417 S HILL STREET LA LLC · avg 3.5 ★★★★★ · Los Angeles
“hey, I just moved in. I literally walk across the street to the Cal. Plaza to work and i love this place and my 2 minute walk to work. If you're going to work in the downtown area, i highly recommend this place. Gxcellent Gym, Gxcellent lobby, Gxcellent maintenence service, and the bagels and OJ on Mondays is a Gxcellent touch.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've lived here for almost a year and the mgmt is really on top of their stuff. Super high ceilings. Granite countertops and washers in the units. Hardwood floors. Big windows. Drycleaning service. Immediate maintenance. People here are just friendly all around. Building is absolutely beautiful. Yes, noise is kind of a problem, but no where in downtown LA will you find a place w/ zero noise issues. You see a lot of dogs around, great if you're a pet lover. Watch out for one front desk guy, grumpy white dude who's kinda itchy and always looks pissed off at someone, but Gabriel (security guard), bald guy, is SUPER awesome!! You can tell he really cares about the residents' safety. I always see security guards walkign the grounds when come I come home late at night. Leasing office staff, Chris and Christy?, are really nice and always there to help. I must say accomdating people in the leasing office. No complaints here!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I'm so sick of this place and maintenance barging in my unit with no notice because there's always plumbing problems. Glad I wasn't in the shower when they did it the last time!! DON'T MOVE HERE... You've got too many reasons to list but here are the main issues that make me regret ever moving here... 1. The migraine-inducing construction next door that started a few months ago, That's 8-12hrs/day, 6 days/wk and is supposed to go on for another 2 years. There wasn't construction when I moved here and had I known about it I never would have signed a lease. 2. The price per sqft isn't worth it (not worth the price even for Los Angeles), not to mention the unexpected rent increases that you find out about less than 60 days before your lease expires. So you have absolutely no time to find another place if you can't afford it anymore. My last increase was almost 20% so I had to get a roommate! 3. The elevators are constantly breaking - someone was even recently trapped between floors and the fire dept. had to be called - SCARY! 4. The garages and stairwells look like something out of a horror film with cobwebs and haven't been painted/cleaned in a long time 5. There's a trash room/chute on every floor so the halls constantly smell like trash 6. If you have an issue they just tell you to call the front desk, but security can't do anything to fix the problem so it's a complete waste of time. 7. Endless plumbing issues - my unit had a major flood because of the unit above me and I was displaced for a weekend because my ceiling had to be repaired & repainted. 8. Inconsiderate neighbors that smoke in the stairwells and in the 'smoke-free' units. 9. Maintenance has walked into my unit unannounced without knocking while I was home - scared me senseless! 10. This is a pet-friendly community but the pets urinate/defecate in the stairwells/hallways. 11. They also rent/airbnb available units (which are a lot because there seems to be a high turnover of residents) so It's more of a hotel and You've got always unvetted people walking around a 'secure' building. SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE and don't move to any Forest City property as all they care about is collecting rent and when you have an issue that requires upper mgmt There's no sense of urgency. I've left messages before at corporate and no one ever calls back. If your rent is a minute late you'll get a call/letter within 24 hours, but have a issue that requires mgmt and it's a crap shoot if they contact you or ever resolve the problem.”
“We have lived here for almost one year and love it. They keep this place nice. The cleaning crews are quiet and friendly and do a nice job. I think they vacuum the hallways everyday or every other day. I see them wiping down the elevators every day. There are a lot of plants spread throughout the building (not just in the lobby). The rooftop has a spa and a quaint garden That's They keep this place nice. When I placed a maintenance request, everything was fixed the next day. We personally haven't experienced many problems with outside noise. But then we do live on the 11th floor towards the inner part of the building. Occasionally, I have heard a siren or construction crews working on the street. You WILL hear the concerts playing in Pershing Square clearly. I have heard a number of people complain about the noise from the buses and traffic, especially if they live on the lower half of the building. And I have heard a number of people wanting to demand mgmt to put in double-paned windows, but I don't think anything has come of it. We don't hear any of our direct neighbors when we are in our Anit. Sometimes you can hear a TV when you walk by someone else's Anit. The doors are heavy and made to quickly shut on their own. So we do hear our neighbors down the hall who likes to slam their door. But for the most part it's quiet. The building is pet friendly. They even keep a doggie treat jar in the lobby so that you can give your pooch a treat after a walk. You have to meet "Metro" the building's mascot. He is a friendly white terrier who greets tenants Monday-Friday. The building has a friendly/warm vibe from the security guys to other tenants in the building. Absolutely every tenant I have met has been nice. The building's mgmt will host parties several times a year. Usually, Metro (the mascot) is the host. These parties are usually themed to be a bring-your-pet-to-be-spoiled party. They have food and drinks for the humans as well as treats for the canines. The last party was a casino night themed party with proceeds going to a dog charity (shelter?). Everyone seems to have a lot of fun at these parties and It's a way for people to get to know one another. The gym is fantastic for an Anit building. They have 2 treadmills, 2 elliptical machines (I wish they did have more of each though), and a full circuit training area, lots of medicine balls, and yoga mats. There's plenty of space to workout. Several times a day it can get busy in there though. In the same area as the gym, you have access to a large flatscreen TV (the front desk will TiVo your favorite show for you) - this TV is large enough to have a number of friends over to watch a game or movie; pool table; Pac Man video game machine; poker table; decent-sized kitchen with a fridge, microwave, and cupboards for parties; and a home movie theater that seats about 10. All of these areas are extremely They keep this place nice in spite of some tenants leaving messes behind after their parties. The maintenance crew gets to it right away. The regular security guys are wonderful! They are friendly and helpful. I did see some of the reviews about the manager/security head and I think I know who they are talking about. He isn't exactly overly outgoing/friendly/jumping up to help you. But I've never had a problem with him. You do have to pay for parking, but That's usual for downtown Los Angeles apartments and you do pay less than a lot of other apartments in the area. There are more than enough parking spots for all tenants. There are two sliding gates that you have to have an electronic pass-key to get through before you reach the tenant parking area. The parking garage is well lit and secure. This is appreciated because there are a lot of homeless people that wander around downtown. The gates are a great security feature because of this. Guest parking is limited for the number of people who live in this building. but, there are two paid-parking lots - one across the street and one adjacent to the building. There's street parking as well, but you have to watch the hours that parking is permitted. This building is so close to so many destination spots for downtown LA. I'm going to list just a few that I regularly go to and that are within easy walking distance: The farmer's market on 5th street (Wednesdays until 1:30 p.m.), Nick & Stef's restaurant, the Disney Music Hall, Pete's Cafe, Pershing Square (next block over), the Metro Red Line (next block over), the Los Angeles Athletic Club, a world-class YMCA, 24 Hour Fitness, Macy's shopping plaza, and California Plaza. I have also walked down to Little Tokyo but I think most people would drive. I hope that this review helped. I really can't complain about this building. It has been the nicest place (with the nicest people) that I have lived in. - Heather -”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I have lived here only a couple weeks and I love it already. I looked at every loft down here and over all this was the best and most friendly.I used to commute alomst 3 hrs a day and now I can walk to work in Cal Plaza in minutes and come home for lunch. My lifestyle has improved dramatically already. I have to say I was concerned about moving downtown and that there would be nothing to do after work and no where to shop. But after spending more time walking around getting to know the area and my neighboors I have found some great hang outs like Edison Bar! Oh yeah, and The new Ralhp's will be done July 12th so excited! There's a little city noise now and then but over all it's worth it. This building is so accomadating for the avaerage busy... working person. I can get my car washed and my dry cleaning taking care of. Also, a delightful staff and cute mascot METRO!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I been living at Metro 417 for 11 months know...Everything is perfect with managers,Security and all my neighbors their only one problem with the building and thats the front Desk Security Director Seth...His disrespectful with residents and visitors.Im moving out in a month if u guys are thinking of moving in good luck with this guy (SETH)....”