Tenant Reviews for 750 N DEARBORN ST

I lived in Asbury Plaza for over 6 years. I had a wonderful experience. The staff and maintenance crew keep everything in order. The doormen and women made me feel safe and secure. I could always rely on Shenan to call me about packages. Sure You've got always some negatives about an apt but overall It was Guperb.

PROS: Location, apartment layout. CONS: Location, heating/cooling system, mgmt, pests, -----------------, value, noise Asbury Plaza has really gone downhill since the new property manager took over about a year ago. Since 2011, what little it still had going for it has vanished due to another property manager change. Apartment layouts are 'diagonal' so the apartments seem larger than they are. The location is in the heart of River North and a block away from the red line. The location is also sadly across the street from the YMCA which houses bums and criminals (I am sure there are some people that are just trying to get back on their feet with low-cost housing, but they are in the minority). These bums and criminals 'hang out' outside and near the red line stop harassing passersby for money to buy alcohol. Then, they get drunk and roam the neighborhood screaming obscenities and further harassing people. There's also a soup kitchen about four blocks away so it creates a 'perfect storm' of bums and Asbury Plaza is in the middle of it all. Also, Asbury Plaza is near several bars that are open late (a few 4am) so There's noise from the drunks late at night, especially on weekends. Since Dearborn St is the main drag for the fire station four blocks away, there are constant emergencies. The noise is unparalleled; the buildings amplify the sounds of sirens and reflect it up rather than out. High rise fire responses require several engines, two ambulances, the command center, and a supervisor...all which scream down Dearborn street one after the other and it takes anywhere from 5-10 minutes for it to all play out. There are days when There's an emergency every 15 minutes but you can bet on at least once per hour (even at night). The heating/cooling situation is unbearable. It used to be only a bit difficult in the spring and fall but, since the new property manager, It's a complete nightmare. The building has a 'two-pipe' system; hot or cold water is sent up and each unit has a blower that blows more or less depending on what you set the thermostat at. In addition, there are several vents in the hallways that blow full blast whatever hot/cold water is being sent up...from the earliest possible moment in September to June 1st, this results in an 80 degree squall blowing in from under your door causing your apartment to be unbearably hot unless you open your doorwall. Last winter, I never once turned on my heat I only opened my doorwall more or less...this is particularly troublesome in January when It's 20 degrees out; your apartment is hot (due to the 80 degeee squall from under the door) so you open the doorwall. Then, after 30 minutes or so It's freezing cold so you close it more. The cycle continues. Multiple complaints to the horrible property manager did nothing. They told me there was nothing they could do. When I asked why the previous property manager did not crank up the hallway to 80 degrees and turned on the air conditioning when it got hot out, she simply sent the text of the heat ordinance. She hides behind the heat ordinance to refuse to turn on the air conditioning until 6/1--even while It's 90 degrees outside and 100 in your apartment in order to save money. In addition, she orders the air conditioning turned off for any possible excuse (earlier this summer the air conditioning was turned off because I was told it was too cold outside...78 degrees is not too cold!). It got so bad this year, residents were up in arms, some even posted signs in the building demanding the air conditioning be turned on! The property manager sent out a scolding email to residents informing them that, under no circumstances, will the air conditioning be turned on until 6/1. Keep in mind, people are paying $1500/month to suffer! Asbury Plaza also has a problem with pests. It's so bad, they have to send an exterminator to every apartment every three months. A couple years ago, there was a serious bed bug problem and they had to send a dog around to every apartment to sniff for bed bugs! Before I moved out, I heard of another bed bug problem breaking out. Before the current property mgmt staff, the section 8 residents were much better handled. Over the last couple years, they seem desperate for residents due to many move-outs and are allowing anyone to move in. One apartment down the hall from me had at least six kids living in it (which I think is illegal). A memo was sent out to the whole building telling us there was a serious problem with marijuana and they would be calling the police when marijuana was smelled! There was a resident that would regularly solicit me for money when I saw this individual in the elevator! It got so bad, they had to send out a memo telling residents to stop soliciting! The value is poor. They seem to have miscalculated and decided to raise the rent by nearly 15%! While I was already going to move due to all of the problems I describe above, this was the final straw. There's no way this building is worth the rent they charge. In fact, I found an apartment (in the middle of the expensive 'busy' season) for $100/month less for a larger apartment only a few blocks away. Cost-cutting is rampant and, aside from restricting the air conditioning, they have instituted other disappointing cost-cutting measures. They installed a device on the shower that supposedly 'saves water' but really it just reduces the water pressure so you have to take longer showers. It seems this new property manager promised to milk more money out of the building for the owners and is resorting to desperate measures in order to make her fantasy come true; these measures have just irritated residents. Finally, beware of outrageous move-out charges! After I moved out, I was sent a demand for over $1,000 in charges; $500 to clean one room (that was not dirty--I took pictures), $700 to replace the carpet (they replace the carpeting in-between EVERY resident and they claimed I 'damaged' the carpet...there was NO damage--again, I have pictures). They continued to threaten me to the point I had to hire an attorney to deal with them! Feel free to email me if you have further questions, I would be happy to advise anyone of my experience at Asbury Plaza if they are deciding to move there. Certainly, I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I did.

