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 the Distillery and Canary District are Clear Spirit, The Gooderham, Pure Spirit, Canary Park and Canary Commons. Condo apartments leased through TRREB’s MLS® System in district C08 averaged $2,269 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,122 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 | Clear Spirit | 70 Distillery Lane | 2013 | The Distillery's flagship tower, with bigger suites and a strong amenity list |
| 2 | The Gooderham | 390 Cherry St | 2014 | A newer amenity tower with utilities largely bundled into fees |
| 3 | Pure Spirit | 33 Mill St | 2009 | The established value pick in the Distillery, with a pool and utilities-inclusive fees |
| 4 | Canary Park | 120 Bayview Ave (also 398 Front St E) | 2016 | A mid-rise near the park and YMCA – a good fit for renters who want a quieter, greener block |
| 5 | Canary Commons | 475 Front St E | 2022 | The newest-build pick, with a range of suite sizes including larger family-friendly layouts |
How I chose them: I looked at the Distillery and Canary District 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 the Distillery and Canary District costs right now
| Q2 2026, condo apartments | Avg 1-bed | Avg 2-bed | Units leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRREB district C08 | $2,269 | $3,122 | 3,535 |
| 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 C08 is the TRREB reporting area that covers the Distillery and Canary District; 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 the Distillery and Canary District
Clear Spirit
70 Distillery Lane
Completed 2013 · 43 storeys · about 344 suites · Developer: Cityscape Development (with Dream)
Getting around: 504 King streetcar Distillery loop nearby; about a 15-20 minute walk to King station.
What the building offers: Outdoor pool; theatre room; games room and library; children's play area; party room; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, A/C, water and parking, which makes all-in costs easier to predict.
- Larger suites (roughly 520-1,870 sq ft) with 10-foot ceilings and wrap-around balconies.
- Inside the car-free Distillery – quiet at night, busy during events.
Why it makes the list: The Distillery's flagship tower, with bigger suites and a strong amenity list.
The Gooderham
390 Cherry St
Completed 2014 · 36 storeys · about 328 suites · Developer: Cityscape Development (with Dream)
Getting around: 504 King streetcar Distillery loop and Cherry St streetcar nearby.
What the building offers: Swimming pool; fitness room and yoga studio; sauna and steam rooms; media room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, A/C, water and parking.
- Sits at the Distillery/Canary District seam on Cherry St.
- Mid-size building – fewer rental listings at any one time.
Why it makes the list: A newer amenity tower with utilities largely bundled into fees.
Pure Spirit
33 Mill St
Completed 2009 · 33 storeys · about 380 suites · Developer: Cityscape Development
Getting around: Near Parliament St buses and the 504 King streetcar; King station is a longer walk.
What the building offers: Outdoor pool, hot tub and sundeck; gym; rooftop deck; party room; media room; concierge.
What renters should know:
- The oldest of the three Distillery towers (2009), so rents are often a bit lower.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, A/C and water.
- Parliament & Mill location is the closest of the group to St. Lawrence.
Why it makes the list: The established value pick in the Distillery, with a pool and utilities-inclusive fees.
Canary Park
120 Bayview Ave (also 398 Front St E)
Completed 2016 · 15 storeys · about 439 suites · Developer: Dundee Kilmer Developments
Getting around: Cherry St streetcar and 504 King nearby; no subway within easy walking distance yet.
What the building offers: Outdoor pool; rooftop deck; gym, sauna and yoga room; media room; guest suites; 24-hour concierge.
What renters should know:
- Former Pan Am Athletes' Village area, next to Corktown Common and the Cooper Koo YMCA.
- Mid-rise building, so fewer elevator waits than the 40+ storey towers.
Why it makes the list: A mid-rise near the park and YMCA – a good fit for renters who want a quieter, greener block.
Canary Commons
475 Front St E
Completed 2022 · 12 storeys · about 430 suites · Developer: Dundee Kilmer Developments
Getting around: Cherry St streetcar and 504 King nearby; future Ontario Line Distillery District station planned within walking distance.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; party room; rooftop deck.
What renters should know:
- The newest large building in the area (2022), with suites from roughly 440 to 1,550 sq ft.
- New-building rules (move-in bookings, elevator reservations) are typical.
- Close to the Don Valley Parkway – check noise on east-facing suites.
Why it makes the list: The newest-build pick, with a range of suite sizes including larger family-friendly layouts.
Want me to find you a unit in the Distillery and Canary District?
Looking to rent in the Distillery and Canary District?
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 the Distillery and Canary District as a renter
The Distillery is a pedestrian-only heritage district of Victorian industrial buildings with galleries, restaurants and markets; the Canary District next door was built as the 2015 Pan Am Athletes' Village and converted to condos, rentals and student housing. Both are newer, quieter residential pockets on the edge of downtown.
| The Distillery and Canary District in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Roughly Parliament Street to the Don River, between King Street East / Eastern Avenue and the rail corridor; the Distillery sits west of Cherry St and the Canary District between Cherry St and Bayview Ave. |
| Transit | No subway yet: the 504 King streetcar has a Distillery loop branch and the Cherry St streetcar tracks serve the Canary District; King station (Line 1) is roughly a 15-20 minute walk. The Ontario Line's Distillery District station (King & Berkeley, formerly called Corktown) is under construction, with opening expected in the early 2030s. |
| Everyday life | Corktown Common and Underpass Park; the Cooper Koo YMCA in the Canary District; Distillery shops and restaurants; the Don River trail. Groceries mostly require a trip to St. Lawrence Market or nearby supermarkets. |
| Official City neighbourhood | St Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands |
Things renters in the Distillery and Canary District should know
- Streetcar-dependent until the Ontario Line opens – budget extra commute time.
- Distillery events (Christmas Market, festivals) bring heavy crowds on weekends.
- Canary District buildings sit near the Don Valley Parkway and rail corridor; check traffic/train noise on the east and south sides.
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 the Distillery and Canary District, Clear Spirit and The Gooderham 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 the Distillery and Canary District?
My top five for renters are Clear Spirit, The Gooderham, Pure Spirit, Canary Park and Canary Commons, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in the Distillery and Canary District?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C08, which covers the Distillery and Canary District, averaged $2,269 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,122 for a two-bedroom. The City of Toronto averages were $2,316 and $3,154.
Which condo in the Distillery and Canary District is best for transit?
Clear Spirit at 70 Distillery Lane: 504 King streetcar Distillery loop nearby; about a 15-20 minute walk to King station.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in the Distillery and Canary District?
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.
- Clear Spirit — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Clear Spirit — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Gooderham — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Pure Spirit — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Canary Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Canary Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Canary Commons — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Canary Commons — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Distillery and Canary District — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Distillery and Canary District — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Distillery and Canary District — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Distillery and Canary District — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Top Real Estate Agent in St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District: What to Check Before You Sign
- Top 5 condos to rent in South Core
- Top 5 condos to rent in St. Lawrence Market
- 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.