Built in 1911 for the annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the building has been used since 1993 as the Toronto location of the Medieval Times chain of dinner theatres.

The building became the host of the "Arts, Crafts & Hobbies" exhibit at the CNE.

During World War I, the building was used as barracks for Canadian soldiers.

In 1959, the Government Building was used for town hall meetings on the planned Bloor-Danforth Toronto Transit Commission subway project.

In the 1990s, Metro Toronto sought to increase revenues from Exhibition Place during a time of government downloading.