True story - I was getting a ride home from a friend of a friend who asked where I live: "in the brookline building with the crazy super" were the directions given, and the driver laughed and drove straight there. That perfectly describes the infamy of Lee Torrey of Sovereign Realty. Too many unbelievable experiences to recount, but everything said in other reviews is 100% true. It's a shame because most other things about this building are terrific. But even if it was a block closer to Coolidge corner and the rent were half price, I wouldn't recommend this place to my worst enemy simply because of the building manager.
Final ratings:
Location: 4.9. 1 stop from coolidge corner, C-line stop is outside the front door, Rod Dee is literally downstairs, Anna's Taqueria is less than a half block away.
Maintenance: 5. No complaints here; I haven't had many issues, but the few that I have were taken care of quickly, and the workers were always nice and considerate.
Quality: 3.5. It's not a luxury building, but it isn't priced that way either. The 1-bedrooms are built a little weird - the galley kitchen has no drawers!
Value: 4.5. You are getting a lot of space and a great location for the money you spend.
Concierge: 1. Some of them have been nice, but some have been complete jerks. Expect a package or two to be mysteriously "lost".
Management: 0. Lee is a complete nutcase, he should be kept away from people for the rest of his natural life.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 07/13/2009
It's not just about the management. The place itself is gross and very poorly maintained - you can see the dirt from 50 years ago on the old hardwood floor, holes in the ceiling, untouchable kitchen & bathroom, even the garbage was all over the place when I moved in. The walls are made of papers so you expect to hear "everything" from your surrounding neighbors. The management of course, likes to write threatening letters to the tenants and you don't want to deal with them unless you're ready to move out. I can't wait my lease to end and live my life again.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/08/2009
Dealing with the building manager, Lee Torrey, has been a nightmare. He is very disrespectful to tenants I have to agree with all the postings that it is only a matter of time till he shows his true colors and makes your experience living at the Sovereign apartment a complete nightmare. He is known to write threatening letters for no reason when you have questions. I don't understand how they let Lee live among regular people, he belongs in a mental institution. He deactivated gym card for no reason in addition to sending threatening letters full of lies to me because I asked to be informed when they show my apartment to prospective tenants. Luckily I moved out and I'm super happy I don't have to deal with Lee Torrey for the rest of my life! BTW, they do not call you when they show your apartment to prospective tenants. Walls are very thin, I can hear neighbors having conversations daily - they don't even talk loudly! Overall it is so not worth it to live at the Sovereign apartments. Apartment is poorly maintained and looks very dirty inside. There are lots of better options in the area, so don't make the mistake of moving into Sovereign apartment - I've been regretting soon after moving in and could not wait till my contract expired this summer. I'm so glad I moved out and will not recommend this place even to my worst enemies.

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