Our city expands out from the core. The more central you can find an apartment to rent in Toronto, the more access you have. That’s especially true if you’re on the subway line, and doubly so if you’re in the centre core where the two subway lines intersect.

That’s where we are. And for over 30 years, our residents have raved about the convenience of living where they do, and a few comments kept coming up.

Window shopping

They call our stretch of Bloor Street the Mink Mile because it’s lined with ultra-high-end boutiques including the new Hermes flagship store. Of course, Yorkville’s just north of Bloor and you could daydream through there all day. And on days where you need a different kind of escape, one of Toronto’s best movie theatres is just steps away at Manulife Centre.

Indoor winters

The buildings on the east side of Bay Street (including 44 Charles Street) are connected to the mid-town underground. Residents love that they can get to Yonge or Bay subway stations without going outside, and that they can get a lot of their shopping done without needing to bundle up. Of course, with Manulife Centre below us, our residents have it particularly good. And when Eataly arrives, they’ll have it really good.

Highway access

Routes to Rosedale Valley Road are just a few blocks away. It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to cut across to the Don Valley Parkway, and by far the prettiest.

Incidentally, according to City of Toronto figures, congestion at around the Bayview/Bloor ramps is over 20 percent lighter in both directions so getting on and off the highway is rarely an issue. Our residents appreciate this, and also appreciate our underground parking lot with an in-house car detailer.

Long walks

The best of Toronto is accessible by foot from Bay and Bloor. North takes you to Yorkville/Cumberland and into Ramadan Park and mansion-lined Rosedale. East is the fun Yonge Street and the super-duper fun of Church Street. West is U of T, one of Canada’s premier universities (and university campuses), along with the tree-lined student village complete with cheap eats, great bars and energy. South is the core: the financial district, the CN Tower and many of Toronto’s biggest attractions and our beautiful lake.

Our residents also get to enjoy Toronto from the comfort of home. When you live in our high-rise tower you get to enjoy fabulous east, south and west views from the pool deck on the 51st floor!

Space to move

Crowded sidewalks aren’t a problem around here, mostly because of how wide the sidewalks are ¾ especially so on Bloor Street. The city recently completed a massive pedestrian experience enhancement project and we can absolutely feel the difference. Our residents come in and out on Charles Street, a pretty side street just south of Bloor. Here, there’s always room to stretch your arms.

Thinking about Bay and Bloor for your next home? Have a look at our floor plans and give us a call at 416-961-4998.

First, great choice. You couldn’t have picked a better city at a better time. Seriously, it’s absolutely booming here. You surely noticed all the construction. It’s everywhere. Heck, we’ve even got our own little project going on here on the block: bringing the first Eataly to town!

But this boom is so much more than what’s coming, because Toronto’s already an amazing place to live. Here’s why:

You’re going to eat so well in Toronto

There’s a vegan restaurant called Planta up the street from us. They replicate dishes like short ribs, sliders and crab cakes. It’s so innovative, which is so typical of Toronto’s food scene. All over town, chefs inspired by the diversity of the city are doing some pretty unique things. You can pick by trend, style or ethnicity (we’re still the world’s most multicultural city and you can taste it). Here’s BlogTO’s list of this season’s top 10 restos. Also, if you don’t know about BlogTO yet, you should bookmark it right now.

You’re going to love walking it off through Toronto

Toronto’s best enjoyed on foot, especially from where we are on Charles Street. In 45 minutes, you can take in the high-end Mink Mile (which includes our neighbours to the north Manulife Centre), stroll through the University of Toronto’s beautiful campus and make your way into dynamic Korea Town. If you walk south from our place for half an hour you’ll pass by Queen’s Park (where the Ontario Government sits), the Discovery District, and then you’ll find yourself on trendy Queen West. No matter where you are in town, you’ll have the same experience because neighbourhoods spill into each other here. And everybody gets along.

You’re going to have something to do all the time.

Theatre. Film. Art. Sport. Food. All of it’s on full display in the city, most of it’s walkable from where we are at Bay and Bloor, and if it’s not, the subway’s accessible to 44 Charles without even having to go outside. But our residents have told us that the best deal for this kind of stuff is three blocks away at the University of Toronto. They put on fantastic showcases all the time, and Varsity Stadium’s one of the best spots in the city to catch a game.

And you’re going to love it here

We look after each other. We value our green spaces and keep them clean. We brave the winter together. We make it easy to live downtown, and easier to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

Living at 44 Charles Street, there’s no shortage of entertainment options. With the Varsity Cinema downstairs, the ROM down the street, and the shopping, eating and drinking options at Manulife Centre and beyond, the neighbourhood’s art galleries often get overlooked when thinking of things to do. And it’s a shame because they’re fantastic.

With just about 40 art dealers and galleries in the area, Yorkville is known as one of Toronto’s must-see Art Districts, and a top spot to shop specifically for Canadian art. Many of the galleries are housed in converted heritage homes nestled in amongst the brownstones and boutiques, and you can find anything from paintings, photography and mixed media to ceramics, glass works and sculptures to put in your apartment.

Revolver Gallery (77 Bloor St. W)
If you love pop art, Andy Warhol: Revisited is a must. Feast your eyes on his originals brought exclusively to Toronto from Los Angeles by former Torontonian Ron Rivlin. It’s the most talked about exhibition, so if you’re in the area it’s worth checking out. On now until December 31.

Gallery Gevik (12 Hazelton Avenue)
Lovers of Canadian art will find exactly what they’re looking for at Gallery Gevik. Their commitment to representing Canadian art at its finest is demonstrated in their exhibitions of established artists. They also boast a growing collection of historical art that is worth a look.

Loch Gallery (16 Hazelton Avenue)
Originally founded in Winnipeg, Loch Galleries has been building their collection for more than 40 years. Their collection includes significant Canadian and European historical works, as well as established contemporary artists focusing mainly on sculptures and paintings.

Ingram Gallery (24 Hazelton Avenue)
This gallery showcases exclusively Canadian art. The south gallery is home to historical works while the north houses contemporary sculptures and abstract textured pieces.

Kinsman Robinson Galleries (108 Cumberland St)
Figurative fine art is Kinsman Robinson’s specialty, with gorgeous Canadian and international collections on display. You can also find Robert Davidson and Norval Morrisseau pieces here, two of Canada’s leading First Nation artists.

While you’re out shopping, check out our Pinterest page for great apartment-decorating ideas.

Welcome to the 44 Charles Street blog, a celebration of life on the southeast corner of Bloor & Bay and a look inside the area’s most affordable high-end rental residence.

Living here has so many advantages, and you’ll see them all here on the blog. We’ll show you the building’s unique amenities like the view from the pool and offer entertaining tips if you’re using the club or party room. We’ll tour you through the great shops and services at the Manulife Centre, just steps outside 44 Charles’ lobby.

We’ll also take you on a tour of the neighbourhood and show you what gives it its character like Yorkville, the Mink Mile and quite possibly the city’s best deli.

We’ll also be sharing some apartment-living wisdom we’ve picked up over the last three decades, both here and on Pinterest. Whether you already live here or you’re thinking of moving in, you’ll find some great tips for making your space better. Keep an eye out for our guest stylists who’ll be making an appearance here from time to time, starting with Yanic Simard, who designed our furnished rental suites.

And don’t forget that you can also follow along on Twitter. That’s where we’ll be posting new vacancies, so add us if you’re keen on getting in.

In the meantime, if there’s something you want to know about life at 44 Charles Street or if you’re ready for a tour, call Stella Gomes or Michael Gula at 416.961.4998 or email livemanulifecentre@manulife.com