Viljo Revell (Finland)

Viljo Revell entry, City Hall and Square Competition, Toronto, 1958, architectural model

Second stage model

Viljo Revell
Helsinki, Finland
Entry 401
Finalist and winner

According to legend, Revell's submission was added to the finalists by Eero Saarinen, who arrived late for the judging, and rummaged through designs already discarded. Eventually, he persuaded the entire judging complement that this was the winner. The iconic Toronto City Hall was born.

The winning entry took seven years to build, and opened in September 1965 to both fanfare and controversy. It has since become a symbol of the city of Toronto, recognized and celebrated around the world. Mr. Revell died of a heart attack in 1964 at the age of 54. He had supervised the construction, but did not live to see its completion.

Viljo Revell in the Toronto Public Library