History of Casa Loma
Sir Henry Pellatt, one of Canada’s most influential financiers had a boyhood dream to create the perfect castle for himself and his family in Toronto. He set about designing the home and construction began in 1911. It took over three years and $3.5 million to finally produce what many believe to be Canada’s most romantic and majestic creations – Casa Loma. 300 men were involved in the construction of the castle, each of who was interviewed personally by Sir Henry himself.
Sir Henry Pallett’s intention was to leave the castle as a military and historical museum upon his death, and for that reason the main floor and basements were constructed to house and support the heaviest of equipment.
The Palletts did not live in the castle very long. By the 1920’s the cost of the home’s upkeep was astronomical, including taxes at $12,000 a year and heating bills double that amount. This was over and above the salaries of 40 permanent staff members who were needed to maintain the castle. In 1923, Sir Pellatt’s businesses began to collapse and his wife died from a heart attack soon afterwards. The castle finally went under the hammer in the mid 1920’s and sold for just $1.5 million.
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