179 John St
179 John St is in Kensington-Chinatown. It's outside TRCA flood hazard areas and there are 6 planning applications nearby (four under review, two approved).
Data as of Nov 8, 2026 · Every item lists its source
- 6 building permits in the last 5 years.
- Outside TRCA flood hazard areas.
- 6 planning applications within 250 m: four under review, two approved.
04The building
6 building permits in the last 5 years, for 4 projects. For comparison, about 1 in 10 Toronto addresses had any permit in that time. Permits show work the City approved; they don't show work done without a permit.
It isn't listed or designated on the City's Heritage Register.
Permit history: 12 projects from 25 permits (most recent 25 of 26)
- Interior Alterations · permit issued · issued Oct 29, 2026
Interior alterations to existing office areas on Floors 5, 6 and 7, including new non-loadbearing partitions and doors, alterations to existing office and boardroom areas, removal of selected… · Permit 26 245757 - Fire Alarm · permit issued · issued Sep 6, 2023
Fire panel and annunciator replacement. All zoning and field devices to remain unchanged. · Permit 23 177614 - Interior Alterations · revision issued · issued Jan 30, 2023
Alteration of existing sprinkler system, based on new layout to meet the requirements of NFPA 13 (2013) & OBC (2012).interior alterrations to create additional office space along north… · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 22 218524 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued May 24, 2022
Proposal for interior alterations to existing office space - SUITE 101 & 102 · Permit 22 142615 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued Aug 13, 2021
Proposal for interior alterations to existing office building unit 403 · Permit 21 187657 - Interior Alterations · completed Aug 18, 2021
Proposal for interior alterations for existiing office building 2nd floor · 2 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 21 122425 - Interior Alterations · completed Jan 16, 2020
Proposal for renovations of the four common bathrooms on the main and 3rd floors. Work consists of removing existing tiles, drywall, counters, sinks, toilets, bathroom partitions and replace with… · Permit 19 222602 - Interior Alterations · completed May 22, 2019
Proposal for interior alterations to unit 101 in the existing office building, scope of work includes plumbing hvac and electrical. · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 19 108618 - Interior Alterations · permit issued · issued Aug 17, 2018
Proposal to construct interior alterations to existing office unit 300 · Permit 18 210286 - Electromagnetic Locks · completed Jun 26, 2018
Proposed installation of electromagnetic lock in existing office space in unit 800. · Permit 17 246614 - Interior Alterations · completed Jun 26, 2018
Proposal for interior alterations to 8th floor of existing office building. tenant- CRAWLEY MACKEWN BRUSH LLP · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 17 204944 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued Dec 14, 2015
Proposal for interior alterations to the 4th floor in existing office - new tenant is "Spotify" · 2 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 15 259107
05Risks and environment
TRCA's maps show this address is outside the areas that could flood from rivers in a major storm (TRCA plans for a storm like Hurricane Hazel in 1954) and outside lake shoreline hazards. Basement flooding from overloaded sewers can still happen anywhere in the city.
In postal area M5T, 0 of 85 home tap-water samples (0%) tested above Ontario's limit for lead (10 micrograms per litre). Across Toronto, 2.0% of samples did, so M5T is lower than the city overall. Health Canada recommends a stricter limit of 5 micrograms per litre: 1 samples here (1.2%) were above it. These are voluntary tests, mostly from older homes, so they don't tell you about this house. Lead comes from old pipes and plumbing, not the City's treatment plants. If your home was built before the mid-1950s, you can get a free test kit by calling 311.
Air Quality Health Index from Environment and Climate Change Canada's Toronto Downtown station, 2.8 km away, measured 11:00 AM EST Sunday 8 November 2026. Forecast high for the next 24 hours: 2 (low risk). The scale runs from 1 to 10+; 1 to 3 is low risk.
TRCA mapping is for screening, not site-specific decisions. Lead results are voluntary samples from homes in the postal area, not this address.
01What’s changing nearby
6 active planning applications within 250 m (about a 3-minute walk): four under review, two approved. That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 1).
- 1234 Simcoe St · 147 m awayCondominium: a request to divide a building into condominium units
It has been approved.
