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 Entertainment District are Festival Tower, Theatre Park, Charlie, M5V Condos and Picasso. 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 | Festival Tower | 80 John St | 2011 | The landmark luxury pick above TIFF Lightbox, minutes from the subway |
| 2 | Theatre Park | 224 King St W | — | The transit pick: effectively next door to St Andrew station with a rooftop pool |
| 3 | Charlie | 8 Charlotte St | 2013 | A well-regarded Great Gulf tower with a wider suite range on the quieter west edge |
| 4 | M5V Condos | 375 King St W | 2011 | A design-award-winning, LEED Gold tower in the middle of King St W |
| 5 | Picasso | 318 Richmond St W | 2016 | Newest of the five, with a spa-focused amenity package a block north of King |
How I chose them: I looked at the Entertainment 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 Entertainment District 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 the Entertainment 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 Entertainment District
Festival Tower
80 John St
Completed 2011 · Developer: The Daniels Corporation
Getting around: King & John, above TIFF Lightbox; St Andrew station roughly a 5-minute walk, 504 King streetcar at the corner.
What the building offers: Private 55-seat cinema and lounge; indoor pool; fitness centre and spa with sauna; rooftop terrace; guest suite; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Sits directly above TIFF Bell Lightbox – festival season (September) brings heavy crowds at street level.
- Premium building; rents typically sit at the upper end of the district.
Why it makes the list: The landmark luxury pick above TIFF Lightbox, minutes from the subway.
Theatre Park
224 King St W
47 storeys · about 234 suites · Developer: Lamb Development Corp., Harhay Developments and Niche Developments
Getting around: King St W beside the Royal Alexandra Theatre; St Andrew station about a 2-3 minute walk.
What the building offers: Rooftop outdoor pool; fitness centre; rooftop deck and party room; BBQ area; concierge and security.
What renters should know:
- Only about 234 suites in a 47-storey tower, so few units per floor and limited rental supply.
- Exposed concrete ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass; units include parking and a locker.
Why it makes the list: The transit pick: effectively next door to St Andrew station with a rooftop pool.
Charlie
8 Charlotte St
Completed 2013 · 36 storeys · about 314 suites · Developer: Great Gulf
Getting around: King & Charlotte, just east of Spadina; 504 King and 510 Spadina streetcars at the corner, St Andrew about a 10-minute walk.
What the building offers: Gym; media room/cinema; party room; meeting room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Suites range from about 410 to 2,030 sq ft, so larger units are available.
- Western edge of the district – slightly calmer than the John/Peter club strip.
Why it makes the list: A well-regarded Great Gulf tower with a wider suite range on the quieter west edge.
M5V Condos
375 King St W
Completed 2011 · 34 storeys · about 305 suites · Developer: Tas Design Build
Getting around: King St W between Peter and Spadina; 504 King streetcar at the door, St Andrew about a 10-minute walk.
What the building offers: Gym; rooftop deck; party room with BBQs; meeting room; concierge.
What renters should know:
- LEED Gold building with exposed concrete ceilings.
- Mix of compact 1-beds (from about 390 sq ft) up to 2+study suites.
Why it makes the list: A design-award-winning, LEED Gold tower in the middle of King St W.
Picasso
318 Richmond St W
Completed 2016 · 39 storeys · about 402 suites · Developer: Mattamy Homes
Getting around: Richmond St W at Peter St; Osgoode station roughly a 10-minute walk, 501 Queen and 510 Spadina streetcars nearby.
What the building offers: Spa with sauna; yoga and pilates studio; exercise room; billiards and media rooms; terrace; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Richmond St is a one-way arterial and near the club strip – ask about unit orientation.
- Suites mostly compact (about 350-1,230 sq ft).
Why it makes the list: Newest of the five, with a spa-focused amenity package a block north of King.
Want me to find you a unit in the Entertainment District?
Looking to rent in the Entertainment 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 Entertainment District as a renter
Toronto's theatre, film and nightlife core: the Royal Alexandra and Princess of Wales theatres, Roy Thomson Hall and TIFF Lightbox sit among 2010s point towers. Very dense, very walkable, and busy late into the night.
| The Entertainment District in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Roughly University Ave (east) to Spadina Ave (west), Queen St W (north) to Front St W (south), centred on King St W between John St and Peter St. |
| Transit | St Andrew station (Line 1) at King & University and Osgoode (Line 1) at Queen & University; 504 King, 501 Queen and 510 Spadina streetcars; Union Station (GO, UP Express) is a short walk south-east via John St / the PATH. |
| Everyday life | King St W theatres and restaurants, TIFF Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Rogers Centre and CN Tower to the south; Clarence Square and Victoria Memorial parks on the west side; the PATH and Union Station for underground access to the Financial District. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Wellington Place (City of Toronto neighbourhood 164) |
Things renters in the Entertainment District should know
- Best subway access of this group (St Andrew/Osgoode) and a walk to the Financial District – ideal for no-car renters.
- Club, theatre and event-day noise on King, Richmond and Adelaide; higher floors and courtyard-facing units are quieter.
- Point towers here skew to small suites; 2-beds are scarcer and priced at a premium.
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 Entertainment District, Festival Tower and Theatre Park 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 Entertainment District?
My top five for renters are Festival Tower, Theatre Park, Charlie, M5V Condos and Picasso, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in the Entertainment District?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C01, which covers the Entertainment District, 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 the Entertainment District is best for transit?
Festival Tower at 80 John St: king & John, above TIFF Lightbox; St Andrew station roughly a 5-minute walk, 504 King streetcar at the corner.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in the Entertainment 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.
- Festival Tower — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Festival Tower — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Theatre Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Theatre Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Charlie — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Charlie — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- M5V Condos — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Picasso — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Entertainment District — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Entertainment District — 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 CityPlace
- Top 5 condos to rent in Harbourfront
- Top 5 condos to rent in Fort York and Bathurst Quay
- 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.