Grant Hall, Kingston

Grant Hall, completed in 1905, stands as the most recognizable landmark on the campus of Queen’s University in Kingston. Located on University Avenue just north of Bader Lane, this limestone-clad building is crowned with a Romanesque-style clock tower and stained-glass windows-a visual anchor of Queen’s identity and spirit.

Named after Principal George Monro Grant, the hall honors his legacy and the admiration of Queen’s students. Originally planned as Frontenac Hall, the project lost county support in 1901, likely due to Grant’s anti-prohibition stance. Students raised the $35,000 needed, many despite financial hardship. Grant died before its completion, and the building was named for him posthumously.

Designed by the Toronto-based firm Symons and Rae, who also worked on Kingston and Ontario Halls, Grant Hall embodies the Victorian Romanesque style. The original clock mechanism was the work of Queen’s professor Nathan Dupuis and his colleague James Connell. Though charming, the clock proved unreliable and was replaced in 1993 by an electric version-again funded by students, this time in celebration of the Faculty of Engineering's centenary.

With a seating capacity of 900, Grant Hall has long served as the ceremonial heart of the university. From convocation ceremonies and concerts to public lectures and exams, its role is largely symbolic and celebratory rather than academic. During World War I, the hall functioned as a military hospital, and in World War II, it was repurposed as an entertainment and meal center for troops.

Today, Grant Hall continues to represent Queen’s enduring traditions, student dedication, and the powerful legacy of George Monro Grant.