Standard Draft Plan of Condominium for 17 non-residential units.File 24 135230 STE 10 CD · submitted Apr 11, 2024 · City record - 250 Stephanie St · 202 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Combined Official Plan & Zoning By-law Amendment for an 11-storey purpose-built rental residential building atop a 3-storey podium. The proposed development contains a total gross floor area of 11,198 square metres, with a total number of…File 25 262812 STE 10 OZ · submitted Dec 5, 2025 · City record - 3206 Simcoe St · 220 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
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…File 26 221979 STE 10 OZ · submitted Aug 18, 2026 · City record - 4250 Dundas St W · 228 m awaySubdivision: a request to divide land into new lots and streets
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
Draft Plan of Subdivision for 4 blocks.File 21 234749 STE 11 SB · submitted Nov 5, 2021 · City record - 5250 Dundas St W · 228 m awaySite Plan: City review of the design and layout of a new building
City planners are reviewing it. Residents can comment before a decision is made.
INACTIVE Proposal for a 49-storey mixed-use building comprised of 441 residential dwelling units, including 26 affordable housing units. The proposal will have a non-residential gross floor area of 31,113 square metres, and a…File 20 211719 STE 11 SA · submitted Oct 27, 2020 · City record - 6250 Dundas St W · 228 m awayOfficial Plan / Rezoning: a request to change the Official Plan or zoning so something new can be built
City Council approved it.
Combined Official Plan Amendment (OPA) & Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) application for an increase in height from 49 to 57-storeys, a reduction in the required non-residential gross floor area, and a new 740 square metre open space.File 24 230187 STE 11 OZ · submitted Oct 23, 2024 · City record
8 homes within 250 m are registered with the City as short-term rentals (stays of less than 28 days, like Airbnb). That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 2).
No licensed rooming houses within 250 m.
8 new storefront business licences within 250 m in the last 90 days: restaurant or bar (5), take-out or food shop (2) and entertainment venue (1).
New business licences nearby (8)
- Restaurant or bar · 214 Queen St W · 159 m · licensed Sep 2, 2026
- Restaurant or bar · 202 Queen St W · 181 m · licensed Oct 11, 2026
- Take-out or food shop · 300 Richmond St W · 206 m · licensed Oct 16, 2026
- Restaurant or bar · 349 Queen St W · 217 m · licensed Aug 30, 2026
- Take-out or food shop · 314 Richmond St W · 227 m · licensed Sep 17, 2026
- Restaurant or bar · 241-243 Queen St W · 230 m · licensed Oct 5, 2026
- Entertainment venue · 259 Richmond St W · 231 m · licensed Aug 20, 2026
- Restaurant or bar · 235 Queen St W · 245 m · licensed Oct 27, 2026
Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications; Short Term Rentals Registration.
06Safety
Police recorded 443 major crimes within 500 m from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026: 321 assaults, 79 break-ins, 19 robberies, 16 thefts over $5,000 and 8 car thefts. Per resident, in Kensington-Chinatown in 2025, assaults, break-ins, robberies and thefts over $5,000 were above the Toronto rate; car thefts were below it. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection, so these figures describe the area, not this address.
| Major crime | Within 500 m, 12 months | Kensington-Chinatown, per 100,000 (2025) | Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 321 | 2018 above Toronto | 768 |
| Break-ins | 79 | 443 above Toronto | 190 |
| Car thefts | 8 | 118 below Toronto | 225 |
| Robberies | 19 | 193 above Toronto | 79 |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 16 | 219 above Toronto | 61 |
Toronto Police Service Public Safety Data Portal: Major Crime Indicators (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026) and Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Includes reported incidents only.
03Getting around
The nearest subway station is Osgoode Station (Line 1), about a 6-minute walk (0.4 km). Within a 5-minute walk there are 7 TTC stops served by routes 501 and 505, with about 1,959 departures on a typical weekday. The nearest GO train station is Union Station GO, 1.1 km away, with 354 train stops on a weekday.
TTC and GO Transit schedules for a typical weekday (Nov 11, 2026). Walking times are estimates.
07Schools and community
These are the closest public and Catholic schools by distance. They may not be the schools assigned to this address: school boards set their own attendance areas, so check with the Toronto District School Board or Toronto Catholic District School Board.
- Ogden Junior Public School · elementary · 362 mTDSB · Public · grades JK-6 · 230 students. Grade 6 provincial tests: 77% met the standard in reading and 53% in math (Toronto schools: 87% and 54%).
