Almost every May for the past some 25 years, the City of Toronto has opened its doors to the public for one fun-filled weekend, allowing curious minds to explore the remarkable spaces the city has to offer. The idea is to provide “rare access to buildings not typically open to the public and free entry to sites that usually charge admission,” says the City’s press release.
The theme for Doors Open Toronto 2025 (which will be held on May 24th and 25th) is “Play,” meaning city-wide walking tours, special programming, and included buildings will be centred around celebrating “the joyful, imaginative, and sometimes serious ways we come together through sports, music, games, performance, and more.”
This year, participants will have access to over 150 sites — from arts and culture institutions to historic landmarks to iconic Toronto experiences and businesses.
New additions to the list include Ubisoft Toronto, Spin Master Headquarters, St. Lawrence Market North, the YZD Experience Centre, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, the historic Thornton-Smith Building, MaRS Discovery District, and OCAD University. Plus, some old favourites like Old City Hall and the historic Don Jail at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital are returning to Doors Open Toronto for the first time since 2019.
On top of the locations included in the event, there will also be a series of ‘Doors Open Talks’ including “Ready Player One: A Dive into Toronto’s Video Game Industry” and “Indigenous Storytelling Workshops with John Keeshig Mayawaasige.”
Being the building connoisseurs we are, STOREYS has compiled a list of some of the coolest buildings we think are worth exploring on the Doors Open list, ordered geographically from east to west.
YZD – Experience Centre
City of Toronto
Address: 34 Hanover Road
Doors Open Description: “The Experience Centre provides an immersive experience that invites the public to explore the vision for YZD — a historical $30-billion transformation of the former Downsview Airport lands. The centre also provides visitors with an overview of this generational city-building opportunity, which includes seven new neighbourhoods. It looks to welcome more than 55,000 residents and create employment for 23,000 people.”
Scadding Cabin
City of Toronto
Address: 3 Alberta Circle
Doors Open Description: “Scadding Cabin, Toronto’s oldest surviving building, was built for John Scadding, John Graves Simcoe’s assistant. This one-room house was acquired by the York Pioneers in 1879 and rebuilt on its present site in time for the inauguration of the Toronto Industrial Exhibition (now the Canadian National Exhibition). This is recognized as the earliest act of architectural preservation in Toronto.”
The Bentway
City of Toronto
Address: 250 Fort York Boulevard
Doors Open Description: “Anchored under Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, The Bentway is a growing public space — and so much more. Developed through partnerships with the City of Toronto, residents, supporters, artists, city-builders and dreamers, it shows how we can re-imagine the opportunities of urban spaces. During Doors Open, explore the site and the many exhibits and installations that bring The Bentway to life.”
Daniels Building
City of Toronto
Address: 1 Spadina Crescent
Doors OpenDescription: “Originally home to Knox College, this building later served as a military hospital and laboratory. It is now the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. To create the faculty’s new home, the restored historical building has been blended with a contemporary addition that continues to delight visitors. During Doors Open, take a self-guided tour.”
City of Toronto Archives
City of Toronto
Address: 255 Spadina Road
Doors OpenDescription: “Formally opened on January 22, 1992, the City of Toronto Archives building was designed by Zeidler Roberts Partnership to be a safe, secure and efficient archives space, as well as an inviting research facility. The 11,000-square-foot Records Centre houses 130,000 boxes of records. The building also features a public research hall used by researchers from around the world, conservation and digitization labs and changing exhibitions highlighting Toronto’s rich history.”
architects-Alliance, The Commodore Building
City of Toronto
Address: 317 Adelaide Street West, Floor 2
Doors Open Description: “The home of architects-Alliance, located in the art deco Commodore Building, stands at the heart of the King and Spadina precinct. Since 1999, they have witnessed the neighbourhood’s transformation from being the hub of the garment industry to the home of many clubs and condos. See how Toronto has changed around them, and how they have helped facilitate that change.”
Spin Master Headquarters at Metro Hall
City of Toronto
Address: #200, 225 King Street West
Doors Open Description: “Located inside Metro Hall, Spin Master boasts a colourful and welcoming reception area, anchored by a video wall that introduces you to this children’s entertainment company — showcasing some of its hits, from PAW Patrol to Unicorn Academy. Visitors can explore artifacts, get their hands in “kinetic sand” and visit the Playground Café with a mural that features the word “PLAY.”
