Lightbox

WARNING: THIS REVIEW IS VERY LONG AND DETAILED. Scroll down to the TLDR if you don’t want to read this wall of text.
I lived in this complex for 11 months and my feelings definitely changed for the worse over time. Initially, my experience was great. Of course they’re going to be nice, responsive, etc, when they’re trying to close a sale.
The first 3 months of living at Lightbox they were owned by Riverstone but then they got bought by UDR which also owns the Kennedy building, etc others around the area. This management change didn’t bother me at all. But what did bother me was a) getting double charged for utilities and application fees in the first few months b) replacement of the entire staff which related to c) the loss of a couple documents, emails. In the end, I got it sorted, but only because I actually noticed these numerous double charges on my statements and cared to follow up (MULTIPLE times, btw). It really scares me how much money this company got away with, for those residents who barely look at their account statements.
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PROS — there is only one.
1) Like I said — this place was built in 2015. I moved into a brand new unit which was a huge plus for me. The hallways, main entrance, outside areas, etc., were kept mostly clean.
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CONS
1) The most comical layout ever. Whoever designed this building really knew how to make the most of every inch of space. For example, the only «real» non-​sliding door was the bathroom door. Also, the walls were so thin I could hear everything. If you’re a working professional or planning to move in here with your family, be prepared to be annoyed by the constant parties your college student-​neighbors will throw every weekend, until 4am. That’s to be expected.
2) Horrible air circulation. Goes back to #1 — the building layout. Live here if you don’t mind feeling like you’re stuffed in a (light)box. ;). It might have a little bit to do with the side of the building I was on (I was on 8^th ave, across from The University Plaza). In the summer, it literally felt like a sauna inside the apartment complex. I only went to the apartment to sleep. Fans didn’t really help since the air was trapped and the only windows were ones letting the sun in. The only good part about this horrible air circulation was that we didn’t need to use the heater much in the wintertime. :)
3) Smallest parking garage I have EVER seen in the city of Seattle, and trust me, I have visited a lot of garages/​apartment complex garages. Cost: $ 150 for a spot (only one spot per unit) unless they have increased this. I scratched my car in multiple places, as did every other car in the garage (I noticed). It’s SUPER hard not to just because of how the garage is structured. However, I never once complained to management, because I had the choice of paying and parking in their garage.
4) Management. I would say overall, they were nice in person, but they were HORRIBLE at follow-​up and horribly unresponsive to emails and phone calls. The issues I had were regarding: incorrect/​double charges on statements, being fined another application fee 3 months after I had moved in, being fined for parking in MY OWN spot because they failed to update their own parking records, etc.
I work a full-​time job and rarely had time to visit during their normal office hours. When I visited on the weekends to follow up with matters in person, or in the off-​chance I came home early from work to follow-​up about an issue, they told me they would take care of it, but it took MULTIPLE attempts. I really hate escalating issues to management, but needed to a couple times. But that didn’t always work either. Their manager, Sarah, never kept her word. In the end, towards my move-​out date, Sarah flat-​out stopped responding. But what more can you expect from a large apartment complex like UDR? :) I’ve literally never lived at an apartment complex that truly cares about their residents.
5) After preparing to move (hiring a professional cleaner, painting, etc), I had my apartment inspected prior to my move-​out date, and the employee who inspected it (Abby) said that my unit was the «cleanest unit» she’s ever seen and in her words said that the unit «still looks brand new.» I still got charged nearly $ 400 for «carpet cleaning, paint, and cleaning charges.»
At this point, I was so fed up with Lightbox that I just paid the final balance to be done with them.
I left this apartment complex with such a bad taste in my mouth, having interacted with so many of their staff members, that I have not and will not recommend this complex to anyone I know. I truly hate when large complexes treat their residents like this, so that’s why I decided to post this review.
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TLDR: Overall, live in this apartment if you want a fairly new, clean apartment, but you’re loaded with $$$ and not worried about getting screwed over :)

I feel sad to move away because of job relocation. This is a nicely managed apartment. Everything here is brand new. Not to mention the 24-​h venting system in each unit that keeps the apartment air fresh all the time.
The location is great. Near I-​5 (while no traffic noise from it), near UW, a lot of delicious yet affordable restaurant in university district. Cinema and theatre right across the street. Also close to Northgate for IMAX movie.
Tons of public transit to basically anywhere. It takes me 30min including walking and waiting to go to downtown Seattle for work. In summer I usually take 30min biking to work too. Besides, me personally go to Bellevue a lot in weekend a lot. The new 520 bridge is about to be finished in April 2016. With GoodToGo pass the toll is reasonable.

Great place to live, close to college, Trader joe’s and Sundance Cinma. Very helpful staff and nice neighbors.

Three words: Phenomenal Customer Service. Being someone who works in property management, I have to admit I tend to expect a lot.
For the TLDR group: I was looking for an MFTE home and found the Lightbox. They made a few mistakes as I was applying and eventually I decided I couldn’t rent there because i wasn’t comfortable. Most of the time they are never going to give you your deposit back when you change your mind. However, Alan –the assistant manager took full responsibility and refunded me my deposit. Literally BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. Doesn’t happen often so don’t go bothering them about getting your money back unless you have a situation like I had. If you change your mind just because, you’re probably not getting a dime back.
FOR EVERYONE ELSE:
I started off looking for an MFTE home and found the lightbox. I thought they would be great, however, as i kept going along I started to hit a few snags with them. I personally have a 3 strikes policy and by the third time, i decided I couldn’t rent at the apartments and needed to get my deposit back. Being someone in property management, I know this rarely ever happens if the future resident changes there mind and knew I probably wouldn’t get it back, but i still went back to talk to them about my experience and resolve the situation.
Main reason I was upset:
There just seems to be a lack of knowledge about the MFTE program at this property, a lack of communication and education between the employees about MFTE policy, and the Property Manager was rude when I was discussing that I was interested in the program with her.
ACTIONS TAKEN BY STAFF:
I went in and talked to Alan about my experience and how I felt that living at the apartments wouldn’t be a good relationship for his office or myself, it was amazing how he fully accepted responsibility, didn’t argue with us, and was able to dissolve my frustration. He refunded me my deposit (it took about 1 month since it comes in the mail and through corporate usually) and after this experience, I genuinely would probably rent there again if the time came. I just recognized that at that point in time it wasn’t going to be a good relationship between management and myself as a resident. I’m hoping next year when I have a better financial situation I’ll be able to rent one of their apartment homes.
Overall the way Alan handled the situation was amazing and that man needs to be promoted.

Things are getting better here, the hectic transition time is finally over, so the managers are starting to take in the advices to improve the community. Hopefully they would keep their promise on the improvements they mentioned since the last time I met with them. (we will see how things go) Onsite staffs are very friendly, and seems to be willing to solve problems more now. They mentioned that there are A LOT of problems with the building that they are trying to resolve. (Construction company cut corners) Including tight parking spots/​dangerous parking exit barrier that blocks any visual on crossing traffic. (which I’m hoping some reduction on parking price… It’s kind of expansive…) Common area organization (probability of a fitness area). And more security measures. (the area is not necessary safe at night… since its next to a club, a bar, as well as some lower income apartments at the back)
But, again, they have nice stainless steel kitchen equipments, and the sound insulation is nice, I haven’t ran into any complains (or complaining) about any noise issues.