686 Bay St
686 Bay St is in Yonge-Bay Corridor. There are 8 planning proposals within 250 m, including an 85‑storey building with 1,709 homes and shops (under review). TMU Station is a 5‑minute walk.
Data as of Nov 9, 2026 · Every item lists its source
- 26 building permits in the last 5 years.
- An 85-storey building with 1,709 homes and shops is under review, 161 m away (22 Elm St and 1 more address).
- Assaults, break-ins, robberies and thefts over $5,000 in Yonge-Bay Corridor were above the Toronto rate in 2025.
- TMU Station (Line 1) is about a 5-minute walk.
- The nearest elementary school is St Michael's Choir (Jr) School, 609 m away.
01What’s planned near 686 Bay St
8 planning proposals within 250 m (about a 3‑minute walk): eight in progress. Some cover several addresses; each proposal is listed once. That's more than at 96% of Toronto addresses.
In progress
- 1Site plan700 Bay St and 1 more address · 141 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.
Proposed interior alterations to repurpose the existing building to create 249 purpose built rental units.File 26 231153 STE 11 SA · submitted Sep 2, 2026 · City record and how to commentAll 2 addresses
700 Bay St · 99 Gerrard St W
- 285-storey building · 1,709 homes and shops22 Elm St and 1 more address · 161 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 to construct 3 towers (85-storeys, 51-storeys, and 32-storeys) and one 5-storey building comprised of residential, commercial, and community uses including a POPS. A total of 1709 dwelling units and 39,099 m² of…File 19 261101 STE 11 SA · submitted Dec 13, 2019 · City record and how to commentAll 2 addresses
22 Elm St · 33 Gerrard St W
- 3Subdivision22 Elm St and 1 more address · 161 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 1 block.File 21 234931 STE 11 SB · submitted Nov 5, 2021 · City record and how to commentAll 2 addresses
22 Elm St · 33 Gerrard St W
Development Applications and Committee of Adjustment Applications, City of Toronto. A proposal that covers several addresses is listed once. Decided: development files submitted in the last 4 years; Committee of Adjustment decisions in the last 2 years.
02Safety near 686 Bay St
Police recorded 581 major crimes within 500 m of this address from Oct 2025 to Sep 2026. That's more than at almost all Toronto addresses. The table compares the neighbourhood's rates with Toronto's.
| Major crime | Near this addressreported within 500 m, last 12 months | Yonge-Bay Corridorper 100,000 residents, 2025 | Torontoper 100,000 residents, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 437 | 3,361 | 768Yonge-Bay Corridor is higher |
| Break-ins | 67 | 552 | 190Yonge-Bay Corridor is higher |
| Car thefts | 18 | 162 | 225Yonge-Bay Corridor is lower |
| Robberies | 44 | 300 | 79Yonge-Bay Corridor is higher |
| Thefts over $5,000 | 15 | 210 | 61Yonge-Bay Corridor is higher |
Thick bar: Yonge-Bay Corridor. Thin grey bar: Toronto. Source: Toronto Police Service Public Safety Data Portal, Major Crime Indicators (Oct 2, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026) and Neighbourhood Crime Rates. Reported incidents only; police place each incident at the nearest intersection. Five-year trends for Yonge-Bay Corridor
03Getting around from 686 Bay St
The nearest subway station is TMU Station (Line 1), about a 5‑minute walk (0.3 km). Within a 5‑minute walk there are 21 TTC stops served by the 505 and 506 streetcars and the 19, 97 and 13 buses, with about 4,144 departures on a typical weekday. The nearest GO train station is Union Station GO, 1.4 km away, with 354 train stops on a weekday.
Source: TTC · Line 1 · about 5 min walk
Nearest stop: Bay St at Elm St, plus 4 more stops for these routes within 250 m.
Nearest stop: Gerrard St West at Elizabeth St West Side.
Nearest stop: Dundas St West at Bay St.
Nearest stop: Yonge St at Gould St.
Source: GO Transit · 354 train stops on a weekday
TTC and GO Transit schedules for a typical weekday (Nov 11, 2026). Walking times are estimates.
04Schools and child care near 686 Bay St
The closest public and Catholic schools. They may not be the ones assigned to this address; check with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) or Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).
