I have been living at the Stockbridge since 2012, and while I have the means to live at some of the more modern apartments in the middle of downtown, I feel no urge to move.
The Stockbridge is an antique building dating from the mid-1920's, and for a building so old, it has really held together well. Of course, sometimes the age of the building shows, but the property managers have done a great job of keeping it looking more like a refurbished classic icon rather than letting the building fall apart. Its structure is also very, very solid (surprisingly for a brick and mortar building).
When I first moved, I lived in a studio on the 5th floor. It was extremely spacious for the amount of rent paid (I have friends who lived in smaller studios for the same price per month). It included hardwood flooring, a very nicely sized kitchen, spacious walk-in closet (could have also substituted as a 1/2-size bedroom), and a gorgeous view of part of downtown and Queen Anne (facing north). It was perfect for a bachelor working downtown.
Around June 2013, my girlfriend and I decided to move in together, and a 1 bedroom was available. The manager at the time was more than happy to let us do a transfer midway through our lease. The 1-bedroom is very spacious, and more than perfect for 2 people. Walls in all of the units are quite thick so that when neighbors are loud, it generally comes through very muffled.
Apartment management is quite exceptional, and the management company (Epic) seems to take great care in selecting the right personalities for the job. Our current manager has been here only for about 2 months at the time of this review, and he is a terrific fellow. Both managers I've been under seem to have a genuine interest in getting to know their tenants, which is not something you see all-too-often.
The maintenance man, Dave, is a kind-hearted and good-spirited guy that deserves all the recognition in the world. He is the one keeping the building going, and he takes immense pride in his work, which he does extremely efficiently. I've never had to be concerned letting him into my apartment while I'm not there to perform maintenance.
All-in-all, the Stockbridge is conveniently located right on the border of downtown and Capitol Hill/First Hill, so it is a premium location for anyone working in any of those neighborhoods. Being that it's on Boren Avenue, which is shared by about 3 major hospitals up further up the street, the ambulances driving up and down the road with sirens blaring do take some getting used to. Thankfully a lot of the ambulance drivers turn off their sirens during the night hours, but it will take a few months to get used to the noise and be able to sleep through it when they don't.
My only real complaint about the Stockbridge is that it is lacking in a lot of amenities that are offered at some other apartments for a few hundred dollars more a month. 1st floor laundry can be a pain, along with the lack of dishwashers in the units, an exercise room, and any place to hang out in the summer months like a rooftop or courtyard grilling area. However, at a lot of those places, you lose out on the charm that the Stockbridge has, and a very cozy feel for one of the more fond memories I'll be taking with me from the city when I eventually leave; but I don't see myself doing that anytime soon. read more