235 Van Buren

Definitely Not the Place to Be
I visited this apartment complex on June 3^rd with my leasing agent. However, we were unable to see the unit because my agent did not have a business card. He did have his passport, several forms of identification, an email from the unit’s realtor, and the key to the unit. Yet, apparently, a business card made from any home printer holds some type official capacity that government-​issued forms of identification lack.
While I cannot speak to the quality of the apartments, I can address the quality of the complex’s management staff. I have never met someone so disrespectful and boorish as the manager of this complex. I wish I could tell you her name, but she never introduced herself. After meeting her and discovering her ill-​temperament, my agent and I decided to leave. Who would want to rent a property where prospective renters are treated in such a poor and unprofessional manner? While we were outside on the sidewalk, she followed us outside and continued to harass us. Honestly, I could not believe it.
I’m writing this so anyone thinking of renting at this property is aware of the quality of the building administration. I would not want to be stuck in a rental property having to deal with someone so unprofessional and poor tempered. Moreover, I would call into question any person or security protocol that insists that a business card is in anyway more official or more difficult to forge than a government-​issued ID. As a prospective tenant, that type of thinking would be very hard to deal with and, I imagine, would penalize the renter before the property and jeopardize tenant safety. I definitely would not want to be in that situation and I hope to let others know – renter beware!

4 stars to front desk staff, negative 3 to management office. when you move in with just two luggage cases, 500 $ move in fee. When you move out with no furniture, they still ask for another 500 $ move out fee, or according to them «transfer fee». If you ask them, transfer of what, they’ll tell you according to Xxxxx regulation… We’ve already paid this ridiculous charge, this review here is just for people who are considering leasing, please ask about this before you move in!

I have lived for over a year now, and I love this building! The only reason I am writing a review is because I’m moving out in a couple of months, and reading reviews about other buildings made me check my current building reviews. 3 stars is skewed rating, so doing my bit to set it right!
Alright, let’s get into the good parts– definitely clean, very well maintained, front staff is friendly, great location, dog friendly, safe and great apartments
Cons: The area is pretty deserted around the weekends (restaurants are closed) and south loop market is a little pricey.
I had a great time here, and hope you will consider my review while making your decision!

Been living here for a year — love the building and the staff is super friendly.
Also the south loop market is a very convenient (although definitely pricey) attachment to the building.

I’ve lived her for 3 years now and it’s great. Good location (next to the blue, pink, bus lines, etc), quiet, clean, dog friendly. More restaurants are opening up around the area. Front desk staff is always friendly! Mail room needs a little work.

I would highly recommend not to rent from unit 1904. Landlord is not honest and treats you in a very unprofessional manner. Moreover she withholds the money for no reason. Be very careful and do not go with her through her agents in US.

I have been here for about two weeks and I really love my new home! The location is amazing and everything that people are complaining about is so nit picky. My boyfriend and I knew that we wanted a building that is fairly low key and wanted to get out of the Gold Coast/​River North douchiness. Sure this building doesn’t have a roof top or workout facilities, but so what? To those who complain about that: go live in a regular apartment complex where there are constant parties and noisy guests. We wanted something that was definitely central for work, was quiet, and has a home feel. This is absolutely what we found with the 235. There is a farmer’s market right around the corner, which is definitely a plus. Also, the views are breathtakingly spectacular!

I’ve been staying here with my boyfriend for about a year and a half now and I’d say this place is mostly good, but a lot of things can be improved on.
The good things:
— This building is finished in circa 2010 so everything is relatively new and clean.
— The view is great!
— The units are all very spacious and have one of the lowest $ /​square foot ratios in the loop.
— Everything in the unit is also giant. Like a giant bathtub and a window etc. I’m especially digging the humongous fridge and ample kitchen storage, since I’m one of the few yuppies who actually have the time and interest in cooking often.
— All units have in-​unit laundry. I can’t stress enough how nice this is after enduring shared laundry in college, where I never know what things might be in the machines before my stuff and end up getting my laundry all covered in cat hair while I’m deadly allergic to cats, or have my things thrown out of the machine because I was about 5 min late to check back on them and someone was very impatient.
The love-​hate relationship:
— The location is really convenient for work, which is something we’d have to do 5 days a week. The actual living part is a bit of a challenge though. Almost every food place in the loop closes at around 3 — 4 PM and definitely all weekend, while the closest grocery store is more than 20 min walk away. If I didn’t plan well ahead of time I’d find myself either eating junk snacks or starving on the weekends. Going to «fun» places like River North is also a limbo between do I walk for 30 min or do I take a cab for like 5 minutes and hopefully they won’t hate me?
— There are no amenities whatsoever. No gym no roof deck no… other than an on-​site dry cleaner there’s nothing. On one hand I’m happy I’m not paying for things I probably won’t actually use any way, but on the other hand… if I actually had a nice on-​site gym maybe I’d work out more?
The bad things:
— THE MAIL ROOM! It’s not an actual mail room, but rather the on-​site dry cleaner also stores your packages. They have rather awkward hours like closing at 7PM on weekdays and have really short hours on Saturday. So basically if you work long hours you might not be able to get your packages for a long long time. They are also VERY INCOMPETENT about keeping your packages nice and safe. For example, our unit number happens to be the same as the 4-​digit zip-​code extension for certain floors in the building, and we’d constantly get other people’s packages (and I feel sorry for those other people since due to their awkward hours I don’t always get to return the packages immediately). A few of my packages have also gone missing, and one time the lady there even had the nerve to tell me «it was from USPS so probably not important anyway» instead of apologizing for their poor management. I didn’t even know how to respond.
— Units are plain vanilla unless the owner gave it a gut rehab. Our kitchen cabinets are so low quality that the one closest to the stove is actually peeling… something that looks like a plastic wrap that’s printed with wood patterns.
— Some neighbors can be sketchy in spite of the relatively high price tag. My floor always smells like weed and I’ve seen several shady looking people who look like drug dealers in the elevators.

