Published 22 September 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
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The best condo buildings to rent in South Core are Maple Leaf Square, ICE Condominiums, Harbour Plaza Residences, Ten York and Infinity Condos. Condo apartments leased through TRREB’s MLS® System in district C01 averaged $2,475 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,494 for a two-bedroom in Q2 2026.
Pick on transit, suite size and what the rent includes — not on the lobby.
The five at a glance
| # | Building | Address | Built | Why renters like it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Leaf Square | 55 & 65 Bremner Blvd | 2010 | The most self-contained address in South Core: grocery, PATH and Union Station without going outside |
| 2 | ICE Condominiums | 12 & 14 York St | 2014-2015 (two phases) | Huge supply and a PATH link to Union make it one of the easiest places in the core to find a unit |
| 3 | Harbour Plaza Residences | 88 & 100 Harbour St | — | Newer twin towers with a full amenity floor and retail in the base, a block from the lake |
| 4 | Ten York | 10 York St (also 120 Harbour St) | 2019 | The premium newer-build pick, with bigger layouts and a full resort-style amenity package |
| 5 | Infinity Condos (Infinity I) | 30 Grand Trunk Cres | 2007 | The value pick in South Core: an established building with a pool and utilities-inclusive fees, steps from Union |
How I chose them: I looked at South Core the way a tenant should — how quickly you reach transit, what the building actually offers day to day, suite sizes, building age and condition, and how many units come up for lease so you have choice. This is my own shortlist, not a paid or third-party ranking, and every building fact below is linked to a source at the end.
What renting a condo in South Core costs right now
| Q2 2026, condo apartments | Avg 1-bed | Avg 2-bed | Units leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRREB district C01 | $2,475 | $3,494 | 4,233 |
| City of Toronto | $2,316 | $3,154 | 15,388 |
| Whole GTA (TRREB area) | $2,273 | $3,013 | 21,251 |
Source: TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026. District C01 is the TRREB reporting area that covers South Core; it is wider than the neighbourhood itself, so treat these as a guide rather than a quote for any one building.
Across the GTA, average condo rents were still below a year earlier in Q2 2026 — one-bedrooms down 2.3% and two-bedrooms down 1.7% — with 27,844 units listed for rent against 21,251 leased. TRREB says conditions still favour renters, which means there is usually room to negotiate on start date, parking or a longer term.
The top 5 condo buildings to rent in South Core
Maple Leaf Square
55 & 65 Bremner Blvd
Completed 2010 · 54 and 50 (two towers) storeys · about 872 suites · Developer: Lanterra Developments with Cadillac Fairview and MLSE
Getting around: Directly connected to Union Station and the PATH.
What the building offers: Indoor pool, hot tub and sauna; rooftop pool deck; fitness centre; 24-hour concierge; theatre room; longo's supermarket and LCBO in the complex.
What renters should know:
- Maintenance Condo fees are reported to include heat, A/C and water, so many landlords only pass on hydro.
- Faces the arena plaza – game and concert nights bring crowds and noise.
- Older than neighbouring towers (2010) but with a wider range of suite sizes, up to large 2-bed + den.
Why it makes the list: The most self-contained address in South Core: grocery, PATH and Union Station without going outside.
ICE Condominiums
12 & 14 York St
Completed 2014-2015 (two phases) · 67 and 57 (two towers) storeys · about 1343 suites · Developer: Lanterra Developments and Cadillac Fairview
Getting around: PATH connection to Maple Leaf Square and on to Union Station; a few minutes' walk to Union.
What the building offers: Rooftop deck / green roof; 24-hour concierge; fitness facilities; jacuzzi and sauna; party and meeting rooms.
What renters should know:
- Very large rental pool (1,343 suites), so there is usually choice, but mostly compact 1-beds.
- Documented history of heavy short-term rental activity: it has been described as a 'ghost hotel' and that Airbnb was given exclusive hosting rights in 2023 – long-term tenants should expect some transient traffic and check current building rules.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, A/C and water.
Why it makes the list: Huge supply and a PATH link to Union make it one of the easiest places in the core to find a unit.
Harbour Plaza Residences
88 & 100 Harbour St
67 and 63 (two towers) storeys · about 1313 suites · Developer: Menkes Developments (with Oxford Properties)
Getting around: A short walk to Union Station; planned/built PATH link toward Union.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; fitness room; party room; terrace with BBQ area; lounge.
What renters should know:
- Four-storey retail podium downstairs (tenants have included Pure Fitness, Mercatino and Winners).
- Sits right beside the Gardiner and Lake Shore ramps – lower floors on those sides get traffic noise.
- Individually metered hydro per developer marketing, so tenants typically pay hydro themselves.
Why it makes the list: Newer twin towers with a full amenity floor and retail in the base, a block from the lake.
Ten York
10 York St (also 120 Harbour St)
Completed 2019 · 65 storeys · about 725 suites · Developer: Tridel (with Build Toronto)
Getting around: A short walk to Union Station and the PATH.
What the building offers: Indoor pool and spa; fitness centre with yoga/pilates studio; theatre room; games room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- One of the newest towers in the area (2019) with larger suites than many neighbours (roughly 560 sq ft and up).
- Triangular site wedged between the Gardiner ramps – views are open, but check noise on lower floors.
- Tridel-built: newer-building move-in and elevator-booking rules are typical.
Why it makes the list: The premium newer-build pick, with bigger layouts and a full resort-style amenity package.
Infinity Condos (Infinity I)
30 Grand Trunk Cres
Completed 2007 · 35 storeys · about 395 suites · Developer: The Conservatory Group
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to Union Station; close to the PATH and Queens Quay streetcars.