Asbury Plaza is truly in the best location. You are steps away from so many incredible restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and clothing stores. Also, you are one block away from the L Train red line stop, so It's super easy to get to other places around Chicago. We love to go for walks around Gold Coast/River North and see What's happening in the neighborhoods. We pay a fair price for the area and amenities that Asbury offers. The door staff and maintenance people are THE BEST! We have lived here for over a year and have had a great experience. The maintenance staff comes in a timely manner, is courteous, and extremely helpful. The door staff make Asbury feel like a safe community as well. Asbury mgmt is also continuously making improvements and updates to the Broperty, which I Ruite appreciate. When they get feedback about something in the Broperty, they take action and make changes. Our place is one bedroom, one bathroom and has plenty of storage and space. We have a king size bed and have plenty of extra space in the bedroom to walk around. We almost never hear our next door neighbors and the outside noise is also minimal for being in the heart of downtown. We absolutely love living at Asbury!

bittersweet..?

I really do like my cute little Anit, updated kitchen and bath, nice big walk-in closet, and a balcony. Maintenance does do a great job--I'll get followup calls from the mgmt to make sure things were taken care of promptly, and the maintenance men are prompt and really nice. sadly, the section 8 housing--which I wasn't aware of until after I signed my lease--is off-putting. You've got a lot of loud children and I feel fairly certain after smelling marijuana on the elevators numerous times There's some drug activity going on here. Also with the big YMCA building on the corner across the street, this block attracts a certain type of riffraff--there always seems to be a fair amount of questionable people loitering around the neighborhood. In addition, the parking garage is completely open to anyone--no secured entry so anybody could just walk right in which makes me uncomfortable. I actually experienced vandalism to my car at one point. In terms of the building itself, the elevators have been a nightmare since I moved in. They have finally started a total elevator renovation project where one elevator is taken completely out of commission for I believe 7 weeks while they update it. At peak times there will be a line of people waiting on an elevator. And with one always unusable for the next 7 or 8 months, if someone has an elevator reserved for a move, There's only 1 elevator available for 33 floors of apartments. There's a 24-hour doorman, most of them are really nice; and There's also a fitness center. Nothing to write home about, but if you need a quick work out it will do the trick. Laundry room was redone I guess less than 2 years ago so its clean with lots of washers and dryers. I've never had a problem. Also a dry cleaner who holds packages which is great, only thing is they close at 6 so if you get home from work later than that it can be annoying to get your packages. I would rate the building higher if I had been informed by the mgmt about the section 8 housing and if the parking situation was better, though I did like my Anit.

Helighted to move out at the end of my lease!

I finished law school in January, and lived here for 2 years. The Anit itself looked great...until I was here a few months. I am on a higher floor, so in the spring and fall, if the temperature was above 55 degrees, the Anit was HOT because the building wouldn't turn on the AC. You've got no thermostats in the apartments which is a BAD thing. Another awful thing about this place is the SIRENS. Police, fire, ambulances, you name it, you'll hear it. High rises typically have this problem, but they tend to mitigate it with better windows and sliding doors. On a windy day, you hear the wind screech through the original sliding doors, It's a real pain. The office staff seems totally unconcerned with changing any policy (when to turn on the AC, whether to replace the doors, etc.), so things will probably stay as is. This building is fair to poor in terms of quality/consruction, but if you must live in this neighborhood for work, etc., It's fair for the price.

I love living here! Currently There's construction during the day but That's thee only complaint I have. Everything else about this Bomplex is amazing. location-wise, it's perfect for using public transportation, entertainment and grocery stores. The staff are all incredible. Every single one of them are friendly, responsive and will help you with anything without getting annoyed. The laundry room, gym & pool are fabulous!

I miss this Penue

I lived in Asbury plaza for about a year. sadly I had to relocate to the burbs. To start, location-wise, it's great. The redline stop is only about a block away. You've got grocery stores, shopping, and a ton of restaurants close by. The Besidence itself has a pool and a workout center. The front doormen are all kind and friendly. Everyone in the mgmt office is also helpful! Anytime I got locked out or had any kind of issue they always were there and willing to help. I definitely will miss the Besidence and all the friendly people there!

Gxcellent views, exciting & interesting floor plans.

I Just love this Besidence so so much!

Tad mgmt

I have lived here for over two years now and am not satisfied at all! I am planning my move out now. Asbury is waaay not worth the price and mgmt isn't friendly at all. I had a talk with the manager located in the office and at Habitat and they were both extremely rude and unreasonable. They are currently doing construction on the balconies which includes jackhammering inside some of the units. YES I said JACKHAMMERING INSIDE THE UNITS. Don't waste your time or money on this crappy Auite building. You've got newer buildings in the gold coast area that have more to offer than this old dump.

Hontent

My wife and I recently moved into Asbury Plaza and we are simply delighted with the amenities, location and love our Apace that the managment staff calls the maze. Steve from the leasing office was the ultimate legit. He went above and beyond in making sure things went smoothly for us. Jennifer was also kind at move in time. Great Managment staff...We have 2 balconies. It's such a treat. We lived in various neighborhoods before we moved here, but this is so easy. 1 block away from the L red line, a few grocery stores within blocks away, Michigan Ave.; Rush St.etc. and all our favorite restaurants. solid building as long as you like a contemporary twist to highrise living.