Opinion on Rivergate, 401 East 34th st.

cccharley really liked it. a bit inconvenient for some, but if the walk to the subway and retail isn't an issue, the apartments are very spacious. i looked there a number of years ago.

Lots of "it depends". What are your priorities? I lived there in 2005-2006, thought the apartments were great for the price, size, layout, finishes. Building was good, service was fine, nothing special. The location has pros and cons. On the one hand it's "Central" because you can get almost anywhere in Manhattan in a quick cabride. On the other hand, there's literally nothing within less than a 10 min walk - no restaurants, supermarkets, subways, etc. I was single at the time, saving money on rent was important, and I did't mind the longish walk to get to anything... but it still got annoying. My two cents.

Oh, also managing agent to get lease done absolutely sucked to deal with. Luckily, you don't have to deal with them once you sign the lease.

Ive lived there at least 6 years. Ive known the building for 15 years as friends lives there before.
Used to be a Class A building.
Ownership has been riding it down, with some renovations to hallways this month.

Elevators are strange since they installed a new computer to manage the traffic some 3 years ago, you can sit on the 28th floor, press the down button and see on the panel there is an elevator just sitting on 25, and the one that gets you is the other one that was on 1! It would be infuriating sometimes. And no that elevator wasn't locked, there is a service elevator of which by the way Fresh Direct and some of the maintenance staff seem allergic to sometimes. Not that Im a snob but it's inapropriate during rush hours.
Most of the visible staff is excellent. The home office (not building office) is at times totally incompetent. Losing lease renewals, checks, no responses, etc. DO document with dates and times all your dealings with them.( agood habit in any building) The liason who is in the building on the 3rd floor is the only one you can count on, be nice to her and she will make sure problems with home office get straightened out.

Tenants are increasingly every year becoming share tenants from the burbs, fresh out of high school or college if you don't mind occasionally finding a beer bottle in the elevators.
A couple really cute nurses though.

The towers;
South: If you have a high enough floor the views facing south and east are brilliant. However if you like cracking your windows, forget it.The helicopter noise can be abominable.
North: Looks like the perpetual empty lot across the street is in the foundation phase of construction. So pick your noise poison.

Location;
Was very convenient for me reverse commuting but that's it. 1 st ave doesnt get much more boring. A looong walk to a train and 1st to 3rd ave over there feels like a mile and a half. Great amount cabs though.

I lived there and hated it.. my apartment windows faced the FDR and the noise was really bad..the rooms are large.

when I was there it had a strange mix of tenants.

I agree with truth, very boring area.