Published 19 October 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
Building at a glance · Yonge-Doris
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8 Hillcrest Ave, Toronto
Built
2001
Storeys
31
Suites
378
Developer
Menkes
Corporation
MTCC-1362
Walk Score
99
Free · about 45 seconds · no obligation
What is your unit at The Pinnacle worth today?
Floor, exposure, parking and this building’s own recent sales move the number. Your estimate appears instantly, and a written CMA from me is one tap after.
- Uses this building’s own recent sales
- Adjusts for floor, view and parking
- Your number appears instantly
How you get around
Scores from Walk Score®
Walk Score
Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
Excellent Transit
Bike Score
Bikeable
Transit, nearest first
- 97YongeTTC busSteps away
- 1North York Centre stationLine 1 Yonge–UniversitySteps away
- 185Sheppard CentralTTC bus0.7 km
- 98Willowdale-SenlacTTC bus0.7 km
- GOOriole GORichmond Hill line3.8 km
Distances are straight-line from the building.
How far is everything?
From the front door, in kilometres.
Schools for this address
Public schools from the TDSB school locator, checked 18 October 2026. Boundaries change: confirm with the board before you buy.
ElementaryJK–5
McKee Public School
35 Church Ave, North York
0.7 km · ~11 min walk
Zoned for this address
MiddleGr 6–8
Bayview Middle School
25 Bunty Lane, North York
2.3 km
Zoned for this address
High schoolGr 9–12
Earl Haig Secondary School
100 Princess Ave, North York
0.5 km · ~8 min walk
Zoned for this address
Catholic elementary
St Cyril Catholic Elementary School
1.1 km · ~17 min walk
Nearest, confirm zoning
Catholic elementary
St Edward Catholic Elementary School
1.6 km · ~25 min walk
Nearest, confirm zoning
Catholic secondary
Cardinal Carter Academy For The Arts
0.5 km · ~8 min walk
Nearest, confirm zoning
French-language · MonAvenir (Catholic)
Monseigneur De Charbonnel Catholic Secondary School
2.3 km
Nearest, confirm zoning
Catholic (TCDSB) and French-language schools shown are the nearest to the building, not confirmed zoning. Check the TCDSB school locator, Viamonde or MonAvenir.
By the numbers
What units at The Pinnacle actually trade for
| Unit type | Sold | Median price | Leased | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | 3 | $542,700 | 23 | $2,200/mo |
| 2 bed | 8 | $798,400 | 26 | $3,100/mo |
Table covers the last 24 months. TRREB MLS® System aggregates; a median is shown only with 3 or more deals, and sizes come from listing ranges. Not an appraisal: get an estimate for your unit.
Living here
Renters, Airbnb and elevators at The Pinnacle
Do mostly owners or renters live here?
Renter-heavy building. Of 116 deals here in the last 24 months, 100 were leases and 16 were sales. A high lease share usually means more investor owners, more move-ins and a deeper pool of rental comparables.
Can you Airbnb a unit at The Pinnacle?
No active City registrations here right now. In Toronto you can only host in your principal residence, a whole unit for at most 180 nights a year, with a $390 yearly registration and 6% accommodation tax. You cannot buy here to run it as a full-time Airbnb. Check the condo’s rules in the status certificate before you count on it.
How reliable are the elevators?
Ontario requires residential buildings to report any elevator outage lasting 48 hours or more, and this address has none on record. Elevators still need modernizing every 25 to 30 years, so check the reserve fund study for the date.
Sources: TRREB MLS® System lease and sale counts; City of Toronto short-term rental registrations (Open Data, 18 Oct 2026); TSSA Residential Elevator Availability portal.
Before you buy here
Five things the listing will not tell you about The Pinnacle
- Reserve fund health. Ask for the latest reserve fund study and its date. A thin fund in an older building usually means fee jumps or a special assessment.
- Special assessments and big repairs. Check the status certificate for planned levies and for balcony, garage, window or elevator work.
- Insurance deductible. Find the corporation’s deductible for water damage. If it is higher than your own policy covers, raise your coverage before closing.
- Fee trend. Compare this year’s budget with last year’s. Rises of 2–5% a year are typical; bigger jumps need an explanation.
- Lawsuits and rules. Look for legal claims against the corporation, and for rules on pets, short-term rentals and leasing.
Send me the status certificate and I will flag anything that matters before your conditional period runs out.
Get my status certificate reviewedWatch this building
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- New listings for sale or rent here
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Building alerts
Takes about twenty seconds.
Eat, drink and shop nearby
Within about a 10-minute walk.
Coffee
Second Cup
Steps away
Japanese
Shinta Japanese Bbq/Haru Shabu Shabu
Steps away
Burgers
Wendy's
Steps away
Vietnamese
Pho Anh vu
Steps away
Ramen
Konjiki Ramen & Saryo Cafe
Steps away
Sandwiches
Subway
Steps away
Places from OpenStreetMap. Check hours before you go.
