168 John St
Toronto, Ontario M5T
A 7-storey, 180-unit Toronto Community Housing building built in 1979.
- Property manager
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Reviews
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Issues & maintenance
Leaks, outages, repairs: dated reports from residents. None filed yet.
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City bylaw and health cases
8 bylaw investigations at this address since Jul 2025.
A case starts with a complaint or an officer’s visit, so it is not a finding against the building. In a condo, a complaint about one unit is filed under the building’s address.
- Repairs and upkeep 6
- Garbage 1
- Not enough heat 1
- Jun 2026
GarbageBylaw· Closed
Case 26 192252 WST 00 IR
- Jun 2026
Not enough heatBylaw· Closed
Case 26 183952 HEA 00 IR
- Aug 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 211390 PRS 00 IR
- Aug 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 209152 PRS 00 IR
- Aug 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 208517 PRS 00 IR
- Aug 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 208476 PRS 00 IR
Show 2 older cases
- Jul 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 193532 PRS 00 IR
- Jul 2025
Repairs and upkeepBylaw· Closed
Case 25 192036 PRS 00 IR
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto. Bylaw investigation activity (open cases, and those closed in the last two years) and residential health hazards.
City building permits
29 permits the City has issued at this address since 2000 - repairs, alterations and system work that needed one. Official records, not resident reports.
- Alterations 16
- Plumbing and drains 6
- Heating, cooling and ventilation 5
- Roof and cladding 1
- Fire and life safety 1
- Jul 2026
Alterations · Other(BA) · Permit Issued
Proposal for solar panel installation on the roof.
Permit 26 198499 BLD · est. $350,000
- Oct 2025
Alterations · Addition(s) · Closed
Proposal for adding curb ramp at the entrance
Permit 25 233328 BLD · est. $7,000
- Dec 2022
Plumbing and drains · Building Permit Related(PS) · Inspection
Plumbing - Proposal for interior alterations for new bubble tea and optical store.
Permit 22 239652 PLB
- Dec 2022
Heating, cooling and ventilation · Building Permit Related(MS) · Inspection
HVAC - Proposal for interior alterations for new bubble tea and optical store.
Permit 22 239652 HVA
- Dec 2022
Alterations · Interior Alterations · Inspection
Proposal for interior alterations for optical store.
Permit 22 239652 BLD
- Mar 2019
Plumbing and drains · Building Permit Related(PS) · Revision Issued
REVISION: new plumbing diagram added for connection to existing sumps, underpinning added under elevator pitPlumbing - Construct interior alterations (14.72m2) and install cargo elevator
Permit 18 141945 PLB
Show 23 older permits
- Mar 2019
Alterations · Interior Alterations · Revision Issued
REVISION: new plumbing diagram added for connection to existing sumps, underpinning added under elevator pitConstruct interior alterations (14.72m2) and install cargo elevator with no specific occupancy. Fees for interior alteration has no…
Permit 18 141945 BLD
- Aug 2018
Roof and cladding · Re-Roofing/Re-Cladding · Revocation Pending
Proposed re-cladding of existing storefront and interior alterations to existing convenience store. Convenience address is 252 Queen St W
Permit 18 204263 BLD · est. $5,000
- Apr 2018
Plumbing and drains · Building Permit Related(PS) · Permit Issued
Plumbing - Construct interior alterations (14.72m2) and install cargo elevator
Permit 18 141945 PLB
- Apr 2018
Alterations · Interior Alterations · Permit Issued
Construct interior alterations (14.72m2) and install cargo elevator with no specific occupancy. Fees for interior alteration has not been charged.
Permit 18 141945 BLD · est. $200,000
- May 2017
Alterations · Multiple Projects · Closed
Proposal to repair 198 balconies and guards of existing apartment building.
Permit 17 170695 BLD
- Mar 2016
Heating, cooling and ventilation · Alter: Boiler/Furnace/AC Replacement · Inspection
Boiler Plant Retrofit
Permit 16 131060 MSA · est. $480,000
- Oct 2015
Heating, cooling and ventilation · Other(MS) · Closed
Replacement of two existing MUA with new more efficeient Make-up Air Unit on roof
Permit 15 243840 MSA · est. $100,000
- May 2014
Alterations · Canopy w/o Enclosure · Cancelled
Proposal to extend the existing canopy to cover exhaust vent in the existing apartment building.
Permit 14 155487 BLD · est. $90,000
- Jul 2013
Plumbing and drains · Backflow Prevention Devices (Water only) · Closed
Proposal to install 3" back flow preventer in existing apartment building.
Permit 13 205038 PSA · est. $5,000
- Jan 2012
Alterations · Other(BA) · Closed
This is for the attachment of four (4) canopy structures for signage purposes. This is for a temporary sales office for "PICASSO ON RICHMOND"..
