Condos for Rent in Liberty Village, Toronto, ON

The name ‘Liberty Village’ sounds quite ironic, once one learns of the neighbourhood’s past: beginning in the late 19th century, Liberty Village was home to a number of correction centres, such as the Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women and the Toronto Central Prison. The name is actually taken from Liberty Street, though, which was the first road on which individuals would walk upon being released from prison.

For present day residents living in Liberty Village, thoughts of detention centres are probably few and far between. Instead, a walk to the grocery store serves as more of a reminder of the neighbourhood’s industrial past: manufacturing was prolific in the area for about 100 years, beginning in the late 1800s and lasting into the early 1980s.

Architectural evidence of this industrial activity is abundant, with former factories since transformed into offices, homes, and commercial centres. The Liberty Market Building, for example, is a one-stop shop for anyone living in condos for rent in Liberty Village. This heritage building and former warehouse is now home to offices, independent boutiques, and numerous restaurants, plus a Bulk Barn and a Tim Hortons. What’s more, Liberty Village is one of the few neighbourhoods in the city with cobblestone streets that are still intact.

Rather than being bound by arterial roads, Liberty Village feels more self-contained thanks to the railway line and major highway that separates it from surrounding neighbourhoods like Queen West. There’s also a strong community-oriented nature in Liberty Village. Not only did locals once band together to create their own crowdfunded bus service in 2014, but residents who had long lived in the area also had their say in the creation of the Liberty Village Master Plan.

Most of the Liberty Village condos for rent can be found north of the Gardiner Expressway, while the southern portion of the neighbourhood is home to facilities that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Those interested in trade shows can keep tabs on what’s happening at the Exhibition Place’s Better Living Centre; concerts and performances can be enjoyed at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre; and sports fanatics can take in games at the BMO Field and the Coca-Cola Coliseum. And although the Toronto International Boat Show, the National Bridal Show, and the MagicFest Toronto might not necessarily draw the same crowds, most Torontonians can agree that there’s no better way to close out the summer than with a trip to the Ex.

Last but not least, many renters are drawn to Liberty Village condos for the access this neighbourhood provides to Lake Ontario. A quick walk south will land residents at Ontario Place, with its concert venues, fire pits, skating rink, and walking trails. Even more green space can be found just to the west, in Marilyn Bell park, or to the east at Coronation Park, both of which are situated right on the waterfront.

As previously mentioned, many of Liberty Village’s industrial edifices still exist to this day. Renters hoping to live within a piece of the neighbourhood’s history can look no further than the Toy Factory Lofts at 43 Hanna. Converted into homes in 2013 by BLVD Developments, the building now contains both hard and soft lofts, some of which span multiple floors.

Renters interested in modern living spaces can enjoy the historical ambiance in Liberty Village before retreating to their contemporary condos. Many of the neighbourhood’s residential buildings are in fact relatively new, plus the handful of pre-construction buildings currently going up means many more units to come. Playground at 45 Strachan Avenue, for example, is slated for completion in 2020, while the Phoenix at 251 Manitoba Street will be ready for renters the following year.

Anyone interested in Liberty Village condos for rent has just over 20 buildings to choose from, including those currently being constructed. Some of these are high rises, such as Liberty Place, which reaches to 32 storeys. Others are townhouse complexes, best for those who value private entryways over views of the city. Those who prefer the latter are encouraged to check out phases I, II, and III of the Liberty Village Townhomes.

Liberty Village is a convenient starting point for traveling around the city, with or without a car. Those who prefer to forgo parking fees and traffic jams by using public transit often start their journeys with a ride on the King streetcar. From here, passengers can ride east toward St. Andrew and King subway stations in no time. Another great option is the 63 Ossington bus, which offers access to Eglinton West Station on the University-Spadina line.

As for drivers, living so close to the Gardiner Expressway certainly has its perks. A ride all the way to the Don Valley Parkway takes just over 10 minutes via the Gardiner, while those heading west can reach the 427 in around the same time. Major arterial roads like Lake Shore Boulevard, King Street West, and Dufferin also come in handy for drivers heading out toward destinations in the immediate area.

Renting a condo in Liberty Village is also ideal for anyone who plans to travel out of town regularly. To start, the Exhibition GO Station is located within the neighbourhood itself. From here, passengers can ride west toward Oakville, Hamilton, and even as far as Niagara Falls. Those hoping to travel a little further can book flights departing from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in order to cut back on taxi fees. Using the 509 Streetcar, travelers can reach this airport in just over 10 minutes from Exhibition Loop. And last but not least, Pearson International Airport takes just 20 minutes to reach from Liberty Village by car, or around 45 minutes when using the UP Express.

The Locals: History buffs and trendsetters alike.

Code of Conduct: While it’s entirely possible to never leave Liberty Village, exploring the rest of the city is highly encouraged.

What You’ll Find: Industrial remains.

What You Won’t Find: Detached, single-family homes

The Homes: Predominantly modern, with even more contemporary buildings going up all the time.

Sealing the Deal: The ability to walk to major events like the Ex, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, and the One of a Kind Show.