808 COLUMBUS CONDOMINIUMS · avg 3.5 ★★★★★ · New York City
“I've been in 808 Columbus Avenue for nearly a year and have issues with the 421a surcharge they are applying on renewals.. Pros: Gorgeous views of Central Park and Reservoir, see photos (only if you are higher than the building opposite); great amenities – nice pool, gym, 3rd floor garden; no amenities fees; friendly doormen; maintenance requests serviced same day Cons: Building is applying a 421a surcharge since July 2023, it’s on Columbus so quite noisy and can hear every siren even on 28th floor, the ACs are inefficient so you have to set the thermostat higher which makes utility bills sky high – the rooms run warm though so cosy in winter As a PSA I’m going to spend some time explaining the 421a surcharge because I think the wording in the rider is very “gotcha”/non-transparent. The rider is one page in a 50+ lease docs package, I’ve attached a screenshot. Since July 2023 (year 13), the building has been applying 421a surcharges on renewals. Basically this bullet is applicable: “421-a tax abatement for 20 years - the phase-out surcharge collection of 2.2% begins in year 13, eight increases, total surcharge not to exceed 17.6%” ,be%20charged%20each%20year%20thereafter. From July 2023, the surcharge will be 2.2%; then from July 2024: 4.4%, and then from July 2025 6.6%; and then from July 2026 8.8% and so on. I’m attaching a table I worked out. This surcharge is in addition to the yearly increase set by the rent guidelines board (eg for late 2024 the yearly increase was 2.75% on a 1 year rent). TLDR; if you’re getting the apartment for just the initial lease term – great, but if you’re planning on staying longer and renewing, on renewal the building is charging the full amount of the 421a surcharge with no negotiating or flexibility (I tried and failed to have them reduce/waive this) Why is this annoying? - I consider it a win to be on top of my own tax schedule, it’s a bit much for me to be aware of where the building is in its tax abatement schedule, but that’s what’s needed to be aware of how much my rent will be jacked up every year. The increases are far outstripping inflation/reasonable-ness. - Building is using RealPage so the initial rent is inflated anyway – RealPage is currently being sued by DOJ: https:// \ - - Building is offering 1 month off concession to lure you in (btw I never got this - in fact I had to pay 2 additional weeks of rent to get the apartment earlier than I wanted to move in), and then I’m guessing the increases will apply on the actual rent – this might be technically legal but it's dubious enough that I’ve found at least one case of a lawsuit being filed:”
“Unit 21c Pros: The amenities are great, including the gym, in-unit dishwasher, and in-unit laundry (though I understand not everyone in the building has these. There’s a pool but I’ve never actually used it. The building staff is very friendly and attentive. The place is very clean and spacious. Overall I’ve loved living here! Cons: The elevators have had some issues from time to time. I also had a leak when I first moved in coming from my bedroom window. It took awhile for them to figure out what was causing it, but they eventually did and were able to fix it. Advice to landlord: None”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Front desk and maintenance staff are great, super responsive and friendly. Cons: The management. They are indifferent and dismissive. Do not seem interested in retaining residents. Advice to landlord: Re-train your office management staff in hospitality.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Lived here for 2+ years. The building is beautiful, with nice amenities, and super responsive management. Almost no problems, and anything in the unit was fixed within hours of reporting. Cons: None that I can think of.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Super clean. Maintenance staff very responsive. Great playroom. Love the pool. Cons: I have no complaints”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Unit 7K Pros: Great location, lovely staff, quick maintenance. Cons: They raise your rent the maximum amount every year, without fail. Advice to landlord: Do not force rent raises on all of your tenants every year. It's bad business.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Staff is great. Management is super responsive. If there is a problem in your apartment all you need to do is put a request in the app and it gets fixed same day / next day. Amazing neighborhood, you have Whole Foods and target less than a minute walk and Trader Joe’s about 8 minute walk. Elevators work, building is clean, amenities are clean and working. Finishing of the building Looks amazing Cons: No laundry in unit in my studio had to go to the basement to do the laundry Advice to landlord: Keep up the good work”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pool in bldg 808 is for swimming lessons. They must make a ton of money renting it out all the time but it is basically false advertising. Hardly any prime time is devoted to residents use. Constantly renting out for swim lessons.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Great fitness center with squat rack, and fantastic views if you're on a high floor! Very nice staff and responsive maintenance. Cons: No ventilation in the kitchen makes smells/oil hang around for a while.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: The building was clean, all of the doormen & staff were super friendly and responded to issues very quickly. A great location Cons: It is an expensive luxury building and access to the pool was not always available. Advice to landlord: Keep hiring great staff. We had some great experience with maintence.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Doormen, maintenance, amenities, valet parking, control your own heat, dog park in the back, very responsive to any requests. Cons: We have D rating for energy efficiency.