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 Harbourfront are WaterClub, The Riviera, Number One York Quay, Harbourside and King's Landing. 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 | WaterClub | 208 & 218 Queens Quay W (also 8 York St) | 2004 | Resort-style indoor/outdoor pool and the shortest walk to Union of any Queens Quay W tower |
| 2 | The Riviera | 228 & 230 Queens Quay W | 2003 | Solid value pick with utilities typically included and a central Queens Quay location |
| 3 | Number One York Quay | 77 & 99 Harbour Square (Queens Quay W at York St) | 1991 | The larger-layout, full-service option right on the water by the ferry docks |
| 4 | Harbourside (Harbour Square) | 55 & 65 Harbour Square | 1980 | Closest Harbourfront condo to Union Station, with all-inclusive fees and roomy suites |
| 5 | King's Landing | 460-480 Queens Quay W | 1988 | The quiet, large-layout choice for renters who want space and a low-rise feel on the water |
How I chose them: I looked at Harbourfront 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 Harbourfront 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 Harbourfront; 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 Harbourfront
WaterClub
208 & 218 Queens Quay W (also 8 York St)
Completed 2004 · 37 storeys · Developer: Kolter Group
Getting around: At Queens Quay & York; 509/510 streetcar stop steps away and roughly a 5-10 minute walk to Union Station.
What the building offers: Heated indoor/outdoor pool with tanning deck; fitness centre; theatre room; billiards room; party room with BBQ terraces; 24-hour concierge.
What renters should know:
- Maintenance fees at 208 include hydro, heat, A/C and water, so landlords often rent inclusive of utilities.
- Closest of the picks to Union Station and the PATH network.
Why it makes the list: Resort-style indoor/outdoor pool and the shortest walk to Union of any Queens Quay W tower.
The Riviera
228 & 230 Queens Quay W
Completed 2003 · 24 storeys · about 517 suites · Developer: Landmark & Urbancorp
Getting around: Queens Quay W at Lower Simcoe; streetcar stop at the door, Union Station about a 10-minute walk.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; sauna; rooftop deck; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Condo fees are reported to include hydro, heat, A/C and water – leases are commonly all-inclusive.
- 9-ft ceilings and relatively spacious floor plans for its era.
Why it makes the list: Solid value pick with utilities typically included and a central Queens Quay location.
Number One York Quay
77 & 99 Harbour Square (Queens Quay W at York St)
Completed 1991 · 40 storeys · about 812 suites · Developer: Greywood Developments
Getting around: Foot of York St at Queens Quay; about a 5-10 minute walk to Union Station and next to the Island ferry terminal.
What the building offers: Indoor/outdoor pool; squash and basketball courts; health club with saunas and hot tub; 24-hour concierge and doorman; residents' shuttle; on-site bar/restaurant lounge.
What renters should know:
- Older (1991) building with larger suites (up to about 2,700 sq ft) – good for renters wanting space over new finishes.
- Club-style amenity package is unusually broad for a rental building.
Why it makes the list: The larger-layout, full-service option right on the water by the ferry docks.
Harbourside (Harbour Square)
55 & 65 Harbour Square
Completed 1980 · 38 storeys · about 602 suites · Developer: Campeau Corporation
Getting around: Queens Quay W at Bay St; about a 5-minute walk to Union Station and beside the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
What the building offers: Indoor pool; sauna; squash and racquetball courts; car wash; party/meeting room; concierge and security.
What renters should know:
- Maintenance fees cover hydro, heat, A/C, water and cable, so rentals are usually all-inclusive.
- 1980 construction: dated common areas in places, but larger, older-style layouts.
Why it makes the list: Closest Harbourfront condo to Union Station, with all-inclusive fees and roomy suites.
King's Landing
460-480 Queens Quay W
Completed 1988 · 11 storeys · about 101 suites
Getting around: West end of Queens Quay near Spadina; 509/510 streetcar stops close by, Union about 10 minutes by streetcar.
What the building offers: Indoor pool with hot tub and sauna; gym; tennis court; rooftop deck; concierge; car wash.
What renters should know:
- Low-rise, terraced building with large suites (about 1,200-4,800 sq ft) – a small, premium rental pool.
- Condo fees are reported to include water only, so tenants usually pay hydro and heat separately.
Why it makes the list: The quiet, large-layout choice for renters who want space and a low-rise feel on the water.
Want me to find you a unit in Harbourfront?
Looking to rent in Harbourfront?
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 Harbourfront as a renter
A former industrial port turned mixed residential and cultural waterfront, with concrete towers from the late 1970s-1990s alongside 2000s glass towers. Harbourfront Centre, the Martin Goodman Trail and the lake itself define daily life.
| Harbourfront in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Queens Quay W corridor between Bay/York St (east) and Bathurst St (west), south of the Gardiner Expressway / Lake Shore Blvd to the lake. |
| Transit | 509 Harbourfront and 510 Spadina streetcars run in a dedicated right-of-way on Queens Quay and tunnel into Union Station (Line 1, GO, UP Express). The east end (Bay/York) is about a 5-10 minute walk to Union; the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at Bay St serves the Toronto Islands; Billy Bishop airport is at the west end. |
| Everyday life | Harbourfront Centre, HTO Park, the Toronto Music Garden, WaveDecks and the Martin Goodman Trail line the water; the Toronto Islands ferry leaves from Bay St. Queens Quay Terminal has shops and restaurants; the Loblaws flagship at Lake Shore & Bathurst serves the west end. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Harbourfront-CityPlace (City of Toronto neighbourhood 165) |
Things renters in Harbourfront should know
- Lake wind and summer tourist/event crowds are real trade-offs for the views and trail access.
- Many older buildings (1980s-90s) have all-inclusive or near-all-inclusive maintenance fees, so rentals there often include hydro and heat – confirm in the lease.
- Transit is streetcar-to-Union rather than a subway at the door; the east end near Bay is far more convenient than the Bathurst end.
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 Harbourfront, WaterClub and The Riviera 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 Harbourfront?
My top five for renters are WaterClub, The Riviera, Number One York Quay, Harbourside and King's Landing, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in Harbourfront?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C01, which covers Harbourfront, 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 Harbourfront is best for transit?
WaterClub at 208 & 218 Queens Quay W (also 8 York St): at Queens Quay & York; 509/510 streetcar stop steps away and roughly a 5-10 minute walk to Union Station.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in Harbourfront?
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.
- WaterClub — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- WaterClub — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Riviera — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Number One York Quay — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Number One York Quay — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbourside (Harbour Square) — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- King's Landing — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- King's Landing — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbourfront — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbourfront — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- Harbourfront — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Best Real Estate Agent in Harbourfront and CityPlace: An Honest Way to Decide
- Top 5 condos to rent in CityPlace
- Top 5 condos to rent in Fort York and Bathurst Quay
- Top 5 condos to rent in Liberty Village
- 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.