Chestnut Residence
Chestnut Residence provides large-scale student housing that supports the University of Toronto’s vibrant residential experience. Situated steps from City Hall and a short walk from the St. George campus, the residence offers students a comfortable living environment connected to the cultural and academic life of the city.
Use Type
Student Residence & Conference Centre
Originally constructed as a hotel in 1972 and later converted into student housing, Chestnut Residence today serves as one of the university’s largest residence communities. The building accommodates more than 1,100 students from across U of T’s faculties and colleges, creating a dynamic residential hub for undergraduate life.
With spacious rooms, an on-site dining program, and robust residence life programming, Chestnut provides a welcoming environment where students can live, learn, and build community in the downtown core.
Property Details
Chestnut Residence is a large-scale residential facility located at 89 Chestnut Street in downtown Toronto. The property was originally developed and launched as Canada’s largest hotel in 1972, and later acquired and converted by the University of Toronto to address increased demand for student housing.
Today, the building functions as a year-round student residence during the academic year and as a hospitality and conference venue during the summer months. The property includes residential floors, dining facilities, meeting spaces, and shared student amenities.
Chestnut Residence supports students from all academic divisions at the University of Toronto and is particularly known for housing large first-year cohorts, helping students build community early in their university experience. Its central location places students within walking distance of campus, transit, and major downtown landmarks, including Nathan Phillips Square and the Eaton Centre. The residence also supports themed living communities and residence programming designed to foster academic collaboration, leadership development, and student engagement.
Chestnut Residence offers a range of amenities designed to support student wellbeing, community building, and convenience.
Residential Features
- Single and double occupancy rooms with private ensuite bathrooms.
- Fully furnished rooms with desks, wardrobes, and storage.
- Weekly housekeeping services for residential floors.
Dining & Hospitality
- Large on-site dining hall with meal plan service.
- Summer accommodation program for visitors and groups.
- Conference and meeting facilities with over 30K SF of event space.
Student Amenities
- Fitness centre and recreation spaces.
- Laundry facilities.
- Common lounges and social areas.
- Music and activity rooms.
Safety & Services
- 24/7 security and controlled building access.
- Residence life staff and community programming.
- On-site maintenance and support services.
Chestnut Residence demonstrates how strategic real estate decisions can support the University of Toronto’s academic mission while addressing the growing demand for student housing in Toronto’s downtown core.
By acquiring and converting a centrally located hospitality asset into student housing, the university significantly expanded its residential capacity without the long timelines associated with ground-up development. The project created more than 1,100 student beds within walking distance of campus, helping first-year and international students access safe, supportive housing in the city.
The property also delivers operational flexibility. During the academic year, the building functions as a vibrant student residence, while in the summer months it supports conferences, events, and short-term accommodation programs. This dual-use model helps maximize the value of the asset while supporting university programming and external partnerships.
Ultimately, the project reflects the Real Estate Partnerships team’s ability to identify opportunities, structure effective agreements, and deliver solutions that strengthen the university’s residential ecosystem and enhance the student experience.
Chestnut Residence contributes to the University of Toronto’s commitment to responsible, sustainable, and community-focused campus development. By repurposing an existing downtown building into student housing, the project extended the life of a major urban asset while supporting the university’s goal of increasing residential capacity in close proximity to campus.
The residence promotes sustainable urban living by allowing more students to live within walking distance of their classes, reducing reliance on commuting and supporting a more connected campus community. Shared dining services, centralized facilities, and efficient building operations also help reduce resource consumption relative to dispersed housing alternatives.
Chestnut Residence further supports the university’s social impact goals by creating a welcoming and inclusive residential environment. Residence life programming, peer mentorship, and community engagement initiatives foster student wellbeing, belonging, and leadership development.
Through responsible operations and a strong community focus, Chestnut Residence plays an important role in advancing the university’s environmental and social priorities.
Partners and Media
Chestnut Residence reflects a collaborative effort between the University of Toronto and a range of partners involved in the acquisition, conversion, and ongoing operation of the property.
- University of Toronto Student Housing & Residence Life.
- University of Toronto Real Estate Partnerships.
- Chestnut Residence & Conference Centre Operations Team.
- Facilities and operations partners supporting building management and services.
Location
89 Chestnut St.
Toronto, ON M5G 1R1
Interested in Partnering with Us?
U of T’s Real Estate Partnerships team handles important real estate developments, acquisitions, and partnerships on behalf of the University. We take on ambitious projects that integrate innovation, AI, research, academics, retail and hospitality into our campus.
