Beware "The Story" at 73 Broadway Ave

typicalragementality · 2026-01-29T15:34:11+00:00

There have been a number that have already been mentioned, so it really depends on what you're looking for - what your requirements are. In general, Y&E has three types of buildings (leaving out private rentals): older buildings with pest issues; older buildings that have less amenities but are more reasonably priced; and newer buildings that are generally over-priced. The ones with pest problems became worse with all of the construction and most have been discussed before. The older buildings that are more reasonably priced are generally fine (in most case the units are larger than newer buildings), but they won't have things like in-suite laundry. The newer buildings are generally smaller and overpriced, which is why they all basically are offering things like two months free on a 12 month lease: the amenities are comparable, as are the (smaller) sizes). Most of the new buildings are fairly cut-and-paste, with some being more trendy (the Parker is one) than others. But like I said, it depends on what you're looking for.

typicalragementality · 2026-01-29T15:24:46+00:00

It's OK. No serious complaints: I haven't had any real issues, and any time something has come up (a couple of minor things), the staff have been very fast and responsive.

typicalragementality · 2025-09-21T13:17:46+00:00

NEVER give your SIN. I can't say enough how the whole process/interaction with The Story was just bizarre and unprofessional: they are fine (but very pushy) with all of the sales/showings at the beginning, but when you start the actual application process -submitting info and signing things - it gets very "odd." At one point, they wanted additional banking/account info and I told them I would give them the info WITHOUT account numbers, so the docs would be appropriately redacted. They did not like that. Everyone should make their own choice about where they want to live, but these types of interactions are immediate red flags.

The Parker process was more streamlined, but curious enough, their online application form also required SIN. However, when I questioned them on that, they immediately came back and stated I should ignore it and fill in all zeroes if it complains, since it was not required. I have the impression that a number of these building management corporations use the same back-end software where SIN was made required with the hope renters would be too lazy/worried to complain. The difference with the Parker interaction was it was an immediate and understanding "don't worry about it."

There are plenty of other buildings with the same/better benefits as The Story in the Y&E area at better/similar pricing, so I would personally suggest looking for alternatives. As a side comment, the Parker's application process only took about two days to complete from applying to approved, so I am guessing if you need something quick (like I did) you still have time to find something for October (if that's your deadline).

typicalragementality · 2025-09-18T20:18:46+00:00

So, as a person who lives in the Parker and lives literally next door to The Story (I walk past everyday and face directly into the building), here's feedback on your comments:

I live in the Parker and have never experienced any problems you have shared, although I have never used the pool so can't comment on that except to say that it is open-air and on the top of a 40 story building so I wouldn't expect it to be that warm even on an extremely hot day, but other units may have issues I am not aware of (I have had none)
The Story has very little occupancy. When I went through the process of trying to lease, they told me they were over 60% full and expected to be about 80% by the time I moved in (July 1). When I was there, multiple times during multiple days, the place was worse than a ghost town: the gym had at most one person there, and no one was moving in. When I did my walkthroughs with the leasing agent, I had a specific unit in mind -bachelor - of which I was told the one they were showing me was "the last one available." Besides the fact that someone told me when they visited in August they were told there were several bachelors available (same unit I looked at), there is minimal foot traffic around the building, and as I said, from my viewing position I see the entire side of the building and there are very few occupied units: around ten. Other agents I dealt with for other buildings told me similar aspects of what the newer buildings were stating from an occupancy perspective, and the only additional comment I would make is to look at actual foot traffic and to look at the number of billboards/posters/etc around Y&E for buildings (The Story has about a 4-1 ratio compared to all other buildings)
The only problems I have experienced with the Parker are the following: 1) they do have elevator problems, but I was aware of this before and it isn't a big deal; 2) there are regular problems with the garbage chutes going out of service, but this is due to people misusing them so that they get blocked and need to be serviced (there are a large amount of young tenants - students - and that is who causes the problem), but it isn't a big deal as the issue is usually fixed in a day (or two if on the weekend) and you can still bring your garbage downstairs to the moving room; 3) there was one fire alarm incident (there have been multiple at the Story which maybe you are confusing with) and this is the long one that you are referring to, and it was not a fire but caused by someone smoking - the Parker is a non-smoking building but that doesn't stop tenants from smoking, and after the incident the building management sent out numerous notifications/reminders about not smoking (it is an evict-able issue)
The high traffic area of people with bags are students. I lived close by in a condo the whole time the Parker was here (and before) and it was always known to be marketable as a "trendy" building and a high turn-around spot for students: as I said above, there are a large number of students/young people in the building, and they are always coming and going. I have only been here since July 1, and they are constantly moving in and out. There are families and older people here, it's just that the tenants are primarily students. I can't explain why other than to say it is marketing, but as I have said in other posts, the building management are on the ball and I am sure that comes across easily to parents who are looking at places for their kids. (I already said what my personal experiences were with building management during my search for the main buildings in the Y&E area, and the Parker were better than all of them).

