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Toronto\u2019s built environment will once again open wide its doors to the public this spring, as Doors Open Toronto returns on May 23 and 24, 2026, with free access to more than 160 sites across the city. Inviting residents and visitors to explore the people, places, and stories that shape Toronto\u2019s identity as a global mosaic, the annual event spans civic buildings, cultural institutions, and heritage sites. Alongside open houses, the program includes talks, guided neighbourhood tours, and activities centred at City Hall, offering multiple ways to engage with the city\u2019s architecture and public spaces.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Here is a look at just three of the more than 160 sites to explore during this year\u2019s event:<\/p>\n
St Lawrence Market North<\/strong><\/p>\n A newly completed addition to Toronto\u2019s historic market district, St Lawrence Market North at 92 Front Street East, will be among the featured civic buildings open to the public this year. Completed in 2025, the modern structure updates a tradition that dates back to 1803 with this block as the home of the Saturday Farmers\u2019 Market. Added to the site are a mix of contemporary uses, including Toronto Court Services, an event space, a future caf\u00e9, and a multi-level parking garage. During Doors Open, as well as the active market floor that is open every Saturday, visitors can a look at how the project balances heritage continuity with a new civic presence by exploring the Ceremonial Court Room and taking in views from the building\u2019s upper levels. The site will be open from 10 AM to 5 PM on both days, with last entry at 4:30 PM.<\/p>\n Steam Whistle Brewing<\/strong><\/p>\n Set within one of Toronto\u2019s most recognizable pieces of industrial heritage, Steam Whistle Brewing at 255 Bremner Boulevard will offer visitors access to parts of the John Street Roundhouse Z\u2014 a 1929-built railway structure that has been carefully preserved and repurposed \u2014 that are normally off limits. Originally designed as a steam locomotive repair facility, the roundhouse remains one of the best surviving examples of its kind in North America, defined by its radial form and central turntable. During Doors Open, guided 30-minute tours running throughout both days will walk visitors through the building\u2019s railway history, heritage designation, and its current role as a brewing and hospitality venue. Guests can also access elevated catwalks to appreciate the scale of the interior and its relationship to the surrounding rail corridor, before continuing their visit in the Tap Room, restaurant, or adjacent Roundhouse Park. Tours run from 12 PM to 4:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n Waterworks Building<\/strong><\/p>\n On the west side of Downtown Toronto, the Waterworks Building at 50 Brant Street offers a layered look at the evolution of civic infrastructure through adaptive reuse. The site traces its origins to an 1873 Renaissance Revival market building that once housed St Andrew\u2019s Market, later giving way to a 1932 facility designed by City Architect JJ Woolnough to support municipal waterworks operations. After decades of industrial use and eventual decommissioning in 2013, the property has been transformed into a mixed-use complex incorporating a food hall, YMCA, residential development, and public space. During Doors Open, visitors can join a guided tour offered once daily at 2 PM, highlighting historical artifacts and the building\u2019s redevelopment, or explore independently using informational materials available on site. The venue will be open from 11:30 AM to 5 PM on both days.<\/p>\n There are many highlights beyond these three sites; Toronto City Hall will once again serve as the event\u2019s central hub, offering indoor and outdoor programming for all ages, while a series of talks and guided neighbourhood tours many of which require reservations will further expand the program, exploring how architecture, art, and public space shape the city.\u00a0<\/p>\n An interactive map on the City\u2019s website can help visitors plan their routes across the more than 160 participating sites, with hours and access details varying by location. You can learn more about the full program through the official\u00a0Doors Open website<\/a>, and share your experience on the dedicated UrbanToronto\u00a0Forum thread<\/a>.<\/p>\n UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about them from our Database files, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversations in the associated Project Forum threads or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.<\/p>\n * * *<\/p>\n UrbanToronto’s research and data service,\u00a0UTPro<\/a>, provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe\u2014from proposal through to completion. Other services include\u00a0Instant Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.\u200b<\/p>\n