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Good Evening Potential and Current Renters, My spouse and I have been renting at Columbus Square since 2013, and I am writing to let you know that this place is not worth the money they charge. Tonight, on November 17, 2021, we are sitting in our apartment without hear or hot water, in what has become an almost annual ritual, which lasts from a few days to some weeks every year. Despite submitting complaints and emails about the matter for years, once again there has been no notice from the incompetent "Community Manager" or any other member of the UDR administration about how long this situation will persist. While UDR is very timely in letting tenants know when our rent will become deregulated, they conveniently find no time to let us know when there will be no hot water or heat or about any other quality of life issues that may effect the day-to-day of their overly-charged tenants.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Floor to ceiling glass, w/d in most apartments, nice block. Really nice doormen and maintenance staff Cons: Small apartments, very expensive, pool is off limits for large part of day due to kids swimming classes (and probably has tons of urine in it from the classes), constant revolving door of neighbors.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Pros: Modern clean responsive management Cons: Pricy for small square footage”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“I love living at Columbus Square! The entire staff is great from the doormen, leasing agents, and maintenance staff. The building is quiet and clean. The pool, rooftop garden, and apartment finishes make the building luxurious. Also, being next to the subway, Whole Foods, and Central Park is super convenient!”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“I lived in this building for years. They have no loyalty to current tenants. The leasing office is full of rude, unprofessional individuals that have no control over the computer driven prices. They will routinely quote you new rents way above your current rent, only to rent your apt for less once they can't get anyone to bite. The noise is UNBEARABLE if you are on Columbus Ave. The traffic is clogged all day now that the bike lanes are in. Its so crowded you now pay midtown prices for meters despite being above 96 street (look it up)! The doormen are on their cell phones all day and only make an effort around Christmas. UDR is a terrible, terrible company. The only "community" they have build here is one where tenants commiserate about being stuck living in a building that doesn't care about its tenants.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Very unprofessional leasing office, rude doorman, noisy building, lots of pets, do I need to go on? We had the 2pm appointment and came all the way from Brooklyn, and nobody was there. The doorman said the leasing office is closed, and we're a security threat to the building. We explained that we had the appointment, but he said we need to follow up with emails. We asked to talk to a manager or someone in charge, and he said it is only in case of fire or other security hazards! So they didn't even bother to apologize for messing up our appointment. Stay away! If they treat potential residents like this, I can't imagine how would they treat you when you become a resident.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“I have been living in a one bedroom apartment for a month now. The heater doesn't work properly and make a noise impossible to sleep. The management team keeps sending under qualified not specialized maintenance team to try to fix it, but still nothing changed. I keep asking for a professional specialist, but they keep trying to fix by their own and the result is a month not sleeping properly. I do not recommend this property.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Building's location is wonderful! Steps away from shopping and dining. Very nice staff specially Michelle in the leasing office is super amazing to work with.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Love this place!! From the doorman to management everyone is very helpful and courteous it has plenty amenities. It's always very clean and taken care of!! Would defiantly recommend anyone to love here!!!”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Agents of here are so kind and response is so quick. Room, facility, and view is so beautiful. Easy to get together with neighbors, but still quiet and comfortable.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“I currently live at 801 and love the staffs here (except the maintenance guy who fixes heater). The doormen are all super friendly and really seem to care for their residents. :) i would highly recommend ppl to live here!”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“Unfriendly staff, incompetent management, poorly run, overpriced luxury building. Front desk/doormen hate their jobs and it shows, unclean common areas like the gym and pool, low quality maintenance of hallways, elevators. Pool is used as a major selling point to potential tenants, but leasing agents fail to tell them that the access to the pool is very restricted due to lessons given during most of the day to kids who don't even live in the building. Pool is managed by an outside group not related to the building. Super pricey compared to comparable buildings with nicer amenities and better run. In addition, that part of Columbus Ave is super loud thanks to the early morning delivery trucks for the retail businesses and increased traffic.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“The place is a lipstick on a pig joke. Not a great value for a top dollar building with a luxury of living next to the projects. they rent most apartments in 801 to tourists as a hotel for familys and they think the desk in the lobby is a concierge..The reviews speak volumes and they obviously at UDR don't really care.