This place is undergoing a pretty massive overhaul. Every apartment coming up for rent is going to be renovated (I currently live in one of these renovated units).
Let's start with the fun stuff (PROS):
-There is an elevator! Somehow, it managed to fit my giant couch.
-The actual neighbors are pretty quiet, or at least, the walls are thick enough you don't hear much from the shared walls.
-Some units have wood burning fireplaces, which look great (but may take up a good bit of space in your living room, and will raise your renters insurance just a smidge)
-Renovations involve putting down a nice vinyl "wood" floor throughout everywhere but the bedroom. It looks nice, doesn't scratch as easily as actual wood. The bedroom has a fairly industrial grade carpet (short weave) that isn't hard to clean.
-New cabinet covers for an updated bright white kitchen, with what seems to be faux granite counters, all new appliances (the fridge is on the small side, even for one person if you like to cook).
-During the day, there is plenty of natural light from the sunshine in the living room through the giant window out to the entire balcony. This is great, and makes the space seem about 4 1/2 ft longer.
-There is a little 'dining' area directly next to the kitchen.
-Well designed floor plan lets guests enter the living space without having to enter through the kitchen.
-I love the balcony.
-I have a skylight in the kitchen (my plants are happy about that)
-Bathroom was renovated (I haven't had any issue with mold, but the shower seems prone to leaking despite my best efforts. This water all pools behind the toilet where it may not be noticed if you have a trashcan back there)
-Bedroom is a really decent size. Queen/king bed fits nicely with plenty of room for nightstands.
-Brand new closet organizing system!
-Washer and dryers on every floor, $1 per load per machine
-Extra storage space/closet for every apartment.
-Renovations meant brand new blinds. Black-out shade in the bedroom, and nice full coverage shades in the living room.
-Building manager might be one of the coolest/calmest folks ever.
Ok, now for the nasty stuff (CONS):
-Ventilation is a problem. I can't seem to cool this place down without leaving every window/door open and an industrial fan on high. I haven't lived here long enough to need a heater, so I'll update with that in a few months.
-The construction across the street starts before 7am 6 days a week. and it's LOUD. Since I have to keep the windows open for any sort of fresh air, the noise is that much louder. At least it'll be open soon (I hope.)
-The front door seems to be the biggest weakness, in terms of noise. It might actually act as an echo chamber for any noise in the hallway. Any conversations a neighbor has in the hall will be clearly heard, even over the noise from the construction in the front.
-Remember that whole 'All apartments are being renovated' bit? This means there are workers on every floor with the apartment doors open, blaring music while they work. Lots of noise on either side. It's a bit much.
-The kitchen cabinets inside haven't been renovated, just had new faces put on. It's shitty plywood, and my silverware drawer has a cracked bottom that they didn't seem to care about. Lots of splinters. I put down contact paper after cleaning it all thoroughly, which helped. The drawers are all pretty awful, and most don't close readily without some shoving.
-The dust from the construction across the street leaves my floors nasty. Even with regularly mopping, it's pretty bad. Just be warned: living here in summer means a lot of housekeeping if you want your floors kept reasonably clean/your furniture hot covered in street/construction crud.
-The bathroom cabinets weren't cleaned out before I moved in. I found toothpaste bits and hairpins, along with old nasty contact paper. (yay, I love cleaning up after other people before I can unpack. Guess the hired cleaning crew missed that bit.)
-I've lived here about two months, and I still don't have a number on my door. :( This becomes amusing when friends come to visit.
-Neighbors bitterly complain about management raising rent prices to try to force them out.
-Rent is a bit high for what you get, and with this noise, it's really frustrating. If you like to sleep in, this isn't the place for you (until the construction is over)
-Kitchen is really narrow. There are nice, new appliances, but there isn't any counter space. If you have a microwave, prepare to use your dinning area as an extended kitchen. read more