Condos for Rent in Distillery District, Toronto, ON

There’s nothing quite like living in the Distillery District: it’s self-contained and tiny, it was the result of a master plan, and it happens to sit on the site of a former whiskey distillery. Not only are Distillery District condos for sale situated on land that once produced whiskey, but they’re also surrounded by the former distillery’s well-preserved infrastructure. In fact, these long standing buildings together make up North America’s largest collection of Victorian industrial architecture.

Modern-day visitors wandering through the distillery will quickly notice the name Gooderham and Worts following them everywhere they go. Signs featuring the name of the original distillery are there to remind Torontonians and tourists alike of the area’s industrial past. What not everyone knows, however, is that James Worts was only involved in the distilling business for two years before his untimely death, at which point Gooderham was left to continue on alone.

Galleries, restaurants, boutiques, bars, and cafés now occupy buildings that were constructed between 1859 and 1927. All this construction was made possible by the success experienced by Gooderham and Worts: in the 1860s it held the title of largest distillery in the world. Thankfully, these precious reminders of times past will be preserved for generations to come, as the entire Distillery District is designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

Distillery District condos for sale are situated amongst some of the most picturesque streets in the city. Cobblestone roads — some of which are open only to pedestrians and cyclists — and aged red brick make for the perfect photo shoot locale. On any given weekend, residents can expect to see at least a couple of brides pass through the streets of the Distillery District, with a professional photographer trailing not too far behind.

Thankfully for modern-day renters, the area surrounding the old distillery has been developed considerably in recent years. While single-family homes are practically nonexistent in the neighbourhood, Distillery District condos for rent are aplenty.

Renters set on finding a home in the neighbourhood have six buildings to choose from, most of which are high-density condos. Pure Spirit Lofts, for example, contains 380 units, while Clear Spirit Condos and the The Gooderham contain just under 350 suites each. And while these buildings are predominantly occupied by couples and single professionals, some Toronto condos for sale in the neighbourhood contain large suites that are perfectly suitable for families.

Regardless of how one prefers to get around, there’s no denying that Distillery District condos for rent are situated in a convenient part of the city. Sitting just south of Front Street and north of Lake Shore Boulevard East and the Gardiner Expressway, drivers have no problem commuting to the Financial District or even the West End. So while driving may not be allowed on many of the streets in the Distillery District, this neighbourhood is still well-suited to those who drive.

As for residents who rely on public transit to get around, there are plenty of options for reaching all corners of the city. Streetcars along King and Queen, as well as buses that travel across the Esplanade and Queens Quay, come in handy for anyone heading east or west. King Station on the Yonge line takes just 15 minutes to reach via the King streetcar, or those who are up for the journey can walk to the station in just over 20 minutes.

The Locals: Artsy types.

Code of Conduct: Don’t be afraid to walk through a photoshoot: if you stop for every single one, you’ll never get anywhere.

What You’ll Find: A huge amount of Victorian industrial architecture.

What You Won’t Find: Congested streets.

The Homes: Contemporary condos.

Sealing the Deal: The history.