I recently transferred to the area, and took a furnished corporate apartment in the building from December ?02 to February ?03 while relocating. I was initially impressed enough with the building and location to put down a deposit on an unfurnished unit to move into once my furniture arrived. However, because of the problems I?ll describe, I decided not to move into the unfurnished unit and bought a nearby condo instead.

At first glance, Gallery at Virginia Square seems like a great place to live - newly built, on the Orange line Metro, 2 months free rent with a year's lease. However, things aren't necessarily as they appear. The quality of the workmanship in the units is horrid - low-grade carpet, appliances, and cabinetry. The stainless-steel sink had begun to rust in the first week of use, and doors were falling off the bathroom cabinets. Windows were so drafty during the cold snaps of the winter that the furnace ran almost constantly.

In the first month of living there, very large cracks began to appear in the walls of the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

The hallway often reeked of cigarette smoke, and management totally ignored my complaint about failing to contain smoke in the individual units. You could hear people in the hallways and the ceaselessy irritating elevator chimes very clearly.

Management was unresponsive and cold. In addition to my ignored complaint about smoke in hallways, I received a notice about unpaid rent when I had paid early, and another delinquent rent charge that ignored that I had properly given my 30-day moveout notice. They love to put general notices under residents' doors(seemed like a daily event).

Common areas are only OK. The treadmills, bikes, and elliptical trainers in the fitness room were often broken (not a good sign for a place only open a few months). The computer lounge was a nice amenity, but the network was often down or the printers out of paper. If they're going to offer a computer center as an amenity, they ought to keep it maintained and stocked with supplies, don't you think'

The front desk staff/concierge was mixed. The normal evening concierge, Ezekiel, was one the nicest, most helpful and attentive people I have ever met. Many times, though, the desk was manned by either leasing office staff or uniformed security guards.

Your thoughts? Post a response to this review. Display my response: with my username anonymously Responses appear below reviews and one response per user is permitted.

   Free estimates on moving trucks      Find apartment share/roommates