Nester Finn | Design-Led Residences & Boutique Hospitality

Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market — modern building exterior in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Spacious apartment living room with contemporary furnishings at Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Fully equipped modern kitchen with premium appliances at Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

State-of-the-art fitness center with modern exercise equipment at Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Overview

Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market | 197 King St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1J5

Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market is set inside the historic Nealon House, a Romanesque Revival landmark built in 1888 and carefully restored in 2024. Once a longtime hotel and tavern at the heart of Toronto’s original downtown, the building now offers thoughtfully designed apartments that blend heritage architecture with modern comfort. Apartments range from efficient studios to expansive two-story three-bedroom layouts.

Guests can enjoy complimentary luggage storage and access to a rooftop lounge with city views, adding extra ease to their stay. Located in Old Town, just steps from St. Lawrence Market, King Street East, and historic streetscapes, Nester Finn places you in one of Toronto’s most walkable and character-rich neighbourhoods—where the city’s past and present meet at every corner.

Interior view of Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market showcasing modern design and comfortable accommodations in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Guest room interior at Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market with contemporary furnishings and city views in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Cozy lounge and cafe area with olive-green banquette seating at Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Apartments

The apartments are set within a beautifully restored Romanesque building dating back to 1888, thoughtfully reimagined in 2024 to balance historic character with modern comfort. Original architectural details are paired with a sense of elegant simplicity, creating calm, design-forward spaces suited to both short stays and longer visits. Choose from efficient studios to expansive two-story, three-bedroom apartments, each equipped with in-unit washer-dryers, fully equipped kitchens, and Roku streaming. Modern bathrooms feature striking terrazzo tile walls, adding a refined contemporary touch within a heritage setting.

Amenities

The property offers a set of convenient amenities to elevate your stay. Keep your travels simple with secure luggage storage, and enjoy our rooftop with city views during the warmer months. Everything is designed to support comfort and flexibility during your time in the city.

Full Kitchen
In-Unit Laundry
Elevator
Luggage Storage
Kid Friendly
Outdoor Space
Front Desk

Historic street view near Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in Toronto showcasing heritage architecture and neighborhood character

Chart illustrating Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market location and neighborhood in Toronto

Historic street scene near Nester Finn St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, showcasing heritage architecture and neighborhood character

History & Heritage

Built in 1888, the historic Nealon House is one of Toronto’s earliest surviving commercial buildings and a standout example of Romanesque Revival architecture. The building’s thick masonry walls, rounded stone arches, and tall windows reflect the confidence of a city expanding through trade, manufacturing, and its close ties to the nearby waterfront.

Commissioned by James Nealon at a cost of $1,200, the hotel passed through several hands after his untimely death two years later, and as the years passed it became woven into the colourful fabric of Old Town. In the 1930s, it even entered local legend when wrestling promoter and owner Jack Corcoran briefly employed the infamous criminal Norman “Red” Ryan as an evening greeter, until he was caught in an attempted robbery and killed.

Since then, the hotel has had several lives, including long runs as the Riviera Hotel and later the Domed Stadium Hotel. Remarkably, from its founding in 1888 through the mid-1990s, it operated continuously as a hotel and tavern, welcoming generations of guests through its arched doors. Today, carefully restored, Nealon House invites guests to stay within a building that has witnessed Toronto’s transformation for well over a century—where historic architecture, layered stories, and modern comfort now meet