Grosvenor Arms

Let me start by saying my wife and I have lived in our 1 bed 1 bath at Grosvenor Arms for about a year and a half, and we love our apartment. If you’re looking for a brand new complex with modern amenities, however, this is probably not the place for you. The building was built in 1931 which does made it an older option, but it has undeniable character because of it. It has its good and it’s bad, and while I don’t think the bad is too bad, it may very easily be a deal breaker for someone else so take it or leave it. Here’s the deal:
My kitchen is tiny. Seriously though, if I’m cooking at the stove it requires an elaborate dance to get past me and to the fridge. The counter space is essentially nonexistent and the freezer is a tiny box that cyclically coats itself in ice every couple months, but I fully appreciate that my stove is gas and not electric. The retro checkerboard tile feels charming instead of cheap, and the real estate unoccupied by the micro-​kitchen left a decently sizable space that I fill with a full sized table and 4 chairs.
The bathroom is beyond dated with old tiles and poorly done caulking, and the sink doesn’t have space to display much more than some soap and maybe a toothbrush. The mirror is a medicine cabinet, though, so the counter space isn’t your only storage option. Again, this is another small room that is far from glamorous or modern, but it get’s the job done. If you gave me a magic wand and told me I could update one room in my apartment, however, I’d be cashing it in here no question.
With the exception of the bathroom and kitchen, the whole apartment has beautiful hardwood floors that bring a sense of warmth to the whole place. The entry ways are all arched, and there is molding and trim in every room. There’s a good amount of closet space, heating is included so I have never been cold in the winter, and I almost NEVER hear any neighbor noise through the thick walls. There are 4 washers and 4 dryers on the top floor, I can’t recall any of them ever being out of service, and traffic to use them is more reasonable than I would have expected.
In the year and a half I’ve been here I have been on the wait list for a parking spot the entire time with no sign of a vacancy. While I’ve been incredibly comfortable in the Winter, I transformed into a lethargic puddle of sweat last summer before I caved and bought myself a window AC unit. The new building wide internet is absolutely terrible, yes, I more than occasionally smell weed in the hallways, and once I found a random dude sleeping on the floor of our mail room. We don’t have a pool, we don’t have a patio, balcony or rooftop common area, and the building doesn’t allow pets. We don’t have a gym, and I think we’re on our 5^th manager since I’ve been here.
Grosvenor Arms is far from perfect, and I’m sure I won’t be here forever, but you can’t deny the place has mad charm. When it’s that time for a dog, a gourmet kitchen and a double vanity I know I’ll move on, but in the meantime, I’ll take my funky uptown apartment and be happy to call it home.

Lovely, historic building in uptown — great place to live. Very quiet and management is friendly and extremely responsive. Lots of atmosphere in the halls of this very cool old building.