I would agree with the honest reviews (I think most of you can tell which were written by the staff of the building).

Here's what I have experienced in the almost four years I have lived at the Royalton (as it is now called):
I never hear my neighbor's stereo or television but I can hear them (upstairs neighbors) walking on the wood floors and when they are taking a piss.

Construction noise (from remodeling) was very bad during the day but things have quieted down (last year I worked mostly from home but at times I would have to leave because of the noise - I could not even sit in on conference calls because of the noise).

The management staff is a joke and not very service oriented until you start getting nasty with them (this why I am only giving this place one star under for "Staff").

The service staff (concierge, runners, valets - in other words, the grunts) are very friendly and helpful and always remember your name (I can't say the same for the management staff).

The valet service is scary but I don't use it ... those guys are too crazy when they are driving and are rough with the cars (I have also had too many close calls with them in the garage).

I love the floor plan of my apartment but I agree that it was cheaply put together.

My apartment faces the east side and, as someone else suggested, I do have to pull the blinds down in the morning else the apartment will get too hot.

I do prefer the decor of the building's open areas like the lobby. In other hi-rises, I feel like I am visiting my grandparents because of their decor.

Parking can sometimes be a pain but that is because of poor management: they once assigned my spot to a new resident. Fortunately, the new resident was pretty cool about it and took it up with management. I know two other residents for whom this is an on-going problem.

As far as the residents, for the most part, they are friendly (much more so then the people at the last place I lived at). Although, I have to admit that the place does look a little ghetto with some of the crowd at the building (and the bright red Hummer parked at the front or the other cars with big ghetto wheels). Yes, we do have some local celebrities but they are friendly, too. I can't say the same for the gold diggers that are always lounging around.

The apartments have been converted to condos and the things other people have written here about having to move out because of a new owner are true. But, this can sometimes work to your benefit: I know of people moving in that are paying several hundred dollars less than what the mortgage is because the new owner is desperate to rent!

Home Owner Association fees keep going up (HOA is something you keep hearing complaints about) but the services provided are either being done away with or scaled back (no more driver service, less bottled water) or charges for other services are being increased. (One announcement placed in the first floor kitchen was recently marked up by an angry resident who complained about the services being taken away: "First you get rid of the shuttle service and now you are doing away with the water. People are paying big bucks to live here and part of that is based on the services promised and now you are taking them away!!").

This place is supposed to be sophisticated but then they put up "Condos for sale" signs on the top floor: the last time I saw those sorts of sign was when I was driving past a trailer park.

Someone mentioned the security and front desk people knowing about you coming and going (and who with) but it does not bother me. As a single person, I like it: keeps the ex's from showing up unannounced!!

We did have some car break-in some time ago but it has been a while since I have heard of anything else happening. A couple of years ago they hired someone to patrol the garage at night. That made a big difference (but we still did see break-ins).

Elevators were a problem late 2006/early 2007. It was getting pretty common to see the fire trucks at the back door (I guess the elevator repair guys were taking too long to respond). I am one of many people that can thank firemen for getting me out of a stuck elevator.


I love my apartment. As long as I don't have to deal with the management staff or the sometimes-ghetto residents/guests, I am pretty happy.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 09/18/2007
Please elaborate on the "ghetto" comment. I am thinking about moving to the Royalton. Thanks!
From: Anonymous	Date: 12/21/2008
Madame , How do you charge , I mean with having all thoses Ex's , WOW ! you must be HOT ! My idea of Ghetto is ----- !

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