Established in 1874, St. Thomas's Anglican Church was one of Canada’s earliest Anglo-Catholic parishes, known for its liturgical and musical traditions. The congregation moved into the present building in 1893. Architectural highlights include the hammerbeam roof, the stunning reredos with its hand-carved statues, the octagonal First World War baptistery and the magnificent stained-glass windows by England’s Bromsgrove Guild.

St. Thomas’ Anglican Church has been a St. Catharines landmark since 1879. Designed by noted Buffalo architect, Milton Earle Beebe, this Richardson Romanesque church is notable for its magnificent turrets and elaborate stained-glass windows. The church is also known for its long-standing daycare centre and Annual Civic Carol Concert, which showcases the wonderful acoustics under its expansive domed roof.

This unique marketplace has taken unused land in the heart of downtown Toronto and transformed it into a culture and community hub, providing Torontonians with a new space to gather and discover — supporting liveability and vibrancy. Made entirely out of shipping containers, stackt is a sustainable, modular space that is easily erected and dismantled with minimal intervention on the land.

Learn about this brewery in the historical John Street Roundhouse. During regular 30-minute tours, guides will share the railway history and unique features of this building, followed by its current use as a brewery. The Roundhouse is one of the best examples of preserved railway roundhouses; it has been skilfully restored. Walk on the catwalk and view the turntable outside. (Photo: Neil Zeller)

This mental health charity turns an outdated candy factory into a modern, welcoming facility for teens and young adults to access mental health services. Understanding how the built environment influences health and well-being, the architect’s young design team worked directly with participants, counsellors and staff. Explore this site and see what architectural elements have been retained from the original structure. (Photo: Stantec)

Stratford City Hall, built in 1899, is a National Historic Site in the heart of downtown. This red-brick Victorian landmark, with its iconic clock tower, ornate detailing and auditorium, showcases the city’s rich history. Doors Open visitors can explore the auditorium and council chambers, and discover the stories behind the building’s past and its role in the community.

This museum comprises a buff brick house and extension, woodlots and trails. The home was built for early settler Thomas Holliday, who raised 10 children here with his wife, Mary. The property was sold in 1946 to Wesley Thurston, who developed an equine operation. The museum's collection of 35,000-plus artifacts now sits on the footprint of the Thurston horse barn.

The Stratford Public Library, built in 1903 with a $15,000 Andrew Carnegie donation, opened quietly after heated debate over accepting Carnegie’s funds. Originally featuring a grand north entrance and lower-floor custodian quarters, the library expanded in 1925-26, moving the entrance east. Today, its historical architecture reflects a century of evolving library service, from restricted stacks to vibrant community spaces.

Take a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Collections Room and Conservation Labs at the Stratford-Perth Archives. Inspired by the architecture of the Perth County Courthouse and Registry Office, this 2015 building was purpose-built to preserve photographs, maps and other documents illuminating rich local history. If you can only make a quick visit, check out the Treasures Old and New exhibit.

Visit Toronto’s first emergency women's shelter and discover a rare intersection of architecture, social history and women's advocacy. This heritage home was purchased/donated by Street Haven's founder and has served women in crisis for 60-plus years. Much of the original architecture remains intact, allowing visitors to experience the building as it once was and as it continues to function today.

This is Street Health’s 40th anniversary of providing services for individuals who are homeless or lacking secure housing. During Doors Open, visit the renovated coach house, which serves as an overdose prevention site, providing a community space to promote harm reduction and help prevent overdose deaths. Come interact with staff and gain insight into their health-care and advocacy services.

Visitors are invited to explore this architectural and spiritual treasure, built in the 1940s by a devoted Ukrainian community. Designed by priest-architect Philip Ruh, the church blends Ukrainian Greek Catholic tradition with rich ornamental design. Inside, icons by Igor Suhacev add colour and meaning. Designated a heritage site in 1997, it stands as a testament to faith and cultural identity.