Permit 12 106021 BLD · est. $5,000
- Sep 2011
Plumbing and drains · Building Permit Related(PS) · Closed
Plumbing - This is for interior alterations for a new sales office for a future condo development. This is for the future "PICASSO" building.
Permit 11 282880 PLB
- Sep 2011
Heating, cooling and ventilation · Building Permit Related(MS) · Inspection
HVAC - This is for interior alterations for a new sales office for a future condo development. This is for the future "PICASSO" building.
Permit 11 282880 HVA
- Sep 2011
Alterations · Interior Alterations · Closed
This is for interior alterations for a new sales office for a future condo development. This is for the future "PICASSO" building.
Permit 11 282880 BLD · est. $500,000
- Feb 2007
Alterations · Other(BA) · Closed
Encroachment agreement in place. Construct new wall on property connected to new canopy.Erect enclosed canopy addition to existing retail store on Boulevard. Existing retail Exiting affected.
Permit 07 111532 BLD · est. $25,000
- Mar 2003
Alterations · Addition(s) · Cancelled
"folder was made by mistake."
Permit 03 114361 BLD
- Jan 2003
Fire and life safety · Fire Alarm · Closed
Carry out remedial work to comply with the retrofit provisions of the fire code (upgrade fire alarm system 1st to 7th floor inclusive)
Permit 03 104500 FSU
- Sep 2002
Alterations · Addition(s) · Cancelled
enclosure extension for temporary marketing (extension of blvd marketing lic.) "Hold for approval of work on City Property"
Permit 02 177284 BLD · est. $50,000
- Jul 2001
Plumbing and drains · Building Permit Related(PS) · Closed
install fixtureson 1st floor- 1 f.d., 2 h..d., 4 w.c., 3 w.b., 1 h.w.t.,1 vegie sink, 1 2-compt. pot sink, 1 hand sink, 1 cocktail unit, 3 k.s., 1 grease interceptor. see bp#01-155667 (seating 110 seats) (conv. address is 254 Queen St W)
Permit 01 155673 PLB
- Jul 2001
Heating, cooling and ventilation · Building Permit Related(MS) · Closed
supply and install h.v.a.c. system (seating 110 seats) (conv. address is 254 Queen St W) see bp#01-155667
Permit 01 155669 HVA
- Jul 2001
Alterations · Interior Alterations · Closed
make interior alterations to 1st floor for restauant purposes. (110 seats) (conv. address is 254 Queen St W) hold for health approval
Permit 01 155667 CMB · est. $100,000
- Jun 1999
Alterations · Unknown · Closed
MAKE INTERIOR ALTERATIONS ON 1ST FLOOR TO CREATE NEW RESTAURANT (120 SEATS). 185.8M2 (FEE COLLECTED $604.00) TENANT: EXPRESS CAFE SEE ALSO PP426401. (CONVIENCE ADDRESS IS 254 QUEEN ST W)(12(2)203 HOLD FOR HEALTH APPROVAL (W24)/SP
Permit 99 017268 BLD · est. $20,000
- Mar 1998
Alterations · Unknown · Closed
MAKE INTERIOR LATERATIONS ON 4TH FLOOR FOR INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT ROOM IN CONNECTION WITH INSTALLATION OF ANTENNA & CABL ING.
Permit 98 014427 BLD · est. $30,000
- Oct 1996
Alterations · Unknown · Closed
MAKE REPAIRS TO EXISTING BALCONIES. BP
Permit 96 022187 BLD · est. $247,000
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto. Cleared permits and active permits. Contractors are named only on permits filed since 2017.
From City of Toronto open data
Neighbourhood
Living score
70/ 100
Each category is ranked against every other Toronto building on this site: 70 means better than 70% of them.
- Transit92
69.9 departures an hour at the morning peak within 500 m, on 6 routes. Nearest subway or LRT: Osgoode (1 Yonge-University Line), 380 m.
- Parks & trees45
11.8 ha of parkland within 800 m; nearest park 120 m. 460 street trees within 300 m.
- Cycling96
Within 1 km: 8.35 km of protected lanes, 2.95 km of bike lanes and trails, 0.9 km of shared routes. 21 Bike Share stations within 500 m.
- Schools nearby79
7 public or Catholic schools within 1 km (nearest: Ogden Jr Public School, 290 m), plus 2 private. Distance only: being near a school does not mean being in its catchment.
- Daily amenities74
Within 1 km: 1 library, 2 community centres, 23 licensed child care centres.
- Road safety8
11 collisions with serious injury or death within 500 m, 2021–2025. Fewer scores higher.
What matters to you?
Change how much each category counts. The score above updates as you go; nothing is saved.
Map
Turn layers on and off to see what is around the building.
About 1.2 km around the building. Select anything on the map for details. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Also worth knowing
Shown for context. None of this is part of the living score.
