Ok, first, the GOOD:

*Above all, pet friendly.
*Kitchen appliances nice and new, in good working order.
*Full-size washer dryer included.
*Good color schemes in apartments.
*Roomy bathrooms.
*Granite countertops and breakfast bars in kitchens.
*Attractive lighting.
*Big windows (great for warmth from sunlight, esp. in south-facing units)
*Parking is ample and decently lit.
*Clean.
*Management reasonably good about resident communication, though I feel could be improved on issues of security (see below...).
*Management respects residents. They have always been courteous to me.
*Very prompt maintenance response and knowledgeable maintenance staff. Maintenance will also consider your pets and do not enter (barring emergency) unless you are present or secure your pet.


Now, the not-so-good:

*EXHORBIANT RENT. This place is not worth the $2k/mo. current starting rent for a small one bedroom. The rent, and the security issues I mention below, are my number one complaints about this place. I have no idea how in hell the Hanover Company thought they would build a profitable building demanding that rent so close to a university when their target audience was academics/medical residents/grad students/fellows and the like who don't clear enough annually to rent independently. You need a cosigner' Hope that (s)he makes at least 5x/rent per month! Insane.

Be prepared to be hit with substantial increases per year with the rent. In the first year alone, rent has jumped on some units 15-20%, way above what else I have observed in the Philadelphia market even for comparable "luxury" properties. Understand that the demanded rent is not determined locally; it is determined by market analysts at Hanover in Houston, TX in consultation with the management here. I do not like it at all that my market rent is determined by people 1000's of miles away from my home who may or may not understand the West Philadelphia market.

Electricity also runs very high here--bills have averaged over $100, even on singly-occupied units, without much heat or air run.

*SECURITY ISSUES. As was mentioned in another review, there have been some problems recently with car break-ins; there have also been bike thefts and an assault of a resident's pet, the latter of which we were not informed about. That would have to be of major concern to many people here who have dogs as I see them walking their animals at all hours of the day and night. There has also been attempted robbery at the Wachovia on our block that is part of the building. Furthermore, there is no security between the Starbucks and our front lobby. I return home many nights to find the front resident entrance locked yet the coffee shop door wide open, providing free passage into the lobby and clubhouse area. The other common areas in our building are key-faubbed, like the gym and media room, yet there is no real protection between Starbucks and our home' When I inquired about this anomaly, I was told that Hanover would leave the security up to Starbucks. To me, that makes no sense. This property should protect its residents by faubbing that door as well, or come up with some other reasonable solution. I would also like to point out that there has also been some recent turnover with the concierge staff, particularly the weekend and night staff, when there would be most risk for a security breach. I hope they recognize us by sight (I feel they probably do).

The appointments in the apartments, while attractively colored and designed, are rather flimsy. Hardwood floors are really laminate floors, cabinets are laminate, and I have had two come apart at the hinges. I have also had problems with my front door lock coming loose, as have other residents.

Bathroom and closet layout, even if roomy, is poor. In the smaller one bedrooms, and in the case of at least one bedroom in the larger units, closets, CARPETED closets, are off the bathroom, making them potential mold traps. Keeping the closet doors open and running bathroom fan helps though, but still, a poor design.

Moving in during peak times can be difficult. There is only one cargo elevator that is booked according to the size unit you have. A one-bedroom got two hours last summer, you need more like four, and it is a nightmare to schedule a slot that is compatible with both you and your moving company.

I wish there were an option to recommend with reservation because really this property does what it can to deliver a safe, clean product in what can be a dodgy part of the city. Overall, I feel that this place has not lived up to expectations--close to Penn, I imagine Hanover (and probably the University too) thought this would rent like hotcakes, but last I heard it was a little over half-full. What keeps most people away' Of course, the rent. I know plenty of people who'd make great tenants here--especially university academics who want close proximity to Drexel or Penn--professional, quiet, responsible (exactly what Domus is looking for) but cannot afford it. Overall, I like my apartment ok and I can live with the appointments and construction even though I don't deem the quality necessarily "luxury", but they could be more keen on obvious security flaws and really re-examine what the market can bear here for rent. While the apartments may be pretty and new and clean, Domus is not a good value. Offer to include parking in the already high rent and offer to pay more utilities, or otherwise knock the rent down some, and my mind may change, and you're more likely have me back for another year.

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