401 Richmond is a heritage-designated industrial building turned arts-and-culture hub. The building was originally constructed in several phases between 1899 and 1923 for the Macdonald Manufacturing Company. It operated as a tin factory, best known for its lithographic work. That artistic lineage is still seen today with a community of nearly 150 artists, cultural producers, non-profits and micro-enterprises. (Photo: Vik Pahwa)

Constructed in 1912 for the Consumers Gas Corporation, this site welcomes visitors during Doors Open to learn about the activities and services that the city’s Transportation Division provides. Go behind the yard doors to explore traffic signs, road maintenance equipment and the salt storage area. Or see and learn about various service vehicles – including street sweepers, flushers and more.

Toronto’s Aga Khan Museum was established and developed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the contribution made by Muslim civilizations to world heritage. Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, see how cultures connect with one another. During Doors Open, enjoy special tours, activities and performances throughout the museum and its adjacent park.

Akin Davisville is a workspace for more than 60 artists — including painters, ceramicists, photographers, writers, textile artists and more. The building comprises three floors, which are divided into individual studio spaces and shared co-working areas. Opened in January 2024, this is one of many locations managed by Akin — a Toronto-based, artist-run community organization providing studio space throughout the city.

All Ours Studios has converted a stand-alone warehouse and retrofitted eight shipping containers to host private art-production spaces and shared community space. Each container features a full glass façade that is insulated, drywalled and powered to be warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. The site also has a communal tool-use workshop, gardens, courtyards and test-out mural walls.

The Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory is located on York University's Keele Campus. It originally opened in 1969. The observatory owns two telescopes housed in separate domes: a 60-centimetre (24-inch) Cassegrain reflector and a one-metre (39-inch) custom-built telescope — the largest at a university in Canada. Come and discover the research that happens here and learn about being an astronomer.

Alliance Française was founded in Paris, France, in 1883 by Louis Pasteur, Ferdinand de Lesseps and Jules Verne. It was established in Toronto in 1902. Alliance Française Toronto embodies the modern values of humanism with a respect for linguistic and cultural diversity. Now the largest French-language school in Canada, it offers many classes and presents over 100 events a year.

This is the birthplace of James Shaver Woodsworth, one of the founders of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. A Member of Parliament during Mackenzie King’s term, Woodsworth was instrumental in enacting old-age pensions and unemployment insurance. The house was rescued from demolition in 1980 and moved to its current location. Today, it is largely used for weddings, special events and filming.

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.

The Archives of Ontario is the largest provincial archives in Canada, with a vast collection that includes paper items, photographs, maps, architectural drawings and audio, video and film recordings. Located at York University's Keele Campus, this purpose-built facility includes a reading room with digital microfilm readers, audio and video booths, digitization and conservation labs, an exhibit gallery and a classroom.

Canada’s second-oldest rowing club is also the birthplace of the Toronto Argonauts football team. Located along the waterfront trail’s western shores, the club offers programs to fit different needs, abilities and interests. Take a tour of the facility, explore the Trophy Room, enjoy a coffee in the Henley Room, and see some of the best views of Lake Ontario.

The Assembly Hall is a cultural community hub and rental facility. Built in 1898 as part of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital, it was redesigned in 2001 to meet a variety of cultural and community needs, while still preserving its historical charm. Today, it is a performance venue with community rooms for art classes, meetings, workshops and rehearsals.

Atelier Akb exemplifies urban revitalization, transforming a former 1980s mechanic's shop into a creative award-winning workspace. Completed in 2024, their renovation includes an all-white interior, resurfaced concrete floors and exposed ceiling trusses. Abundant daylight fosters a sense of tranquility. The atelier is part of an enclave of repurposed industrial buildings now housing art galleries, design studios and a food retailer. (Photo: Felix Michaud)

The Bata Shoe Museum is North America's only museum dedicated to exploring the history and cultural significance of footwear, housed in Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama's award-winning five-floor structure. The idea of the museum as a container came from the array of shoe boxes that house the rare and priceless artifacts, protecting them from light, moisture and dust.

This multi-purpose building has historical and cultural importance in Toronto’s East End. The main hall of this renovated church is where everything happens — including services, weddings, funerals and many social events. It's even an art gallery and industrial kitchen. It has become green with the installation of solar panels, electric vehicle chargers, LED lighting and a pollinator garden.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, owned and operated by PortsToronto, is a world-class, award-winning airport. Located on Toronto Island, it offers service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the United States. Doors Open visitors can explore the underwater pedestrian tunnel, the electric ferry, interactive exhibits and a rare chance to get up close with the airport’s safety vehicles.

A self-guided tour of this office will introduce visitors to projects that represent the diversity of Brook McIlroy’s work. More than just an architecture firm, their interdisciplinary team tackles social and infrastructural challenges — from the perspective of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, planning, art and more. Staff will be on hand from all of those disciplines to answer questions.

Campbell House — built for William Campbell, the sixth Chief Justice of Upper Canada — is the oldest surviving building from the Town of York. Fifty years ago, it was rescued from demolition and moved to its current location, where it continues to operate as a museum. This vibrant public space inspires and educates visitors through its history and collections.

Windfields Estate was the principal residence of E.P. Taylor (1901-89). The family bequeathed the property to the municipality in 1987. Toronto filmmaker Norman Jewison (1926-2024), founder of the Canadian Film Centre, made the estate the Centre’s permanent home. Since 1988, they have delivered advanced training in film, television and screen acting to more than 2,000 creators from across Canada.

The Canoe Landing Community Recreation Centre is a new, state-of-the-art recreation facility that opened in June 2020. It is a beautiful, universally accessible site with great views inside and out. Through consultations, the community had a big say in what they wanted to see featured in the building. Today, it is the place to be.

St. James Cathedral is both a parish church ministering to the historical St. Lawrence neighbourhood and a cathedral. It is the spiritual centre of the diocese and a focal point for Toronto’s civic life. Known for its towering spire and the distinctive ring of its bells, it opened for services in 1853 after fire destroyed the previous building.

Originally called Uplands, this was the summer home of the Cummings family. In addition to the main house are various cottages, now the Carriage House Studios. In 1927, the house was purchased by John Fraser, a Toronto financier, who enhanced the gardens. In 1978, the property was acquired by the City. It has operated as an arts centre/gallery since.

Established in 1981, Charles Street Video is one of the oldest non-profit production organizations supporting media artists. They host exhibitions, film screenings, installations and more, while providing affordable access to equipment and post-production editing facilities to film and media artists. During Doors Open, witness demonstrations of state-of-the-art camera and lighting equipment.

In 2016, St. Simon-the-Apostle and St. Peter’s Carlton Street amalgamated to form this new parish. Both churches have long histories of service in the city. The building itself is a graceful Jacobean arts and crafts-style building, dating from 1880. Some parts of it were designed by William Symonds and others by Eden Smith. Its various stained-glass windows are simply stunning.

This is one of Toronto’s oldest Anglican churches. Built to serve Irish immigrants, it has a long history of helping people on the margins of society. Following a 1977 fire, parishioners created a striking new ceiling and installed contemporary stained-glass windows on the south wall. The Toronto Homeless Memorial and a public labyrinth can be found outside on Trinity Square.