On May 28, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., we invite you to come explore our historic property and heritage buildings and stroll through our picturesque grounds and gardens when our doors are open to the public as part of Doors Open Toronto 2023.

Stroll the grounds of Windfields Estate and view the landmark historic and modern buildings. Interact with the immersive media experience Protectress VR, featuring a soundscape that blends traditional African rhythms and Indigenous instruments with ambisonic recordings from the African jungle and the forests of Western Canada. Join a guided tour and learn about the property from its early development to present day. All while helping the CFC celebrate its 35th anniversary!

Come and discover this hidden gem in North York, and bring a picnic and blanket and spend the day enjoying the beautiful grounds and surrounding parklands and trails. 

CFC’s campus is located on Windfields Estate, the former home of celebrated Canadian philanthropist and entrepreneur, Edward Plunket (E. P.) Taylor. E.P. Taylor and his wife, Winnifred, bought the property in 1932, and commissioned the building of Windfields in 1936. After WWII, extensive additions were made to the property, including the north wing of the Main House, the former pool, the Stables and Cottages, and the Gatehouse, which was used by Mr. Taylor as his offices. Taylor’s legendary status as a giant of Canadian thoroughbred racing is well known, and some of his famous horses were occasionally stabled at Windfields, including Northern Dancer. So it seemed appropriate for us to honour this horseracing legend by naming the new addition to our campus the Northern Dancer Pavilion, built over the footprint of the former pool and cabanas on the property.

Windfields was gifted to the borough of North York by the Taylor family in 1968, and transferred under amalgamation to the City of Toronto in 1998. In 1988, the Taylor family supported the city in its intent to lease the estate as a campus for CFC, and Windfields Estate has been our home ever since.

There are some special events and activities planned at the Canadian Film Centre as part of Doors Open Toronto on May 28. The full schedule of events is listed below.

Share your Doors Open experience on social media using #DOT23 and by tagging @cfccreates.

10 a.m. | CFC’s Doors Open: Come by to explore our Main house, Greenhouse and the newest addition to our grounds, the Northern Dancer Pavilion, at your leisure throughout the day.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Protectress VR Experience in the Miele Kitchen (Main House)

11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. | 30-Minute Tour of Historic Windfields Estate and Grounds: Participate in a guided tour of Windfields Estate led by Jo Ann Pynn, Manager, City of Toronto Capital Assets & Heritage Facilities; and Jacqueline Mackey, Executive Lead, Finance, CFC.

5 p.m. | Doors close: That’s a wrap on Doors Open Toronto 2023 at the CFC!

All of the above activities and events are open to the public. No registration is required. 

Planning your trip to CFC for Doors Open Toronto? Here is some helpful information:

Driving directions

The Canadian Film Centre is located at 2489 Bayview Avenue, south of York Mills Road, on the east side of Bayview Avenue. Limited parking is available onsite, free of charge.

Driving from Highway 401

Exit: Bayview Avenue, southbound, and continue past York Mills Road to CFC.

Driving from the Don Valley Parkway

Exit: York Mills Road, westbound, and continue past Leslie Street. Turn Left (south) onto Bayview Avenue.

Driving from downtown Toronto

Take the Bayview Extension northbound, and continue past Lawrence Avenue.

Public Transit

Option1:

York Mills Subway Station via the Yonge branch of Yonge/University Line.

Transfer to an eastbound bus, including any of the following routes:

#122 Graydon Hall

#115 Silver Hills

#95 York Mills (all routes)

Disembark at Bayview Avenue. Transfer to #11 Bayview South, and disembark at Bayview Ridge Crescent, OR walk 10 minutes south on Bayview to CFC’s entrance.

Option 2:

Davisville Subway Station via the Yonge branch of Yonge/University Line.

Transfer to #11 Bayview North, and continue past Sunnybrook Hospital and Lawrence Avenue. Disembark at Country Lane.

Find out more about Doors Open 2023 here.

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