Wow, I am very surprised to read any negative reviews for RiverHouse. I have lived in 2 different apartments in the Ashley building for over 2 years. The apartments are very spacious. My one bedroom is almost 900 sq feet and my studio was almost 600--that's bigger than some other complex's 1 bedrooms. The gym is free (you have to get there at the right time to get on equipment though) and there's a nice outdoor pool. Parking is only $10 and I've never had a problem finding a spot.

I've also NEVER seen one roach or mouse since I've been here (and I lived in an apt downtown so I know how gross they can get) Apartments seem to be reonnovated on a regular basis so they look very nice on the inside. Either my neighbors are mutes or the walls were built properly, because I've never had a problem with noise. Donuts are provided every Monday morning and the complex regularly throws little get togethers every few months. Whenever I have had any maintenance issues, it's been addressed within a 24 hour period.

Yes, the rents have increased substantially over the years, but hey, this is DC. Everything's overpriced. I dare someone to find a complex with apartments this big, utilities included AND within walking distance to the metro. Some people just love to complain....If you're looking for a 5 star apartment complex, look elsewhere and pay twice as much. But if you're looking for a clean, friendly apartment complex, check out RiverHouse.

User Responses
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/04/2007
they makke you pay for parking now? wow!!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 11/14/2007
Yeah, they make you pay for parking? Is that $120 a year? Just add that on to your rent - it's not like it's garage parking and it's not like there are always spaces either. I'm so glad I don't live there any more. I once had an electrical emergency they tried to ignore. My biggest dislike was the rude staff and management. Now that the bubble has burst on the market - are you still going to put up with what you think is "normal."
From: riverhouse1717	Date: 11/29/2007
I am the same person who wrote a review on 09/23/2006. And, I still work in the property management industry. I have to tell you I haven't been very happy since the last time I made a posting. Yes, I still live here, but I am only staying for a few more months as we are preparing to buy a house. My month-to-month status gives me a bit of flexibility. Much of what the previous reviewer wrote is true. Being in the business, I heard some buzz that Charles E. Smith was buying the River House. I asked the on-site team about it, but they dismissed it (which is normally the case). I wasn't too surprised when a few months later we (the residents) received a letter stating the community had been bought out by Vornado (which is now Vornado/Charles E. Smith). Basically, it's Charles E. Smith commercial division, which in essence is a very close cousin to Charles E. Smith residential (Archstone-Smith). It???s same big company, but a different division. In the last four years, my rent has increased about $500 dollars. This past year, I had a rent increase of $143 a month, which equates to almost $2000 over a year. And, it will continue to increase because they know they can at the moment. It may be a move to drive people out so that the value of the community goes up (if people are willing to pay the premium). Hence, the value of the property will also improve. At some point they just might convert it to some sort of commercial project (retail or office space). Keep in mind who purchased to community, Vornado/Smith (commercial division) not Archstone Smith (residential division). I don???t know for sure, but that???s my hunch working in this business. When I first moved in to the River House, I honestly thought it was a good deal. Being in the business, I'm always thinking of value. With the increasing rents, I don't value the location as much as I used to. It still is one of the least expensive apartment communities in Pentagon City, but it's also one of the oldest. Don???t think in terms of price (bottom-line alone). I think it???s the biggest mistake people make when searching for a quality place to live. Here are some items to think about before moving here. 1) This is not a luxury building, it???s actually a pretty old building (for a little more you can live in a luxury building) 2) There is no washer or dryer/dryer in your apartment. (If you think about it, you end up spending more toward rent because of it) And, you have to go to a laundry room to complete your laundry. 3) It is rumored that parking is going to go up significantly 4) Although not often, you vehicle is at risk of being burglarized on the surface level lots (there are even signs in the elevators pointing this out). Trust me, the previous writer is correct when expressing that the courtesy patrol is useless. They???re mainly there to give the perception that they are helpful. Much of the time they are talking on the cell phones or watching DVD???s in their patrol cars. 5) There are rodents in the building. Try not to live near a trash chute or on the lower floors. I found out that a rat had chewed up my power steering hose for my car (which is in the garage) and it cost me a lot of money to repair. 6) The above brings me to my next gripe. They don???t clean the garage or main areas as frequently as they should. This attracts rodents and insects. As a matter of fact, it was almost a full week before garbage and debris were cleaned up in the garage level a few months ago. Now that the leaves are falling down, there is a pile of leaves in the garage. It???s been about three weeks and the garage is filthy. 7) They are continually shutting the water off to make repairs (remember this is an old building) 8) For what you pay for, the commitment to service has been lacking. 9) I have to request that they paint certain parts of my apartment every year because the pain continues to flake (again old building). 10) I have requested that my toilet be fixed due to a slow leak several times. Someone has definitely come in, but the problem still persists. Not only is it a waste of water, but also it will drive cost up in the long run. 11) Don???t believe the 62% approval rating. I think that someone in management has been posting positive ratings weekly. Keep in mind the platform. When I wrote a response in September the approval rating was close to 33% (where it should be for this type of format). But, there is a lot more competition out there now. More new communities offering very attractive move-in incentives. So, now they have to be a bit more competitive. A higher rating would appear to make this place seem that much more attractive. I will write more in the near future. I am not finished. Just out of time for now.

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