Ravenswood Apartments

bought by mae west when she was dating and african-​american boxer and they refused to let «negroes» stay there. brilliant!

I have lived in this building on a streetside studio for over a year. I have had several ant infestations even though I am never there and rarely cook, the gas from my oven makes my eyes burn when its on, I have recently discovered teeny tiny roaches, and they have yet to repaint my bathroom after the apt upstairs has leaked into my apt 2 times already.
In addition to all of this, I pay close to $ 2000 for a studio, that I know is now going for $ 1400. Case and point — DO NOT PAY MORE THAN $ 1400. They also just rented the one bedroom I wanted to move into for about $ 1700, which is less than my studio as well. Management ignored my requests to move into that as well. In short, both management and our landlord about moving into another unit, everyone has absolutely nothing to say. No one will respond to my countless emails and the landlord seems to have her hands tied.
For a rented with exceptional credit, who is quite and nice, one would think that the building would want to keep me; however, this is not the case. Everyone about the people that run this place make me regret choosing to call this place home.

I lived here for a year in 2013 – 14 and moved back in 2015. The building is an amazing art deco masterpiece, and it is a cultural monument. It used to be owned by Mae West and has some information about her in the lobby. It was originally built by Paramount studios as housing for its actors and the studio is spitting distance from the building. If you like history and period details, this place will feel like home.
There are 15 different layouts, and all of the apartments are very special. No apartment has more than one shared wall. If you care about history and beauty you will love living here. To get this you give up some modern conveniences like central air and a dishwasher, but it’s worth it. I easily have one of the best views in Los Angeles, and it’s rent stabilized.
I was wary when I read the older reviews before moving in, but it’s under new management and is undergoing a lot of improvements so I took a leap. I am pleased to say I never saw any bugs in the building (aside from sugar ants when it was the height of summer), but they offer a free monthly pest control service if you ever need it.
In response to the post about the manager Lily, she is Russian (which is why she has an accent) and she lives in the building so she is always available. She is lovely and will address any issues immediately. Calls that she doesn’t get in the office get forwarded to her cellphone and she is older so not the most tech savvy, but she is a fair and first-​class building manager all the way. When my stove broke she had someone there within 24 hours and it was fixed immediately. She also offered before I moved in to get me updated appliances versus the antique stove, but I loved the way it looked so I declined.
They are doing a lot of upgrades, mostly replacing all of the carpet with wood floors, but the place is built like a bunker so you don’t hear much noise unless you’re in the interior «H» section and then the noise is from people leaving their windows open. I have never heard any noise from anyone above or below me, including walking on wood floors.
The most noise I ever heard when I lived in the H was from my neighbor who chanted multiple times a day, and that’s only because we both kept our windows open. Now I have an exterior unit and I hear nothing. With 96 apartments I never hear a peep nor hardly ever see anyone in the hallways either.
The common areas are spotless even though the building is pet friendly. I never see any pet waste in the building. I had a 750 sq ft studio, which was huge with 13 foot ceilings, tons of windows, a separate kitchen and dining area, closets with French doors and a separate dressing room and vanity. On top of that all utilities are included and the deposit is next to nothing with good credit. Now I’m in 900 sq ft. one bedroom.
It was built in 1930 so waiting for the elevator takes some time, but unless you are laden down with groceries it’s fine to take the stairs, there are three sets of stairs and they are integrated into the design, not a creepy stairwell. The laundry room is outdated and only takes quarters. There is no trash chute so you have to take your trash and recycling to the basement yourself.
Pros: Beautiful apartments with character and multiple floor plans to choose from. Nice summer (not heated) pool and garden-​like setting that almost no one uses. Walking distance to Larchmont Village. Secure parking. Affordable.

I have never lived in this place, nor do I intend to. I merely called to inquire as to pricing on the units here. A rude woman by the name of Lilly answered the phone and acted very odd. «Heellloooo? Heeelllooo? » she said over and over again. I said, «Have I reached The Ravenswood Apartments?» She replied, «Jeeesss Jeesss, dis is da Ravenswood», sounding very very confused. I asked about pricing and so forth and availability, she replied, «Noooo, no studios, onllllly waaaaan beeedrooms por $ 2300.» After I heard how much I thanked her and hung up. At any rate it is too expensive for a peon like me. If I want to move to L.A. I suppose I will have to rent a room from a nice family if I want a place to sleep.
This woman sounds confused and will probably lose your rent or forget you paid it.
Run fast, and run far. My motto for apartments run by insane asylum escapees.

Oh yeah, don’t dare pay a security deposit here. I have been out of the building over 6 weeks and have not seen a dime in return though I left my place spotless and have photos. The manager said it is «not part of her job» to deal with security deposits. The person that answers the phone at Talmadge llc says he «dunno nothin’» and, needless to say, numerous phone messages left with the «Accounting Department» have gone unreturned. I don’t even live at The Ravenswood anymore and I am at my wits end. Such a sad conclusion for a stunning building.

Great building but not well up-​kept at all. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE MANAGEMENT. Noticed roach infestation after first week of moving in. Took MONTHS for them to do anything about it, finally moved me into another room on other side of building. Building didnt have HEAT FOR MONTHS. Called and called and called they just kept saying they were «working on it.» First residence manager was never EVER in her office or to be seen for that matter, and never answered her phone. Finally she was fired. New manager EVEN WORSE. Claims she only works 9 – 5 during the week and does not work saturday or sunday (even though she lives in the building). My sisters toilet flooded her entire room, it took a day for them to even come look at the mess, then another day to come clean. The cleaning did not do anything, left bright yellow dirty stains throughout and an awful smell. It has taken over a week now for them to get back to her about getting new carpet. The smell is so bad that my sister cannot even stay in her apartment. New manager has only been here a few months but already needs to be fired. Acts clueless about everything. Blamed the toilet overflow on my sister and says «you should have a basket to put toilet paper in, never flush paper down toilet it is her fault.» This building has great potential but not worth moving into until someone fixes this place up! I have had non stop headaches for months because these people cannot do their jobs!!!