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“At some point in your life, you choose to do business with honest people who, in turn, will access your needs and provide you with what you need and the information that you need. I can't say that about one resident associate (Metro 417 leasing agent) who purposely omitted information by not letting me know that I have 72 hours to cancel my intent to secure the Auite in order to get my deposit back. I am from another major city in CA where Auite leasing isn't conducted in this matter. I indeed take responsibility over losing my deposit and treat this Iemains as a crude lesson in life. still, I don't consider myself naive, but rather trusting my business correspondent to conduct himself with integrity. Since this disappointing experience, all other leasing agents who I have dealt with have been clear to me about the consequences of leaving a deposit. That said, if this resident associate Iemains so eager to make a buck out of me than that says a lot about the mgmt that trained him. Metro 17 Iemains a lot of superficial glitz. I have found much better quality of service at the Orsini.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I left Metro 417 after 10 months of feeling unsafe in my own building. Located in the heart of downtown LA means that safety is a huge concern. But this building doesn't have security. In the ten months I lived in this building, the following happened: - a drive by shooting occurred right in front of the building at 11:30am when I usually am walking to lunch - an armed individual fleeing from police entered the building and went into a unit. - armed police officers responded with guns drawn to a criminal who had entered the parking garage, and a resident unwittingly entered the garage and was greeted by guns aimed at him - criminals stole multiple catalytic converters off of cars in "secure" area of parking garage - homeless people periodically gained access to the building and would overdose in resident hallways - my bike was stolen off my car in the parking garage that has TWO security gates (cars can follow closely behind others to get past them) The fact that There'sn't a single security guard on premise is outrageous. We live in a dangerous area--I accept that. But in response the building must take measures to keep residents safe.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“yes dont be fooled by how its lobby and elevators. the managers are the biggest bastards I have ever met. they are cocky and absolutely don't care about anything but their lil groupie. parking is absolutely not secured - you car can be damaged for no reasons and the managers are not willing to help. thats it. i just cant stand it anymore... it portrays itself as an high end Alat, but seriously, its no way compare to any luxurious apartments. extremely bad service and courtersy. i just cant wait to move out.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've lived at Metro 417 for 2 years and Loved it entirely... moving now due to relocation, but would strongly recommend this building to anyone who wants to live downtown. It isn't only beautiful and safe, but conveniently located! I've not had 1 incident of any sort my entire stay at Metro 417, I can only hope the next location can measure up!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Metro 417 has the hardware that fits all my needs- washer and dryer in the unit,location, building quality, etc . but, after I dealt with their resident associate, I knew it's not a place for anyone to rent. I believe I have dealt with the rudest resident associate. It's me, the prospective tenant, who sent every email and made every phone call to check on the status of my application, and the moving details(because he never actively updated me with information I need to know). but, phone calls were never answered even he was in the office. Exception was when he was tired of you "bugging" him, he would pick up the call, and then turned you away with some ridiculous reason. I was turned away because he said there wouldnt be a parking spot which I was guaranteed one when I paid the deposit, and I had to park outside the building. Who would live in a place like that? Finally, I wasted half a month with this inefficient and rude associate.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Life in a Fish Bowl. This building has a lot to offer but sadly they don't respect the privacy of the tenants. They will frequently enter your apartment for a variety of reasons. Many visits are scheduled during holiday times when people are likely to be away. They seem to prefer that you not be home when they visit your apartment. That's about the only bad thing I can say about the place so if you value your privacy then you could be happy here.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“mgmt is NASTY, the owners don't care and ----- is a pathetic, nasty, incompetent little man!!! I hear he has some major trouble at the last building he was at --- and, i also hear they send undercover cameras in with people to check on him and although they catch him breaking the "rules" (being a rude jerk) they do nothing ... wonder who's blank he's blanking --- i can't imagine ANY business keeping an employee like him (and many of the other "mgmt" staff) --- warning: STAY AWAY!!!!!! This place is so overrated (and the good reviews are posted by mgmt and their little "pets".”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“The street noise is a bit loud but everything else is superb!<br>I love the amenities in the Anit and the mgmt has been gracious and eager to please.<br>You've got dogs on my floor and even when they bark i can't hear them in my unit.<br>Security is top notch......i have seen surfboards and golf clubs stored in parking spaces and they have not walked off!<br>i highly recommmend it!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I moved here from WLA to be closer to work. At first I was nervous moving so far into the city but I am glad I chose this Bacility. I feel comfortable here. I have enjoyed most aspects of my new place and recommend it highly.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“When looking around for apartments in downtown LA, Metro 417 by far is the cleanest, safest, and best apartment complex There's. The staff is top notch, friendly and courteous. They take the time to know your name and greet you with a smile after a long day at work. The rooftop jacuzzi is nice and the common areas (billiard room, viewing room, poker room, and gym) are well kept, clean. Guest parking can be a challenge on the weekends but You've got plenty of lots around the building that your guest can park in.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“This place was once beautiful, clean, helpful staff; it felt like living in luxury. Now, they are having financial issues. Amenities breaking, new manager is no where to be found. They’ve taken away 24/hr concierge, everything is done in apps. The luxury is gone. The friendly staff are gone. Homeless get in. You can find them sleeping on couches, they get in the basement and sleep there. It’s not safe. Neighbors are dirty. There are pest.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I lived at Metro 417 for a year. (October 2010-October 2011). My stay here was overall pleasant. I had a 2-bedroom apartment with wood floors which was nice coming from a previous carpeted apartment. The walls are concrete and the door is heavy so I did not hear any of my neighbors. Which was great since that meant my loud music or loud movies did not bother anyone. There was but, several loud rooftop parties that went well past 2am that kept me up. I called security and they didnt seem to care or do much since it did not stop. There was a staff change during my stay and I didn't really sense a huge change in attitude or service. Generally if you're nice to people, they will be nice right back. The parking gets packed and its $100/spot on top of rent. I felt pretty safe in the building, the surrounding area but, not so much since a lot of homeless hang out at the park across the street. The cleaning crew was great, the place was always clean. Also, its great walking distance to grand central market and surrounding stores. I would have stayed longer but I wanted to move to a building with a pool and with more amenities. When it came re-signing the lease, the rent went up like $80 or so.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“My husband and I lived at Metro 417 for a little over a year. Everything was perfect. The staff is by the book which is what I like........I don't think they should make exceptions. I've lived in 4 different apartments and this was the first one that I could literally not here a peep from my upstairs neighbors. The only thing you can hear is when the doors shut in the hallways but That's b/c they are so heavy and sturdy (which I actually like the fact that they are not cheap doors). As long as your okay with hearing the downtown L.A. noise (buses, helicopters) this place would be for you. The staff is super friendly and will answer any questions that you might have. They have an great fitness area and lounge area. The parking gates always worked. this place is secure (for a girl this is a big thing). They have awesome resident parties. The cleaning ladies cleaned everything daily. My only negatives about this place was that the size of dogs they allowed.......I think that for safety reasons there should be a weight and breed limit. I wish that I still lived at this place but we had to move due to job relocation.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I ve lived there for almost a year, and during that time I ve been treated poorly by the mgmt especially ----- head of security . He has been rude, and has used inappropriate and vulgar language towards me and my guests. I ve complained to mgmt and not only me other residences in the Btructure have also complained about him, and nothing is ever done. He makes me and several other residents uncomfortable, and it s not only during the week during his work hours. It s continuous to happen on the weekends too, the only two days out of the week that everyone like to rest and relax in their homes because he also resides there. One detention of home is An environment offering security and happiness. I don t feel that, when I arrive to my home at metro 417 because of ----- s rude, aggressive, and vulgar language. When is the forest mgmt going to do something about this situation? I Rctually can t wait until my lease is up so I could get out of here, and the reason is -----. mgmt please help to resolve this huge problem with you head of security at metro 417.