You can’t find a better location for city life. If you work in the city, why drive? I work in the city Monday-​Friday so I want to live as close to possible, then on weekends, you can go anywhere because the loop which is where all the subway and elevated trains go, passes one block from here, so you can loop out to any direction, Very convenient. There is new management now and things are much better. The last management were a hold over from the sales office. The association has gotten rid of bad tenants that were noisy. Now there are some families that Iive here also. The association has put in a no Airbnb rule. Things are looking up.

I lived here for just a little under 2 years and I won’t lie, the views are to die for during anytime of the day; very impressive and gorgeous during sunset. That was one of the reason for our choosing and the location was perfect for work. The location is also a downside because Marianos, Trader Joe’s, and Wholefoods are just about a mile away (I didn’t own a car here). During the good months of nice weather and being able to walk, that was fine for the most part, besides the fact that dragging a semi-​heavy cart for a mile isn’t so fun. However, during months like January, it can become a hassle. Now, you will have 2 options if you are carless as I was, take Über (it costs approx $ 5-​$ 6 depending on traffic — one way) or go downstairs to South Loop Market, which I don’t recommend because of pricing and options. Most restaurants are closed after 3 or 4 P.M. in the Loop but we didn’t have a problem venturing out to try new things or ordering in. Although, try not to venture out on Van Buren underneath the Brown line because that area is really creepy at night! Go down either Franklin or Adams.
There are NO amenities! Zip! None. The most important one for me was the gym and we were lucky enough to walk to the Willis Tower, only a block away! (they have discounts for Willis Tower employees and 235 Van Buren residents).
When we first arrived, the building was quiet and we probably only had 3 neighbors on our floor. By the time we left, it got very crowded and loud. There were random parties on Tuesday nights that wouldn’t end until 4 AM. If you don’t know which unit the noise is coming from specifically and call the front desk, they won’t be able to help you because the security guard is there only on the weekends and the receptionist can’t leave his/​her desk to look. There were a few occasions that they’d sing karaōke at 7 AM. Why?
My only complaint for the dry cleaner/​packages is that they will leave large items out in the hall where anyone walking by can take them. Although, I’ve never had misplaced mail or packages; just watch out for your things and pick them up asap! Sometimes they are slow on inventory and they will tell you to come back another time even if you say your package has arrived.
The apartment itself is okay, nothing to rave home about. Everything functioned as they should, nothing came undone or needed retouching. Not the best appliances but not the worst. Small kitchen even for two people and oven tends to get too hot while on.
Overall, the door staff and other employees are all very nice people. With all the things I’ve said, I still miss this place because it was a home with lots of memories. I could sit by the window all day drinking coffee and just be amazed by the view. I miss that most!

Close to everything. But walls are thin! At $ 2000+ a month I would expect quiet but hearing your neighbor in their kitchen, running water in the shower or opening their closets borders on privacy. And when a radio is on all you feel is vibrating walls and floors. Award winning design?

I have rented here for the past 3 ½ years purely due to the convenience of walking to work. This will be my last. When I first moved in, the building was relatively quiet since a lot of units were not sold. Then about 2 years ago, they pretty much had a fire sale and slashed the prices. This resulted in a bunch of folks purchasing as an investment. I would say that right now, about 60% are rentals. Another reviewer mentioned that the building is filled with rowdy college students. That description is dead on. In addition, I have noticed Section 8 types moving in as well.
If you do end up moving in, make sure you pick the unit as far away as possible from the elevators. This will keep up awake night with the constant whirling/​swoosh noises. I have to wear earplugs at night.

No amenities, unfriendly management and the building is filled with entitled college students. I have lived here for 5 years only because it is really close to my office.
THERE IS NOTHING EXTRA with this building. No workout facility, pool or deck. The bike rooms are always filled and storage spaces cost about another mortgage.
Good luck trying to get any information from the management office because they always tell you to contact someone else. My car was towed from the garage even though I have a parking pass and license plate number is on file with the building (along with my phone number).
From August-​May there will be plenty of college students whose parents are paying for their over-​priced rent in this building. Along with this comes thumping music (don’t think the concrete walls will stop the noises because there are gaps underneath all the doors to let sounds resonate through the hallways), the smell of smoke and weed (along with the remnants all over your balconies from them throwing them off).

