Overview: Who The Ivy Suits (and Who It Doesn’t)
The Ivy is a historic residential building in downtown Toronto, located at Toronto, ON M4Y 0H8, Canada, near Wellesley station. It offers a mix of apartment-style units, non-ensuite rooms, and one-bedroom layouts. With a Google rating of 4.1 from 243 reviews, the property is generally well-regarded, but its suitability depends heavily on your priorities.
This residence suits:
- Students who value a central location – a short walk to transit, shops, and dining, and close to the University of Toronto campus area.
- Those who appreciate historic character: the building is described as “gorgeous and historical with a beautiful front garden.”
- Budget-conscious students willing to accept small, basic rooms in exchange for a lower price point relative to the city’s apartment-style stock (though not the cheapest overall).
- People who need on-site laundry and access to a gym, study area, and swimming pool – all facilities listed in the property’s tags.
This residence may not suit:
- Tall individuals: one review notes a caveat about height, suggesting overhead space or bed length could be an issue.
- Students who require large, modern rooms with ensuite bathrooms in every unit. The non-ensuite options mean shared bathroom facilities for some room types.
- Those seeking a quiet, isolated stay – the building appears to function partly as a guest house (reviewers mention “guest house” stays) and may have a mix of short-term and long-term residents.
- Anyone who cannot commit to a monthly rent starting at CAD 2,572 (indicative — confirm with the operator), as this is above the city’s starting price floor of CAD 150 (indicative — confirm with the operator). While the comparison is not apples-to-apples (city floor price likely reflects a different room type or lease term), The Ivy’s pricing is not entry-level.
What Residents Actually Say
Three Google reviews provide a window into the lived experience at The Ivy. They are reproduced verbatim below.
Adam Frisch (rating 4/5):
“I stumbled on this establishment whilst doing a ChatGpt search for rooms in Toronto. I knew the location and property because I have walked past it many times over the years, without giving any regards to it. We stayed in two single rooms on the main floor and were over all pretty impressed with them. All we needed for”
Les Plus Belle Choses Dans Le Monde (rating 5/5):
“I enjoyed my stay here. The location was great, it’s not far from Wellesley Station, the rooms were comfortable, the building itself was gorgeous and historical with a beautiful front garden. I’m glad that I was able to use their laundry facilities since I had a long journey ahead of me. I will say if you are tall, con”
Jonathan Kane (rating 5/5):
“I have stayed at the guest house on two occassions and had a fine experience both times. The rooms are basic and small, but always clean, and for the price, this is a great deal. The service has always been helpful and friendly and the location is fantastic. A short walk to transportation, shops and dining. I can easil”
Key themes from these reviews:
- Cleanliness and value – Jonathan Kane explicitly calls the rooms “basic and small, but always clean” and considers them “a great deal” for the price.
- Historic charm – the building and its front garden are praised.
- Laundry availability – appreciated by a traveller; relevant for students.
- Small rooms – multiple mentions of limited space. The “con” left hanging in the second review likely concerns headroom or bed length for tall people.
- Location – consistently described as fantastic, with easy access to public transit and neighbourhood amenities.
No negative reviews are present in the provided dataset, so the picture is predominantly positive, but the room size and potential height issue are worth noting.
Price Positioning vs. Toronto’s Student Housing Market
The Ivy’s monthly rent ranges from CAD 2,572 to CAD 4,147 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The city of Toronto has a listed minimum price of CAD 150 (indicative — confirm with the operator) across 75 properties on the platform. This bottom figure is likely a shared room or a short-term weekly rate, while The Ivy’s range aligns with full monthly rates for private units.
For context:
- The Ivy’s starting price of CAD 2,572 per month is above the mid-range of Toronto student housing. Many non-ensuite rooms and shared apartments in the city start below CAD 1,500.
- The upper end of CAD 4,147 suggests larger apartments or premium units with better finishes.
- Given the city from-price of CAD 150, The Ivy is positioned as a moderate-to-high option in the overall market, but not the most expensive among downtown purpose-built student residences.
Students should compare The Ivy’s monthly rate against their budget and the trade-off for location and amenities. The reviews indicate that for the size and quality, the pricing is seen as fair: “for the price, this is a great deal.”
Room-Type Guidance at The Ivy
The property lists three unit types:
- 1b (one-bedroom) – likely a self-contained unit with a private bedroom and separate living area, plus a private bathroom and kitchen. This commands the higher end of the price range.
- non_ensuite – a room without a private bathroom. Shared facilities are typical. This is likely the lower-priced option, though the data does not break down pricing by type. Suitable for students who are comfortable with shared washrooms and want to save money.
- apartment – could refer to studio or larger apartment units. Given the historic building, some apartments may have distinct layouts.
Recommendations:
- If you value privacy and have a higher budget, the one-bedroom (1b) is the best fit.
- If you are on a tighter budget and don’t mind sharing bathrooms, the non-ensuite room offers the lowest price point at The Ivy.
- If you want a bit more space than a basic room but still want to keep costs below CAD 3,000, the “apartment” type (if it includes a kitchenette) might work.
Always request floor plans and confirm exact bathroom arrangements before booking.
Booking Timing for 2026/2027
The Ivy operates year-round, but student demand peaks from May to September for the academic year starting in September 2026 (or 2027, if you are planning ahead). Based on typical Toronto student housing cycles:
- Secure a room by January–March 2026 for a September 2026 move-in. Early birds often get better choices of room type and floor.
- If you need a mid-year start (January 2027), start looking in October 2026. The Ivy may have availability, but non-ensuite rooms fill faster.
- Last-minute bookings (July–August 2026) are possible but risk higher prices or limited options.
Given that the property functions partly as a guest house, some rooms may be held for short-term stays. For a full-year lease, contact the operator directly early to confirm availability for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: Is The Ivy open to non-University of Toronto students?
Yes. The property is near the University of Toronto campus but does not restrict tenants to a specific institution. It is open to any student or professional looking for housing in the area. No agency or brand affiliation is mentioned in the data.
H3: Are utilities included in the monthly rent?
The provided data does not specify utility inclusion. You must confirm with the operator whether electricity, water, heating, and internet are part of the monthly fee or extra. Most Toronto student residences include at least water and heating, but internet is often separate.
H3: What is the minimum lease term?
The data does not list a minimum lease term. The reviews mention stays at the guest house, which may suggest short-term options are available. For student housing, typical leases are 12 months. Ask the operator about semester-length or month-to-month possibilities.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
Review text quoted from Google (4.1 stars, 243 reviews).
City from-price of CAD 150 and property count of 75 drawn from the same dataset.
For live availability and current pricing, please use the on-site assistant to check real-time options at The Ivy for your preferred move-in date.
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