After moving from Springfield, I moved into the South Tower in one of the penthouse studios. The view of D.C. is excellent, and the new appliances is a definitely plus. For a studio, it's a large space.

Parking can be a severe challenge at night, guest parking is frankly a joke, and the South Tower basement stinks constantly. Hearing of the rat issue is very disconcerting to me and I hope there is some resolution about that. Additionally, the kids have at times carte blanche to do whatever without parental insight.

All in all, just ok.

User Responses
From: mariam0673	Date: 08/05/2008
I lived in the South Tower for a year with no problems other than the terrible smell in the basement and I agree guest parking is far from ideal. I just moved to the North Tower into a larger unit. So far, so good. I'm curious about all the posters (or maybe it's the same one) that keep mentioning that management offers rent discounts for positive reviews - I'd love a discount.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/05/2008
The problems in the building are all true and we are all different people! There are 26 floors and ...How many apts? So let??s conentrate about true about rats about Thumbtack about Cockroaches...Come one!!
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/12/2008
There seem to be plenty of people posting negative reviews and complaining about management and the conditions they're living in - yet no one wants to join the Yahoo group for residents...makes me question if these people are current tenants and, if they are, how serious their issues are...or are we dealing with a handful of bitter people. Yes, there are issues with the South Tower basement...yes, guest parking is less than desirable...but it's far from a ghetto or a slum...join the yahoo group and show how serious you are about seeing changes made...in other words - pi*s or get off the pot.
From: GougingHater	Date: 08/14/2008
It's comical that some would think/have us believe that only a "handful of bitter of people" have "serious issues". I mean man, when you see that only one out of four people would recommend this slum, it's a no brainer that there are very good reasons for those reviews.
From: Anonymous	Date: 08/26/2008
Anyone thinking of leasing at Skyline Towers should be aware of the following: 1) Security: Security is a huge problem at Skyline Towers. The police is involved because of the problems caused by the gang element, I question your review. I also wonder if you took advantage of the rent discount from management for writing a review like yours. There is security personnel. However, they do not respond. They're usually sleeping in the back of the front desk, or talking on the phone to their girlfriends. The presence of two security personnel at the front desk is just a "front". Every door to the outside is open and anyone can walk in. The vehicle garage doors are wide open (in fact, vehicles from the outside drive through the garage from Leesburg Pike to get to Seminary Road), the garage doors to the stairways are wide open. In fact, the locks don't even work. All the basement doors to the outside are wide open. In fact, doors are off their hinges, or tied open so that the kids can skateboard in and out of the buildings. Anyone has access to the garage and apartment buildings. There is even a sign on one of the doors saying that it is "open 24 hours". Cars have been keyed, towed, and broken into (one tenant had all the tires stolen from his vehicle and the vehicle was left on blocks) and management does nothing. In at least one case, the person who broke into the car and stole the radio lived in Skyline Towers. Be aware that your insurance premium(s) will increase if you live at Skyline Towers. So, talk to your agent first. 2) Fitness Center: There is a fitness center, but be aware of the fact that it also functions as: a) TV room for mothers in burkas with a handful of toddlers in strollers, and nonresidents who want to use the TVs; b)Daycare Center for parents who drop their kids off in the Fitness Center then go out for the evening; c) Community Center for young kids/teenagers; d) Playground for kids kicking balls, flipping the lights on and off, playing with the equipment; bouncing balls off the mirrors, etc., etc. 3) Laundry Facilities: There are washer/dryers in each unit. However, that doesn't mean they work. Make sure your laundry smart card has money because you will be using the community laundromats a lot - that is when they're working. And now, even the community laundromats are "closed for renovations". 4) Emergencies: Be prepared to have management, inhouse maintenance people, OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS come into your apartment on a regular basis (at least 10 times/month. The excuse is always labeled "emergency" The "emergency" could end up costing you a lot of money (not to mention inconvenience and the mess they leave behind). Tenants' property have been broken (e.g., glass diningroom tables, lamps), stolen (including stolen IDs that cost the victim/tenant $15,000 (yes, that's thousand). 5) NO WATER, NO HOT WATER, NO HEAT, NO AIR, NO ELECTRICITY. Management posts these notices in elevators on a regular basis. They label these as "emergencies" also. We have "emergencies" everyday. Be prepared to have no air conditioning in the summers even when the temperature is above 90?? and no heat in the winters even when the temperature is below 30??. You have no control over the temperature. If you like hot showers, don't expect to enjoy hot showers at Skyline Tower. The water is usually lukewarm - never hot. In fact, you're lucky if it's lukewarm. Most times, it's cold. So, be prepared to have a lot of cold showers at Skyline because you're lathered up with shampoo and soap and have no other choice. 