Lived at Waterfront Place for a year and let me tell you, it was phenomenal--truly a top contender for the best place I've ever lived. For any prospective tenants, here's a list of pros & cons from my experience.
PROs:
1: The buildings are fantastic. IIRC the south building was built in 2020 and the north (The Sawyer, where I lived) in 2022. The exterior is gorgeous, and the interior just as nice. Appliances and amenities were all modern--the washer/dryer in particular was top shelf. The power was stable, and I don't recall a single outage. While The Sawyer had a hot water issue for a few weeks, staff sent near-daily emails updating residents on the repair status, including specifics on the issue, the fix, and the repair stage. Speaking of the staff...
2: The staff are exceptional. Usually when reviews mention staff, they're talking about the leasing office after one or two good interactions. But because my apartment was across from the office, I interacted with the team often--and they're genuinely awesome, friendly, and helpful. That didn't change once in a whole year. The maintenance, custodial, and management staff were also great--always kind and on point whether you needed something or just wanted to chat.
3: The location is gorgeous, but you don't need me to tell you that--you can see the photos! Both rooftops offer amazing views and BBQ areas. Even in winter, the marina had a kind of stark beauty. The area seems to be entering a sort of early Renaissance, with lots of groundwork being laid for a strong community vibe. If you're planning to stay long-term, this is worth considering. There's some scattered construction and a low-to-moderate number of people around, depending on the time of week/month/year. Both will likely grow in the coming years. Even now, there are some great restaurants within walking distance, with more coming soon--if you're a foodie, this could be a big plus. A lot of local events happen right out front all year long. It's charming, fun, and you won't get bored.
4: The community, the community, the community! This often gets overlooked in modern apartment living, and that's a shame--you won't realize what you're missing until you experience it. The staff and management put serious effort into hosting events all year long, and people actually show up! Book clubs, parties, monthly birthday events in the lobby (with cake!), Super Bowl watch parties, even little things like a gift-wrapping station with free paper and decorations during the holidays--there's a ton of community stuff. I met some wonderful neighbors--some younger, some older, all friendly and neighborly. To me, this was the most valuable part of living here.
CONs:
1: It's expensive--but you probably guessed that. I won't list specific numbers because rent depends on location, time, economy, and unit size, and would be outdated quickly. But it's worth pointing out, since cost is usually the first thing people look at. Parking behind the buildings isn't included--managed instead by a 3rd party, LAZ. One uncovered space cost me $100/month; covered is likely more. That said, I never had issues with the space, car security, or LAZ. It was very hands-off, which was nice.
2: Noise can be a factor depending on your expectations. You'll see the train tracks across the street and might cringe, but the trains were surprisingly quiet! (No horns thanks to no crossings, and due to the bridge turnstile down the road, they must go under 5mph in this area.) However, there's a Navy base across the marina, and they play Reveille twice a day--at 8am and 9pm. Depending on who you are, that might be a plus, a minus, or irrelevant--but it's something to be aware of.
3: "You can pick your friends, but not your neighbors..." Just like with any apartment, your neighbors are an X-factor you can't control. I got lucky--mine were awesome, quiet, and we got along great. But I did hear a few stories from others about less pleasant experiences. Nothing scary or violent--just annoyances. While these buildings have excellent sound insulation in the walls, the floors/ceilings are another story, so be aware of that.
Final thought: If you're looking for a home with beauty, community, and reliability, I can't recommend this place enough. Give it a shot--I doubt you'll be disappointed. read more
