So, I just moved out of this place and thought I would try to quell some of the weak-sauced anonymity. A friend of mine asked me about living here, and told me how wild some of these recommendations/anti-recommendations were. Pretty funny stuff. Little drama monkeys are taking over America.
Ok first, I can t respond to everything. I can only give my own experience. I didn t have my car down here, and I didn t lock my bike up downstairs either. So, I won t offer comment there.
First: location. I worked in the north loop just across the river, so this location was ideal for me especially relative to my price options for a similar location. I walked to and fro everyday (about a mile) and never had a problem with safety, though I am a taller dude. My girlfriend came in from the burbs a lot, and being a runner, she would take off all the time for long runs without fear and she always came back (haha). After hours can be dicey I suppose, but I echo what someone else said about anywhere in Chicago at 2 am.
One interesting thing to note about this building is its proximity to all the meat packing plants, across the street and in the general vicinity. In terms of safety, there are a lot of eyes on the street. M-Sat, these blue collar guys start showing up for work about 3:30 AM unloading trucks and whatnot. They eat lunch outside at the little mobile trucks that come around 8 AM. Maybe you don t like meat packing (it doesn t stink or anything, but you might see a carcass or two being hauled in), or maybe you don t like blue collar people but the eyes are there nevertheless. High traffic = safety. I think it s kinda cool too, this neighborhood has been feeding the city for more than a century but I digress.
Couple more things about location If you like to eat out, like I do, then you you really will like being able to walk a block over to Randolph and so many decent places. Several Sushi spots (I loved Sushi Wabi the most), Indian, Asian, blah blah blah it s all there, and I probably shouldn t blah it. Dominick s and Jewel are also both walkable, though the former is a bit closer. The closest El stop is a several blocks away, and you ll probably have to walk over to Randolph to hail a cab in off-peak hours (unless you pre-call). Bottom line here: this isn't the Gold Coast but there s a whole lot you can get to if you aren t too lazy to walk a couple blocks, and ease of access to public transport is slightly less than ideal. I was always on my feet and did more than fine, and when I needed a prompt cab I called one.
Second: the building. This was my third loft. I guess that makes me a grizzled veteran. There are a lot of potential problems with these old warehouses they convert, but I have to say that I didn t have any of the problems from the usual suspects category. The biggest potential uh-oh is noise. Usually, they cheap out on the construction of the interior walls, but that doesn t appear to be the case here. I would occasionally be able to feel the bump-bump from someone s home theatre system when they cranked it up on movie night or my neighbor s clarinet (or was that a flute'), but that was only when I wasn t doing something myself, like watching TV and it never bothered me. So, high marks here. Generally too, the units are well constructed energy costs are low, etc. Fireplace is a big, cost-effective plus in the winter.
The El could pose a problem for you though, depending on your sensitivity. I lived about halfway down the building away from the El, and can t say it ever bothered me. Some El trains are louder than others, and so sometimes if I was just watching TV at regular volume . I d have to scoot the DVR a few seconds back. Beyond that, it never bothered me. This is Chicago, and remember this is only my experience. Someone fresh off a quiet farm or living in a unit right on top of the track would tell you something else I m sure but then again, I probably paid more rent than they do.
What else' Laundry. Wow, a lot of hating about the laundry going on here. I found the utility of the situation pretty high. Lot s of washers and dryers waited maybe once in the year I was there. Super cheap. Some dryers are indeed better than others. Two dry cycles is better than 1 in most dryers (which still only costs you 1.50). If you don t like it, go take your laundry somewhere else and see if it s less hassle for the price. I doubt it.
This is getting pretty long I ll try to sum up. Never had a problem with the staff. Not sure what that s all about. I m a low-maintenance tenant I suppose, but when something did break (my faucet did once) or something else, I emailed and my issue was always tended to promptly. Front elevator is a little small and a little slow, but it was only a problem for me when someone on the second floor was too lazy to walk down/up the stairs. Rooftop is decent. Summer party is more than decent.
In sum, nothing s perfect, but if you're going for location and price you ve got to give this place an A. If you re super sensitive to the El, then still all things on balance you re still in the solid B range.
I can t believe I wrote so much and managed to say so little. I guess the obvious things you can see for yourself if you look at a unit.
I ll take emails, but I might not respond right away.
Good luck

User Responses
From: kitfo18	Date: 03/31/2009
Mark strikes again! Nothing like shameless self promotion. If this guy spend half the time working on the building that he spends trolling this site and putting up fake posts it would be a perfect place.
From: dbfrench	Date: 04/17/2009
Kitfo, Wrong. My name is d french, and I lived on the 4th floor. You accuse Marc of trolling the website, when you yourself are stalking every review? I stand by what I wrote. I thought it was pretty balanced and honest. People can contact me if they wish. Good Luck

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