Doors Open Toronto announces full line-up for 2014

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  April 23, 2014

Doors Open Toronto announces full line-up for 2014

Doors Open Toronto presented by Great Gulf introduces its full list of new and returning buildings, an exciting speakers series, city-wide walking tours and special programming for 2014. The details are now available online at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen. 

"Doors Open Toronto is a great example of a community event that has become a city-wide celebration," said Mayor Rob Ford. "Thanks to the committed partnership from our sponsor Great Gulf, the local community and the buildings for opening their doors, this event continues to be a huge success and attracts more and more residents every year."

The 15th annual weekend celebration of architecture takes place Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, offering rare access to more than 155 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city. This year's theme is Secrets and Spirits… Exploring the Mysteries Behind the Door.

"Doors Open Toronto gives residents across the city an opportunity to explore many of the significant architectural sites that collectively shape our city's identity," said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the City's Economic Development Committee. "It is a chance to discover some of Toronto’s most distinguished and internationally-recognized landmarks."

               

"Great Gulf is delighted to return as presenting sponsor of Doors Open," said Christopher Wein, President, Great Gulf Residential. "A city’s soul and expression can be seen not only in its history, geography and culture, but also in the buildings most loved by its residents. Now in its 15th year, Doors Open continues to enlighten the community by inviting everyone to discover our city’s hidden treasures and the secrets behind its doors."

New for this year, Great Gulf presents Utilities by artist Michael Cook at the Great Gulf, Yonge + Rich Presentation Centre. This exhibit features photographs of the tunnels, sewers, drains and waterways that lie beneath the city – the crucial infrastructure that is normally hidden from view.

On May 24 at the new Fort York Toronto Library Branch, audiences can hear six influential architects speak on Redesigning Toronto, a Pecha Kucha-style talk discussing the architectural and urban planning of Toronto. On May 25 at Harbourfront Centre, audiences can hear renowned urban designer Ken Greenberg reflect on Harbourfront Centre: A 40-year Legacy of Transforming the Toronto Waterfront.

Toronto City Hall will be a hotspot during the Doors Open Toronto weekend. Visitors can expect access to key locations such as the 27th floor observation desk, the council chamber and the Mayor's Office, and special exhibits and activities, including:

- "[murmur]", the documentary oral history project conveying the emotional attachment citizens have to Toronto

- "Exposed Toronto", an exhibition of photographs inspired by this year's program theme

- "My City Hall Mystery", a family-friendly scavenger hunt leading to key locations in City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square.

This year's Doors Open Toronto also presents free walking tours. Sponsored by the University of Toronto, the city-wide tours are aligned with the event theme and focus on secrets, spirits and mysteries. This year's tours include:

- The Ghosts and Spirits of the Historic Distillery District

- The Spirit of the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse at Toronto Harbour

- The Spirits of Exhibition Place, including paranormal hotspots

- Communing with the Spirits? Doubt and Belief in Toronto the Good

- Mount Pleasant Cemetery: Where Soldiers Rest in Peace

- The Layers of Leaside Tour

- Village of Islington ARTwalk and Trolley Tour

- Guild Park: Where Art Meets Culture

- The Mysteries of the University of Toronto.

Full program details, including a complete list of new and returning buildings, walking tour registration and information about talks are available at http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen.

About Doors Open Toronto

Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits to nearly 600 unique locations across the city. It is Canada's largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world. Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to built heritage, architecture and design. It is sponsored by Great Gulf and produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community.

About Great Gulf Group

Established in 1975, the Great Gulf Group of companies including Great Gulf, Ashton Woods Homes, First Gulf Corporation, Tucker HiRise Construction, Brockport Systems Ltd. and Taboo Resort Golf and Spa, is one of North America’s premier real estate organizations. With major projects in Canada and the United States, the company’s fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Justine Palinska, Economic Development and Culture, 416-395-7318, jpalins@toronto.ca