Resort-style living in Toronto that makes every day feel like a getaway

As told to Toronto Life by Parker residents Margarita Skorobogatova and Alex Skorobogatov

When my husband and I needed to find a new apartment recently, we knew we didn’t want to leave the Yonge and Eglinton area. The neighbourhood has a relaxed midtown vibe that we love, and it’s super well-connected to everything. But we’re also really picky and we weren’t sure what was out there. We literally spent weeks apartment hunting, visiting 60 buildings in the neighbourhood.

We knew the search was over when we saw a suite at Parker, though. We’d noticed the building before, while out on a walk. It definitely looked upscale—and its gorgeous design caught our eye—but we were blown away with the interior, especially all the amenities.

8:00 a.m.

A usual day for us at the Parker starts with a caffeine fix (a classic cappuccino is always our go-to). That means a trip to 10 DEAN, this super-cool modern indie coffee shop and bar located right in the lobby.

9:00 a.m.

Our suite, one with a Battersea floor plan, is open and bright. Working from home doesn’t feel cramped. Currently, though, we’re both in the office five days a week, so our 10-year-old cat Jack has the place all to himself—unless we’re taking him to Juno Veterinary for a checkup. The membership came free when we signed the lease, but Juno is honestly the first veterinary clinic Jack likes.

Afternoon

When it’s nice out, we like to spend afternoons basking by the infinity pool on the private rooftop terrace. Parker hosts bi-weekly pool parties, and there’s also a barbecue zone that we used almost every weekend last summer. I can’t say I ever grilled with a view of the CN Tower before moving to Parker. Whenever we’re out on the rooftop, it feels like a mini vacation. (I used to work there on my work-from-home days as well—don’t tell my boss.)

5:00 p.m. till late

I love coming home to the awe-inspiring sunset views from our suite’s huge windows. I try to take a minute to enjoy it after work, or on weekends, but there’s so much to do.

Sometimes I’ll hit the gym to blow off some steam. I’ve seen a few of my friends’ condo gyms, and they’re nothing like this. It’s on the 39th floor and takes up two whole storeys. When I’m on the treadmill, I always feel like I’m walking on clouds.

We tend to cook dinner at home a lot, so our designer kitchen is a big perk. It’s got plenty of space and stainless steel appliances, and it even came with a wine fridge.

When we’re feeling social (which is often), we host our friends at the penthouse Sky Lounge. They absolutely love it. It’s got floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. No one leaves without taking selfies.

Other times, we gather our friends in the entertainment kitchen for one of the scheduled culinary workshops or to join a Blue Jays watch party with our neighbours. The Jays party we went to last summer was the most fun sports event of the year (they won that night!).

Did I mention there’s an actual bowling alley in this building? We’ve only played a few times but are looking forward to more.

While the amenities are great, we also appreciated the two months of free rent for signing on, plus the complimentary Wi-Fi and discounts on grocery deliveries from Voilà and even furniture from Structube.

To book a tour of the Parker by Fitzrovia, visit ParkerLife.ca.