Parks nearby
- Princess Park
- Ring Road Linear Park
- Lee Lifeson Art Park
Nearest grocery
T&T Supermarket
Steps away
Prices: TRREB MLS® System aggregate medians for 8 Hillcrest Ave, last 12 months (updated 18 October 2026), compiled by Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage; deemed reliable, not guaranteed. Schools: TDSB school locator; Catholic and French schools: nearest by distance. Transit and scores: Walk Score® and TTC/GO station locations. Nearby places: OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line estimates.
The Pinnacle at 8 Hillcrest Avenue is one of the two Menkes towers that sit on top of Empress Walk, and that is the whole story of this building. You live above a cinema, a drugstore, an LCBO and an underground route to the subway, in a tower that is now about 25 years old. For the right buyer that convenience is hard to beat. I’m Jatin Dua, RE/MAX Quantum Realty.
Quick answer
The Pinnacle is a high-rise condominium with 378 suites at 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Toronto, in the Yonge-Doris area of Willowdale East, North York Centre. It was built by Menkes as part of the Empress Walk complex, and its corporation, MTCC-1362, was registered on 29 January 2001. Condos.ca lists 31 storeys, while Wikipedia describes Empress Walk’s two towers as 34 storeys. Crossbridge Condominium Services is listed as manager. Suites range from about 406 to 1,790 square feet. Maintenance fees include common elements, building insurance, parking and water.
The Pinnacle at a glance
A tower built on top of a mall
Empress Walk is a mixed-use complex at Yonge Street and Empress Avenue, built by Menkes in two phases between 1995 and 2000. It pairs a three-storey retail podium with two residential towers above, The Pinnacle and the Royal Pinnacle at 33 Empress Avenue, with 745 suites between them.
The retail base is the selling point. Wikipedia lists a Cineplex with an IMAX screen, an LCBO, Shoppers Drug Mart, PetSmart and Dollarama among the tenants. The large Loblaws in the complex closed in October 2025, and Wikipedia reports a T&T Supermarket is set to replace it, so ask how far along that is when you view.
The complex’s lowest level has underground access to North York Centre subway station. Walk the route from this tower’s lobby yourself, because what matters is how direct it is from your elevator, not from the mall.
Small studios to large corner suites
Condos.ca lists suites from about 406 to 1,790 square feet, a much wider range than most towers. At the bottom end are compact studios and one-bedrooms that suit investors and first-time buyers, and at the top are large two- and three-bedroom suites and penthouses.
That range is why both renters and owners live here. When I checked there were seven suites listed for rent against two for sale, which tells you investors are well represented. That is normal for a tower over a subway station, but it does mean more move-ins and move-outs than a quieter, owner-heavy building.
Height is also worth confirming. Condos.ca records 31 storeys and Wikipedia describes the Empress Walk towers as 34, which may come down to how mechanical and penthouse levels are counted. If you are paying for a high floor, check the actual floor on the plan.
For an end user, the larger suites on the higher floors are the ones that hold their value best, because there are fewer of them and they suit buyers leaving a house. For an investor, the compact suites are easier to rent but face more competition from the many similar units nearby.
Thinking about buying or selling here?
I work this area every week and I will give you a straight answer, including when the answer is to wait. No pressure, and no drip campaign you cannot get out of.
Call or text 833-330-1925 Send me a message
Jatin Dua, Broker of Record — RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
What the fee covers, and what it does not
The Pinnacle’s fee covers common elements, building insurance, parking and water. Condos.ca does not list heat, air conditioning or hydro, so expect to pay for your own heating, cooling and electricity, and ask the seller for recent utility bills.
Parking in the fee is a real advantage at this location, where a space is in high demand. Confirm that the suite you are buying actually comes with a space, and whether it is owned or assigned.
On the current listings, fees worked out to roughly $0.84 per square foot. That is reasonable for a building of this age with a staffed lobby and parking included.
Ask too how the suite is heated and cooled. In a building of this age, in-suite equipment such as fan coils or heat pumps may be original, and replacing it can be the owner’s cost. Find out what the corporation maintains and what you maintain, because that is spelled out in the declaration and it affects your real cost of ownership.
A 25-year-old tower in a changing centre
North York Centre has filled in around Empress Walk since it opened, and the Yonge strip between Sheppard and Finch is now lined with condo towers on both sides. That keeps resale and rental demand steady here, but it also means more construction nearby and more competition from newer towers when you sell.
A tower that shares a podium with a busy mall also has more complicated shared costs than a standalone building. Ask how costs for the garage, the structure and shared systems are split between the residential corporation and the retail owners, and whether any shared agreement is due for review.
