Old City Hall could become easier filming location as city explores streamlining Hollywood North appeal

Toronto's Old City Hall could soon become a more accessible setting for film and television productions as the city explores ways to streamline the approval process and reduce barriers for productions.

After more than a century of hosting political and legal drama, the Victorian-era courthouse sat relatively empty since the Ontario government moved out in early 2025. A proposal titled Improving the Usability of Old City Hall as a Filming Location was considered by the Economic and Community Development Committee earlier this month and is currently before City Council.

While the committee didn't take a position, it asked city staff to draft rule changes that would make filming at the sandstone building easier to approve and manage. FilmOntario threw its support behind the proposal, arguing that while Old City Hall is a unique filming location, its high fees, unexpected costs including room-by-room charges, and limited access for location scouts are making it challenging to produce content.

The industry group said streamlining the process would help Toronto, often dubbed Hollywood North, stay competitive as a filming destination. Plenty of films and TV shows are already shot in the city: Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, The Boys, The Testaments and Sarah Polley's Bell Jar adaptation starring Billie Eilish.

The building's abundance of carvings depicting both animals and humans, plus one of the only secular stained-glass windows in the city, are among its most unique features. Its striking Romanesque-style architecture gives it enough historic charm to distinguish it from plain soundstages. The building has largely remained off-limits to the public since it was built, but it is occasionally open for public events and has appeared in acclaimed films like Chicago and The Long Kiss Goodnight.