Inside the Legislative Building

Immediately to the east is Whitney Block — a historic structure in its own right with a distinctive tower. Designed by Francis Riley Heakes and built from 1925 to 1933, Whitney Block was Ontario's first government office building to accommodate the overflow of civil servants from the Legislative Building. The Whitney Block still houses offices for government ministries. While no longer used for office space, the tower remains as a distinctive feature of the building and contains one of the few operational hand cranked elevators remaining in Toronto. The building also once contained a bowling alley and a section set aside for live domestic and farm animals.

Upon entering the building, visitors will see the grand staircase in the large main lobby. The staircase splits, leading to the Legislative Library and the Chamber. A copy of Canada's original "Fathers of Confederation" painting looks down as visitors, members and staff climb the stairs.

At the foot of the stairs, visitors notice a distinct difference between the east and west wings of the building. Looking right, the east wing features wood panelling, while the west wing is dominated by Italian marble facing. Again, the difference is the result of the 1909 fire. Marble was used in the rebuilding of the west wing and if you look carefully, you can see a panel with a dinosaur fossil on the south side of the hallway. Both wings feature gallery hallways that allow light to flow through stained glass windows in their ceilings. Renovations that began in the 1990s have also uncovered hand-laid mosaic tile floors in the west wing.

Turning a corner of the west wing, you'll find one of the most historically significant parts of the building. The two-storey Lieutenant Governor's suite is the only part of the west wing to survive the 1909 fire. Firefighters formed a line of defence around the suite that then housed the Speaker's apartment and a dining room for members.

The Lieutenant Governor took over the suite in 1937 after Ontario's "Government House" at Chorley Park was closed. Much of the period furniture moved to the new suite with the Lieutenant Governor, and the collection features antiques that recall the style of the 17th century. With this furniture and its own interior staircase, thousands of guests step back in time when His Honour formally receives them on behalf of the government every year.

It was originally intended that the Legislative building house the entire government — from members' offices to space for public servants. Movie censors once projected films on the wall of the fifth floor attic in the west wing, while other departments occupied the east wing. Members' offices were located in the west wing, along with committee rooms, a dining room and a sitting room.