Come and visit the offices of Taylor Hazell Architects. This 1919 art deco building, located in the West Toronto Junction neighbourhood, was purchased by the architecture firm in 2021 and adapted for their practice. The ground and lower floor of the office will be open for lectures and demonstrations by senior staff over the course of the Doors Open weekend.

The Textile Museum of Canada is the only museum in the country dedicated to exploring the human experience through textiles. Originally located in Mirvish Village, it moved to its permanent location in 1989. Highlights include a brand-new Collection Gallery (featuring a selection from the 15,000-object collection), the Textile Learning Hub and Reuse Program, and the Gift Shop. (Photo: Darren Rigo)

This charity and Toronto agency is dedicated to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. The original Edwardian-inspired building underwent major refurbishment and expansion in 2010. Local advocacy and serving the public is central to this organization, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Enhanced programming and guided tours will be provided by staff, volunteers and board members.

For over 50 years, the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air of Liberty Village. The Canada Bread Company baked and packaged bread and bread products here until 2012 when the building was decommissioned. Today, after being retrofitted, over 500 people work in this building complex. As a salute to its past, it was renamed The Bakery.

Believed to have been built in 1812 to house soldiers, The Barracks Inn building has been a drugstore, a body shop and a tool and die shop over the years. The original building burned down and was replaced by a solid stone structure. Now a luxury boutique hotel, the building has been remodelled and delightfully restored.

The Corleck, the new home of the Canada Ireland Foundation, is a contemporary arts and culture space on Toronto’s waterfront. Highlights of this restored building include its performance space, heritage brickwork and patio with views to the Islands and Toronto skyline. Visitors can also explore the adjacent Ireland Park, a space dedicated to Irish Famine commemoration.

The Ismaili Centre, Toronto, is a place of congregation (Jamatkhana) and a community centre, serving as a symbolic marker of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in Canada. During Doors Open, explore the Centre’s stunning architecture and enjoy a guided tour — including the prayer hall with its crystalline dome. (No tripods allowed.)

The Westdale was built in 1935 as Hamilton's first cinema equipped to show “talkies” — motion pictures with sound. It is the centerpiece of Westdale Village. In 2016, a group of arts and culture-minded Hamiltonians decided to save it from developers. Today, The Westdale has been beautifully restored into a stunning art deco, single-screen theatre and multidisciplinary performance space.

This 1902 site is now home to one of Canada's oldest alternative theatre companies: Theatre Passe Muraille. Designated in 1974, the building was transformed into an arts space that holds two theatres. Passe Muraille has a history of mentoring and offering affordable space to much of Toronto’s independent performing arts community. It is known for its work in fostering access/inclusivity.

For 35 years, Theatre Tillsonburg has delivered unforgettable live theatre experiences. Based at the Otter Valley Playhouse, this vibrant community theatre presents three productions each season, along with workshops, camps and special projects year-round. Whether you enjoy watching, learning or performing, Theatre Tillsonburg welcomes you to experience the magic of live theatre.

The Theatrix Costume House is located behind an Edwardian gable front beside the fabric district on Ottawa Street. Theatrix has one of the largest collections of costumes available in North America, with over 50,000 professional-quality costumes and accessories from every century. During Doors Open, they are thrilled to showcase music-inspired costumes. The team will be delighted to dress up, too!

The capital region’s only therapeutic riding facility accredited by the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association provides therapeutic riding lessons and equine-assisted programming for children and adults with physical, developmental and learning disabilities. Situated on over 8 hectares (20 acres) of pasture and trails, this fully accessible facility includes an indoor and outdoor arena, box stalls and a classroom for additional programming.

This studio features the work of Ale Groen, whose practice explores themes of identity and objecthood. Across multiple series, Groen examines the tension between knowledge and the unknown, drawing parallels between the act of understanding and the act of creation. Visitors can expect an engaging selection of sculptures and paintings of various sizes.