Centennial Plaza

Centennial Court: so far so good From: -Anonymous- Date posted: 5/1/2007 Years at this apartment: 2007 - 2007   I've been here for a month so far and live in Centennial Court which is the smaller 7 story building along 3rd ave. (The Tower/Plaza is along 4th ave and is a high rise where the gym and entertainment room is) So far I haven't had any problems living here. I am a young female and feel relatively safe walking around the block/through the alley at night to get to the gym which is in the tower. There is always a weird person or two hanging around the Rite Aid which is kitty corner to the Court but they don't bother me when I walk by during the day. The 3 sides that surround the Court as low buildings so lots of light. The halls are hot sometimes so I wouldn't recommend getting a unit that faces 3rd ave (West). I have a north facing unit which provides enough light and stays cool. I heard there is no air conditioning here but it's not summer yet so I don't know how hot it will get. The firestation is a couple blocks away so I hear fire trucks about 3 times a day. Doesn't really bother me. First ave is where all the pubs are and the Court is on 3rd so far enough away that you don't get the drunks. I ocassionally hear a drunk or two on Fridays and Saturdays but it's pretty good so far. Can't hear my neighbours through the walls but one time my neighbours had a party and some guys stood outside their door (and mine) and i could hear everything all night. You can also hear people walking around upstairs sometimes which is annoying. I have a studio 500 sq ft with bay window which is plenty of room for me. I have a double bed, tv, dining table, small bookshelf and can fit a sofa in here no problem. I'd have liked to have a balcony but not all units have them in the Court and the ones that do are not real balconies. You can jus tpoke your head out for a smoke or line up a row of potted plants on it. That's it. The bay window is really nice and makes my unit look bigger though The apartment was pretty clean when I moved in and when I had problems, maintenance were quick to come and fix it. The halls and elevators are clean. The parking garage is clean but the spaces are really tight! You have the option of a reserved or unreserved spot. I have unreserved which means you park anywhere without a reserved sign. Haven't had any problems finding a spot so far. Haven't had any issues with my car. I've noticed a 'guard' checking once to see if everyone who parks there is legit and has a pass. The gym, pool, sauna, hot tub and 'entertainment room' are in the tower so you have to walk across the alley to the Tower. The alley is clean and safe. When the office is closed though, they gate the back of the Tower so you'll have to walk around to the front on 4th ave or go up the back stairs in the alley. (I don't like the stairs, they smell and are dark) There is a nice restaurant Shallots that is open late on the corner so I feel safe walking by there. The gym is not bad: 3 treadmills, 2 elipticals, 2 bikes for cardio. (Wish they had a stairmaster) 6 weight machines and a collection of free weights as well as a fitness ball, ab cruncher thing, mats and a scale. 3 small tv's in there. I use the gym every day and it's never really busy (max 5 people in there at the same time that I've seen) The dry sauna is okay. The pool is small but enough. It is a shallow pool for laps only since they donh't have a lifeguard. Not sure how often they clean the pool but I haven't seen anything funky. The hot tub is outside and they put some chemical in the water so it smells funny. Also dirty since all the leaves can fly into it. The 'entertainment room' is pretty nice if you want to throw a party. Big screen tv and sofas, big table with full kitchen, pool table, books, free wireless internet but no computers or printers for you to use. Must have laptop. Wish they had a printer. Deck with bbq. The Court has a rooftop deck which is not bad and there is a bbq up there too. Closes at 10pm though. Other than that, no other amenities in the Court. No rooftop deck in the tower. Millenium and Qwest have a monopoly on this building so you have to get your cable and internet through them. Can't get Comcast. I like how it's close to everything. There is a video store (the only one in Belltown) on the main level of the building and post office, Kinko's 2 blocks away. 1st ave has lots of restaurants, bars, boutiques and 2nd ave too. Walking distance to downtown, Pike market, seattle space needle, Whole Foods, banks. Close driving to Chinatown, Queen Anne and close to I-5 and 99. Rent is expensive but it's the same with all the buildings around here. I checked a few before I chose this one. The bathroom is pretty big and the vanity has extra drawer and cabinet as well as a medicine cabinet. The kitchen is big enough for one person but drawer space is a little tight. I am keeping all my dishes in the dishwasher sicne I don't use it. Counter space is adequate. W/D stacked in a closet next to the kitchen. All newer appliances. The closet is just barely big enough for a girl with lots of clothes. Wish it was bigger. So far I really like my apartment and it's been nice living in Belltown.

Recommended: YES Overall Rating

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