   nathan phillips square is an urban plaza in toronto, canada. it forms the forecourt to toronto city hall, or new city hall, at the intersection of queen street west and bay street, and is named for nathan phillips, mayor of toronto from 1955 to 1962. the square was designed by the city hall's architect viljo revell and opened in 1965. the square is the site of concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers' market, the winter festival of lights, and other public events, including demonstrations. during the winter months, the reflecting pool is converted into a ice rink for ice skating. the square attracts an estimated 1.5 million visitors yearly. thumb|nathan phillips square as taken from the sheraton centre toronto hotel ==history==  the area currently occupied by the square was part of the ward and was a major immigrant reception area during the first half of the twentieth century characterized by poverty during the late 1800s and early 1900s, with black families settling on the site followed by the large wave of jewish immigrants from eastern europe during this period.{{citation |title=local chinese history at the city of toronto archives|pu
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