Elementary schools
Share of Grade 6 students meeting the provincial standard. Toronto: 87% reading, 54% math.
Grades 7–8 schools
These schools start at Grade 7, after the Grade 6 tests, so they have no Grade 6 results.
Secondary schools
Share of students who passed the Grade 10 literacy test on their first try. Toronto: 84%.
The red tick on each bar is the Toronto average. Private schools within 1 km: Taie International Institute School, The Ymca Academy Secondary School, Ronald Mcdonald House, Le College Francais - Carlton Campus, Cornerstone Preparatory School - Main Campus and 5 more. Source: Ontario Ministry of Education (2026), EQAO results.
Within 500 m (about a 6‑minute walk): four licensed child care centres and one EarlyON centre.
350 Victoria St · 39 spaces · toddler, preschool · in the $10-a-day program · fee subsidies
14 Trinity Sq · 52 spaces · infant, toddler, preschool · in the $10-a-day program · fee subsidies
30 College St · 16 spaces · preschool
30 College St · free programs for children up to 6 and their caregivers
Source: City of Toronto Licensed Child Care Centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres.
05The building at 686 Bay St
Source: Building Construction/Demolition Violations
26 building permits in the last 5 years, for 13 projects. For comparison, about 10% of Toronto addresses had any permit in that time. Permits show work the City approved; they don't show work done without a permit.
Source: Building Permits · 71 on record
It isn't listed or designated on the City's Heritage Register.
Source: Heritage Register
Permit history: 12 projects from 25 permits (most recent 25 of 71)
- Alternative Solution · deficiency notice issued · issued Sep 1, 2026
The Alternative Solution is intended to permit the installation of turnstile security gates on Level 3 of the 686 Bay Street building at the elevator lobby which is within a means of egress from the… · Permit 26 229850 - Interior Alterations · examiner's notice sent · issued Sep 1, 2026
Proposed interior alterations to replace existing revolving door with security gate. · Permit 26 229841 - Sprinklers · permit issued · issued Aug 17, 2026
This project consists of modifying an existing wet sprinkler system to suit renovations to one lab area at level nine in an existing hospital building. The starting point for installation is the… · Permit 26 203007 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued Feb 17, 2026
Proposal for interior alterations to an existing hospital for new ZebraFish Holding area at Sickkids Hospital · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 25 250040 - Interior Alterations · completed Oct 22, 2025
Proposed ZebraFish Holding area at Sickkids Hospital. Converting existing lab space into an aquatic holding facility for research on zebrafish. · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 25 210755 - Interior Alterations · completed Jul 8, 2026
Renovation of interior floor area on the ground floor of SickKids Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning including minor electrical alterations. · Permit 25 151550 - Interior Alterations · inspection · issued Apr 10, 2025
Interior renovation involving the modification of an existing animal research laboratory on Level 6 to meet the specific standards required for zebrafish quarantine areas, including four quarantine… · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 24 250782 - Electromagnetic Locks · completed Jun 27, 2025
1 single maglock door - Exterior exit · Permit 25 105001 - Interior Alterations · completed Sep 16, 2025
Proposed interior alterations for SickKids Hospital - SK Micro CT. · 3 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 24 227383 - Backflow Prevention Devices (Water only) · inspection · issued Apr 4, 2024
Proposed addition of new backflow preventer to support the replacement of existing air compressor. · Permit 24 116429 - Interior renovation, plumbing and more · completed Sep 11, 2026
REVISION#2: REVISION TO 23 107763 PLB 01 PSPlumbing - Proposal to demolish partition walls and ceilings and construct interior alterations, new mechanical and electrical systems · 2 permits in this project (such as building, plumbing and heating) · Permit 23 107763 - Heating and cooling · inspection · issued Oct 10, 2023
HVAC - Level 18Architectural: Enclosing a lab alcove to create a private shared office.Mechanical: Updating the life safety systems and HVAC. · Permit 23 183968
06Around the block
Stays of less than 28 days, like Airbnb. That's more than at most Toronto addresses (the typical address has 2).
Houses that rent individual rooms with shared kitchens or bathrooms. The City licenses them to enforce safety standards.
