The weekend of May 25 and 26, 2013 marked another year of Doors Open Toronto. It’s an annual event where a number of buildings around the city open their doors to the public to look around. Typically it’s either buildings that are not accessible to the public or it features a portion that isn’t typically open either.
I normally try to volunteer at least two different buildings and allow myself half a day to look at a few more buildings. This year I volunteered at the Toronto Harbour Commission which you can read about here and the suites and residences of 1 King Street West.
Although 1 King Street West is now a hotel and residence, it was the formerly the Toronto-Dominion Bank. The Grand Banking Hall, the vaults, and the chair’s boardroom were open this weekend to the public.
The Grand Banking Hall housed the teller stalls for commercial banking and bonds. The ceilings are ornately done and consist of nine crests of the first provinces of Canada. It is currently used as a space for private and corporate functions. It also houses the longest bar in North America at 100 feet long.
The vaults were cool as well. I, along with a couple other volunteers, were taken into the vaults which held cash. It is also now used as a function space but on a smaller scale that the Grand Banking Hall. The majority of those going through this building were interested in seeing the vaults which were quite impressive.
The chair’s boardroom was impressive too with great views of the city with glimpses of the water.
