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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas are Massey Tower, Pace Condos, Grid Condos, Pantages Tower and Merchandise Lofts. 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 | Massey Tower | 197 Yonge St | 2019 | The transit pick: a newer tower directly on Line 1 at Queen station |
| 2 | Pace Condos | 159 Dundas St E | 2016 | A mid-size amenity building with a pool, beside TMU |
| 3 | Grid Condos | 181 Dundas St E | 2018 | A newer, student-friendly tower at Dundas & Jarvis with heat reported as included in condo fees |
| 4 | Pantages Tower | 210 Victoria St | — | The value/utilities-included pick with larger layouts, a block from Yonge |
| 5 | Merchandise Lofts | 155 Dalhousie St (also 135 Dalhousie St) | Built 1910 (with additions to 1949); converted to lofts in the late 1990s | The character-loft pick, with big open layouts and rooftop amenities |
How I chose them: I looked at the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas 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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas 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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas; 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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas
Massey Tower
197 Yonge St
Completed 2019 · 60 storeys · about 697 suites · Developer: MOD Developments
Getting around: Steps from Queen station (Line 1) and the 501 Queen streetcar.
What the building offers: Piano lounge; fitness room; sauna and steam room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Next door to Massey Hall, with ERA Architects handling the heritage component.
- Mostly compact suites (roughly 380-880 sq ft).
- Across from the Eaton Centre – about as central as it gets, with the street noise that goes with it.
Why it makes the list: The transit pick: a newer tower directly on Line 1 at Queen station.
Pace Condos
159 Dundas St E
Completed 2016 · 35 storeys · about 272 suites · Developer: Great Gulf
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to TMU station; 505 Dundas streetcar at the door.
What the building offers: Pool; rooftop terrace; fitness room; party room and billiards; library; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Popular with students and staff at Toronto Metropolitan University next door.
- Larger range of suite sizes (roughly 500-1,400 sq ft) than many student-oriented towers.
- Dundas St E streetcar noise on the front side.
Why it makes the list: A mid-size amenity building with a pool, beside TMU.
Grid Condos
181 Dundas St E
Completed 2018 · 47 storeys · Developer: CentreCourt
Getting around: About a 5-minute walk to TMU station; 505 Dundas streetcar.
What the building offers: Concierge; fitness centre; media room; party room; guest suites; outdoor terrace.
What renters should know:
- Condo fees are reported to include heat and A/C.
- Mostly small suites (roughly 370-665 sq ft), well suited to singles and students.
Why it makes the list: A newer, student-friendly tower at Dundas & Jarvis with heat reported as included in condo fees.
Pantages Tower
210 Victoria St
44-45 storeys · about 408 suites · Developer: Intracorp (with Dundee)
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to Queen and TMU stations.
What the building offers: Indoor swimming pool; concierge; party room; guest suites; meeting room.
What renters should know:
- Older (2000s) building, so layouts run up to 3-bed + den.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, hydro, A/C and water – a big plus for budgeting.
- Shares the site with the Pantages Hotel; next to the Ed Mirvish Theatre.
Why it makes the list: The value/utilities-included pick with larger layouts, a block from Yonge.
Merchandise Lofts
155 Dalhousie St (also 135 Dalhousie St)
Completed Built 1910 (with additions to 1949); converted to lofts in the late 1990s · Developer: Cresford Developments (conversion)
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to TMU station; 505 Dundas and 501 Queen streetcars nearby.
What the building offers: Rooftop pool; rooftop patio and dog-walking area; indoor half-basketball court; ground-floor retail.
What renters should know:
- Heritage warehouse conversion (former Simpsons building) with 12-foot ceilings and exposed ducts.
- Hard-loft style suites are larger and more open than new towers.
- Older building – ask about heating/cooling and what the fees cover.
Why it makes the list: The character-loft pick, with big open layouts and rooftop amenities.
Want me to find you a unit in the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas?
Looking to rent in the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas?
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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas as a renter
A dense, busy downtown district around Toronto Metropolitan University, mixing heritage churches, Massey Hall and Victorian houses with student-heavy condo towers. The eastern half toward Allan Gardens is more residential.
| The Garden District and Yonge-Dundas in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Garden District: Yonge Street to Sherbourne Street, Carlton Street to Queen Street East (officially designated 2001). Yonge-Dundas refers to the western edge around Sankofa Square and the Eaton Centre. |
| Transit | Line 1 stations at TMU (formerly Dundas; renamed December 2025), Queen and College; 501 Queen, 505 Dundas and 506 Carlton streetcars and the 75 Sherbourne bus. The Ontario Line's Queen and Moss Park stations are under construction. |
| Everyday life | CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Yonge St retail; Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens (Church & Carlton); Allan Gardens conservatory and Moss Park; Massey Hall and the Ed Mirvish Theatre; Toronto Metropolitan University campus. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Downtown Yonge East (Yonge-Jarvis blocks) and Moss Park (around Dundas & Jarvis) |
Things renters in the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas should know
- Strong student demand from Toronto Metropolitan University – leases often turn over in late summer.
- Very busy, noisy streetscape around Yonge & Dundas; blocks east of Jarvis are quieter.
- Aura (386-388 Yonge St) is often grouped with Yonge-Dundas but sits on the west side of Yonge at Gerrard in the Bay Street Corridor (City: Yonge-Bay Corridor), so it is not included here.
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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas, Massey Tower and Pace Condos 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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas?
My top five for renters are Massey Tower, Pace Condos, Grid Condos, Pantages Tower and Merchandise Lofts, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C08, which covers the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas, 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 Garden District and Yonge-Dundas is best for transit?
Massey Tower at 197 Yonge St: steps from Queen station (Line 1) and the 501 Queen streetcar.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in the Garden District and Yonge-Dundas?
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.
- Massey Tower — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Pace Condos — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Grid Condos — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Grid Condos — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Pantages Tower — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Pantages Tower — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Merchandise Lofts — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Garden District and Yonge-Dundas — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Garden District and Yonge-Dundas — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Garden District and Yonge-Dundas — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Garden District and Yonge-Dundas — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Top Realtors in Regent Park and Moss Park: How to Judge One Properly
- Top 5 condos to rent in South Core
- 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 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.