The Daily Dumpling Wonton (take-out or food shop), Mimuchas Place (take-out or food shop), Shawarma Royale (restaurant or bar), and 32 more.
20 Edward Street (149 m), 532-570 Bay Street (282 m), 444 Yonge Street (358 m), and 2 more.
Covenant House Gerrard St E (349 m), Street Haven Downtown Hotel Program (378 m), Covenant House McGill St (382 m).
All new business licences in Yonge-Bay Corridor (35)
- The Daily Dumpling Wonton · Take-out or food shop · 181 Bay St · 1214 m · licensed Nov 6, 2026
- Mimuchas Place · Take-out or food shop · 123 Queen St W · 682 m · licensed Nov 5, 2026
- Shawarma Royale · Restaurant or bar · 366 Yonge St · 230 m · licensed Nov 5, 2026
- Gb Hand-Pulled Noodles · Sidewalk café · 66 Edward St · 105 m · licensed Nov 5, 2026
- Jacked Up Coffee · Take-out or food shop · 120 Adelaide St W · 834 m · licensed Nov 4, 2026
- Concord Room · Restaurant or bar · 40 Temperance St · 804 m · licensed Nov 1, 2026
- Hy's Toronto · Restaurant or bar · 365 Bay St · 777 m · licensed Oct 28, 2026
- A&W · Take-out or food shop · 220 Yonge St · 558 m · licensed Oct 27, 2026
- Conrad Sandbacka · Salon or personal services · 600 Bay St · 170 m · licensed Oct 23, 2026
- Galbi Bbq Rice Bowl · Take-out or food shop · 444 Yonge St · 372 m · licensed Oct 20, 2026
- Marry Me Mochi Eaton Centre · Take-out or food shop · 220 Yonge St · 558 m · licensed Oct 15, 2026
- Impark · Parking lot · 1 Dundas St W · 305 m · licensed Oct 15, 2026
Source: Short Term Rentals Registration, Multi-Tenant (Rooming) House Licences, Business Licences and Permits (storefront types; owners’ personal names are never shown), POPS, and Daily Shelter Occupancy (Nov 6, 2026). Confidential shelter locations are not published.
07Risks and environment at 686 Bay St
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.
Source: TRCA Regulation mapping 2025
In postal area M5G, 0 of 2 home tap-water samples (0%) tested above Ontario's limit for lead (10 micrograms per litre). That's too few samples to compare with the rest of the city. Health Canada recommends a stricter limit of 5 micrograms per litre: 0 samples here (0%) 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.
Source: Non Regulated Lead Sample · 2 tests, Jun 17, 2014 to Apr 17, 2015
Air Quality Health Index from Environment and Climate Change Canada's Toronto Downtown station, 2.3 km away, measured 5:00 AM EST Monday 9 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.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada · hourly
TRCA mapping is for screening, not site-specific decisions. Lead results are voluntary samples from homes in the postal area, not this address.
08The neighbourhood: Yonge-Bay Corridor
Yonge-Bay Corridor had 12,645 residents in 2021. The median household income was $68,500, lower than the typical Toronto neighbourhood ($85,000). 68% of households rent (typical neighbourhood: 46%). 56% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. 21% of workers commuted by transit and 56% walked or cycled (typical neighbourhood: 26% and 5%). The most common first languages other than English and French are Mandarin (14.7%), Cantonese (5.2%) and Arabic (4.8%). Source: 2021 Census; the next census was taken in 2026.
Rents aren't published for single neighbourhoods. Across central Toronto (the old City of Toronto, before the 1998 amalgamation), a two-bedroom in a purpose-built rental building averaged $2,457 a month in October 2025, up 6% from a year earlier. The Toronto average was $2,055. The vacancy rate was 3.2%. These averages include long-term tenants; new listings usually cost more.
| Average rent, October 2025 | Central Toronto | Change in a year | 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, central Toronto (the old City of Toronto, before the 1998 amalgamation). CMHC doesn’t publish rents for single neighbourhoods. Adapted by My Address in Toronto.
How Yonge-Bay Corridor compares with Toronto’s 158 neighbourhoods →Archive photos from near this address: myaddressintoronto.com/address/686-bay-st#sec-history