The mall itself is changing too. A supermarket closing and a new one moving in is a reminder that the retail mix downstairs is not fixed. For most owners that is a positive, since a busy podium keeps the complex lively, but ask about any planned renovation of the podium and whether it affects residential access, loading or parking.
What The Pinnacle costs
Condos.ca puts the building average at about $790 per square foot. That is higher than some older North York towers and lower than the newest stock on Yonge, which is about where I would expect a well-located 25-year-old building to sit. Suite size swings the per-square-foot figure a lot here, because small studios usually carry a higher rate than large suites.
When I checked, two suites were for sale, asking from $539,000 to $699,000. Fees on those listings averaged about $0.84 per square foot. With only two active sale listings and seven rentals, the sale market here is thin at the moment, so recent closed sales are a better guide than asking prices.
Because the fee excludes heat and hydro, add those to your monthly budget before you compare The Pinnacle with an all-inclusive building nearby. For the most recent closed results, use the sold data on this page or ask me for a building sold report.
Building specifications
| Building name | The Pinnacle |
| Address | 8 Hillcrest Ave, Toronto |
| Developer | Menkes |
| Complex | Empress Walk (with the Royal Pinnacle at 33 Empress Ave) |
| Storeys | Sources differ: 31 (condos.ca) or 34 (Wikipedia) |
| Total suites | 378 |
| Condo corporation | MTCC-1362 |
| Registered | 29 January 2001 |
| Property management | Crossbridge Condominium Services |
| Suite sizes | About 406 to 1,790 sq ft |
| Maintenance fees | About $0.84 per sq ft across current listings |
| Fees include | Common elements, building insurance, parking and water |
Amenities at The Pinnacle
The amenity list matters less here than the mall downstairs: a cinema, a pharmacy, an LCBO and, soon, a supermarket are an elevator ride away. In the building itself you get a staffed lobby, security, a sauna and FibreStream internet, which is useful if you work from home.
Jatin’s honest take on The Pinnacle
Who this building suits
Commuters who want to reach the subway without going outside, investors who want a suite that rents easily, and downsizers who want shops, a pharmacy and a cinema in the same complex. The larger suites suit people who want space in the middle of North York Centre.
What I’d want you to check
This building is about 25 years old, so read the reserve fund study for elevators, windows, the garage membrane and heating and cooling equipment. Ask how shared costs with the Empress Walk retail podium are divided. Confirm the parking space, check the pet rules in the declaration because condos.ca notes a pet restriction, and budget for your own heat and hydro.
The value question
At about $790 per square foot with parking in the fee, The Pinnacle is fairly priced for its location. You give up new-build finishes and in-suite efficiency, and you gain a direct connection to the subway and a mall at your door. If the reserve fund is healthy, I think it is one of the more practical buys in North York Centre.
Free building report: The Pinnacle
Send me your email and I’ll put together a current report on The Pinnacle — real sold comparables, what’s listed right now, and what the maintenance fees actually cover.
- Every sale in the building over the last 12 months
- Current active listings and asking prices
- Maintenance fee breakdown and what’s included
- My read on which exposures and floors hold value
Tell me what you are planning
Three quick answers so I come back with something useful, usually the same day.
Thinking about buying or selling here?
I work this area every week and I will give you a straight answer, including when the answer is to wait. No pressure, and no drip campaign you cannot get out of.
Call or text 833-330-1925 Send me a message
Jatin Dua, Broker of Record — RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with another brokerage.
The Pinnacle — frequently asked questions
Who built The Pinnacle at 8 Hillcrest Ave?
Menkes built it as part of the Empress Walk complex, along with the Royal Pinnacle at 33 Empress Avenue.
When was The Pinnacle built?
Empress Walk’s second phase was completed in 2000, and The Pinnacle’s corporation, MTCC-1362, was registered on 29 January 2001.
How many storeys does The Pinnacle have?
Sources differ. Condos.ca lists 31 storeys, while Wikipedia describes the Empress Walk towers as 34 storeys.
How many suites are in the building?
There are 378 suites, ranging from about 406 to 1,790 square feet.
What is in the Empress Walk mall below?
Tenants include a Cineplex with IMAX, an LCBO, Shoppers Drug Mart, PetSmart and Dollarama. The Loblaws closed in October 2025 and a T&T Supermarket is expected to replace it.
Can you reach the subway without going outside?
Empress Walk’s lowest level has underground access to North York Centre station. Walk the route from this tower to see how direct it is.
What do maintenance fees include?
Common elements, building insurance, parking and water. Heat, air conditioning and hydro are not listed.
Who manages The Pinnacle?
Condos.ca lists Crossbridge Condominium Services.
How does The Pinnacle compare with the Royal Pinnacle?
They are sister towers on the same Menkes podium. Compare fees, inclusions and reserve funds, because each has its own corporation.
