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 Scarborough City Centre are Centro, Equinox I, 360 at the City Centre, Forest Mansion I and Encore at Equinox. Condo apartments leased through TRREB’s MLS® System in district E09 averaged $2,134 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,633 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 | Centro | 190 Borough Dr & 25 Town Centre Crt | 2011 | A large, full-amenity tower right beside the mall and transit terminal, giving plenty of rental supply to choose from |
| 2 | Equinox I | 60 Brian Harrison Way | 2005 | The strongest transit pick: you can walk to the bus terminal and the mall, and hydro is usually included |
| 3 | 360 at the City Centre | 83 Borough Dr | 2006 | A mid-2000s Tridel tower with larger two-bedroom options and a full amenity package in the centre of the node |
| 4 | Forest Mansion I | 117 & 125 Omni Dr | 2001 | The larger-layout pick: roomy Tridel suites with utilities usually included, still within walking distance of the mall |
| 5 | Encore at Equinox | 50 Town Centre Crt | 2013 | The value/entry pick: a newer tower with small, efficient suites, close to the mall and the transit terminal |
How I chose them: I looked at Scarborough City Centre 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 Scarborough City Centre costs right now
| Q2 2026, condo apartments | Avg 1-bed | Avg 2-bed | Units leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRREB district E09 | $2,134 | $2,633 | 234 |
| 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 E09 is the TRREB reporting area that covers Scarborough City Centre; 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 Scarborough City Centre
Centro
190 Borough Dr & 25 Town Centre Crt
Completed 2011 · 31 storeys · about 578 suites · Developer: Henderson Development
Getting around: Steps from the Scarborough Centre bus terminal (Line 3 replacement buses/busway to Kennedy station).
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; rooftop deck; 24-hour concierge/security; guest suites; sauna.
What renters should know:
- One of the newer towers in the core (registered 2011), so finishes and layouts are more modern than the 1990s stock.
- Suites mostly one- and two-bedrooms (roughly 530–1,300 sq ft).
- Fees cover heat and water but not hydro, so expect to pay hydro separately.
Why it makes the list: A large, full-amenity tower right beside the mall and transit terminal, giving plenty of rental supply to choose from.
Equinox I
60 Brian Harrison Way
Completed 2005 · 37 storeys · about 340 suites · Developer: Monarch
Getting around: Beside the Scarborough Centre station/bus terminal, which has an entrance from Brian Harrison Way.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; concierge; party room; guest suites; sauna.
What renters should know:
- Maintenance Condo fees are reported to include heat, hydro, water and air conditioning, so utilities-included rentals are common.
- Suites are compact (roughly 550–970 sq ft): best for singles and couples.
- Sister tower Equinox II is next door at 50 Brian Harrison Way if nothing is available here.
Why it makes the list: The strongest transit pick: you can walk to the bus terminal and the mall, and hydro is usually included.
360 at the City Centre
83 Borough Dr
Completed 2006 · 36 storeys · about 489 suites · Developer: Tridel
Getting around: A short walk to Scarborough Centre bus terminal.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; concierge; party room; sauna; meeting room.
What renters should know:
- Tridel-built with a mix of suites (roughly 600–1,460 sq ft) and townhouse-style units at the base.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, water and A/C; hydro is typically extra.
- One of the larger buildings in the area, so there are usually several listings to compare.
Why it makes the list: A mid-2000s Tridel tower with larger two-bedroom options and a full amenity package in the centre of the node.
Forest Mansion I
117 & 125 Omni Dr
Completed 2001 · 23 storeys · about 276 suites · Developer: Tridel
Getting around: Near Brimley Rd & Ellesmere Rd; buses to Scarborough Centre and Kennedy stations.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; sauna; gardens/landscaped grounds; parking garage.
What renters should know:
- Some of the biggest suites in the node (up to about 1,900 sq ft), which suits families and sharers.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, hydro, water and A/C, so many landlords offer all-inclusive rent.
- A quieter spot on Omni Dr, a little away from the mall and terminal.
Why it makes the list: The larger-layout pick: roomy Tridel suites with utilities usually included, still within walking distance of the mall.
Encore at Equinox
50 Town Centre Crt
Completed 2013 · 39 storeys · about 403 suites · Developer: Monarch Group
Getting around: A short walk to Scarborough Centre bus terminal and the mall.