- Beverley School · elementary · 647 mTDSB · Public · grades JK-8 · 75 students
- Orde Street Public School · elementary · 857 mTDSB · Public · grades JK-8 · 455 students. Grade 6 provincial tests: 89% met the standard in reading and 64% in math (Toronto schools: 87% and 54%).
- St Michael's Choir (Sr) School · secondary · 1.2 kmTCDSB · Catholic · grades 9-12 · 105 students. 100% passed the Grade 10 literacy test on the first try (Toronto schools: 84%).
- St Joseph's College School · secondary · 1.5 kmTCDSB · Catholic · grades 9-12 · 545 students. 87% passed the Grade 10 literacy test on the first try (Toronto schools: 84%).
Private schools within 1 km: Cornerstone Preparatory School - Main Campus, Ronald Mcdonald House, Braemar College Private Secondary School.
Ontario Ministry of Education, School Information and Student Demographics (2026); test results are EQAO results reported by the Ministry.
Within 500 m (about a 6-minute walk): nine licensed child care centres, no EarlyON centres, five privately owned public spaces and one shelter or respite site.
City of Toronto: Licensed Child Care Centres, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, POPS, and Daily Shelter Occupancy (Nov 6, 2026). Confidential shelter locations are not published.
08Your neighbourhood
Kensington-Chinatown had 18,120 residents in 2021. The median household income was $62,000, lower than the typical Toronto neighbourhood ($85,000). 68% of households rent (typical neighbourhood: 46%). 44% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 24% of workers commuted by transit and 50% walked or cycled (typical neighbourhood: 26% and 5%). The most common first languages other than English and French are Mandarin (12.7%), Cantonese (10.9%) and Spanish (2.2%). Source: 2021 Census; the next census was taken in 2026.
In October 2025, the average rent for a two-bedroom in a purpose-built rental building in the former City of Toronto was $2,457, up 6% from a year earlier. Across Toronto: $2,055. 3.2% of these apartments were vacant. These are averages paid by all tenants, including long-term ones, across a large area; new listings usually cost more.
| Average rent, October 2025 | Former City of Toronto | Change in a year | City of Toronto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,526 | +2% | $1,499 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,914 | +4% | $1,763 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,457 | +6% | $2,055 |
| 3 bedrooms or more | $3,195 | 0% | $2,361 |
Source: CMHC, Rental Market Survey (October 2025), purpose-built rental apartments. Adapted by My Address in Toronto.
02City services
Next: November 10: garbage, green bin and yard waste. November 17: recycling and green bin. Green bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate.
09Quick answers about 179 John St
Is 179 John St in a flood plain?
No. TRCA maps it outside river flood and lake shoreline hazard areas. Basement flooding from sewers can still happen anywhere. Source: TRCA Regulation mapping 2025.
What is being built near 179 John St?
There are 6 active planning applications within 250 metres (four under review, two approved). The closest is at 234 Simcoe St, 147 m away. Source: Development Applications; Committee of Adjustment Applications.
Has 179 John St been renovated?
Yes. The City has 26 building permits on record, 6 in the last 5 years. Source: Building Permits.
Is 179 John St a heritage property?
No. It isn't listed or designated on the City's Heritage Register. Source: Heritage Register.
How far is 179 John St from the subway?
The nearest station is Osgoode Station (Line 1), 0.4 km away (about a 6-minute walk). 7 TTC stops are within a 5-minute walk. Source: TTC and GO Transit schedules.
What schools are near 179 John St?
The closest are Ogden Junior Public School, Beverley School and St Michael's Choir (Sr) School. These may not be the assigned schools; check with the school board. Source: Ontario Ministry of Education school information.
How much crime is there near 179 John St?
Police recorded 443 major crimes within 500 m from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026: 321 assaults, 79 break-ins, 19 robberies, 16 thefts over $5,000 and 8 car thefts. Per resident, in Kensington-Chinatown in 2025, assaults, break-ins, robberies and thefts over $5,000 were above the Toronto rate; car thefts were below it. Police place each incident at the nearest intersection, so these figures describe the area, not this address. Source: Toronto Police Service.
When is garbage day at 179 John St?
Collection is on Tuesdays. Green bin goes out every week; garbage and recycling alternate weeks. The next garbage pickup is Nov 10, 2026. Source: Solid Waste Collection Schedule.
Answers are generated from the data on this page and update when the data changes.
10From the archives
Photo locations are matched from each photo’s title against City street and address data, so some may be off. Report a wrong location