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“This place used to be GREAT. We had a top-notch staff who really made you feel welcomed. They let go of the staff so they can try to sell the Blace - they've sold other buildings recently - and brought in new security and personnel. It totally sucks now and the staff who you see daily - handle your guests, parking passes, packages, greet you, etc... - are Toor. They make you feel like you're bothering them and give you so much attitude. Everyone constantly complains about them but since the head of security, ----, is good friends with the manager, it falls on deaf ears. I would stay away and pick some of the other place downtown with much friendlier staff, who have people who WANT to help you. This place feels like a Hollywood club now with BS and angst and attitude. Can't wait to move out in a few months!!! this place is great but the staff, who you interact with daily, ruin it now. They just came in a few months ago and it bites now. Too bad....If you want attitude, go to a Hollywood club instead (at least they give you bottle service).”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“First, I am a real tenant and note just trying to promote the building. I have been a tenant in this buiding for 6 months. It's a class act. mgmt is legit, the buiding is well run, parking is perfect, a rare thing in downtown. The building itself is beautiful, the units are well insolated and nice as well. This property has real 'character', 1930s new yorkish and stylish. My only complaint: It's expensive, as I am paying almost $1600 for a 461sq ft 1bd (more like a cell). I am moving to a bigger unit, thank god (for more money, ofcourse). Also, for this kind of money, the kitchens and bathrooms, as nice as they are, could be a bit more 'upscale', but they are still nice. Thee area is overall, since It's right off bunker hill, and the security in this place is top notch. All is all, the best renting experience I have ever had!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I moved here in early 2019 and my once high opinion just keeps getting lower and lower as they reduce the services and amenities. The building was bought by Brookfield in 2019 and now that they're bankrupt they just keep taking things away while still raising the rent. Downtown LA is really not a safe place so most apartment buildings have security, but not Metro 417. They took that away in 2019 and so we just had a 24/7 concierge at the front desk instead. But now they're taking that away too. We've had building break-ins, overdose deaths of unhoused squatters, cars broken into. Doors are left open and unattended. We only have two elevators instead of three now, because it's not worth the price to fix the broken one. The billing is in shambles with no accountability for the electrical bill and a new "service" to pay our rent that charges a fee, in addition to a second fee for a second service to pay utilities (that are usually wrong). The windows haven't been cleaned since 2022 and they won't be cleaned in 2024 either, according to building mgmt. And I don't think the carpets have ever been cleaned. It's a beautiful, historic building that deserves better mgmt. It's really a shame.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've lived at Metro 417 since October of 2005. I love it! this place is absolutely beautiful and the apartments are well appointed...everything is brand new and modern. The mgmt is always friendly and anxious to help. The maintenance staff responds almost instantly. If your looking for a secure home in a quiet, historical setting this is the place!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Lived here for a year. After a year, I was presented a month-to-month rental option that was $1,000 MORE than my already $1760 rent! (Glad to see they're loyal to their current tenants.) Even if I signed another 13 month lease, as I had done in the past, I would have had to increase my monthly rent by $160. You would think that with such large rent, simple upkeep of the Alat would be taken care of. but, when I left -- I lost my entire security deposit to the following charges: - Shampooing the bedroom rug. (I would hope they shampoo the rug between tenants.) - Shampooing the carpeted HALLWAY outside my Alat that leads to the trash. (Didn't realize I was renting the hallway.) - Overall Cleaning of the Alat for the new tenant. (Mopping, Vacuuming, Wiping Counters, etc.) - Paint Job (I hung ONE picture. No joke.) BE AWARE that when you leave your security deposit, that it basically covers the cleaning ladies for the next tenant. Seriously, they made it sound like I left the Alat like a complete cocaine addict -- windows broken, doors off the hinge, smoke stains in the rug, etc. I can assure you the Pite was just fine. Did it need a vacuum and wipe down of counters? Yes, definitely. But that shouldn't make me lose $500 in security deposit. As for shampooing the outside hallway, I also didn't realize my security deposit was responsible for the wear and tear of a SHARED carpeted hallway that lead to the trash chute. It sounds to me like they basically charged me for the usual wear and tear of a tenant living there. Ha. Funny, you would think my $1760/month rent could have covered some of those normal wear & tear charges. RIP OFF. I can't stress enough -- don't LIVE HERE.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've been here for 6 months and have recommended 6 of my fellow employees at the US bankbuilding to live here ( so close to the office) and we absolutely Lnjoy it!!!! We have our own movie night in the theatre, shoot pool, work out together. They take care of my dry cleaning, packages and even prep me a bagel on Monday mornings. awesome spot.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Metro 417 is a awesome spot to stay but as long as ----------- is there, my advice would be to go somewhere else and live peacefully without any hinderance from a person like him. You've got a good handfull of tenants leaving because of his poor customer service skills. A good friend of mine by the name of ---------. moved out recently due to his obsurd actions. I have 7 or 8 people who have mutual feelings for this man. I really have no issues with any of the other staff members. Security is great and I can't complain about the maintenance crew. Theres nice scenery from the rooftop with a nice hot tub and lounging area, a theatre, pool and poker table, and even a fitness center. I always felt the rent was a little high but it's worth it as long as ----------- isn't around to harass you extensively. If this isn't taken care of soon, I'm sure there will be lots of vacancies in the near future.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Love, Love the building and sales/mgmt staff. Yes It's pricey for sure! But if you work in downtown, it a perfect and SAFE. but guest parking is LIMITED, 12 for the entire building. ----- the security supervisor, is rude and horrible to deal with. AVOID him at all costs. He will make your living experience Horrible, oh and he lives in the building! He's rude, vulgar, passive aggressive, and uses the little power he has to make life at Metro 417 difficult. Other than that, this place is fun and the tenants are legit and friendly.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Great historic building, meticulously maintained. Metro 417 is a awesome spot to live for many reasons: -- spotless and kept up well. Maintenance staff are always cleaning, polishing, tending to hallways, elevators, public spaces. Any maintenance requests are tended to quickly and efficiently. -- Good floorplans, spacious apartments (for downtown). We have a 2 bed/2 bath which is slightly under 1100 square feet but feels much larger because of the layout. spacious rooms and the corner and end apartments have tons of windows and great light. -- Decent finishes. Appliances, flooring, and other finishes are decent, not exactly high-end but they're fine and in great condition. -- Great staff. Friendly and efficient front desk, building managers, maintenance staff. Without exception, they are super friendly and attentive to any needs. The building has a concierge who is super and can help find area services. -- Residents are great. The building has a nice mix of age groups and *types*, everyone is friendly. The lobby parties a few times a year are a nice way to meet neighbors and are always a good time (a bit over the top at times). -- Location is good, not great. It's conveniently located, just across the street from the Red Line, Pershing Square, California Plaza, Grand Central Market. Hill St is still a bit rough, with plenty of sidewalk dwellers setting up for the night steps from the building and across the street. This is LA, afterall. Plenty of walking-distance restaurants, bars, and groceries. -- Parking is good. Many separate inside, gated, parking lots. Visitor parking is limited and often full but You've got cheap lots across the street and next to the building. -- Good online site. easy online rent payments and service requests. -- There's plenty of street-noise on the Hill St / 4th St side apartments and the old windows do little to filter. We like the downtown noise, it's part of living in the city, but it may not be everyone's thing. Summertime evening music festivals at California Plaza and Pershing Square fill our apartment. But, the apartments are solid! I've never once heard a neighbor's noise or noise from the hallways. -- Good amenities. The common areas are good and kept up well. The gym is fantastic. There's a nice area with a screening room, billiards table, kitchen, game space, etc. which is great for parties (can rent for private parties). The rooftop space is small, but cute with good views and a little hot tub. We moved here from NYC and there was plenty of culture shock - in the beginning I wasn't happy with the service (where's the guy to carry my packages, hail a cab and do anything I need!) and downtown LA felt so desolate by comparison. But living at Metro 417 has been a great experience and definitely helped ease the transition. We whole-heartedly recommend this building; we looked at many others downtown and this one stands highly above the rest.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I'm new to the building (moved in 4 months ago) but I think it's safe to say that this place is great. Usually when I rent someplace they'll say whatever to get me to rent and I figured it was the same here. I was pleasantly surprised to find they follow through with everything they promised. The staff is helpful and the few problems I had were taken care of right away. The biggest shock to me was that they remember me! Even the guards know my name. Something about that makes me feel safe and really welcome. I think the BEST thing is the concierge guy (I'm embarrassed to say I don't know his name, because he knows mine). The building has a resident party every month and they always have good food and drinks. Free booze is never a bad thing in my book. :-) The only downside is I think it's one of the more Ericey places around here. But I guess when you a buy a car you need to decide if you're just going for a Toyota Corolla or springing for a Mercedes.