It's an expensive college dormitory.
In our experience, the place was not worth the cost. We have had a few apartments in this complex and each one detailed elements of a cheap, fast construction. Cupboards have gaps in them. Floor panels slide around and very easily scratch. Thoughtless storage in some units (our 1BR was great, the 2BR was terrible) but they can surely sell you additional storage in the building. Strong kitchen oil smells from chipotle and do rite donuts if you open the windows/balcony. They also have a continuous unresolved problem with gnats. Amenities are nice but they have a curfew, even prior to COVID. Mostly adults lived there and yet everything closes down at 10p for quiet time; meanwhile the streets are wild tho so there's that.
They have done nice things like host gatherings/light meals for the neighbors perhaps once a quarter. The hypocrisy comes from them closing down the free cafe machine, 2 out of 3 grills, because of COVID. I'm sure it saves a some expenses while we paid the same in rent nonetheless.
The management culture there is very toxic. In our time there the staff hasn't been the same and most indicate the VP of Ops, Diana Pittro is to blame. Once she authorized Airbnb's for a few of the apartments because they weren't getting sold. The residents were upset about it. Diana headed a meeting with the then staff and about 50 residents. As some Airbnb's were selling for 25$/night, we were concerned with what 25$ a night would bring in to our shared spaces: nudity, damage, and the appearance of prostitution was witnessed in the halls. No compassion from Diana. In fact, she yelled at all of us for questioning her ethics and legality. She stopped the Airbnb once we got alderman and resident lawyers involved. The lack of compassion continued through COVID. No budge on rent as many people either lost their job or had cut backs. Later she would write us an unsolicited email substantiating her silence during the BLM Protests and again when a Trump Campaign affiliate was to be in Gallagher Park. She sent a link to us all, selling tickets to what turned out to be a mild riot. This one person backed with policies of RMK have done so much to negatively impact our time there. It was an eye opening experience.
I realize the cost of these apartments is equal to a large mortgage. The surrounding area is lackluster from COVID unfortunately. PreCOVID there would be a lot to do, and the elbow-to-elbow crowds reflected that. Now on the weekends, the defiant still flock to the bar scene.
It had great potential. I hope our experience was unique and never happens to you if you still decide to live there. We definitely will hold this experience with us moving forward to other opportunities.
TL;DR Good buy if you dont desire value for your money; shady ethics from their ever revolving management staff; the potential of the neighborhood, city access.
Response: Now of course we were kind to you and the staff, we weren't in a positon to reciprocate the questionable ethics we received. The previous matters are factual (we still have the emails, I can post those if you need a refresher) other residents were at the least burdened too so they recall as well. And while some of these matters happened prior to your arrival this summer, others were on your watch. These are not personal jabs; this was our experience. If you're hurt reading it imagine how it was to live it. If this honest assessment of our experience is an untruth in your mind then might I suggest you revamp your chain of communication. The residents were very vocal about our various positions. What is disheartening is we are here and now playing games. Jen, you inherited a bad batch of issues upon promotion yet minimizing our experience isn't how you resolve it still. I trust you will be the final leadership change to make the place it's advertised to be, however. I'd hope you could pivot from this harsh and honest criticism as guidance in-spite of any denial. read more