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Doors Open Toronto
May 2002/03

The fourth annual Doors Open Toronto. This year we visited eighteen buildings over two exhausting days. We have the sore feet to prove it.

We also walked by the new Dundas Square. It's supposed to be a public space, though not necessarily an aesthetic one. A concrete jungle, surrounded by giant billboards and screens represents nothing but a cheap knockoff of NYC's Times Square. Imitation is flattering, but originality is more daring, and ultimately, more rewarding. Read critiques by NOW (5.29.03) and eye (06.12.03) magazines.

Alumnae Theatre: I love old fire halls.
Arts & Letters Club of Toronto: Historic home of the Group of Seven painters. Popular building with long, but very informative tour.
Beaty and Armstrong Building 1830: Worthy for the Contact Photo programme.
Berkeley Castle: No actual castle, but nice architecture and courtyard.
Canada Permanent Building: High-tech boardroom, with beautiful ceiling and support columns preserved here.
Canadian Broadcasting Centre: We couldn't see the anchor desk, but the studios were cool. Half hour wait.
Canadian Opera Company: For enthusiasts only.
Carlu @ College Park: Former department store, now an elegantly restored event hall. Half hour wait.
Courthouse Market Grille: A gem! Nice restaurant, but better still, were the old jail cells in the basement.
Design Exchange: Former home of the TSE.
Distillery Historic District: I really love this place. Since opening last summer, more tenants have arrived, including a brewery. Stayed for the new Distillery Jazz Festival and heard two solid acts.
Dominion Modern Museum of Modern Architecture & Design: So modern! Photos of architect's work on display.
Gooderham Flatiron Building: Disappointing. Nice lobby, but if we can't see the street from either end, what's the point? Short wait.
Le Royal Meridien King Edward: More disappointment. Half hour wait for top-floor view of city. The Canada Life Building's view was much better.
Rosewater Supper Club: Very elegant. Very exclusive.
Sesquicentennial Museum & Archives/Old Administration Building: Fun for teachers. Smart antique desk.
St. Lawrence Hall: More reason to visit the Old Town.
The Roundhouse, Steam Whistle Brewing: My favourite stop. Free beer samples, popcorn, a short tour and train museum make this special every year.