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 Queen West are SQ2 at Alexandra Park, WaterWorks, The Harlowe, Queen & Portland and 543 Richmond. 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 | SQ2 at Alexandra Park | 80 Vanauley Street (and 51 Paul Lane Gardens) | 2020 | The newer-amenity pick from a large builder, set back from Queen for quieter living |
| 2 | WaterWorks | 505 Richmond Street West | 2021 | A newer mid-rise between Queen and Richmond with a wide range of suite sizes |
| 3 | The Harlowe | 608 Richmond Street West | 2018 | The loft-style pick at Richmond & Bathurst for tenants who want a warehouse aesthetic in a newer building |
| 4 | Queen & Portland | 156 Portland Street | 2011 | The boutique pick with utility-inclusive fees, just off Queen |
| 5 | 543 Richmond | 543 Richmond Street West | — | The value/supply pick, with many compact suites and an outdoor pool |
How I chose them: I looked at Queen West 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 Queen West 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 Queen West; 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 Queen West
SQ2 at Alexandra Park
80 Vanauley Street (and 51 Paul Lane Gardens)
Completed 2020 · 14 storeys · about 174 suites · Developer: Tridel
Getting around: Short walk to the 501 Queen and 511 Bathurst streetcars.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym and yoga studio; rooftop deck with BBQ; sauna and hot tub; party room; outdoor patio.
What renters should know:
- About 2020 build, part of the Alexandra Park revitalization.
- Suites run from about 574 to 1,268 sq ft, a little roomier than many downtown towers.
- Condo fees are reported to include water and building insurance; hydro and heating are usually separate.
Why it makes the list: The newer-amenity pick from a large builder, set back from Queen for quieter living.
WaterWorks
505 Richmond Street West
Completed 2021 · 13 storeys · about 290 suites · Developer: MOD Developments
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to the 501 Queen and 510 Spadina streetcars.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; rooftop deck; party room; meeting room.
What renters should know:
- About 2021 mid-rise with suites from about 550 sq ft up to 2,500 sq ft.
- In the Queen-Richmond warehouse district; lively neighbourhood with some nightlife noise.
- Condo fees are reported to include water; tenants usually pay hydro.
Why it makes the list: A newer mid-rise between Queen and Richmond with a wide range of suite sizes.
The Harlowe
608 Richmond Street West
Completed 2018 · 14 storeys · about 218 suites · Developer: Lamb Development
Getting around: Short walk to the 511 Bathurst and 501 Queen streetcars.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; party room; visitor parking.
What renters should know:
- Loft-style 2018 building near Bathurst, with suites from about 491 to 1,533 sq ft.
- Condo fees are reported to include water; heat and hydro are typically separate.
- Close to both Queen West and King West dining.
Why it makes the list: The loft-style pick at Richmond & Bathurst for tenants who want a warehouse aesthetic in a newer building.
Queen & Portland
156 Portland Street
Completed 2011 · 7 storeys · about 96 suites · Developer: Tribute Communities
Getting around: Steps from the 501 Queen streetcar; 511 Bathurst a short walk west.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; rooftop deck with BBQ.
What renters should know:
- Small 7-storey boutique building: fewer neighbours and faster elevators, but rentals come up only occasionally.
- Condo fees are reported to include heat, air conditioning and water; parking is included.
- Larger layouts for the area (about 685-1,116 sq ft), and a supermarket at Queen & Portland is steps away.
Why it makes the list: The boutique pick with utility-inclusive fees, just off Queen.
543 Richmond
543 Richmond Street West
15 storeys · about 476 suites
Getting around: A few minutes' walk to the 501 Queen, 510 Spadina and 504 King streetcars.
What the building offers: Concierge; gym; outdoor pool; party room; rooftop deck.
What renters should know:
- The largest recent building in the pocket (476 units), so there is steady rental supply.
- Mostly compact suites (about 370-1,045 sq ft), which suits singles and couples.
- An outdoor pool is rare for a mid-rise in the area; check its seasonal hours.
Why it makes the list: The value/supply pick, with many compact suites and an outdoor pool.
Want me to find you a unit in Queen West?
Looking to rent in Queen West?
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 Queen West as a renter
One of Toronto's best-known retail and nightlife strips: independent fashion, cafes, bars and galleries along Queen, with Trinity Bellwoods Park as its backyard. Alexandra Park is a mixed public- and market-housing community under long-term revitalization, and the blocks south of Queen are a mix of converted warehouses and newer mid-rise condos.
| Queen West in brief | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | Queen Street West between Spadina Avenue and Ossington Avenue, including Alexandra Park (Dundas to Queen, Spadina to Bathurst), Trinity-Bellwoods north of Queen, and the Richmond/Adelaide blocks just south of Queen around Portland and Bathurst. |
| Transit | Streetcar territory: 501 Queen, 510 Spadina, 511 Bathurst and 505 Dundas, with 504 King a few blocks south. The nearest subway stations (Osgoode at Queen & University, St. Andrew, and Spadina/Bathurst on Bloor) are a streetcar ride away. Metrolinx's Ontario Line, under construction, includes a planned station at Queen & Spadina; no firm opening date. |
| Everyday life | Trinity Bellwoods Park; Alexandra Park with its outdoor pool and Scadding Court Community Centre; Queen Street West and the Ossington strip for shopping and dining; Kensington Market and Chinatown to the northeast; a Loblaws supermarket at Queen & Portland. |
| Official City neighbourhood | Kensington-Chinatown (#78) (Alexandra Park), Trinity-Bellwoods (#81), Wellington Place (#164) (south of Queen, Spadina to Bathurst) and West Queen West (#162) |
Things renters in Queen West should know
- Streetcar-based commuting: fine to downtown, slower than the subway; Queen streetcar service has at times been diverted around construction.
- Mostly mid-rise buildings (7-15 storeys), so fewer amenities than big towers but a more neighbourhood feel.
- Nightlife means some weekend noise on Queen and Richmond; units facing the side streets or the courtyard are quieter.
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 Queen West, SQ2 at Alexandra Park and WaterWorks 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 Queen West?
My top five for renters are SQ2 at Alexandra Park, WaterWorks, The Harlowe, Queen & Portland and 543 Richmond, chosen for transit access, amenities, suite sizes, building condition and rental supply.
How much does it cost to rent a condo in Queen West?
In Q2 2026, condo apartments leased in TRREB district C01, which covers Queen West, 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 Queen West is best for transit?
WaterWorks at 505 Richmond Street West: A few minutes' walk to the 501 Queen and 510 Spadina streetcars.
Are older or newer condos better to rent in Queen West?
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.
- SQ2 at Alexandra Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- SQ2 at Alexandra Park — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- WaterWorks — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- The Harlowe — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Queen & Portland — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Queen & Portland — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- 543 Richmond — building facts — accessed September 2026.
- Queen West — neighbourhood and transit facts — accessed September 2026.
Related reading
- Top Realtors in Trinity Bellwoods and Little Italy: How to Judge One Properly
- Top 5 condos to rent in The Bay Street Corridor
- Top 5 condos to rent in Yorkville
- Top 5 condos to rent in Yonge and Bloor
- 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.