****DO NOT BUY OR RENT HERE****
My wife and I moved in at the beginning of the year and it has been the worst mistake we’ve ever made.
There is a long list of cons but I’ll highlight the main ones…
The building management has a scam where they charge tenants a $ 250 move in fee and then anytime someone walks through the lobby with more than a bag of groceries, it’s $ 250 each time! Anytime you shop at a place like target, be prepared to add $ 250 to your bill. We just had a baby and have had to pick up a bunch of stuff. If you don’t call to specifically reserve the freight elevator, life can get expensive quickly. We’ve spoken to several tenants here and everyone of them have had this fine thrown at them.
The building itself sucks. Good from afar but far from good as they say. They use the cheapest cabinets/​doors/​appliances. Light bulbs go out all the time (the ones that are difficult to change yourself), closet doors are constantly falling off their hinges, and the cheap wood they use for the floors warps easily and has spaces in between the pieces. Ask them to come fix this stuff and you’re waiting a week or they say they’ll come and then never do. Every single entrance has a large gap at the base which is supposed to be part of their «ventilation» system but all it does is make the place drafty and cold. The elevators to all 46 floors are located in the same super confined area where it gets annoyingly crowded. There are dogs galore because of the dog park right next door. I have nothing against dogs but when you put a bunch of dogs together in the crowded elevator space, some of which are the size of small horses, it does not provide for a calm atmosphere.
There is no neighborhood around the building. There are a couple of crappy bars and greasy spoons but it’s a ghost town past 5pm and on the weekends. There’s a small market which is attached to the building. Very convenient except for the fact that it’s THE biggest rip off in the world. The reason that they can charge so much is because there’s no other grocery store around. If you don’t have a car here it’s a horrible inconvenience.
This is the stuff that you don’t see until after you’ve already signed the contract. Do yourselves a huge favor and look elsewhere.

I bought here a year ago and love it. It’s well-​managed, assessments are affordable, and my neighbors are friendly. I can walk or take public transportation to so many things — from groceries to entertainment. The design is fabulous — the concrete ceilings and columns result in very little noise inside the condo. The balconies are good sized, and we have some windows that open, so fresh air is always available. For the price, this place is a gem.

We lived there for a year.
Pros:
— Close to transportation and loop
— Friendly door staff
— Friendly dry cleaner Jinn
— Friendly and prompt maintenance staff
— Responsive manager Heather
— New appliances
— Reasonable rent
— No gym and all these superfluous amenities that you never use and be charged as part of the rent
— Many tenants are owners
— High ceilings
Cons:
— Not close to any grocery store (I cannot walk 20 minutes for grocery and the south loop market is overpriced)
— No neighborhood feel: area kinda deserted after dark.
— Many restaurants around are closed after dark, as they are only for work lunch business.
— Giant water cooling plant to the west. It runs and makes noise any time it is above 50 °F. If your unit is facing west, you cannot open the window most of the year, let alone use the balcony.
— Ridiculous moving out elevator charge and the moving out elevator can only be reserved for week days!
— Giant gap below the front doors to each unit so you can hear any hallway noise (fire hazard?)
— Lots and lots and lots of dogs, from yappies that never quit barking to giant ones that take up the whole elevator. (Maybe a pro if you like dogs.)

I’ve rented in 235 West Van Buren for one year now. I have found it well-​managed, well-​staffed, and responsive. My unit (on a pretty high floor) has a terrific view. The cement walls between units make for quiet living. As in most high-​rises, you can have anonymity and privacy if you wish it. There isn’t much of a neighborhood around here, and it’s quiet after dark. But the building is close to the major expressways, the CTA (all lines) and Metra (all lines). The finishings in my unit are quite nice as well. If there is any drawback, it’s pretty minor: the parking garage is a narrow rectangle, and getting out of it can involve hairpin turns if there are cars entering and both of you reach the turn at the same time. I’ve been quite pleased here.

Loved the location and transportation access whether bicycle, car, or train. Not much around the building itself but you are centered between West Loop, Printers Row, and River North.
Building itself is rather spartan. Originally intending to purchase I saw that as a positive since maintenance fees are very low and include most utilities.

This a convenient place to live but the building isn’t that great. The dry cleaner in the building accepts any packages that get delivered but they aren’t open late and sometimes they are closed when they are supposed to be open just because they feel like it. If you get a building with 24 hour door person the door person should be handling the packages.
The building itself isn’t built that well. In the winter time the water isn’t that warm and in my current unit the shower isn’t level so the water pools away from the drain. The halls aren’t cleaned by the management that often and there are already stains on the hall carpets from people’s dogs. Previous hi-​rises I’ve lived in are much better equipped even though they were older buildings and the management cleaned the common space on a weekly basis. The units are basic dry wall and cement so not a ton of character. If you’re looking for a cheap place to rent close to work it is not too bad but if you’re looking to buy I would definitely consider a building with better amenities and more luxury.
Other people living in the building complained of the management trying to charge them for «damage» that was already existing in the halls when they moved in. If you are moving in/​out I would certainly suggest taking picture and video of the common space you will be moving through before you do it.