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 North York Centre are Gibson Square, Empress Walk, Beacon Condos, The Diamond Condominiums on Yonge and The Majestic. Condo apartments leased through TRREB’s MLS® System in district C14 averaged $2,273 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,954 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 | Gibson Square | 5162 & 5168 Yonge St (also 12 Park Home Ave) | 2015 | Newer twin towers with an indoor path to the subway and a full amenity floor |
| 2 | Empress Walk (Pinnacle & Royal Pinnacle) | 33 Empress Ave (Royal Pinnacle) above 5095 Yonge St | 2000 | Unbeatable convenience: subway, cinema and shopping without going outside |
| 3 | Beacon Condos | 5180 & 5200 Yonge St | 2019 | A newer mid-size tower right at the station on the west side of Yonge |
| 4 | The Diamond Condominiums on Yonge | 75 Canterbury Pl | 2022 | A newer, quieter-street alternative with a broad amenity list, still walkable to the subway |
| 5 | The Majestic | 28 Empress Ave | 2000 | The value pick in the civic core, with utilities typically covered and the subway minutes away |
How I chose them: I looked at North York 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 North York Centre costs right now
| Q2 2026, condo apartments | Avg 1-bed | Avg 2-bed | Units leased |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRREB district C14 | $2,273 | $2,954 | 738 |
| TRREB district C07 | $2,232 | $2,902 | 408 |
| 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 C14 is the TRREB reporting area that covers North York 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 North York Centre
Gibson Square
5162 & 5168 Yonge St (also 12 Park Home Ave)
Completed 2015 · 42 storeys · about 452 suites · Developer: Menkes
Getting around: Direct indoor access to North York Centre station (Line 1).
What the building offers: Indoor pool; gym; rooftop deck; sauna; hot tub; media room.
What renters should know:
- Two-tower complex with 1- to 3-bedroom suites; newer amenities and concierge.
- Being connected to the station makes it a top pick for car-free renters; demand is steady.
Why it makes the list: Newer twin towers with an indoor path to the subway and a full amenity floor.
Empress Walk (Pinnacle & Royal Pinnacle)
33 Empress Ave (Royal Pinnacle) above 5095 Yonge St
Completed 2000 · about 745 suites · Developer: Menkes
Getting around: Underground access to North York Centre station from the Empress Walk complex.
What the building offers: Gym; sauna; games room; guest suites; concierge.
What renters should know:
- Two towers (745 units combined) sit above the Empress Walk mall – cinema and shops downstairs.
- Around 25 years old: layouts are generally more generous than new builds (about 480-1,750 sq ft at Royal Pinnacle).
- Mall grocery is changing from Loblaws to T&T (planned 2026).
Why it makes the list: Unbeatable convenience: subway, cinema and shopping without going outside.
Beacon Condos
5180 & 5200 Yonge St
Completed 2019 · 35 storeys · about 374 suites · Developer: Sorbara Group
Getting around: Connected to North York Centre station; Yonge buses at the door.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; party room; guest suites.
What renters should know:
- Late-2010s building with compact 1- and 2-bedroom suites (about 490-1,350 sq ft).
- Fees cover heat, A/C and water; hydro is typically metered separately.
Why it makes the list: A newer mid-size tower right at the station on the west side of Yonge.
The Diamond Condominiums on Yonge
75 Canterbury Pl
Completed 2022 · 30 storeys · about 385 suites · Developer: Diamante Development Corporation
Getting around: Walkable to North York Centre station (Line 1); Yonge buses nearby.
What the building offers: Gym; yoga studio; spa/sauna; library; media room; guest suites.
What renters should know:
- Recent (2022) building on a quieter side street just west of Yonge.
- New-building rules apply: elevator bookings and move-in fees are common.
Why it makes the list: A newer, quieter-street alternative with a broad amenity list, still walkable to the subway.
The Majestic
28 Empress Ave
Completed 2000 · 22 storeys · about 269 suites · Developer: Grape Arbour Construction
Getting around: Short walk to North York Centre station (Line 1).
What the building offers: Gym; concierge; visitor parking.
What renters should know:
- Maintenance Condo fees are reported to include hydro, heat and A/C, which often means utilities are bundled into rent.
- Smaller amenity package than the newer towers; value-oriented.
Why it makes the list: The value pick in the civic core, with utilities typically covered and the subway minutes away.
Want me to find you a unit in North York Centre?
Looking to rent in North York 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 North York Centre as a renter
North York's civic downtown, built around Mel Lastman Square, the Civic Centre and the North York Central Library. A dense wall of 2000s-2020s towers along Yonge, flanked by quieter low-rise streets to the east and west.
| North York Centre in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Yonge St between roughly Park Home/Hollywood Ave and Finch Ave, including the Beecroft Rd and Doris Ave service roads that parallel Yonge to the west and east. |
| Transit | North York Centre station on Line 1 Yonge-University (several buildings have indoor/underground connections); Sheppard-Yonge (Lines 1 and 4) to the south and Finch to the north; Yonge buses including overnight service. |
| Everyday life | Empress Walk (Cineplex with IMAX, Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO; the underground Loblaws closed in Oct 2025 for conversion to a T&T Supermarket planned for 2026); Mel Lastman Square (events, winter skating); North York Central Library; Meridian Arts Centre; dense Korean and Asian dining along Yonge. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Yonge-Doris (east of Yonge); Willowdale West (west of Yonge) |
Things renters in North York Centre should know
- Buildings with direct indoor access to North York Centre station (e.g. Gibson Square, Empress Walk, Beacon) are especially useful in winter.
- Pedestrian-heavy civic core with frequent events at Mel Lastman Square; units facing the square or Yonge can be lively at night.
- Grocery options at Empress Walk are in transition (Loblaws to T&T), so confirm what is open when you move.
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 North York Centre, Gibson Square and Empress Walk 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 North York Centre?
My top five for renters are Gibson Square, Empress Walk, Beacon Condos, The Diamond Condominiums on Yonge and The Majestic, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in North York Centre?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C14, which covers North York Centre, averaged $2,273 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,954 for a two-bedroom. The City of Toronto averages were $2,316 and $3,154.
Which condo in North York Centre is best for transit?
Gibson Square at 5162 & 5168 Yonge St (also 12 Park Home Ave): direct indoor access to North York Centre station (Line 1).
Are older or newer condos better to rent in North York 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.
- Gibson Square — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Gibson Square — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Empress Walk (Pinnacle & Royal Pinnacle) — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Empress Walk (Pinnacle & Royal Pinnacle) — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Beacon Condos — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Diamond Condominiums on Yonge — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Majestic — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- North York Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
- North York Centre — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Best Real Estate Agent in Willowdale and North York Centre: An Honest Way to Decide
- Top 5 condos to rent in Yonge and Sheppard
- Top 5 condos to rent in Yonge and Finch
- Top 5 condos to rent in Bayview 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.