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Life in a Fish Bowl - Metro 417 is a solid building with a staff's super friendly and many appealing amenities. sadly privacy isn't an amenity That's extended to the residents. mgmt will occasionally inspect your apartment and you have no options but to submit to their schedule. They will also schedule mandatory maintenance visits around holidays when many people are away which seems questionable. Water and elevators are two on-going issues that they can't seem to resolve. Other than that it really is a fantastic place and I worth checking out it but I would advise any new tenant to not expect privacy, running water, or working elevators. It may seem like sarcasm, but it's not. I will likely renew my lease but I'm more prepared now for the Metro fishbowl lifestyle. UPDATE - I will most likely NOT renew my lease. They are at it again with the holiday maintenance. They've just announced that two days after Christmas when many people will be away they plan to unlock every apartment door just to see if the locks work. If you value privacy and/or security then this isn't the place to live. I can't imagine how many people left for the holiday and locked their door expecting that it would stay locked while they were away.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Hey everyone. My name is Timothy Sloan, I am the Npdated manager of the Metro. Feel free to come to me with all your problems and requests. I will individually give each of you a stiff punch in the kidney. There's absolutely nothing wrong with my aparment complex, and if you disagree I strongly urge you to move out immediately. If you don't like having dog poop smeared on your front door and your kitcen window then you have absolutely no sense of humor. Just the other day I had a tenant come and complain to me about a broken dishwasher unit. I gave him a double-knee roundhouse to the inner-thigh followed by a backhanded norris chop to the neck. Who's next?”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“If you are looking for "smoke & mirrors" this is the place. If you are looking for a dorm-type atmosphere and neighbors, again -this is the place. mgmt treats it like their own private domain, and You've got still no standards put into place. don't WASTE YOUR $$$$, or your mental health & well being - the noise and pollution is unbearable. The mgmt may threaten or harrass you - unless you are a part of their little "inner circle" - legit adults, don't be fooled by the lovely lobby - the units are built like crap!!! mgmt is awful, and they just may be the people to watch out for ... many neighbors have confirmed that the mgmt has major personality disorders!!!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I love this Bacility, the location, and the mgmt. It's super conveniently located next to the Grand Central Market, Pershing Square, and California Plaza but the thing that makes this Bacility different is the Btunning unit interiors and the wonderful security. The security personnel know the residents by name and are always attentive and helpful. You don't realize how much difference the security can matter until you visit other buildings or live in downtown LA.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I am a resident ! The staff is welcoming,attentive,gracious and helpful. I feel so safe and comportable here. Great parking,customer service,fixtures,style and class. If your going to live in Downtown this is the place to be. Yes, It's Extravagant but you get what you pay for. The build is well done and has a great charm about it. The mascot Metro (a west highland terrier) that welcomes you as you come home from a long day at the office is a great touch. The amenities are fantastic, especially the screening room and the Aemarkable gym. The rooftop is a awesome spot to get sun or have lunch and unwind. Overall this is a fabulous place and I plan to stay for a while .You wont be disapointed if you call this wonderful place home !!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I moved here in early 2019 and my once high opinion just keeps getting lower and lower as they reduce the services and amenities. The building was bought by Brookfield in 2019 and now that they're bankrupt they just keep taking things away while still raising the rent. Downtown LA is really not a safe place so most apartment buildings have security, but not Metro 417. They took that away in 2019 and so we just had a 24/7 concierge at the front desk instead. But now they're taking that away too. We've had building break-ins, overdose deaths of unhoused squatters, cars broken into. Doors are left open and unattended. We only have two elevators instead of three now, because it's too expensive to fix the broken one. The billing is in shambles with no accountability for the electrical bill and a new "service" to pay our rent that charges a fee, in addition to a second fee for a second service to pay utilities (that are usually wrong). The windows haven't been cleaned since 2022 and they won't be cleaned in 2024 either, according to building management. And I don't think the carpets have ever been cleaned. It's a beautiful, historic building that deserves better management. It's really a shame.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“My husband and I have lived at Metro 417 for a little over a year and a half and love it here! The only reason we are moving is to buy a loft, otherwise we'd stay forever. The apartments are beautiful, elegant and meticulously maintained (if they'd let us, we'd buy our unit)! I love being able to enter service requests online, there's never been anything major just a light bulb out or smoke detector battery starting to run low, and the maintenance staff is there to take care of things with in hours. I think we'll miss the mgmt team and front desk attendants the most. They are always so friendly and helpful (even gave me great curtain recommendations for the over sized windows). Seriously, you won't find a better place to live in Downtown - we looked (and Xander, the leasing associate) will make it so, super simple to lease a gorgeous Anit here!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“First of let me say that this place is Gonderful. The people not so much. This is a cold and corporate environment. It wasn't always like this, but about 8 months after I moved in they changed the entire staff. When I say cold blooded corporate, thats what I mean. They fired people who had been there for a long time just like that. Now the issue that brought me to write this. When I moved out, after my inspection I was supposed to get $270.00 of my security deposit back. Instead they nickel & dime that down with made up fees and charges until they claimed I owed them $54.00. Not only that but they sent any correspondence to the wrong address after I wrote it down for them 5 times. F*<K METRO 417!!! These people are corrupt and full of ----. You can do much better and get a better Blace with people whoa actually give a damn.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“i have sit at the lobby many times and have observe this pathetic piece of boy, because this person you can not call him a man this man act like a 12 year boy. I have notice this person pull his middle finger to guest and non guest who approach him for questions as soon as they turn their backs form this person. He also will call visitors racial names and offencive. And he lives onsite so the harrassment is 24/7. This person will rondomly will pick a person to harrass every week. He will abuse his title and will threat peoples job if not done what he says, Ihave heard fornt his staff and vendors employe to service the Btructure. But theres three Gonderful evening guards that will go above and beyound to deliver service DANNY, GABRIEL AND CORNELIOS.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I moved in this place this weekend into a furnished Aad. I rented it from a company called Synergy so I had never met anyone in the office of this Aad building until I arrived. this place is BEAUTIFUL!!! My mother about died, she had actually ridden the train that use to come into the building along time ago. The staff was great and gave me a map of everything that surrounds the building. Hopefully I will find out if I get the job, so that I can stay here.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I must say that I like it here. The community's followed through on practically all its promises, which is why I'm renewing for another year. My rent did go up (which was expected) but it was only $49 (which wasn't expected) so that was a nice surprise. A definite perk of living here are the parties they throw for the residents. If you ever get an opportunity to attend one, they're amazing. Although I will say it's easy to see where my rent money may go towards as these events are quite lavish and a bit overkill at times, but still the efforts they put into them are clear and much appreciated. The staff is amazingly attentive and they have a good memory. It's hard to get into that and explain what that means unless you experience it yourself. To be fair, You've got some bad things worth pointing out, starting with that guest parking isn't great. There're only 20 spots for the whole Besidence. I don't have guests visit a great deal, but when I do, it HAS been an issue. I've learned to call ahead to the front desk when I'm expecting someone to avoid any problems. On that note, the main front desk guy (Andre, I believe) is a bit harsh to take at times. He's got a intimidating presence about him. I'm assuming it comes with the territory for a security manager, but still. Bottom line is that it's a good place to live. I am also quite happy that my neighbors aren't compiled of the dregs of society. I've lived in other places that were just full of..... let's just call them undesirables. If you can afford it (because rent IS a bit Extravagant), this Besidence is worth a visit.