.

Old City Hall, immediately to the east of the square, is a massive Romanesque Revival building from 1899 that now operates as a courthouse. Its clock tower and ornate stonework make a striking contrast to the modernist curves of New City Hall across the street.

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A story
The "Archer" sculpture by Henry Moore in front of New City Hall was controversial before it even arrived. Toronto city council voted against purchasing it in 1965, citing the $120,000 cost. The mayor organized a private fundraising campaign, raised the money independently, and had the sculpture installed. Moore, pleased by the public drama, later donated several works to the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto specifically. The council that had opposed the purchase later voted to name the plaza after former mayor Nathan Phillips.