Leasing has kicked off at one of Toronto's newest communities, Marlow at Bloor and Dufferin streets, which will offer over 898 residential units across three towers.

The first of the towers at 980 Dufferin from purpose-built rental developer Fitzrovia is nearing completion with a phased move-in expected to start in September.

The development includes the restoration and adaptive re-use of the former Kent Public School which will be used for amenities at the new community. The school was declared surplus in 2014 by the Toronto District School Board and sold to developers by the Toronto Lands Corporation, TDSB's real estate arm.

The Kent School was built in 1907 and Fitzrovia has sought to honour its heritage.

"Rather than demolish the structure, Marlow preserves all four floors of the original building, re-imagined to include a community hub and child-care centre," the company said in a press release on the launch of leasing. "The approach maintains the school's historic presence on Dufferin Street while giving it a renewed public purpose for future generations."

More PBR coming in the GTHA

Marlow's opening will coincide with an influx of new purpose-built rental apartments into the Toronto area. According to Urbanation, a total of 3,674 units started construction in Q1, up 12 per cent from last year while 27,815 purpose-built rental units were under construction in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area as of the end of 2025.

The vacancy rate in stabilized buildings completed since 2000 in the GTHA was 5.4 per cent in Q1, jumping from 3.6 per cent in Q1 2025. 

Urbanation noted both slowing population growth and increased competition as more unsold condos units being brought to market as rentals have created one of the most competitive climates for landlords in years.

Neaby development

The Marlow is Fitzrovia's component of a larger masterplan which will see six buildings added to the seven-block area known as Bloor Crossing, which will offer over 2,000 rental homes.

Hazelview is developing the neighbouring Station House purpose-built rental apartment which will be comprised of two towers offering 856 units. Its Station II is currently leasing with occupancy expected to begin in September. The 12-storey, 284-unit Station I is expected to be delivered early next year.

"This is city-building at scale," Fitzrovia CEO Adrian Rocca said. "Marlow is not a single building; it's part of a new neighbourhood. We're adding hundreds of much-needed rental homes in a community that embraced density, transit, and growth, while investing in the public realm and long-term livability."

Bloor Crossing's $80-million community benefits package is said to be one of the largest in City of Toronto history. It includes a 56-unit affordable housing building and a $12.5-million affordable housing cash contribution in addition to a new 3,580-square-metre public park, which surrounds the community.

Bloor Crossing has a walk score of 95 and a transit score of 93, offering to Dufferin TTC station and a 15-minute walk to the Bloor GO station.

Meeting the need for family-sized rentals

Fitzrovia said almost 60 per cent of Marlow's units will be family-friendly two- or three-bedrooms, which City of Toronto data has shown is needed in the neighbourhood. 

Among the amenities on offer at Marlow are: an in-house daycare facility; a gym and yoga studio; an indoor basketball court; a sports lounge with multi-sport simulators; a wellness centre featuring a sauna, cold plunge, deluge shower, and steam room; and pet spas.

Marlow also offers a rooftop swimming pool and an indoor pool surrounded by outdoor terraces.

"The scale of Marlow allows us to deliver a level of amenity programming rarely achieved in multi-family residential communities," Corey Pacht, partner and EVP, operations at Fitzrovia, added. 

"Kent Public School has always been a place of community," Rocca continued. "By restoring it and reintegrating it into daily neighbourhood life, we're respecting the past while building something that serves today's families and residents."

About Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia is Canada's largest purpose-built rental developer, headquartered in Toronto with communities across Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. It has nearly 12,500 units completed, acquired or under development and $11 billion in assets under management.