Gensler
City of Toronto
Address: 150 King Street West, Suite 1400
Doors Open Description: “Located in the bustling Financial District of downtown Toronto, Gensler challenges conventional ideas about architecture and the built environment, reimagining cities and places that make a difference in people’s lives. During Doors Open, visitors can see the new Pinterest office, the façade design of the Holt Renfrew flagship store, BMO Field’s upgrades for FIFA World Cup 2026, and more.”
MaRS Discovery District
City of Toronto
Address: #130, 101 College Street
Doors Open Description: “This is a space where tech and innovation communities come together to develop game-changing health-care solutions. The Centre comprises four distinct laboratory buildings — the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower (operated by the University Health Network), Heritage Building (revitalized office/event space on the site of the former Toronto General Hospital), the South Tower (emerging companies) and the West Tower (established companies).”
Doors Open City Hall Hub
City of Toronto
Address: 100 Queen Street West
Doors Open Description: “Enjoy playful family-friendly activities andbehind-the-scenes access to City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. Take in the inspiring views from the rarely open 27th floor Observation Deck and find out how municipal government works. All visitors to City Hall must go through a security screening, which includes a walk-through metal detector. Pack light for speed of entry. Objects that could compromise safety and security are prohibited.”
Redpath Sugar
City of Toronto
Address: 95 Queens Quay East
Doors Open Description: “Redpath Sugar began in Canada in 1854 and has been operating in Toronto since 1959. As one of the last industrial establishments in the Toronto Harbour, Redpath remains a vital part of the community. Explore the site, engage with employees, interact with historical artifacts and enjoy a treat or two along the way. Entrance will be through the Centre Gate.”
Toronto-Dominion Centre
City of Toronto
Address: Wellington Street West
Doors Open Description: “The iconic Toronto-Dominion Centre is the vision of two Canadian corporations who collaborated to change the face of Toronto’s Financial District. An outstanding model of the international style of architecture, the TD Bank tower opened in 1967 and changed the future of Canadian business, introducing the modern workplace to a business community eager to step up and compete internationally.”
Old City Hall
City of Toronto
Address: 60 Queen Street West
Doors Open Description: “The imposing Old City Hall was Toronto’s third city hall. The lobby features one of the city’s few secular stained-glass windows. Original gargoyles were replaced in 2002 with replicas. And, in 1925, a cenotaph was erected outside to honour Torontonians who died in the First World War (later updated for veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War).”
Metropolitan United Church
City of Toronto
Address: 56 Queen Street East
Doors Open Description: “Catch a lawn recital of the Met’s 54-bell carillon before entering this church. Take in the rich woodwork, enjoy a guided tour, explore a visual history display and watch pipe organ demonstrations. You can even take a bell tower tour to get up close. For Doors Open, experience a special presentation of Norval Morrisseau’s “Family of the Spiritual Journey.”
Toronto’s First Post Office
City of Toronto
Address: 260 Adelaide Street East
Doors Open Description: “Welcome to Toronto’s First Post Office! Operated by the Town of York Historical Society, this National Historic Site is a museum and an authorized full-service dealer for Canada Post. The museum tells the story of the Town of York and the early Canadian postal system. Visitors can try their hand with a quill pen and ink, and explore the museum exhibits.”
Evergreen Brickworks
City of Toronto
Address: 300-550 Bayview Avenue
Doors Open Description: “This Toronto landmark is a dominant feature in the Don Valley. From 1889 to 1989, this site was an operating brick works. Since 1992, Evergreen has developed and adapted the 16 historically significant buildings to meet the needs of the community. The site is expected to be busy, so arrive early. Or take the free shuttle bus from Broadview Station.”
Old Don Jail
City of Toronto
Address: 550 Gerrard Street East
Doors Open Description: “The Old Don Jail served as a prison for 113 years, closing in 1977. After years of stagnation, the property was purchased by Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital as part of its new campus. The modern hospital, with its 150-year history in Toronto’s Riverdale community, is connected by a glass bridge to the historical jail, which now serves as its administrative building.”
R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant
City of Toronto
Address: 2701 Queen Street East
Doors Open Description: “Constructed in the 1930s, this popular Doors Open site is Toronto’s largest water treatment plant, providing 400 million litres of safe drinking water daily. It’s also the largest ensemble of art deco structures in the city. Take a self-guided tour and explore the pump house and filter building, with staff available to answer questions along the way.”