Attractive, well kept, solid building in a great location
From:
mikec1701
Date posted:
5/26/2004
Years at this apartment:
2003
-
2004
I've been living at the Wall Street Tower for just over 6 months now and have really liked it. My unit is a studio on the 16th floor, and has been renovated.
Most important for me was a QUIET apartment, as noise (tv, stereos, parties) really get on my nerves. I haven't been dissapointed. The building was built in the 1950s and is really solid, as you'll find when you first try hammering a nail into a wall. You'll either need a small strong nail or a drill. The floors are supposedly 2 feet thick concrete, and it feels like it. I've had some occasional music noise from one neighbor but not enough to seriously bother me, and when I've asked him to turn it down, he has. I'm not even sure if the apt. on the other side has been occupied all or some of the time I've been here, although I've heard some plumbing/water type noises but only when I've been in my own bathroom. Haunted maybe'' ;-) I do hear some front-door slamming sometimes, but it's not too bad.
Location is the other great thing about this place. If you work downtown or in Belltown you can't beat walking to work, plus being close to movies, restaurants, the gym, etc... The downside is some noise from emergency vehicles going up and down Denny a few times a day. Occasionally with the windows open this has seemed like a pain, but with the windows closed, it's really not a problem (and again, I can't STAND noise). The monorail isn't noisy at all (well not on the 16th floor where I am) but I would probably like it even if I could hear it.
Views- if you get an apt up high enough, you can get some awesome views of Puget Sound, Queen Anne, Lake Union, downtown, etc... My unit faces the space needle and is no doubt the best view I've ever had. If you are willing to pay for it this can be one of the best features of the building.
There's a great, LARGE outdoor garden and barbeque area which is great for sunny days. I've sat out there reading a couple times, and it's one of those places where people actually talk to each other while walking their dogs, etc...
Residents are a mix of older folks carried over from when this used to be a retirement home and younger more yuppy types scurrying back in or out of their apts. The older people are great to make conversation with and you can often find them in the lobby chatting or playing the piano that's there.
There are a fair number of pets in the building, even largeish dogs, which concerned me at first, but I've only ever heard one dog barking from my apartment and it was for a few minutes one day.
What else...
Ammenities... smallish so-so fitness room, with not much weight equipment, but then again I've never really seen an apt. that had a decent one. Cardio stuff is better, although their treadmills are narrow compared to the ones I'm used to at my gym. Great media room you can reserve for having friends over to watch DVDs, etc... Computer room which I've never used but seems fine and is moderately busy. There's a tanning bed I've never used... Convenience store on the ground floor which is pricey but nice to have if you need something quick... Post office and pharmacy are also in the same building, along with a Spanish restaurant which I've been to once and which had great tapas... Mmmm..
Laundry- One possible down side depending on your preference is the shared laundry room- there are no laundry facilities in the apartments. I've had both before and to be honest it doesn't make that much of a difference to me. The machines use pre-paid cards which you can recharge, so it eliminates the pain of needing change all the time. The machines display how much time is remaining so you know when to come back. Never had any problems.
Utilities- One great thing about this building, or at least my 16th floor, was I NEVER needed to turn on the heat during the winter. If anything, I needed to open the windws to avoid it getting too warm. There's electric heat in the units but I've never once used it other than to test it out. Utility bills have been low, like $25/month for general stuff (garbage, water, etc...) and then the electric bill which for my studio has been about $10-$12.
Management/office staff is polite and helpful if a little stiff. Steven is the friendliest and most 'real' seeming one there, but it's not really an issue, just something I've noticed. I've had two maintenance requests and they were both taken care of the next day or the 2nd day with no problems and a notification/survey card in case you have any other issues.
One thing to note is the building is NOT non-smoking, and depending on the floor, some hallways smell like smoke. Mine does :-/ although with the door shut and the insulation strip they installed under the door, it doesn't get inside.
Parking - seems fine from walking through there, but I've just always parked for free on some of the streets on the north side of Denny, since $100/month seemed high to me to use the onsite parking.
That's about all I can think of. All in all I have to say I'm enjoying living here and would recommend it.
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