Toronto’s Famous Film Location Observatory Is Now Open to the Public!

Built by the University of Toronto in 1935, it once housed the second-largest telescope in the world—and it’s still the largest in Canada today! 🔭🇨🇦 Over the years, this 74-inch reflecting telescope played a central role in Canadian astronomy throughout the mid-20th century. U of T educated countless astronomy professionals right here under this very dome. However, as the city expanded, growing light pollution in the Toronto area gradually made observations more difficult. By the 2000s, its scientific value had declined, and in 2007, the university officially ended research operations here. Now managed by the City of Richmond Hill, the observatory is proudly designated as an Ontario Heritage Site. 🏛️🍁 🎥 It was also a filming location for the 2013–2015 TV series Hannibal! I took a peek—it’s pretty bloody 😳… compared to that, Squid Game feels like a cartoon for kids 😂 You can spot the observatory in: Season 1, Episodes 6 & 11 Season 2, Episode 5 The production team needed a remote, abandoned location with a Gothic vibe—and this observatory was absolutely perfect. (These days, the houses around here are worth a fortune 💰… Right after we left, we saw someone washing a purple Lamborghini in their driveway with the garage wide open! 🚗💜) 🏠 David Dunlap Observatory Have you visited this iconic spot? Or recognized it in Hannibal? Share your thoughts below! 👇 Tag a friend who loves unique architecture and movie locations! 🎥❤️ #SkyCity #UniqueArchitecture #UnusualBuildings #ArchitecturalAesthetics #ArtStructures #FilmLocations #TorontoHistory #Observatory #UrbanExploration #HiddenGems