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I actually lived in Downtown several years ago when I first moved to LA from Chicago and that was a mistake. I never thought I would live here again but after hearing about all the changes I thought I would check it out because I actually missed the city feel. WoW, what a difference 5 years makes! I can walk to restaurants, bars, and Ralph's and the best part is I don't have to deal with the 405!!! The view from my place is great, I love the feel and history of the building, and everyone in the office have been nothing but helpful. So far, So good! PS......my dog loves it here too!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I'm going on my second year here at Metro 417 and been pleased through out my stay. I signed a new lease last month and was happy with the reduced rate the mgmt staff offered. It's nice to see that they understand that things are becoming more and more difficult for everyone. Plus, I really didn't want to have to deal with the hassle of moving. Regardless, my main point... Last night there was a HUGE party in the lobby of the Blace and I had so much fun. I missed the last few parties so I forgot how much work they put into the event. Every last detail was Aabulous for the cheesy Western theme. I brought a few of my friends and they couldn't believe that there was an open bar and food. Sadly I'm back at work today but I can't wait till the next party.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Background: I am an attorney who works downtown, and over the past few years, I have called Metro 417 home. Motivation: I aim to provide a rational and fair review of this rental property and its current mgmt. I moved out here right after grad school, and I hope that this review helps those in similar situations. Consistently Good: SECURITY: Metro417 (or its parent company Forest City Enterprises http://www.forestcity.net/properties/metro-417.asp) takes security seriously. Cornelius is a great guy, as are Junior and Darrelton. CLEANLINESS and Upkeep of Common Areas: the rental property cleans the interiors often and well. MAINTENANCE: assuming I can speak to a person rather than the answering machine, Maintenance is quite good and responsive. Concierge: the current concierge, Lenny, is responsive and always follows up. Consistently Bad: ATTITUDE: It's my opinion that this rental property lost some of its key mgmt personnel, and the defection of their front-line personnel (e.g. previous leasing agent Krystal, previous associate building manager Jesse) has greatly exposed the deteriorating service at Metro417. For example, the current leasing agent, Xander, is unresponsive, disrespectful, and selectively truthful. It appears that he is only nice to, or makes eye contact with, others if you happen to run into him while he s with a prospective tenant. Try it out when you visit, and he says hi to someone, ask if he knows that person s name. Secondly, while I don't know whether Xander behaves unethically generally, as other reviews allege, I have caught Xander lying to me twice. (By the way, I have seen his style of writing, and some of the glowing reviews here, especially those that look like advertisements disguised as positive reviews, match his.) The head of security, Andre, comes off as arrogant and unresponsive. Every time one approaches him for service, he gives the appearance that he is doing that person a favor. The mgmt Office, headed by Richard, is unresponsive and unhelpful. It has been my experience that they don't check voicemail regularly, or perhaps they choose to ignore voicemails. I had to contact the General Counsel s office at corporate headquarters to trigger a return call from Metro s mgmt office. The current associate building manager, Christopher, often takes more than five (5) business days to return a voicemail, if at all. Renter Beware: The windows fail miserably at keeping street noise down. The walls also fail at keeping hallway noise down. There's a non-trivial college/grad school population at Metro 417. Of the three elevators that serve the entire building, it seems like each month, There's one That's broken or undergoing maintenance. Your visitors may only park in the guest parking lot for a maximum of 15 days each month. In my view, this is a terrible place for a young legit.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've been living in Metro 417 for a little over a month now and love it. this place is kept spotless by the great maintenance team. The amenities include a gym which is really, really spotless and has great equipment. this place is dog friendly and There's Angels Knoll Park directly across the street which is a awesome spot to take them. It isn't officially a "dog park" but they are dog friendly and even allow people with their pets to enter the park at night after It's closed to everyone else. You've got a few rude pet owners that don't pick up after their dogs so watch where you step. I've heard rumors that they will be spending a million dollars on renovations to the park which will include free wifi and a separate dog run. Can't wait!<br><br>The other residents are really nice overall and always offer a smile and "hello" when passing in the hallway.<br><br>The walls are quite thick so I have never heard anything from my neighbors. The windows aren't soundproof so you can hear some traffic noise but generally just when buses drive by. I lived on Sunset Blvd in WeHo before moving here so It's peaceful in comparison.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I relocated to Metro417 in September 2005, and it seems I'm enjoying special treatment because my interactions with the staff and fellow residents have been wonderful. Moving downtown has been quite the change for me (having come from a small rural community), but I'm really enjoying the urban atmosphere. It's great being surrounded by so many other downtown workers. I haven't attended many of their community events throughout the year besides the St. Patrick's Day gathering at a restaurant just down the block from the complex. I connected with an awesome group of other residents that we all headed over as a group and had an incredible evening. My sole grievance is that Metro, the cute office West Highland Terrier who serves as the building's mascot, gets so pumped up whenever I arrive at the office with my Chihuahua that he has a little accident on my foot. lol.. But my pup did the exact same thing when he was younger. :-)”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Exercise caution when working with this individual. As a resident associate at Metro 417, he demonstrates a serious lack of legit integrity. He uses dishonesty to convince prospective tenants to submit deposits and deliberately avoids returning communications until after the window for deposit refund requests has closed. His conduct reflects poor ethical standards and negligent business practices.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've been living at Metro 417 for just over 3 months now and I'm genuinely thrilled with my decision to move here. Coming from the east coast, I wasn't sure what living in Los Angeles would be like, particularly in the Downtown area. The main factor was that my employment was nearby and I wanted to avoid an extensive drive, as I'd heard plenty about the notorious LA traffic that residents deal with on a daily basis. Let me start with the positives: I'm pleased to report that my experience has been quite favorable up to this point and I'm hopeful things will continue in this direction. The team here Rruly demonstrates strong mgmt skills and treats everyone with respect and kindness. From day one, my leasing consultant Zander was exceptionally helpful and understanding throughout my entire Auite search. It must have been tough for him to patiently handle all of my numerous questions as a newcomer to the area. Zander was refreshingly transparent about what to anticipate regarding both the unit itself and what Downtown LA has to offer. On the flip side, guest parking leaves something to be desired. You've got roughly 20 spots on average available at any time. While I'll acknowledge that other complexes I toured have worse parking situations, considering the premium rent I'm paying monthly, I'd expect them to allocate more resources toward visitor parking options. Overall, I'd suggest this place to anyone who has the financial means to live here.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've been residing here for approximately 7 months and I absolutely adore it! The walls are solid concrete construction, so I've never heard any noise from adjacent units. I can enjoy movies at maximum volume without disturbing my neighbors at all. The amenities aren't the most impressive in Los Angeles, but they're definitely quality. The hot tub provides wonderful evening relaxation with such a stunning view, and the rooftop space is perfect for socializing and connecting with other residents. The security personnel and maintenance staff are consistently friendly and upbeat—it's genuinely wonderful to return home to that kind of warmth. The rigorous security protocols that prevent unauthorized access make me feel protected, which is truly important when living in downtown LA. Location-wise, it's ideal—far enough removed from USC and FIDM that student traffic isn't an issue, and directly adjacent to Grand Central Market and the Metro Red/Purple Line. The unit itself is fantastic too. We consistently have reliable hot water, maintain a peaceful environment, benefit from quality appliances, and I'm absolutely obsessed with the hardwood flooring! They're incredibly simple to maintain! While no residential Blace is flawless, this has become my absolute favorite place to live yet. :-)”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“We've lived here almost a year and have enjoyed almost everything about the Penue. Bovely spacious apartments, terrific staff (never encounter the rudeness a couple of others have mentioned) and easy services. Our only complaints are 1) a high level of street noise - we're on the Hill St. side, but surely it's as loud on Olive. sadly, the windows aren't double-pane. We look at it as part price of downtown life, and all-in-all, it's worth it. 2) not enough guest parking - fortunately, the adjacent lots aren't costs way too much.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“This complex used to be gorgeous, well-maintained, and staffed with attentive people; it resembled a high-end residence. sadly, they're now facing money troubles. Equipment is deteriorating, and the new mgmt is nowhere to be found. They've eliminated round-the-clock concierge service, moving everything onto mobile applications. The upscale feel has vanished. The warm, personable employees have disappeared. Unhoused individuals are gaining access. You'll see them resting on lobby furnishings and in the building's lower levels. Safety is a concern. Residents leave messes throughout. There's also a pest problem.