Doors Open 2006 Toronto s Architectural Festival Sure Has Become Popular....
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Doors Open 2006: Toronto’s Architectural Festival Thrives
Summary:
Toronto’s Doors Open festival continues to captivate architecture enthusiasts, granting free access to architecturally or culturally significant buildings typically closed to the public. Since its inception in 2000, the festival has grown significantly, with over 140 locations participating this year, ranging from historical landmarks to modern green buildings.Article Body:
By the eager line-ups on Toronto’s streets, it’s clear that Doors Open, the city’s free architecture festival, is a hit. Since 2000, this annual event has provided free access to important buildings usually off-limits to the public. This year, more than 140 sites were showcased, featuring structures from the War of 1812, the Victorian era, and early 20th-century skyscrapers, along with modern green buildings.An architecture enthusiast myself, I set out at 10 AM with my friend Shauna. Our first stop was One King West, the former Dominion Bank Building from 1914, now a hotel and condo development. Even at 11 AM, we waited about half an hour to get in. Highlights included a stunning Art Nouveau staircase and the former Banking Hall, now part of the Dominion Club, noted for its gold-leaf stenciling, 30-foot ceilings, and marble pillars.
We explored the original bank vault, featuring a 4-foot-thick door that weighs 40 tonnes yet moves with a finger. This massive door, transported in 1913 by 18 horses, left quite an impression. Today, the vault is empty, but future plans will transform it into private dining facilities.
Nearby, we visited Commerce Court North. Originally the Canadian Bank of Commerce Building, this 34-story Art Deco tower opened in 1931 and was the tallest in the British Commonwealth until 1962. Its banking hall boasts a grand ornamental ceiling and oversized chandeliers. Up until Commerce Court West was built, its 32nd floor was an observatory. The vault here is enormous, weighing in at 52 tons, though now unused.
Shifting focus, we visited 401 Richmond Street West, a revitalized industrial building once home to the Macdonald Manufacturing Company. Saved from disrepair by Margie Zeidler, the building retains its original charm, from brickwork to tin sheet ceilings. The courtyard adds light and plant life to the space.
Our tour proceeded to the rooftop sanctuary, created by Mike Moody, featuring vibrant flora against Toronto’s skyline. And we saw window restoration firsthand?"painstakingly restored wooden windows, a testament to preserving architectural heritage.
401 Richmond now hosts around 150 tenants from arts and social enterprises, with rents kept below market rates to support small businesses.
Our next stop was the Anshei Minsk Synagogue at 10 St. Andrews Street, opened in 1930 amidst a once-Jewish neighborhood. Rabbi Shmuel Spero shared insights into Toronto’s Jewish history and the evolving Kensington area. The synagogue retains its original Eastern European charm, complete with stained glass windows and ornate chandeliers.
Finally, we visited the Gladstone Hotel, a historic site revamped by Christina Zeidler. Established in 1889, this hotel stands as Toronto’s oldest continuously operating hotel. Its Romanesque architecture and hand-operated elevator are standout features. The second floor hosts art exhibitions, and each hotel room is uniquely designed by different artists.
Doors Open closed by 4 PM, and we relaxed at the Ballroom Café in the Gladstone, just in time for brunch. I relished a Grilled Vegetable Muffuletta Sandwich, while Shauna enjoyed Eggs Florentine with salmon?"an excellent end to a day of discovery.
Final Takeaway: Toronto’s architectural gems are deeply intertwined with the community stories they tell. Doors Open serves as a wonderful educational experience, enriching our understanding of Toronto’s social history.
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