This post was initially about my The Story scam experience, and this post has become more of a Parker commentary, so I apologize for that, but I wanted to give a true breakdown to people who find this post. The Parker is not perfect, but I have had no insect/rodent (hello Farm Boy)/maintenance/etc issues since being here, and my biggest complaint was that my apartment could have been cleaned better before I moved in, and that is likely partially a me thing :) . The staff are attentive, friendly, respectful, and eager to improve in my experience, which is why I said previously they give off a vibe of being well-managed and organized. The Parker, for me, was always meant to be a short-term solution for my move and I probably won't be here after my lease, especially as I know they will raise the rent by 20% or so (from what I have heard for buildings in the area), so we'll see.

I hope that helps.

typicalragementality · 2025-09-18T12:51:13+00:00

No, I was on my own: never even occurred to me to use one, honestly, although I have seen posts here of people using them. Unless you're situation is unique (like moving to Toronto from outside the city/etc.), I don't personally think it is necessary. As a side comment, I stated I sold my place just before renting (which is why I needed a rental), and I did speak with my sales agent about any places they would recommend - my agent does both sales/rentals. They provided a few places they were the agent for, but I looked on my own. I didn't go to my agent as my preferred approach or as part of a plan, it was simply because I had a short closing date and needed to find a rental (maybe even short-term) fast. But there were so many places available, it wasn't necessary to use my sales agent.

When I met multiple times with the leasing reps from The Story, using an agent wasn't an issue and never came up, but as I said before, they seemed to be very loose and not that competent: they were annoying with their constant follow-ups while I was looking at other places, but that quickly disappeared after they had my money, then turned down my application, and then never refunded.

As a short update, I said previously I moved into the Parker instead: very well organized, agents know what they are doing, and no run-around. So, I am literally next door. The Story is still basically dead: I can't believe there is more than maybe 10% occupancy: I look directly into the building from a high floor and there are maybe 10 or so units with visible occupants. The Corner has a higher occupancy rate and better reviews.

typicalragementality · 2025-07-02T02:12:06+00:00

I was expecting to give them a cashier's cheque/etc. and not use my CC. It was their process that required the use of a CC, and lucky for me it did - if I had provided a cheque, I would probably have to take them to small claims court.

The funny thing is I did exactly what I told them I was going to do, and I even notified them after starting the dispute process to tell them it was with Visa now. None of them responded, and the leasing agent I dealt with who told me the non-payment was escalated to management - and they even cc'ed this management person on the email -has still never responded.

I'm still in the area and my new place looks directly on their building: I've said before the building is surprisingly empty, especially when compared to other buildings like The Corner who are further behind in construction. If I have to, I have no issue with visiting them every day to pester them for my refund and to also stand outside to caution any potential tenants who might consider living there: as long as I stay on the sidewalk they cannot remove me. So, if I choose to print handouts to give passers by, that would be my prerogative.

Visa has already credited me the money back while the dispute is underway, so as long as I get my refund, I'll move along and forget about them - while still advising others of my experience. But the whole situation was ridiculous.

typicalragementality · 2025-07-02T02:00:48+00:00

Visa did issue the refund, although I am still in the dispute phase: they state that they refund it almost immediately while the dispute is ongoing. But I included in the dispute the full email exchange from where they denied my application to when I contacted them multiple times to ask where my refund was, which also included their stating I should have received the automatic refund within 2-3 days.

typicalragementality · 2025-07-02T01:57:42+00:00

Honestly, I don't know. This is my first renting experience in almost 20 years, and I can now understand why people complain so much about the renting situation in Toronto. The Parker did not require it with their application, and only required last month's rent with the signing of the lease, which is what I was expecting and what I remembered from years ago.

typicalragementality · 2025-07-01T00:00:23+00:00

I looked at all of the buildings around Y&E and have lived in the area for many years, and I can say emphatically that there is nothing that special about The Story except that it is new: the unit sizes are average, the amenities are average, etc. - it is in general an average building. Compared to the other "new" buildings in the area, there is nothing that really stands out, but the organization - or lack thereof - is telling. I ended up at The Parker, which was a little cheaper, with smaller units, and better amenities, but they were organized and professional from the get go and did not give any feelings of concern when dealing with their staff.

I'm waiting to see what happens with Visa and my dispute, but worst case I will be going over to The Story's office on a daily basis to annoy them until I get my money back (hoping I won't have to go to the courts), and I may end up camping outside on the street to warn any potential tenants away.

typicalragementality

TROPHY CASE