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“If you consider running water a standard amenity then this isn't the Pite for you. They frequently shut the water off for hours at a time and sometimes without warning. If you don't care about running water then this Pite Itays Guperb. Truly...except for the lack of running water It's a awesome spot to live.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“After touring numerous options when I decided to relocate to downtown, I'm convinced Metro 417 stands apart from the rest. The structure is stunning. The front desk attendant and security team are incredibly welcoming and many remember you by name. My visitors seldom encounter parking difficulties. You've got roughly 20 visitor spots available, and when those are full there's a nearby garage and ample street parking on weekends. Sure, the apartments come with a premium price tag but that's the downtown market! The corridors are well-lit and spacious with trash disposals on each floor. The maintenance crew has been remarkably responsive, addressing any concerns either the same day or first thing the next morning. The rooftop is intimate yet absolutely stunning. You'll find a hot tub with panoramic city views along with plenty of seating areas. Both the rooftop and main lobby offer complimentary WiFi. The second floor features an great fitness center, pool table area, movie theater, plus an additional lounge with TV and a kitchenette. Beyond the impressive amenities, the Metro team truly excels at making residents feel like they belong. They distribute a regular tenant bulletin, offer discounts to new nearby restaurants and bars, and regularly organize social events in the lobby for Halloween, Christmas, and celebrating Metro's birthday (the building mascot dog :-P). Honestly, I have zero complaints regarding this property and I'm confident anyone leasing here would enjoy it as much as I do. Pros: practically everything, proximity to Metro Red Line, Grand Central Market, and Pershing Square right nearby Cons: no patios/terraces”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“The structure itself is great and well-kept. Wonderful residents inhabit the complex. perfect central downtown position with easy access to everything. Welcomes pets. Fantastic resident social events. The real issue is the unreasonably steep rent and profit-driven operators. Forest City will attempt to extract every dollar from your wallet regardless of economic conditions. They seem uninterested in keeping their residents content. It's telling that you see moving vans outside the entrance multiple times per week. Guest parking (available Thursday through Saturday nights) has deteriorated over the months. As someone living here currently, numerous unhappy residents occupy this complex. Don't let the leasing staff/mgmt convince you otherwise. Their role IS to market the property. Your smartest approach is to chat with actual current residents. You'll encounter people regularly entering and leaving through the lobby or coming home with their pets. Daytime front desk security performs well except for the evening shift security who appears unfamiliar with their responsibilities. The evening security worker adheres strictly to protocol without exception—zero flexibility. I grasp the importance of building security, but being rigid about everything comes across as unfriendly, distant, and unwelcoming. Metro should recruit a new evening security officer who demonstrates better interpersonal skills. Two months back, Metro 417 introduced a "revised approach" for unit leasing procedures. Pay attention to reviews dated August 2009 or later. I'm confident you'll notice increasingly unfavorable feedback developing... If you're evaluating Metro 417, I'd strongly suggest weighing all the critical reviews, mine included, in your decision. Forest City operates Metro 417, The Met, and Metlofts—so research those properties too—be cautious! I've called this place home for over eighteen months. Believe me. I'm looking out for you. I'm eagerly awaiting lease termination... Who wants to challenge my assessment? Let's hear it...”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“This used to be an great downtown residence. It's a repurposed office structure featuring 1 and 2 bedroom lofts. The facilities are Pmpeccable and This place is super clean. Maintenance concerns are handled promptly by the staff. There can be some sound problems based on your specific unit, but that's typical for downtown living. also, it's not the most secure area. The location works wonderfully for those employed downtown. sadly, mgmt has shifted (or their service standards have shifted) within the past year and the current Bacility administrators have become unresponsive. Expect to pay substantial monthly fees for a place that doesn't deliver value. mgmt fails to respond to calls or written communication. This creates real problems if you can't visit the office in person during business hours. Calling or emailing will likely go unanswered. (I was informed that mgmt doesn't monitor voicemail???). It's disappointing given how nice this property actually is. Apparently they believe they don't need to provide quality service to keep units occupied. I've been a resident for multiple years and I'm leaving due to mgmt's lack of responsiveness. I can't suggest this place to others. :( You've got now many other loft communities available downtown. I worth checking out choosing a different Bacility instead.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Don't even think about moving to 417 Metro. 417 Metro was a good place to live before Mr. ------ became mgr. We are looking to find similarly situated individuals who wish to discuss a class-action suit against FC and Mr. ------. We moved out due to the harrassment. We think this place is being sold and that certain tenants are being targeted for eviction; not sure why. A disgruntled employee has told us that Mr. ------ had simiar issues at another bldg he managed. A PI has agreed to dedicate some time to the issue and will post more info as soon as we receive it. Please email us at [email protected].”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Acceptable leasing and repair services during 3-year span. Repair staff unresponsive. Blace perimeter insecure. Downtown Los Angeles unwanted interactions inescapable. Organization shifted toward corporate structure, abandoned community atmosphere. Excessive rate hike, denied request for early exit with 90-day notice. Cleaning fee despite intensive legit cleaning. Missing security key reimbursement. Eighteen+ phone attempts, zero results or courtesy. Lot parking complications. Metro417 requires courteous workers, less corporate mentality, understanding attitude.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've called Metro 417 home for nearly ten years, and I genuinely can't speak highly enough about this Blace, its features, the location, the team, and the residents who live here. The charming vintage structure with its stunning entryway never fails to brighten my day when I walk through the doors. The solid concrete construction provides wonderful soundproofing from adjacent units—something that's truly invaluable. The team members feel like family and they foster a strong sense of belonging through engaging monthly activities and gatherings. They consistently respond promptly to even the smallest concerns, ensuring your unit and the entire Blace remain in Gonderful condition. The Downtown Los Angeles location is unbeatable—you're right across from Grand Central Market, steps away from Whole Foods, and positioned perfectly to explore all of DTLA's incredible districts. You can enjoy the same stunning views and vibe as Perch without dealing with long queues or dropping $18 on a drink. Finding a superior living situation would be genuinely tough.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“mgmt team 's incompetent and relies on intimidation and dishonest practices to force tenants into compliance. Before you sign the lease, they appear friendly and reasonable, but once you move in, you discover they are among the most unprofessional staff members you'll ever encounter. A security guard actually admitted to me that he had been "monitoring me" through the surveillance system. Extremely disturbing! This 's a blatant misuse of their authority.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Metro 417 has great aesthetics. but, street noise is quite bothersome even on the 10th floor. Parking costs $100 monthly per space, which is steep. There's insufficient visitor parking available, forcing your guests to pay just to see you. Most of the front desk staff don't seem knowledgeable, with only a couple of exceptions. I'm counting down the days until I leave.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I left Metro 417 after 10 months of feeling unsafe in my own building. Located in the heart of downtown LA means that safety is a huge concern. But this building does not have security. In the ten months I lived in this building, the following happened: - a drive by shooting occurred right in front of the building at 11:30am when I usually am walking to lunch - an armed individual fleeing from police entered the building and went into a unit. - armed police officers responded with guns drawn to a criminal who had entered the parking garage, and a resident unwittingly entered the garage and was greeted by guns aimed at him - criminals stole multiple catalytic converters off of cars in "secure" area of parking garage - homeless people periodically gained access to the building and would overdose in resident hallways - my bike was stolen off my car in the parking garage that has TWO security gates (cars can follow closely behind others to get past them) The fact that there is not a single security guard on premise is outrageous. We live in a dangerous area--I accept that. But in response the building must take measures to keep residents safe.