With superstar English footballer Jermain Defoe being brought to town to help shake up Toronto FC's dismal record (thanks, Drake!), the search is on to find him a place to live. Until the perfect permanent home appears, maybe Jermain should look into one of these short-term executive rentals. Monthly rates can be way up there, but at least he wouldn't be tied to a long-term lease—and he wouldn't even have to worry about furniture (unless he kicked a ball into a china cabinet or something). From the sound of Jermain's personal life he'll need at least three bedrooms, so let's have a look at some potential short-term home fields for Toronto FC's newest striker (all listings, HomeSuiteHome):
↑ Morrison Street, $7000/month
To kick off, here's a place near King and Spadina that looks pretty suitable. Just a short stroll down to BMO Field (oh, as if he won't be taking a limo everywhere), lots of dark wood and blocky monochrome furniture, recessed lighting. Masculine. Manly. Except for the super-pastel kiddie room with bunnies and Tinkerbell and a little pink princess phone.
↑ Yorkville Avenue, $9,500/month
Here's a Yorkville condo that seems well-suited to an international man of ... well, football. Mod yellow couches wrap around the living room, big breast-like lamps glow on one wall, brushed steel surfaces and groovy wallpaper are everywhere, and there's a sweet corner balcony to kick balls off (heads up, Bay Street pedestrians).
↑ Lowther Avenue, $16,000/month
This four-bedroom Annex house is an interesting mashup of traditional French-provincial style and quirky design accents. The manly, deep-grey master bedroom has a fireplace and twin formal dressers, but also an Eames armchair with a cuddly teddy bear seated in it. There's an amazing outdoor kitchen, and a dipping pool for relaxing after a long match (a winning one, please). And haven't you always wanted an elephant-head hall table? Of course you have. But what's up with that weird pink chandelier in the dining room? Are those alien eggs?
↑ Astley Avenue, $8,500/month
Lastly, there's Astley—that is, this house on Rosedale's Astley Avenue. This one is probably too prettily traditional, too girly, but it does have three bedrooms. The best thing about it, though, is this amazing promo video. You've gotta see it. · Toronto FC's commercial for Jermain Defoe is strangely hilarious [Toronto Life]
· Ten things you didn't know about Jermain Defoe [Toronto Star]
· Jermain Defoe explains role new pal Drake played in his Toronto FC transfer [MLS Soccer]