I thoroughly loved living there, and sometimes wish I could go back.

The rent has increased significantly, as it was $660 per month in 1998 (for a studio), was at $735 when I left in 2001, and now is about $1,000.

Noise does not penetrate through the walls. The interior walls are block, and provide a great sound barrier. However, as another poster noted, there is a 1 inch (or so) gap beneath the door, and with the parquet floors (which I loved), sound from the hallways such as talking, keys jiggling, could be heard. I used double-sided foam tape to mount a cardboard screed at the bottom of the door, and this reduced the noise. Weatherstripping would work better yet.

One interesting thing. During the warm months, the rush of air blowing out of the AC/heating unit below the window drowns out most ALL noise. At least that was the case on the second floor. Also, the unit was basically on non-stop, every day, 24 hours a day, literally, from about June through September. It took some getting used to the air noise, but once aclimated, I would sleep like a baby. My years there provided me with the best sleep ever, since my teenage years.

One mild downside, for the lower floors at least, once the air noise stops, street noise can be heard. However, modern windows were installed in about 1999 - 2000 which keep it to a minimum. Also, traffic is relatively light on F Street. Most of the noise was from screaming undergrads walking on the sidewalk on weekend nights.

The location is fantastic. The Mall and the White House are a 5 minute walk away, 10 if you walk slowly. All atractions are just a few minutes more away, the museums (15 - 25 minute walk), Capitol Hill (25 - 30 minute walk), Georgetown (15 - 20 minute walk), DuPont Circle (20 minute walk), etc. A grocery store is a relatively close 15 minute walk away, a Safeway at the Watergate. Metro stops are relatively close also.

The Empire does not provide parking, so cars must be parked on the street with a DC parking permit. This means the car must be registered in DC. Alternatively, a car can be kept in the 2000 Penn garage for a hefty monthly fee.

The Washington Monument, Arlington Cemetary, National Airport, the Capitol, the Russian Embassy, and other sites are visible from the rooftop sundeck, which amazingly, residents never seem to use. In three years, I never encoutered anyone else up there.

IMF, World Bank, and anti-globalizations protests can be viewed from your apartment window.

I never had any problem receiving packages. The office always accepted packages, and would hold them for residents. If asked to do so, the office manager (Ms. Kennedy when I was there) will put the package in your apartment while you're away.

The hot water never ran out while I lived there.

Lastly, God bless Mr. and Mrs. Kxxxxx (to protect their anonymity) on the first floor. They are a retired couple who have lived in the Empire (and hopefully still do) for many years. A very nice and sweet couple.

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