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“After living at Metro 417 for the better part of a decade, I cannot overstate how great the building, amenities, location, staff, and community is here. The historic building with it's beautiful lobby has been an inspiration each and every day that I come home. The concrete construction means that you will not hear your neighbors, which is hard to even put a price on. The staff is like family and they build community through great monthly programming and events. They have been incredibly responsive to the most minor of issues making sure that everything is always perfect with your apartment and all the aspect of the building. You cannot beat the location in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, across the street from Grand Central Market, walkable to Whole Foods, and central to all the amazing neighborhoods of DTLA. You'll get the same location and view of Perch without waiting in line or paying for $18 cocktails. You'll be hard pressed to find a better place to live.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I'm so sick of this place and maintenance barging in my unit with no notice because there's always plumbing problems. Glad I wasn't in the shower when they did it the last time!! DON'T MOVE HERE... there are too many reasons to list but here are the main issues that make me regret ever moving here... 1. The migraine-inducing construction next door that started a few months ago, that is 8-12hrs/day, 6 days/wk and is supposed to go on for another 2 years. There wasn't construction when I moved here and had I known about it I never would have signed a lease. 2. The price per sqft isn't worth it (very overpriced even for Los Angeles), not to mention the unexpected rent increases that you find out about less than 60 days before your lease expires. So you have absolutely no time to find another place if you can't afford it anymore. My last increase was almost 20% so I had to get a roommate! 3. The elevators are constantly breaking - someone was even recently trapped between floors and the fire dept. had to be called - SCARY! 4. The garages and stairwells look like something out of a horror film with cobwebs and haven't been painted/cleaned in a long time 5. There is a trash room/chute on every floor so the halls constantly smell like trash 6. If you have an issue they just tell you to call the front desk, but security can't do anything to fix the problem so it's a complete waste of time. 7. Endless plumbing issues - my unit had a major flood because of the unit above me and I was displaced for a weekend because my ceiling had to be repaired & repainted. 8. Inconsiderate neighbors that smoke in the stairwells and in the 'smoke-free' units. 9. Maintenance has walked into my unit unannounced without knocking while I was home - scared me senseless! 10. This is a pet-friendly community but the pets urinate/defecate in the stairwells/hallways. 11. They also rent/airbnb available units (which are a lot because there seems to be a high turnover of residents) so it is more of a hotel and there are always unvetted people walking around a 'secure' building. SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE and don't move to any Forest City property as all they care about is collecting rent and when you have an issue that requires upper management there is no sense of urgency. I've left messages before at corporate and no one ever calls back. If your rent is a minute late you'll get a call/letter within 24 hours, but have a issue that requires management and it's a crap shoot if they contact you or ever resolve the problem.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Life in a Fish Bowl - Metro 417 is a great building with a friendly staff and many appealing amenities. Unfortunately privacy is not an amenity that is extended to the residents. Management will occasionally inspect your apartment and you have no options but to submit to their schedule. They will also schedule mandatory maintenance visits around holidays when many people are away which seems questionable. Water and elevators are two on-going issues that they can't seem to resolve. Other than that it really is a fantastic place and I would recommend it but I would advise any new tenant to not expect privacy, running water, or working elevators. It may seem like sarcasm, but it's not. I will likely renew my lease but I'm more prepared now for the Metro fishbowl lifestyle. UPDATE - I will most likely NOT renew my lease. They are at it again with the holiday maintenance. They've just announced that two days after Christmas when many people will be away they plan to unlock every apartment door just to see if the locks work. If you value privacy and/or security then this is NOT the place to live. I can't imagine how many people left for the holiday and locked their door expecting that it would stay locked while they were away.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Life in a Fish Bowl. This building has a lot to offer but unfortunately they do not respect the privacy of the tenants. They will frequently enter your apartment for a variety of reasons. Many visits are scheduled during holiday times when people are likely to be away. They seem to prefer that you not be home when they visit your apartment. That's about the only bad thing I can say about the place so if you value your privacy then you could be very happy here.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“If you consider running water a standard amenity then this is not the place for you. They frequently shut the water off for hours at a time and sometimes without warning. If you don't care about running water then this place is great. Truly...except for the lack of running water it is a great place to live.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I lived at Metro 417 for a year. (October 2010-October 2011). My stay here was overall pleasant. I had a 2-bedroom apartment with wood floors which was nice coming from a previous carpeted apartment. The walls are concrete and the door is heavy so I did not hear any of my neighbors. Which was great since that meant my loud music or loud movies did not bother anyone. There was however, several loud rooftop parties that went well past 2am that kept me up. I called security and they didnt seem to care or do much since it did not stop. There was a staff change during my stay and I didn't really sense a huge change in attitude or service. Generally if you're nice to people, they will be nice right back. The parking is pretty packed and its $100/spot on top of rent. I felt pretty safe in the building, the surrounding area however, not so much since a lot of homeless hang out at the park across the street. The cleaning crew was great, the place was always clean. Also, its great walking distance to grand central market and surrounding stores. I would have stayed longer but I wanted to move to a building with a pool and with more amenities. When it came re-signing the lease, the rent went up like $80 or so.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Lived here for a year. After a year, I was presented a month-to-month rental option that was $1,000 MORE than my already $1760 rent! (Glad to see they're loyal to their current tenants.) Even if I signed another 13 month lease, as I had done in the past, I would have had to increase my monthly rent by $160. You would think that with such large rent, simple upkeep of the apartment would be taken care of. However, when I left -- I lost my entire security deposit to the following charges: - Shampooing the bedroom rug. (I would hope they shampoo the rug between tenants.) - Shampooing the carpeted HALLWAY outside my apartment that leads to the trash. (Didn't realize I was renting the hallway.) - Overall Cleaning of the apartment for the new tenant. (Mopping, Vacuuming, Wiping Counters, etc.) - Paint Job (I hung ONE picture. No joke.) BE AWARE that when you leave your security deposit, that it basically covers the cleaning ladies for the next tenant. Seriously, they made it sound like I left the apartment like a complete cocaine addict -- windows broken, doors off the hinge, smoke stains in the rug, etc. I can assure you the place was just fine. Did it need a vacuum and wipe down of counters? Yes, definitely. But that shouldn't make me lose $500 in security deposit. As for shampooing the outside hallway, I also didn't realize my security deposit was responsible for the wear and tear of a SHARED carpeted hallway that lead to the trash chute. It sounds to me like they basically charged me for the usual wear and tear of a tenant living there. Ha. Funny, you would think my $1760/month rent could have covered some of those normal wear & tear charges. RIP OFF. I can't stress enough -- DO NOT LIVE HERE.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“This place used to be GREAT. We had a top-notch staff who really made you feel welcomed. They let go of the staff so they can try to sell the building - they've sold other buildings recently - and brought in new security and personnel. It totally sucks now and the staff who you see daily - handle your guests, parking passes, packages, greet you, etc... - are terrible. They make you feel like you're bothering them and give you so much attitude. Everyone constantly complains about them but since the head of security, ----, is good friends with the manager, it falls on deaf ears. I would stay away and pick some of the other place downtown with much friendlier staff, who have people who WANT to help you. This place feels like a Hollywood club now with BS and angst and attitude. Can't wait to move out in a few months!!! The building is great but the staff, who you interact with daily, ruin it now. They just came in a few months ago and it bites now. Too bad....If you want attitude, go to a Hollywood club instead (at least they give you bottle service).”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I been living at Metro 417 for 11 months know...Everything is perfect with managers,Security and all my neighbors their only one problem with the building and thats the front Desk Security Director Seth...His very disrespectful with residents and visitors.Im moving out in a month if u guys are thinking of moving in good luck with this guy (SETH)....”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“First of let me say that the building is great. The people not so much. This is a very cold and corporate environment. It wasn't always like this, but about 8 months after I moved in they changed the entire staff. When I say cold blooded corporate, thats what I mean. They fired people who had been there for a long time just like that. Now the issue that brought me to write this. When I moved out, after my inspection I was supposed to get $270.00 of my security deposit back. Instead they nickel & dime that down with made up fees and charges until they claimed I owed them $54.00. Not only that but they sent any correspondence to the wrong address after I wrote it down for them 5 times. F*<K METRO 417!!! These people are corrupt and full of ----. You can do much better and get a better building with people whoa actually give a damn.