I've lived in various apartment buildings on both the east and west coasts and I have to say this is by far the best complex overall- there's a reason this building has a 94% rating. Granted, the building and amenities are a bit older (you're not going to find granite kitchen countertops here), but overall, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Here's my assessment:

Negatives:
1) Building is a bit older and looks like it was built/designed in the 70s.
2) Windows could provide better insulation in the winter.
3) Outside noise - If you like to sleep with your windows open- the train is loud on the river-side and the garbage trucks are loud on the city side. But honestly, it's a city, so you'll get a bit of noise wherever you live.
4) Some folks have complained about high electricity bills, but honestly, I've never had a problem. I use the heater throughout the day in the winter and the A/C in the summer. Depending on the season, my bill ranges from $45 to $90, but then again, it's the only utility bill you'll pay.

Positives:
1) Super nice staff: The doormen all seem to knows everyone's name and are extremely polite/helpful.
2) Safe: Granted, you're living Philly, so I wouldn't call anywhere "safe". But this place is about as safe as you're going to get in the city. There's a doorman on duty 24/7 that restricts access to the residences. In addition, there's a 24/7 parking lot attendant that monitors the exterior of the complex and controls access into the lot. Place is generally well lit.
3) Parking is ample and safe: Lots of other lots in the city have to deal with constant break-ins, thefts, or just ghetto folks randomly wandering around. I never had a problem here.
4) Great Location: So you're not exactly on Rittenhouse Square, but it's a very convenient location overall. Easy access to the trail along the Schykill River, a few blocks to Rittenhouse, a few blocks to restaurants in Fitler Square. Convenient to Penn/Drexel and to highways (76/676).
5) Views: Simply amazing.
6) On-site Gym: Yes, as stated in other reviews, it's a bit old and somewhat small. However, it has all the basics: freeweights, some weight machines, and plenty of new elipticals and treadmills. They also just replaced their ghetto TV with a flat-screen wall-mounted LCD.
7) On-site Dry Cleaner: I wouldn't recommend them for tailoring given the few pieces that they have done for me, but overall they're nice and very convenient for basic dry cleaning.
8) Convenient Shuttle Van: I've never used it, but I've heard it's convenient for students or folks that work in University City. It does get packed in the morning, so I've heard some folks can be SOL if they get down to the lobby late.
9) Free Cable TV & Laundry Room on Floor: I'm getting sick of typing, so I grouped these two together. I believe you get 99 stations for free via the building's satellite TV service. Good deal, but you can order comcast separately too, which I did in order to get the high-def channels (you have to pay for comcast). Each floor also has 2 washing machines and 2 dryers. Convenient as long as you don't plan on doing your laundry during "peak" hours.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 02/15/2008
Nice apartment building, but not a good place to live if you like peace and quiet. Supposed to be a professional building, but management does nothing about those who choose to party like they're still in undegrad.

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