Safety
Kensington-Chinatown
- AssaultAmong the highest
Higher than 97 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (3.3× the city median).
- Break and enterAmong the highest
Higher than 97 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (3.1× the city median).
- RobberyAmong the highest
Higher than 97 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (2.8× the city median).
- Auto theftLower than most
Lower than 80 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (62% of the city median).
- Theft from vehiclesAmong the highest
Higher than 99 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (4.2× the city median).
- Theft over $5,000Among the highest
Higher than 97 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (4.8× the city median).
- Bicycle theftAmong the highest
Higher than 97 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (14× the city median).
- ShootingsHigher than most
Higher than 88 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (2.3× the city median).
- HomicideLower than most
Lower than 76 of every 100 Toronto neighbourhoods (69% of the city median).
How often police recorded each crime for every resident of the whole neighbourhood, averaged over 2023–2025. Places many people visit but few live in, like downtown, rank high for that reason alone, so this is not part of the living score.
Air
Gardiner Expressway, 1.2 km away
178.3 tonnes a year from 4 facilities, mostly Walton Street Steam Plant
Bands: traffic is high within 150 m of an expressway and moderate within 500 m; industrial is moderate under a tonne a year and high above. The industrial bands are ours, for orientation only: ChemTRAC totals mix substances of very different toxicity. Releases are self-reported to the City’s ChemTRAC program. For today’s readings see Air Quality Ontario.
Supervised consumption services
- Nearest site
- Kensington Market Overdose Prevention Service, 1.2 km
- Sites within 1 km
- 0
Sites currently offering services, from Health Canada, updated 2026-09-15. Sites open and close; check the list for current status.
Zoning
Commercial Residential
- Category
- Mixed use
- Zone label
CR 3.0 (c2.0; r2.0) SS2 (x2387)- Height limit
- 16 m
Zoning By-law 569-2013, from City of Toronto open data. Exceptions (“x” numbers) and site-specific amendments can change what is allowed; check the City’s zoning map before relying on it.
Nearby change
- Open planning applications within 300 m
- 10
- Registered short-term rentals at this address
- 0
180 Simcoe St · 300 m away
Rezoning · Under Review · submitted 2026-08-18
Proposed development for the Canada Life Campus include: Retention of the existing office buildings with minor alterations at 330 University Avenue, 180 Simcoe Street, and 180 Queen Street West. Demolition of the office building and parking
City record156 John St · 90 m away
Site plan · Application Received · submitted 2026-03-25
Proposed change of use from office to a hotel occupancy with ground floor modifications.
City record
Rezonings, site plans and subdivisions submitted in the last five years and still open.
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto. Data as of 2026-10-03. Transit from TTC weekday schedules; parks, trees, cycling, schools, libraries, community centres, child care, collisions, crime, expressways, ChemTRAC releases, planning applications and short-term rental registrations from open.toronto.ca; Bike Share stations from Bike Share Toronto; supervised consumption sites from Health Canada.
From CMHC and the City of Toronto
Rent
Average rents nearby
Monthly rent in purpose-built rental apartments, October 2025.
| Bedrooms | Kensington-Chinatown | Toronto (Central) zone | Toronto region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | - | $1,606 | $1,491 |
| 1 bed | - | $2,042 | $1,761 |
| 2 beds | - | $2,776 | $2,045 |
| 3+ beds | - | $3,580* | $2,294 |
| All units | $1,497* | $2,163 | $1,917 |
Averages over every unit, including long tenancies under rent control, so they run below what a new lease costs today. Condominium units rented out by their owners are not included. “-” means too few units were surveyed to publish; * marks an estimate CMHC rates poor. Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey, under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
Rent reductions after property-tax cuts
When a rental property’s tax falls by more than 2.49%, Ontario law cuts its rents by a matching share, and the City writes to the tenants.
The City’s lists for 2014–2025 have no rent-reduction notices for this address.
Source: City of Toronto, Tenant Notification for Rent Reduction, 2014–2025.
Building facts
From the City of Toronto’s RentSafeTO registry, as reported by the landlord (registered 2017). Not resident reviews.
94 / 100City inspection score, July 2025. How buildings are scored
- Type
- Toronto Community Housing
- Storeys
- 7
- Units
- 180
- Built
- 1979
- Elevators
- 2
- Managed by
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation
- Heating
- Hot water
- Air conditioning
- None
- Laundry
- On site
- Pets
- Allowed
- Parking
- Underground garage, garage accessible thru buildg, surface parking
- Visitor parking
- Paid
- Amenities
- Indoor recreation room
- Balconies
- Yes
- Smoke-free building
- Yes
- Sprinklers
- Yes
- Cooling room
- No
- Ward
- 10
Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Toronto. Source dataset.
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