New Buildings at Doors Open Toronto 2018

Doors Open Toronto 2018 returns from May 26-27, 2018 in Toronto. This event provides free access to many buildings that are otherwise not open to the public. The theme of this year’s Doors Open Toronto is Toronto’s film and television industry so expect to see several production facilities, historic cinemas, digital media studios and buildings that have been featured in films and TV open to the public. Below are some of our favourite picks for new buildings at Doors Open Toronto 2018:

Shaftesbury

I’m a big fan of Murdoch Mysteries, so I’ll definitely be visiting Shaftesbury during Doors Open Toronto 2018 since the production company is the producer of Canada’s #1 Drama! The studio features an indoor park under a clerestory and reclaimed shipping containers that have been repurposed as meeting rooms. You’ll also find artwork and props from Shaftesbury TV series Murdoch Mysteries – including the 10-foot robot and “Pendrick Bullet” – as well as from Life with Derek, ReGenesis, and The Listener. Doors Open Toronto 2018 visitors will learn about scouting historical locations and how they create 1900s hairstyles, and will get to dress up in period costumes and take pictures with props. Shaftesbury is located at 18 Logan Avenue.

Doors Open Toronto 2018 Hours:
Sat., May 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun., May 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cinesphere

Many of us remember visiting the Cinesphere at Ontario Place for the first time and being awed by the massive screen. Ontario Place reopened the Cinesphere to the public on November 3, 2017 and it now offers a variety of films, providing an IMAX® theatre experience. We’ve included the Cinesphere in our best picks for new buildings at Doors Open Toronto 2018 because, in a nod to its roots, Cinesphere will be screening its first ever film, Graeme Ferguson’s North of Superior! The film will be followed by the 7 minute prologue of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience (2008). The film focuses on The Joker, as he wreaks havoc on Gotham City.

There will be five screenings of the above films during Doors Open Toronto 2018. Pre-registration is required at Ontario Place Cinesphere. Re-entry is not permitted. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available for purchase. Be sure to see the Cinesphere, IMAX, and Ontario Place memorabilia. Cinesphere is located at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Doors Open Toronto 2018 Hours:
Sat., May 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admittance 4:30 p.m.
Sun., May 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admittance 4:30 p.m.

George Brown House

George Brown House at 186 Beverly Street was built in the Second Empire style in 1876 by Father of Confederation and Toronto Globe founder George Brown. In fact, Brown was shot and killed in the house by a disgruntled Globe employee. Designated as a National Historic Site in 1976 by the Government of Canada, George Brown House was restored to its original 1876 construction to preserve the building’s heritage character. George Brown House is now used as office space, conference facilities, for weddings and film shoots. One of the reasons it is included in Doors Open Toronto 2018 is the building is often featured on the show, Murdoch Mysteries. The 9,000 square foot centre hall style house features walls that are four bricks thick, 15 fireplaces and a restored Art Nouveau dining room with original fine plaster cornices and ceiling medallions.

Filmport Studio

Filmport Studio is a pioneer in the emerging film industry of Toronto, helping facilitate many productions including Being Erica, mr. d and Orphan Black. The studio is equipped with two 10,000 square foot sound-proofed stages in a building constructed in the Modernist archetectural style in 1905. Guests at Doors Open Toronto 2018 will see current productions and past productions that have made Filmport an integral part of Toronto’s television, film and media industry for almost 50 years. Filmport Studio is located at 65 Heward Avenue.

Doors Open Toronto 2018 Hours:
Sat., May 19, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admittance 4 p.m.
Sun., May 20, 2018: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admittance 4 p.m.