I thought I would add my review to the mix to help everyone with their apartment hunting decisions. I moved into The Encore over two years ago. I actually had to live in an un-renovated unit because they could not seem to get a good estimate on when my apartment would be completed. The first date was March 1st - I moved into the un-renovated unit April 1st - and finally moved into my renovated unit on June 1st.

The apartment designs are really nice with upgraded stainless appliances and ceramic tile surrounding the bath tub. Other than that - everything else is pretty basic. The linoleum floors are loose and glue is separating from the sub floor. The carpet is cheap and is also loose. I really don't think there is a quality padding underneath either. The floors creak and pop frequently.

After moving into my renovated unit, it took the management approximately 8 months to get the fitness center completed but it was only accessible during office hours. So, if you worked - forget about working out. Since receiving my key fob after one year, I have 24 hour access to the fitness center - however, it is so incredibly small with the increasing number of residents - so you have to use it at midnight to use the equipment.

After one year, the apartment shuttle finally began running to Pentagon City - mind you this had been advertised as a feature since I had moved in. The apartment shuttle has continued to be a nightmare - with changes in the contracting company and the new driver constantly risking passengers lives. I simply take the Metro Bus into Pentagon now.

Noise is definitely an issue. With all of my windows shut and locked, I can hear people simply having a conversation outside. I sleep with all of my bedroom shared-wall doors shut (i.e., closet and bathroom doors) because of the noise of air popping in the pipes in the walls when other residents run hot water and the chatter of the neighbors next door. I can hear people in the breezeway as they leave their apartments - it's like an amphitheater. I can also easily hear the people below me simply talking. I live on the top floor - so luckily I cannot hear people above me except - well that's another story.

I had some friendly flying squirrels that took residence in the crawl-space above my apartment. It has been over a year and the problem still hasn't been fixed. I know they have an exterminator come out to trap the animals - but they definitely haven't done anything to prevent them from getting back into the space. It's like having pets!

There is so much other drama surrounding the POOR management of this apartment complex that I could write an entire novel - it might have been something worth publishing! It would only take one knowledgeable person in here to properly manage the facility to make it work (the shotty construction issues will always be a problem). The apartments are pretty nice and the rent is reasonable (if you get a move-in special). There definitely is a lot of potential here that a good management team could run with - too bad Bonaventure can't figure that out.

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