Playter Estates Toronto Apartments, Condos and Houses for Rent

Once the farmland of the Playter family and their descendants, Playter Estates' impressive two-storey Victorian and Edwardian homes are a sight to behold, with their inviting brick facades and charming front porches. Mature trees drape over the tranquil, garden-lined streets. Formerly a sleepy neighbourhood, the area is quickly becoming one of the most desired addresses for Toronto's urban professionals. Rarely do rentals come on the market in Playter Estates and when they do, they put Toronto's high average rental rates to shame.

The market, at a glance

Avg. rent by housing type & size

3-bedroom: $3500

Avg. rent compared to other Toronto neighbourhoods

Playter Estates is 175% higher than TO average

Playter Estates Rental Market: This is no neighbourhood for those with light wallets. Houses here go for an average price of about $900,000, although many sell for much more. Playter Estates houses for rent are few and far between and are just as costly.

Playter Estates itself doesn't have a shopping district, but its location at the west end of the Danforth means all the services, restaurants, cafes, bars, art galleries and markets are within a short drive or walk. The Don Ravine west of the community has walking trails for miles between beautiful trees that open up to impressive views of the Don River. Families living here are of the trendy sort who like a good latte and boutique-style shopping.

Who lives here: Families with school-age children are drawn to Playter Estates, not only for the large houses with pet-friendly yards perfect for playing the kids, but also to be in the catchment area for Jackman Avenue Junior Public School, one of the top-testing institutions in Canada.

Perfect for: Families with higher incomes. Empty-nesters and seniors also love the charm of the neighbourhood, as well as younger working couples who will revel in living along Playter's tranquil streets while the eclectic Danforth is so close by.

Not-so-perfect for: Lower income singles and couples – bargains here are hard to come by.

Residents of Playter Estates spend their free time along the Danforth, popping in to cafes and boutique shops along the well-known strip. With an increasing number of upscale restaurants staking a claim among the businesses here, it's the perfect draw for Playter types to get dressed up for after dark for a casual evening with wine and saganaki.

17 Bayfield Cres. – the Playter sisters' home

The original Playter family home on Playter Cres.

The granddaughter of John Lea Playter, who built his farm house on this land toward the end of the 1800s, only recently moved out of the family home at 17 Bayfield Crescent at the age of 96. CBC comedian Rick Mercer lives in Playter Estates.