What the building offers: Indoor swimming pool and whirlpool; fitness facility; social lounge and party room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Older than the York St towers, so rents are often more moderate for the location.
- Condo fees are reported to include hydro as well as heat and water – worth confirming in the lease which utilities are covered.
- Part of a multi-building complex (Infinity 1-3) with 1-bed to 2-bed + den suites.
Why it makes the list: The value pick in South Core: an established building with a pool and utilities-inclusive fees, steps from Union.
Want me to find you a unit in South Core?
Looking to rent in South Core?
Tell me your budget, move-in date and must-haves. I will send you what is actually available in these buildings, before it gets picked over.
I will come back to you personally, usually the same day. If it is urgent, call or text 833-330-1925.
Living in South Core as a renter
A glass-tower district built mostly since 2008 on former railway lands between the Financial District and the waterfront. It is dense, very walkable and tied to office towers, Scotiabank Arena and Union Station, with many residents walking to work.
| South Core in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Roughly Front Street / the rail corridor to the north, Lake Shore Blvd / Queens Quay to the south, Yonge Street to the east and Simcoe Street to the west, centred on York, Bay and Harbour Streets. |
| Transit | Union Station (Line 1 Yonge-University, GO Transit, UP Express to Pearson) anchors the area; much of it links into the PATH underground walkway. The 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcars run from Union along Queens Quay. |
| Everyday life | Longo's at Maple Leaf Square is the main in-neighbourhood grocery; retail in the Harbour Plaza podium and along the PATH. Scotiabank Arena, Harbourfront Centre, the Waterfront Trail and Sugar Beach/Queens Quay parks are close by. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Split between Harbourfront-CityPlace (e.g. ICE, Ten York, Infinity) and St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands (e.g. Maple Leaf Square, Harbour Plaza) under the City's 158-neighbourhood model |
Things renters in South Core should know
- Event nights at Scotiabank Arena and Union Station crowds make Bremner Blvd / York St busy; PATH-connected buildings let you avoid the weather.
- Gardiner Expressway and rail corridor run through the area – lower floors facing them can be noisy.
- Mostly small, newer suites (studios, 1-beds) in very large towers; elevator waits and move-in booking rules are common in 60+ storey buildings.
Before you sign a condo lease
- Use the Ontario Standard Lease. Landlords of most private rental units, condos included, must use the province’s standard lease template for new leases.
- Deposits are capped. A landlord can ask for a rent deposit of no more than one month’s rent, and it must go toward your last month. Damage deposits are not allowed; a key or fob deposit must be refundable. See Ontario rental deposit rules.
- Check the rent-control date. The annual guideline (2.1% for 2026, 1.9% for 2027) does not apply to units first occupied as residences after 15 November 2018. Ask when the building was first occupied — in newer towers your increases are negotiable, not capped.
- Get utilities in writing. Newer towers usually meter hydro separately; many older buildings include it in the condo fee. It can be a real monthly difference.
- Read the condo rules. Tenants must follow the corporation’s declaration and rules — pets, move-in bookings, elevator deposits and short-term rental bans all live there.
The takeaway
In South Core, Maple Leaf Square and ICE Condominiums are where I would start, but the right building depends on your commute and whether you want amenities or square footage. Compare the all-in monthly cost — rent, hydro, parking, locker — not the headline rent, and remember that in Q2 2026 renters, not landlords, had the upper hand across the GTA.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best condo buildings to rent in South Core?
My top five for renters are Maple Leaf Square, ICE Condominiums, Harbour Plaza Residences, Ten York and Infinity Condos, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in South Core?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C01, which covers South Core, averaged $2,475 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,494 for a two-bedroom. The City of Toronto averages were $2,316 and $3,154.
Which condo in South Core is best for transit?
Maple Leaf Square at 55 & 65 Bremner Blvd: directly connected to Union Station and the PATH.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in South Core?
Newer towers offer more amenities and modern finishes but smaller suites, separately metered hydro and no rent-control guideline if first occupied after 15 November 2018. Older buildings usually have larger layouts and often include utilities in the rent.
Is rent control in effect for condo rentals in Toronto?
Yes for units first occupied as residences on or before 15 November 2018, where increases are limited to the provincial guideline (2.1% in 2026 and 1.9% in 2027) once every 12 months. Units first occupied after that date are exempt from the guideline.
Do I pay a realtor to help me rent a condo?
On most MLS condo leases in the GTA the landlord pays the brokerage commission, but always confirm in writing before signing any agreement. I can search these buildings and review the lease with you.
Sources
- TRREB Rental Market Report, Q2 2026 — condominium apartment rents by district — accessed September 2026.
- Government of Ontario — residential rent increases and the rent increase guideline — accessed September 2026.
- Maple Leaf Square — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Maple Leaf Square — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- ICE Condominiums — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- ICE Condominiums — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbour Plaza Residences — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbour Plaza Residences — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Ten York — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Ten York — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Infinity Condos (Infinity I) — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Infinity Condos (Infinity I) — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- South Core — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- South Core — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Best Realtor in Downtown Toronto: How to Actually Judge One (2026)
- Top 5 condos to rent in St. Lawrence Market
- Top 5 condos to rent in The Distillery and Canary District
- Top 5 condos to rent in Corktown and Regent Park
- Top 5 condos to rent in every Toronto neighbourhood
- How much rent can a landlord charge in Toronto?
- Renting now, buying later: a realistic timeline
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Etobicoke. I help tenants, landlords, buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume. Rent figures here come from TRREB’s published rental report and tenancy rules from the Government of Ontario, so you can check all of it without asking me.
Reach me at connect@jatindua.com or 833-330-1925, or book a call.