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“I moved here from a luxury building on the UES. If you decide to move into one of the UDR/Columbus square buildings. Don't choose the 801 Amsterdam building. The building has no curb appeal outside and inside is neglected as well. The overall feel is that the buildings on Columbus get the better service and upkeep.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“808 Columbus Avenue or 808 Columbus Square is a horrible community to live in. They building management will lie to you straight to you face. The leasing directors will tell you whatever you want to hear just so you sign a lease. They will tell you the gym is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week---it is not. They will tell you that Laundry Machines work--they do not. And when you tell them the laundry machines don't work, they will tell you to call the laundry machine company directly (isn't that was building management is for?). They will claim to fix maintenance requests, but you'll come back to your apartment and see what nothing was fixed. When I saw my apartment with the leasing agent all my closets were full of shelves, back to the brim. When I moved in, all the shelves disappeared except 3 or 4 of them. When I confronted the building about this they denied that when I saw the apartment there were more shelves. Luckily I had taken a video of the apartment when I saw it with the leasing agent, and he was in the video as well. The video showed all the closets with all the shelves. Then they agreed to put the shelves back. But even then, they came dirty and with coffee rings on them. It's just really a horrible experience to live here. Like another review said, the pool is basically a public pool all day for little kids, the TVs in the gym never, ever, work. And you are only allowed to bring two guests into the pool at any given time, even if there is no one else there. The building is managed horribly. Just beware, they will tell you anything in this building to have you sign the lease, but they are really horrible. It's also not so safe in this area if you go a few blocks north. If you are brave enough to see units in this complex, take the time to ask a bunch of residents if they are happy here. Find residents who were here before UDR came along and destroyed the building. Don't take my word for it, look into it yourself. The front desk staff is great though, it's everyone and everything else that's horrible.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“808 Columbus Square is absolutely the BEST MAINTAINED BUILDING. AMAZINGLY WELL MANAGED and THE LEASING OFFICE is professional and follows up on all matters. We love everything about the building from the LIFEFITNESS Gym Equipment to the beautiful pool to the lush, beautifully maintained grounds. UDR has transformed the building from Exquisitly Maintained to even More Exquisitly Maintained. Replacing all the wallpaper and carpeting in all the halls and improving on the colors throughout. The service is reliable and the staff warm, friendly and inviting. We love the building so much that we are moving from a one bedroom to a two bedroom and have asked our daughter join us and to take an apartment in 808 as well. SIMPLY PERFECT! 808 is GREAT,”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“The building is very nice, and well located. The builders obviously made a decision to go towards cheap, lower-quality finishing in apartments. But that was the only complaint we had. Until UDR took over the building, sfter which things have gone downhill. The company closed off the common social area for most of a weekend, including the gym, to hold a corporate function. Residents had no access. They are getting ready to tear down a nice, green public space behind the building in order to put up a parking lot. They took almost eight weeks to fix tread mills in the gym. And they just give the general impression of being cheap and unconcerned about the overall resident experience.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“When you rate this apartment please use the name of the building 808 Columbus Square in the name so Google will find it!! We moved into this building thinking it was pure luxury. When we got to 808 Columbus Avenue we found out that the pool is basically a public pool, filled with kids all day from 9-6. You're not allowed to use it during this time. They are building a parking lot in the back, which will mean a lot of noise and construction. The elevators never work properly. Go spend your money someplace else, it is not worth living here.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan“If you don't mind people sneaking in from neighboring buildings to use your pool and facilities, then I guess 808 Columbus Avenue is for you. If you don't mind the constant rush of one month tenants in your building, then this is the building for you. If you don't mind that anyone can get past security, then this is the building for you. The people who actually live in the building are paying a premium to live in a so-called luxury building, but that doesn't prevent people from other buildings sneaking in to use the facilities or brazenly just walking past the 2 security staff. There is also a constant revolving door of temporary tenants coming with their suitcases for a brief stay in the building. For those who actually are long term tenants, this is very alarming. I don't blame the security staff - how are they supposed to keep track of the multitude of ever changing tenants unless ownership instructs them to? Instead, those who are paying half the rent of what we're paying have the nerve to come into our space and use our facilities.”
— 808 COLUMBUS AVENUE · Manhattan