5 Apartment Amenities You Didn’t Know You Needed
By: Zohaib Shahab | Tolobi
Party rooms and fitness centres have become a norm in modern apartment buildings in Toronto, to the point that prospective renters of new stock units expect the provision of these community amenities. But what if there was more to just that extra space for get-togethers and exercise?
Some buildings come more loaded than others. Forget private theatres and pools, here’s a peek at some of the most unique community amenities that can be found in Toronto’s real estate market.
Dog spa
Some apartment buildings are pet-friendly, but few have pet perks. The already iconic Selby in St. James Town has a pet policy that pampers. Inside the building is a dog spa with a grooming area. Owners need only BYOS (bring your own shampoo). The Selby also has an off-leash parkette. It probably makes sense that the Selby would have these features. Take a look at its extensive list of community amenities and you get the impression that it was designed to be a high life enclave. Residents don’t even need to leave the building to dine out.
Music studio
Your average musician in Toronto doesn’t live a lavish lifestyle. But if they did, then they’d already be living in Newton, one of the latest additions to Toronto’s Concord CityPlace community. Located beside Toronto’s newest, hyper-modern library and the soon-to-be Mouth of the Creek Park, Newton offers community amenities for those that are artistically-inclined. Within the building, residents have access to a dance studio, a recording studio/music room, as well as an art studio.
On-site car detailing
Downtown living affords a transit-friendly lifestyle with walkable neighbourhoods, but it’s hard to let go of the freedom of the automobile. In the heart of the vibrant Liberty Village, the newly renovated Lord Dufferin understands that part of the urbanite brain and offers plenty of parking space as well as an on-site car detailing service.
Rooftop bar
If you’re one of the lucky few to live in this building, then you can bring your friends to one of the most exclusive bars in Toronto: the rooftop bar and pool at the Thompson Hotel. Situated in the Niagara neighbourhood and overlooking Victoria Memorial Park and the historic grounds of Fort York, the Thompson Hotel Residences allow residents to share the exclusive terrace with guests at the Thompson Hotel.
Rock climbing wall
There’s a place for everyone in this city. Sure, Toronto is a flat city, devoid of the natural peaks of Vancouver’s North Shore, but you can still tickle that sense of adventure in an indoor rock climbing wall, and there’s one in the High Park Condominiums. You may wonder why anyone would use the climbing wall if they happen to live in the West Village, just across High Park, in a stylish mid-rise with its own yoga studio and courtyard astutely offset from Bloor Street. But who cares? The point is they can if they suddenly fancy a climb.
While these community amenities may seem like a pipe dream for most, it’s not hard to see how the real-estate market is diversifying to better satisfy the demands of Torontonians. Toronto is becoming denser and developers and building-managers have realized that residents are not willing to sacrifice lifestyle for that. Even if you don’t have deep pockets, click here to see the 6 simple solutions for small space living.
