**Be Warned** I could not say it any simpler- just don't believe the hype used to describe this building. I'm a tenant and can't wait to get out of here. There's massive problems with trying to heat/cool the units. Apparently the building decided to save some money on the bare essentials like insulation, so be prepared to run the a/c unit 24/7, and then the moment it's off you'll start to sweat.... [more]
**Be Warned**
I could not say it any simpler- just don't believe the hype used to describe this building.
I'm a tenant and can't wait to get out of here.
There's massive problems with trying to heat/cool the units. Apparently the building decided to save some money on the bare essentials like insulation, so be prepared to run the a/c unit 24/7, and then the moment it's off you'll start to sweat. The same in the winter, if the heating isn't running 24/7 then be prepared for an average room temp of 50-60 degrees. we've had 45 degrees so far and its just starting to get cold... Turn the heating on you say- sure, aside from the the heater completely drying out the air, removing any humidity, it'll also make you sick, as it needs to run 24/7 to keep up with all the air that billows out from the apartment through the 1" gaps under the doors. this place is draft central.
And my lucky friend, you get to pay top dollar rent for that privilege too.
Not to mention the mains waste pipe that has leaked/burst raw sewage into the basement car park. twice.
Or all the social services offices, the courts, the prison, the bail bonds on your doorstep.
>Tree-lined Brownstone blocks filled with charm- my ass, that maybe a few blocks over but not what you'll deal with every day to and from the subway.
If you get a unit on Livingston st, then you might be lucky enough to hear the dollar vans driving by all day/night honking their horns picking up rides.
If you get a unit on Schermerhorn st, then you'll have the cops/mta taking over the block, after hours it's nothing but flashing emergency lights and trucks backing up.
Really, this is a truly disastrous place to live.
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Response by MCBKLN
about 13 years ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Mar 2011
This is a terrible place to live. Our bathroom ceiling and kitchen ceiling started leaking from our first week in the apartment. After four months of living there a pipe in our bedroom busted. We came home from 2 weeks on vacation to find our apartment completely flooded and all our belongings and furniture damaged. It was unlivable and we had to relocate immediately. The management would not admit it was there fault and accused us of tampering with the heating unit when we were OUT OF TOWN when it happened. We lost thousands of dollars worth of furniture and personal items and were homeless for 2 weeks. DO NOT LIVE HERE.
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Response by Ann_cesca
over 12 years ago
Posts: 0
Member since: Apr 2013
Mcbkln, do you mind me asking what unit/floor you lived in? I just moved into a 1 br in the Livingston tower and only now did I notice some water stain in on the ceiling inside the closets :( im crossing my fingers I didn't move into the unit with water/plumbing issues
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Response by BL_Renter
over 12 years ago
Posts: 1
Member since: May 2013
I can confirm most of what is written in this thread. The building is very poorly managed and is purely reactionary to problems rather than proactively trying to avoid issues with tenants. Typically, there's an inadequate response from managed when dealing with major issues, as described above. Among many other serious problems, there have been numerous floods in both buildings caused by an archaic PTAC heating/cooling system. In the winter, pipes freeze and explode, resulting in hot water spraying into your apartment. In one case, a baby was burned by the hot water. About 10 to 12 of these explosions have happened in the last 18 months. There have also been a handful of serious leaks, resulting in property damage in a few apartments. In one sick instance, mass amounts of sewage backed up into someone's home, destroying tenant's property. On three occasions, hot water has gone out in one or both buildings (this happened again yesterday). The building's response time is terrible each time - the last time water when out, many people did not have hot water for 3-6 weeks. Of course, management did not offer any concessions. If it were only a day or two, I think tenants would be understanding. Many weeks is simply unacceptable. Doubling back to the heating/cooler, most PTAC units will make a terrible noise in the winter as water circulates the system, even when the units are in the off position. Despite being advertised as state of the art, the noises are reminiscent of the old radiator systems that bang and clang as steam moves through the house.
On the positive side, the views are incredible when at a certain level and most of the staff truly wants to help you, particularly the doormen (can't say enough good things about them). Minor problems are fixed generally within 24 hours and response is top notch. The building is clean and residents are high quality people. There's not much noise from apartment to apartment. Appliances are high quality and have not broken down to any degree. However, the team just seems out of their league when larger problems arise. Most agree that the team is just in over their heads.
All in, I cannot recommend this building. I really want to, but the problems outweigh the positives.
