R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant — Attraction in Toronto

We came here to visit the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant during the Toronto's Open Doors Event from May 24-25.

We actually came here as they were about to close their doors... We ran inside. It seems like they closed their doors at around 3:30 pm for Toronto's Doors Open Event.

Inside the main plant building area that people were allowed to go into (there's a crap ton of people here), it feels as if I was transported to an European type building. The way the interior looked felt like an European museum. Pretty, kind of fancy.

There's this structure thing in the center. I have no clue what it is. Everyone was staking a photo and a video of it. I assume it's something rather important to this Water Plant (I forgot to ask about it).

The 2 hallways stretch down, kind of felt far cause of the sea of people blocking our path. Which made walking around difficult. People walked into me and bumped into me. There was no space at all.

There were all these buttons and switches, and various other controls sitting in front of each window/water filtration system section. There were signs that said "Please DO NOT TOUCH". Makes sense.

We ended up talking to one of the employees there, asking him questions about the water quality, history, how many water treatment plants there were, among other things. He was very knowledgeable.

Outside of the Water Treatment Plant, there was a very nice view of the lake. And there was a little sandy beach area, as well as a "dock" where you could walk up to and look out onto the lake. That walk up "dock" portion was flooded with water, so people had to find some ground that was jutting out to hop from one piece to the next.

The views were quite nice. Pretty windy. There were quite a number of small dead fish on the sandy beach. Lots of rocks and some pretty big ones too. People were enjoying (or trying to) skip rocks. It seems like a lot of people come here to just chill and vibe out on the grassy hills here... And to enjoy the view.

Overall, we learned more about what goes into the whole water treatment stuff. Yay for fun education! The views here were good. I bet they're even better when it's a better, sunny,...

The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, often referred to as the "Palace of Purification," is one of Toronto's most architecturally impressive and historically significant landmarks. Located along the shores of Lake Ontario, at the eastern edge of the city, this facility is not only crucial to the city’s water supply but also a remarkable example of early 20th-century engineering and design. Completed in 1941, the plant is named after Robert Charles Harris, the former head of Toronto’s water works department, and its iconic Art Deco architecture makes it stand out as both a functional infrastructure and a piece of public art.

The building's exterior, with its imposing limestone façade and stately columns, gives the plant the grandeur of a public monument, while its interior houses cutting-edge water purification technology. It was designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing city, providing clean and safe drinking water to Torontonians. The plant’s unique design and impressive scale have earned it the status of a heritage building, and it is often regarded as a symbol of Toronto’s commitment to public health and infrastructure.

Beyond its functional purpose, the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant has become a popular subject for photographers, with its striking architecture set against the backdrop of Lake Ontario. The surrounding park and views of the waterfront further enhance the plant’s appeal. It’s a perfect example of how critical infrastructure can also be a beautiful, enduring piece of the urban landscape, contributing to both the city’s aesthetic and...

The building itself is massive, grand, and hard to miss—an architectural marvel that’s both beautiful and imposing. If you’re a fan of historic buildings, you’ll love just standing and admiring it.

There’s a large open yard in front where people were playing with their dogs, and plenty of green space around for a quiet picnic—saw lots of folks relaxing on blankets. A long concrete walkway leads you down to the beach, and from there you can also access the Silver Birch Beach and the start of the boardwalk that runs through Balmy Beach and Kew Beach all the way to Woodbine.

It’s free to walk around, and everything is clean and well maintained. The beach nearby had quite a few dead fish (not sure why), but it’s still a peaceful place to sit by the water and take in the view or snap some photos.

The only downside—and why I’m giving 4 instead of 5 stars—is the parking. Nursewood Road, which runs beside the building, is permit-only parking, and I saw multiple people getting ticketed. There’s very limited parking nearby, so plan accordingly.

Still, a fantastic place to explore if you’re into architecture, history, or just looking for a beautiful walk...