SEE: Cortona @ Forest Park Pool Preview

As I've gotten more involved with the style scene in St. Louis and specifically with the amazing people at Alive Magazine, I've been thinking about how to spin some St. Louis specific content into the blog.  Afterall, St. Louis is a great city especially for a young professional.  We have Forest Park, which is larger and in my opinion better than Central Park which houses the FREE St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Art Museum, Natural History Museum AND the Muny, an open-air theatre space.

All of these things would and do cost an arm and a leg in a "bigger" city like Chicago, Atlanta or New York, but are open to all residents of St. Louis, generally at no cost.  Living in the city, I love being close to so many things to do, and so when I heard about Cortona at Forest Park, I was really interested in checking out the set-up.  Interested and maybe slightly envious of those who could live so close.  Especially since I was getting an opportunity to do it before the official grand opening.

On walking into what looked like the lobby of a hip high end hotel (which I learned was the common area!), I was immediately impressed.  From the pool and shuffle board tables to the beer on tap (yea) and the no kidding around coffee machine, it seemed that they had thought of everything.  The entire apartment complex is built around a courtyard with a pool in the middle which kind of reminded me of the way courtyards of old Italian palaces such as the Palazzo Vecchio were built. Also included? A gym space fully kitted out with new equipment.

I also got an opportunity to take a tour of the units with some other St. Louis bloggers, and let's just say, I was in fantastic company.  If I was in the market for an apartment, or heck even if I wasn't, Cortona would have sealed the deal and I don't say that lightly.  I'm looking forward to the Alive Magazine HotList Party there later this week just so I can check it out again.

Cortona at Forest Park
5800 Highlands Plaza Drive
St. Louis, MO 63110
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