Overview & Location
38 St Lawrence St is a student residence located in Toronto’s downtown east side, close to the Distillery District and within walking distance of the St Lawrence Market area. The address is Toronto, ON M5A 3N1, Canada. The property offers both non-ensuite (shared bathroom) rooms and self-contained apartments, making it a flexible option for students who want varying levels of privacy.
The residence sits near George Brown College’s Waterfront campus (as noted in resident reviews) and is within commuting distance of the University of Toronto and other downtown institutions. Public transit, groceries, and dining are within a few blocks. The area is generally quiet for downtown Toronto, though some street noise may be present depending on the unit’s floor and orientation.
Who This Residence Suits
Short-term stays and travellers
Reviews mention stays of one to three nights, suggesting the property is also used as short-term accommodation. For students arriving early for orientation or taking a short summer course, the flexible minimum lease of six months (indicative — confirm with the operator) allows mid-length stays without a full-year commitment.
Budget-conscious students who value location
The indicative monthly price range of CAD 1,350–1,390 is competitive for a downtown Toronto apartment-style unit. Resident H noted: “The price is competitive. The location is near to the Distillery District.” Students who prioritise being close to the core without paying premium rents at newer purpose-built residences will find this a reasonable option.
Students who want partial privacy in a shared flat
The property offers apartment-style suites that typically include a private bedroom with a shared kitchenette and bathroom. This arrangement gives some personal space, as H described: “We managed to get a room each in the same flat?/dorm? which gives me and my friend some form of privacy.” It suits students who want their own room but don’t mind sharing common areas.
Those who need basic in-unit amenities
Each unit comes with a kitchenette (microwave, full-sized fridge with freezer) and Wi-Fi is included. The residence also has laundry facilities and a workstation area. Rowan confirmed: “Full sized fridge with freezer & microwave was nice.” For students who like to cook simple meals and study in their room, these facilities are adequate.
Who Might Look Elsewhere
Students who need a full ensuite bathroom
All non-ensuite units share a bathroom. Rowan pointed out: “Shower was a bit small, with low water pressure & a low shower head.” If a private bathroom with strong water pressure is important, this residence may not meet expectations.
Long-term residents seeking more space or modern finishes
The property appears to be a converted or older building. A three-star review by V. L. described it as “budget-friendly accommodation” and mentioned it “might catch your eye” if you’re looking for cheap summer housing. Students who prefer newly built residences with gyms, study lounges, and social programming should examine other options.
Students who want a traditional dormitory experience
This property operates more like a temporary apartment hotel. There is no mention of on-site resident events, community kitchens, or common lounges beyond the workstation. If you value a built-in social network, a larger purpose-built student community would be better.
Those with strict arrival dates
The listing tag includes “not_available,” which may mean limited or no current availability. Confirm with the operator before making plans. The minimum lease is six months, so students needing only a semester (four months) cannot book here unless the operator offers shorter terms on request.
What Residents Say
Positive – competitive price and location (Google rating 4, review by H)
“Such a nice surprise. My friend and I stayed here for 3 nights. The price is competitive. The location is near to the Distillery District which is one of the attractions. We managed to get a room each in the same flat?/dorm? which gives me and my friend some form of privacy. The rooms, kitchenette and bathroom are all [clean].”
Satisfactory experience with minor drawbacks (Google rating 4, review by Rowan)
“Stayed here for 1 night, was satisfied. Room was clean, no issues with the check in/out process. Shower was a bit small, with low water pressure & a low shower head. Full sized fridge with freezer & microwave was nice. Was able to get more soap upon request. They also let us store our bags there for the day after check [out].”
Neutral – budget summer housing with trade-offs (Google rating 3, review by V. L.)
“If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation in downtown Toronto during the summer months, The Residence & Conference Centre – Toronto Downtown might catch your eye. Located at George Brown College’s Waterfront campus, it offers apartment-style suites with private bathrooms and basic kitchenettes. But while the [overall experience was OK].”
The overall Google rating is 4.0 based on 153 reviews, indicating generally positive sentiment. The most common praises are cleanliness, location, and price; common complaints are small showers and low water pressure.
Price & Room Types
- Indicative monthly price: CAD 1,350 – 1,390 (confirm with the operator)
- Price duration: Monthly
- Deposit: Not specified — ask the operator
- Room types: Non-ensuite (shared bathroom) and apartment (self-contained unit)
- Minimum lease: 6 months (indicative — confirm with the operator)
Toronto’s student housing market has a wide range of prices. This property sits toward the lower end for a private room in a downtown apartment. For comparison, many purpose-built student residences near the University of Toronto start around CAD 1,500–1,700 per month (indicative). However, availability may be limited, so the price alone should not be the deciding factor.
The non-ensuite option is the cheaper choice but requires sharing a bathroom with flatmates. The apartment option gives you a full private unit, which may cost at the higher end of the range. Check with the operator which room types are currently open for booking.
Booking Timing & Availability
The property is tagged “not_available” on the listing platform at the time of data collection. This could mean it is temporarily sold out or not accepting new reservations. If you are looking for the 2026–2027 academic year, contact the operator early to see whether rooms will be released. Given the high demand for downtown Toronto housing, committing by spring 2026 for a September 2026 move-in is advisable. The six-month minimum lease means you can also consider a mid-year start in January 2027.
If you need a short-term stay of just a few months, this property may not be suitable; the minimum lease is six months. But the operator may offer flexible terms on a case-by-case basis — confirm directly.
H3: Can I get a private bathroom in this residence?
Some units are apartments with private bathrooms, while others are non-ensuite (shared bathroom). When booking, specify that you want an apartment with an ensuite. The indicative price will likely be at the higher end of CAD 1,390 per month.
H3: How far is it from the University of Toronto?
The residence is about a 25–30 minute walk or a 10–15 minute transit ride from the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Buses and streetcars run along nearby streets. It is closer to George Brown College’s Waterfront campus (right next door).
H3: Is Wi-Fi included in the rent?
Yes, Wi-Fi is listed as a facility included in the rent. The property also has a workstation area for studying.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
Data from the listing platform as of July 2026. Prices, availability, and room types are indicative — always confirm current details with the operator.
For live availability and current pricing, use the on-site assistant on this page.
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