Doors Open Toronto 2015

One of my favourite events of the year, Doors Open Toronto was held this past weekend. Over 150 buildings around the city opened their doors to the public, a chance to see inside places otherwise off limits.

I managed to catch a dozen locations this year over Saturday and Sunday.

Doors Open Toronto 2015 – Saturday

I joined the Doors Open instameet held by @6ixwalks to check out some great downtown spots included in the event.

Toronto City Hall

Great views through dirty windows…too bad they didn’t give ’em a shine before they invited company over : /

The Observation Deck on the 27th Floor, the taller curved building in the City Hall complex.

The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

A high rise research laboratory at 686 Bay Street.

The $450,000,000 building was designed by Diamond & Schmitt Architects and opened in 2013.

Doors Open provided a perfect opportunity to inside those beautiful curves!

Doors Open provided a perfect opportuinty to inside those beautiful curves!

Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

The last double-decker Edwardian theatre facility in the world at 189 Yonge Street.

Website: The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre

The beautiful floral ceiling at the Winter Garden Theatre, designed to a garden in bloom.

Commerce Court North

Website: Commerce Court

A gem of the city, completed in 1931, a marvel of its time, and still so today.

The Design Exchange

Website: Design Exchange

The original location of the Toronto Stock Exchange, now a centre for design at 234 Bay Street.

The winners of a high school design contest on display. Clearly the theme was Sponge Bob Square Pants. So fun!

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto

Contemporary interpretation of the longhouse, a traditional lodge of the local First Nation people, inside 30 College Street

MaRS Discovery District

Now called MaRS, this location has been part of important scientific discoveries in Toronto for over a century, including insulin and heparin.

Website:MaRS Discovery District

The glass atrium at this science and technology research centre.

Doors Open Toronto 2015 – Sunday

On my own on this day, covering some locations a bit further afield, starting with the spectacular Aga Khan Museum in North Toronto.

The Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre Toronto

The Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre are both located on Wynford Drive and can be seen prominently along the Don Valley Parkway

Both buildings, on the same complex, are packed with gorgeous details all giving a nod to Islamic design and geometric pattern.

A beautiful recent addition to Toronto, designed by Fumihiko Maki

The Aga Khan Museum

Website: Aga Khan Museum

Ismaili Centre

Website: Ismaili Centre

Amsterdam Brewery

I remember the original Amsterdam Brewery inside the restaurant on John Street back in the early ’90s. The brewery has come a long way since then.

Website: Amsterdam Brewery

Amsterdam Brewery at 45 Esandar Drive in Leaside

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park

It hadn’t occurred to me that this would be a place for kids until I opened the door and heard what seemed like 10,000 gleeful little voices!

Website: Sky Zone

Doors Open fun for the kids at 45 Esandar Drive, Suite: 1A, right next to the Amsterdam Brewery

High Level Pumping Station

This is the oldest water pumping facility in Toronto, sending water up to higher ground.

Turn of the century water pumping facility in Rathnelly at 35 Poplar Plains Road.

The Masonic Temple

The Masonic Temple has been used for a lot of purposes over the years. Currently, the building is the home of Info Tech, a reasearch and technology company. It made me think of HBO’s Silicon Valley – a a very “Hooli” kinda vibe with its funky grafittied walls, golf-simulator and gym facilities.

Website: InfoTech 888 Yonge

Theatre and Offices at Davenport & Yonge

My only disappointment is that the event isn’t longer so I could see more. There’s just not enough time to see them all.

Oh well, there’s always next year.

🙂 SD