What the building offers: Gym; concierge; party room; media room; guest suites; games room.
What renters should know:
- Many small suites (roughly 320–930 sq ft), so it has some of the lowest-cost rentals in the core.
- No pool listed here, unlike the older towers.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, water, A/C and parking; check whether a listing includes a parking spot.
Why it makes the list: The value/entry pick: a newer tower with small, efficient suites, close to the mall and the transit terminal.
Want me to find you a unit in Scarborough City Centre?
Looking to rent in Scarborough City Centre?
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 Scarborough City Centre as a renter
Scarborough's planned 'downtown': a cluster of 1990s–2010s high-rise condos around the Scarborough Town Centre mall and the Scarborough Civic Centre. It is car- and bus-oriented today but is the main node for the future subway, so it attracts commuters, students and newcomers looking for full-amenity towers at suburban rents.
| Scarborough City Centre in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Roughly Kennedy Rd/Midland Ave (west) to Markham Rd (east), Hwy 401 (north) to Ellesmere Rd (south); condo core is the ring of towers around Scarborough Town Centre on Borough Dr, Town Centre Crt, Brian Harrison Way, Omni Dr and Corporate Dr, between Brimley Rd and McCowan Rd. |
| Transit | Line 3 Scarborough (SRT) closed permanently after a derailment on 24 July 2023; Scarborough Centre station/bus terminal (Borough Dr) is now served by Line 3 replacement buses to Kennedy station (Line 2 Bloor-Danforth, Line 5 Eglinton — open since 8 Feb 2026 — and GO Stouffville). The TTC says the 4 km Scarborough Busway on the old Line 3 corridor (stops at Tara/Mooregate, Lawrence East, Ellesmere, then Ellesmere Rd priority lanes to Scarborough Centre) is scheduled to enter service on 30 Sept 2026. The Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension (Kennedy to Sheppard/McCowan, with a new Scarborough Centre station) is still under construction; its opening was pushed to 2033 (reported May 2026). Direct Hwy 401 access. |
| Everyday life | Scarborough Town Centre mall (anchor retail, food court, cinema) is the everyday hub; Scarborough Civic Centre, Albert Campbell Square (skating in winter) and the Civic Centre library branch are next door. Big-box and supermarket plazas line Brimley, McCowan and Ellesmere; Thomson Memorial Park is a short trip south. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Bendale-Glen Andrew (City's 158-neighbourhood model; formerly part of Bendale — condo sites still label these towers 'Bendale'). |
Things renters in Scarborough City Centre should know
- Transit is in transition: no rail at the door until the subway extension (now expected 2033); until then it is buses — the Scarborough Busway was scheduled to start 30 Sept 2026 — so check the commute for your exact building.
- Several older Tridel/Monarch towers here have maintenance fees that include hydro as well as heat and water, so many landlords advertise utilities-included rent; newer towers usually meter hydro separately.
- Hwy 401 is immediately north: north-facing units in Brian Harrison Way/Borough Dr towers can get highway noise.
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 Scarborough City Centre, Centro and Equinox I 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 Scarborough City Centre?
My top five for renters are Centro, Equinox I, 360 at the City Centre, Forest Mansion I and Encore at Equinox, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in Scarborough City Centre?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district E09, which covers Scarborough City Centre, averaged $2,134 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,633 for a two-bedroom. The City of Toronto averages were $2,316 and $3,154.
Which condo in Scarborough City Centre is best for transit?
Centro at 190 Borough Dr & 25 Town Centre Crt: steps from the Scarborough Centre bus terminal (Line 3 replacement buses/busway to Kennedy station).
Are older or newer condos better to rent in Scarborough City Centre?
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.
- Centro — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Centro — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Equinox I — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- 360 at the City Centre — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- 360 at the City Centre — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Forest Mansion I — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Encore at Equinox — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Scarborough City Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- Scarborough City Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- Scarborough City Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- Scarborough City Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Best Realtor in Scarborough: How to Actually Judge One (2026)
- Top 5 condos to rent in Agincourt
- Top 5 condos to rent in Tam O'Shanter and L'Amoreaux
- Top 5 condos to rent in Wexford and Dorset 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.