6) Fire Alarms: Be prepared for frequent fire drills. And, I emphasize "frequent". In fact, it's so frequent that only a handful of people bother to go downstairs any more. But, they keep setting off the alarms - especially in the early a.m. (e.g., 4 a.m.) during a work week. In fact, most days, management will set off the alarm every other hour because tenants are ignoring it. (Yes, that's all night long.) 8) Elevators: There are four elevators in each building. However, be prepared to give yourself at least ten minutes to get downstairs to get to work on time. Of the four elevators in each building, usually only two work. So, suck in as you squeeze yourself into the crowded elevator and watch where you stand because you might be standing in pet poop. 7) Pets: There is a no pet policy. However, that doesn't mean anything. As I said before, watch where you step. Also, there has been reports of "flea" problems, as well as serious mice problems. (Management's response to mice problems was telling the poor tenants to not have any food in their apartments. Nothing was done by management to solve the problem which is still unsolved.) 8) Cleanliness: The Fairfax Health Dept. is involved because of the serious RAT INFESTATION. Be prepared to see cartons of melted ice cream and other food, broken furniture, grocery carts, etc. in the halls, solicitation flyers, etc. under your doors, overflowing garbage chutes in the halls, holes in the walls, etc., etc. Also, if spots appear on your carpet, it's mold. (And management will try to blame you for the problem.) No, you're not in a "project" or a 3rd world country. Remember, management calls this a "luxury" property. 9) Maintenance: Don't hold your breath waiting on them. They usually don't show up. 10) Utilities: Be aware that you will be subsidizing all the families with generations (includes 5-plus kids) living in a small apartment. Utilities are allocated by floor space. So, you could be away for a month but, if your neighbors (with all the generations and 5-plus kids) are using all the utilities, your utility bill could increase even though you haven't been home for 24 days out of the month. 11) Unruly kids: Watch out, kids could run/skateboard into you in the halls. Duck, you could be soaked with their water pistols, bouncing balls, etc. If you hear noises, it's just the kids bouncing balls against the walls in the halls or playing soccer in the halls, screaming, etc., etc. Management does nothing. These are the 5-plus kids in the crowded small apartments that you're supporting by paying their utilities. 12) Construction is never ending: Be prepared for construction noises as late as 11 p.m. on work nights. Management's financial problems are so severe that they're hiring outside contractors during off-hours. Projects stop and go as the rents come in. You'll note that there are different styles of windows in the buildings. Work was stopped because of money problems. "New" windows are actually worse. The "new" windows are of cheaper quality and you'll hear a whistling noise like you're in a tunnel. Before you sign, make sure you talk to people who live at Skyline. (Make sure it's not someone who is looking for a "finders' fee" against their rent.) Talk to someone who lived at Skyline and moved out. Find out why they moved. Management at Skyline will do and say anything to get you to sign. Once you've signed the lease, it's "Sorry. What the leasing agent told you is wrong." But, you're stuck in the lease. Make sure you get everything in writing, the staff turns over frequently. However, the apartment size is okay. So, you might be willing to put up with all of the above. Also, management is so desperate for tenants (after receiving numerous "notices to vacate" (50-plus) from the tenants who can afford to live elsewhere and the numerous tenants who broke their leases after one month) you might be able to get a deal - if you're willing to put up with all of the above and more. (Management is having such serious money problems that they have started making deals with foreign embassies and are now accepting low-income SEC. 8 tenants. Yes, you're subsidizing THEIR utilities.) But, be aware that whatever deal you make, you're making a deal with the -----. They will "sock it to you" after you've spent the money moving your things in. Be aware that your rent will increase in the double-digits (As management says (and I quote); "The going rate for rent increases in the area is 3-4% each year, but we see ourselves as having an UNLIMITED percent". They will also start charging you for things that used to be included in the rent amount; e.g., utilities, parking space, parking space for your guest(s). Management has found another avenue for revenue by renting to people in the Skyline Professional Buildings, so you will be competing with them for the parking spaces. So, the rent for the parking spaces will only increase. If you decide to live at Skyline, make sure you watch you account very closely. The "accountant" has made mistakes on every account - sending tenants overdue notices on "paid" rent and utilities. He doesn't know accounting and will send you a duplicate bill for the same rent/utility that you already paid.

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