How much do condos at The Pinnacle sell for?
Over the last 12 months the median resale at The Pinnacle was $752,000, across 11 sales. The typical unit sold in 23 days at about 98% of the asking price. That works out to roughly $835 per square foot.
How much is rent at The Pinnacle?
The median lease at The Pinnacle over the last 12 months was $2,800/mo, from 49 leases. Units typically leased in 21 days.
What does each unit type cost at The Pinnacle?
Over the last 24 months: One-bedrooms sold for a median $542,700 and rented for $2,200/mo; Two-bedrooms sold for a median $798,400 and rented for $3,100/mo. Each median uses three or more deals.
Are prices at The Pinnacle up or down since 2022?
Down about 14%. The median sold price per square foot was $971 in 2022 and $835 over the last 12 months. Pricing off 2022 comparables is the most common mistake sellers make here.
What rental yield does The Pinnacle offer an investor?
At a median price of $752,000 and a median rent of $2,800 a month, the gross yield is about 4.5%, before maintenance fees, property tax, insurance and mortgage interest. Net cash flow depends on the fee and your down payment, so run the numbers for the exact unit.
Do mostly owners or renters live at The Pinnacle?
Mostly renters. Of the deals here in the last 24 months, 86% were leases and 14% were sales.
Can you Airbnb a unit at The Pinnacle?
Only in limited cases. Toronto allows short-term rentals only in your principal residence, a whole unit for at most 180 nights a year, with a $390 yearly City registration and 6% accommodation tax. The City’s register shows no active short-term rental registrations at this address. The condo’s declaration and rules can ban short stays outright, so check them in the status certificate.
Has The Pinnacle had elevator outages?
None on record. Ontario requires residential buildings to report elevator outages of 48 hours or more to TSSA, and this address has no reported outage since July 2022.
What schools is The Pinnacle zoned for?
For TDSB public schools, the address is zoned for McKee Public School (Elementary, JK–5), Bayview Middle School (Middle, Gr 6–8), Earl Haig Secondary School (High school, Gr 9–12). Catholic and French-language schools are listed on this page by distance. Boundaries change, so confirm with the board before you buy.
What is the Walk Score of The Pinnacle?
Walk Score 99, Transit Score 88 and Bike Score 53. Most daily errands can be done on foot.
What restaurants and shops are near The Pinnacle?
Within about a 10-minute walk: Second Cup (Coffee), Shinta Japanese Bbq/Haru Shabu Shabu (Japanese), Wendy's (Burgers), Pho Anh vu (Vietnamese), Konjiki Ramen & Saryo Cafe (Ramen). The closest grocery store is T&T Supermarket, 0.0 km away.
Which parks are near The Pinnacle?
Princess Park, Ring Road Linear Park, Lee Lifeson Art Park are the closest green spaces.
What is my unit at The Pinnacle worth?
Use the free AI estimator at the top of this page. It uses this building’s own recent sales and adjusts for floor, view and parking, and your number appears instantly. For a written CMA, I will price your exact unit against the latest comparable sales.
How do I find out when a unit at The Pinnacle lists or sells?
Join the building alerts on this page. I watch this building by hand and will tell you when a unit lists, sells or drops in price, with my read on whether it is priced right.
Looking at Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville and North Toronto more broadly? Start with my Toronto community guide — the neighbourhoods, what each pocket is like, and how they compare.
Condo Valuation
What’s your condo
worth today?
Three quick steps. Condos don’t price like houses — your floor, your view, and whether you own parking move the number more than anything else. This weighs all of them.
Reading recent condo sales…
Estimated market value
—
$0–$0
Most likely $0 · about $0 per square foot
What moved the number
Starting from what comparable units in your area sell for, here’s what your specifics added or subtracted.
Market context
—
—
Two units, same floor plan,
$90,000 apart.
That happens constantly in condos — one has the parking, the right exposure, or a board that keeps the reserve fund healthy. A model can’t see your status certificate. I can.
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto condo broker
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty. I work condo buildings across Toronto and the GTA every week, including Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville and North Toronto. What buyers and sellers usually need is someone who knows the individual buildings: which exposures get the light, which corporations keep healthy reserve funds, and which units are priced past what they will appraise for.
If you’re buying or selling at The Pinnacle, I’ll give you the honest version — including when I think you should walk away. Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a free consultation.
More Yonge & Eglinton, Davisville and North Toronto building guides: 10 Tichester Condos · 101 Erskine · 1414 Bayview · 150 Redpath Condos · 155 Redpath Condos · 16 Relmar Road Townhouses
More resources: GTA condo directory · Building sold report · Book a call
© 2026 Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage. The building data on this page was compiled and verified by Jatin Dua. Reproduction or republication, in whole or in part, requires written permission. To request permission, call 833-330-1925.