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Response by BL_Renter
over 12 years ago
Posts: 1
Member since: May 2013
This building continues to be managed poorly, and it is such a shame. Management routinely is reactive isntead of proactive. The latest saga is a roach problem. The building is supposed to be sprayed for pests routinely, but there's no evidence that this happens. I recently made a request for an exterminator to come, but 10 days have passed and still no action taken. Shocking, considering how easy it is to get an exterminator on the premisses.
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Response by brooklynbaby
about 12 years ago
Posts: 4
Member since: Jun 2013
I agree with everything said here. The management is by far the worst I've experienced in my 10+ years of renting. Totally unresponsive and inflexible. We had numerous, serious issues with our apartment causing us to vacate for days at a time. So many things in our unit broke - cabinetry, door latches, drains, leaks in both bathrooms, leak in the kitchen - water pouring through the recessed lighting into the middle of the kitchen. Our smoke detector was so sensitive anytime I used the oven for more than 10 minutes it went off. Every single heat/AC unit had to be worked on multiple times. And we had moths eat through our sweaters in our closet - an issue I've never, ever had, even in much older, crustier apartments. The saving grace was the staff (not in the management office) - super and doormen. Nicest people ever. Bottom line - if you're thinking about living here, DON'T.
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This is a terrible place to live. Our bathroom ceiling and kitchen ceiling started leaking from our first week in the apartment. After four months of living there a pipe in our bedroom busted. We came home from 2 weeks on vacation to find our apartment completely flooded and all our belongings and furniture damaged. It was unlivable and we had to relocate immediately. The management would not admit it was there fault and accused us of tampering with the heating unit when we were OUT OF TOWN when it happened. We lost thousands of dollars worth of furniture and personal items and were homeless for 2 weeks. DO NOT LIVE HERE.
Mcbkln, do you mind me asking what unit/floor you lived in? I just moved into a 1 br in the Livingston tower and only now did I notice some water stain in on the ceiling inside the closets :( im crossing my fingers I didn't move into the unit with water/plumbing issues
I can confirm most of what is written in this thread. The building is very poorly managed and is purely reactionary to problems rather than proactively trying to avoid issues with tenants. Typically, there's an inadequate response from managed when dealing with major issues, as described above. Among many other serious problems, there have been numerous floods in both buildings caused by an archaic PTAC heating/cooling system. In the winter, pipes freeze and explode, resulting in hot water spraying into your apartment. In one case, a baby was burned by the hot water. About 10 to 12 of these explosions have happened in the last 18 months. There have also been a handful of serious leaks, resulting in property damage in a few apartments. In one sick instance, mass amounts of sewage backed up into someone's home, destroying tenant's property. On three occasions, hot water has gone out in one or both buildings (this happened again yesterday). The building's response time is terrible each time - the last time water when out, many people did not have hot water for 3-6 weeks. Of course, management did not offer any concessions. If it were only a day or two, I think tenants would be understanding. Many weeks is simply unacceptable. Doubling back to the heating/cooler, most PTAC units will make a terrible noise in the winter as water circulates the system, even when the units are in the off position. Despite being advertised as state of the art, the noises are reminiscent of the old radiator systems that bang and clang as steam moves through the house.
On the positive side, the views are incredible when at a certain level and most of the staff truly wants to help you, particularly the doormen (can't say enough good things about them). Minor problems are fixed generally within 24 hours and response is top notch. The building is clean and residents are high quality people. There's not much noise from apartment to apartment. Appliances are high quality and have not broken down to any degree. However, the team just seems out of their league when larger problems arise. Most agree that the team is just in over their heads.
All in, I cannot recommend this building. I really want to, but the problems outweigh the positives.
This building continues to be managed poorly, and it is such a shame. Management routinely is reactive isntead of proactive. The latest saga is a roach problem. The building is supposed to be sprayed for pests routinely, but there's no evidence that this happens. I recently made a request for an exterminator to come, but 10 days have passed and still no action taken. Shocking, considering how easy it is to get an exterminator on the premisses.
I agree with everything said here. The management is by far the worst I've experienced in my 10+ years of renting. Totally unresponsive and inflexible. We had numerous, serious issues with our apartment causing us to vacate for days at a time. So many things in our unit broke - cabinetry, door latches, drains, leaks in both bathrooms, leak in the kitchen - water pouring through the recessed lighting into the middle of the kitchen. Our smoke detector was so sensitive anytime I used the oven for more than 10 minutes it went off. Every single heat/AC unit had to be worked on multiple times. And we had moths eat through our sweaters in our closet - an issue I've never, ever had, even in much older, crustier apartments. The saving grace was the staff (not in the management office) - super and doormen. Nicest people ever. Bottom line - if you're thinking about living here, DON'T.