We have lived here for almost 2 years and have watched the speedy decline of what started off as a great place. When we ""applied"" to live here they were just finishing up the new wing of the building. We were allowed to pick what apartment we wanted. The application process with pretty thorough. They told us that they were just trying to make sure they were getting ""professional"" tenants that would not be a problem. We were both actually very grateful for this. Something has obviously changed in this screening process. Our original neighbors were adults who were courteous and quiet and have been replaced by twenty somethings who seem to live the lives of Lindsey Lohan.\r
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Positives:\r
1.)Nice kitchen with granite counter tops and island\r
2.)The salt water lap pool, not the ""party"" pool, BUT the only time it doesn't look like a pool in Vegas is before 11am.\r
3.) The front desk and maintenance staff are very nice and try the best they can. They have fixed any problems we have had and have been very sympathetic to any of our complaints.They ultimately seem to be handcuffed by a higher being.\r
4.) Location is great. Walking distance to The Common Market, Uptown, etc.\r
5.) We have found $60 and $25 on the ground in the hallway and parking lot.\r
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Negatives:\r
1.) I have had my car rummaged through (inside the gates) and my bike stolen.This morning there was a SUV with a bashed in window that had been broken into so I now leave my car unlocked with no possessions inside.\r
2.) Parking....this coincides with number one. There is obviously not enough parking for the amount of tenants and all of the party monsters that live here buzz their buddy's through the gate. The result of this is having to park in the guest parking which WILL lead to your car being broken into. The entire parking area looks like Mumbai. There literally is either a PBR can or McDonald's wrapper in every slot. The gate has been broke multiple times which once again allows all sorts of riff raff to come in at their leisure.\r
3.) Security...We used to have it. They used to have a security guard who was pretty good at monitoring the above. He would make sure that car were not funneling through the gate and automobiles were not being looted like the LA riots. Now there is nothing? I guess management has not deemed all of the break ins and keggers important enough to monitor.\r
4.) NOISE!!! Wow, where do I begin. The hallways must have been designed by a prison architect. They are the most acoustic, door slam reverberating, echo chambers that have ever been designed. \r
Every door spring must be set to SLAM! If you are not on the top floor buy headphones. Seriously, I can recommend multiple brands. It sounds like elephants are line dancing every night.\r
5.) Dog Park. When we moved in we were not informed that our main view would be of a Nicole Ritchie look-a-like on her cell phone screaming ""Come here Sascha"" to her Yorkie. It is the most ridiculous collection of college kids with unleashed dogs ruining what was gorgeous landscaping. I actually have come to enjoy the roar of the Light Rail because it at least mutes the phone conversation of some frat boy rehashing how wasted he got last night with his ""brah"".\r
6.) Grill area? This area is pretty comical. They have two infrared grills that will not allow you to keep the lid closed for more than six minute or some obscure time. You can not preheat the grill long enough to cook anything. One grill is also always broken and they both usually have the left overs on the grates from the inconsiderate douche before you. There is also a really nice outdoor 40"" Flat-screen TV that has not been connected or worked in a year and a half.\r
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I will quit now because my ears are getting red again. If you do not heed my warning but gain one thing from this and all other reviews of Spectrum South End let it be this: buy a hundred count of earplugs at Blackhawk Hardware on Park Road it will help.
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