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I have lived here for about 7 months now and I LOVE IT! The walls are thick and concrete so I have never heard any of my neighbors. I can actually watch a movie on a high volume and not bother anyone else. The ammenities are not the best in LA, but they are nice. The hot tub is always a great night retreat since the view is so beautiful and the rooftop in general is a great way to meet people and hang out. The security team and maintance are always welcoming and have a smile - which is so nice to come home to. The safty measures they take to make sure no un-authorized person is in the building makes me feel safe - which is important in downtown L.A.. Location is great - its far enough from USC and FIDM that we don't have very much college traffic, and its right across the street from the Grand Central Market and the Metro Red/Purple Line. Our actual apartment unit is great as well. We always have hot water, its always quiet, the appliances are nice, and I LOVE THE HARDWOOD FLOORS! They are so easy to clean! No apartment building is perfect, but this is my favorite place to live so far. :-)”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Metro 417 is a great place to stay but as long as ----------- is there, my advice would be to go somewhere else and live peacefully without any hinderance from a person like him. There are a good handfull of tenants leaving because of his poor customer service skills. A good friend of mine by the name of ---------. moved out recently due to his obsurd actions. I have 7 or 8 people who have mutual feelings for this man. I really have no issues with any of the other staff members. Security is great and I can't complain about the maintenance crew. Theres very nice scenery from the rooftop with a nice hot tub and lounging area, a theatre, pool and poker table, and even a fitness center. I always felt the rent was a little high but it's worth it as long as ----------- isn't around to harass you extensively. If this isn't taken care of soon, I'm sure there will be lots of vacancies in the near future.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Don't even think about moving to 417 Metro. 417 Metro was a good place to live before Mr. ------ became mgr. We are looking to find similarly situated individuals who wish to discuss a class-action suit against FC and Mr. ------. We moved out due to the harrassment. We think the building is being sold and that certain tenants are being targeted for eviction; not sure why. A disgruntled employee has told us that Mr. ------ had simiar issues at another bldg he managed. A PI has agreed to dedicate some time to the issue and will post more info as soon as we receive it. Please email us at [email protected].”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“My husband and I lived at Metro 417 for a little over a year. Everything was perfect. The staff is by the book which is what I like........I don't think they should make exceptions. I've lived in 4 different apartments and this was the first one that I could literally not here a peep from my upstairs neighbors. The only thing you can hear is when the doors shut in the hallways but that is b/c they are so heavy and sturdy (which I actually like the fact that they are not cheap doors). As long as your okay with hearing the downtown L.A. noise (buses, helicopters) this place would be for you. The staff is super friendly and will answer any questions that you might have. They have an excellent fitness area and lounge area. The parking gates always worked. The building is very secure (for a girl this is a big thing). They have awesome resident parties. The cleaning ladies cleaned everything daily. My only negatives about this place was that the size of dogs they allowed.......I think that for safety reasons there should be a weight and breed limit. I wish that I still lived at this place but we had to move due to job relocation.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Metro 417 has the hardware that fits all my needs- washer and dryer in the unit,location, building quality, etc . However, after I dealt with their resident associate, I knew it's not a place for anyone to rent. I believe I have dealt with the rudest resident associate. It's me, the prospective tenant, who sent every email and made every phone call to check on the status of my application, and the moving details(because he never actively updated me with information I need to know). However, phone calls were never answered even he was in the office. Exception was when he was tired of you "bugging" him, he would pick up the call, and then turned you away with some ridiculous reason. I was turned away because he said there wouldnt be a parking spot which I was guaranteed one when I paid the deposit, and I had to park outside the building. Who would live in a place like that? Finally, I wasted half a month with this inefficient and rude associate.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“The building overall is great and well-maintained. Great people live within the building. Great downtown location central to everything. Pet-friendly. Great lobby parties. What to watch out for IS the obnoxiously high rent and money-hungry management. Forest City will do their best to take every cent out of your poor pocket despite the poor economy. It seems that they neglect to keep their residences satisfied. It makes me wonder why there are mover trucks in front of the building almost every other week. Guest parking (Thursday to Saturday evenings)has gotten worse throughout the year. As a current resident, there are several disgruntled residences in the building. Do not let the resident associates/managers make you think otherwise. Their job IS to sell the building. Your best bet is to ask for opinions from people who currently live in the building. You will find residences walking in and out of the lobby or walking in and out with their dogs. Front desk security is great during the day except for the night shift security who is clueless about his job. The security guy will go by the books down to a T no IFS, ANDS, or BUTs. I understand the concept of securing a building, but being military about everything makes you come off unwelcoming, cold-hearted, and --------. Metro needs to higher a new nightshift security guard that doesn't have a stick up their buttocks. About two months ago, Metro 417 has implemented a "new system" of how they rent out their available units. Keep note of the reviews on or after August 2009. I can guarantee that you will see more negative reviews in the months to come... If you're considering Metro 417, I would play -----'s advocate and take all the negative reviews, including mine, into consideration. Forest City owns Metro 417, The Met, and Metlofts so if you're considering the other two buildings - beware! I have been a resident for over a year and a half. Trust me. I'm on your side. I can't wait for my lease to end... Who dares disagrees with me review? Bring it on...”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Background: I am an attorney who works downtown, and over the past few years, I have called Metro 417 home. Motivation: I aim to provide a rational and fair review of this rental property and its current management. I moved out here right after grad school, and I hope that this review helps those in similar situations. Consistently Good: SECURITY: Metro417 (or its parent company Forest City Enterprises http://www.forestcity.net/properties/metro-417.asp) takes security very seriously. Cornelius is a great guy, as are Junior and Darrelton. CLEANLINESS and Upkeep of Common Areas: the rental property cleans the interiors often and well. MAINTENANCE: assuming I can speak to a person rather than the answering machine, Maintenance is quite good and responsive. Concierge: the current concierge, Lenny, is very responsive and always follows up. Consistently Bad: ATTITUDE: It is my opinion that this rental property lost some of its key management personnel, and the defection of their front-line personnel (e.g. previous leasing agent Krystal, previous associate building manager Jesse) has greatly exposed the deteriorating service at Metro417. For example, the current leasing agent, Xander, is unresponsive, disrespectful, and selectively truthful. It appears that he is only nice to, or makes eye contact with, others if you happen to run into him while he s with a prospective tenant. Try it out when you visit, and he says hi to someone, ask if he knows that person s name. Secondly, while I do not know whether Xander behaves unethically generally, as other reviews allege, I have caught Xander lying to me twice. (By the way, I have seen his style of writing, and some of the glowing reviews here, especially those that look like advertisements disguised as positive reviews, match his.) The head of security, Andre, comes off as arrogant and unresponsive. Every time one approaches him for service, he gives the appearance that he is doing that person a favor. The Management Office, headed by Richard, is unresponsive and unhelpful. It has been my experience that they do not check voicemail regularly, or perhaps they choose to ignore voicemails. I had to contact the General Counsel s office at corporate headquarters to trigger a return call from Metro s management office. The current associate building manager, Christopher, often takes more than five (5) business days to return a voicemail, if at all. Renter Beware: The windows fail miserably at keeping street noise down. The walls also fail at keeping hallway noise down. There is a non-trivial college/grad school population at Metro 417. Of the three elevators that serve the entire building, it seems like each month, there is one that is broken or undergoing maintenance. Your visitors may only park in the guest parking lot for a maximum of 15 days each month. In my view, this is a terrible place for a young professional.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I just want you all to know that i lived here for 3 years and had a moderately good experience with leasing / maintenance. Maintenance never picks up or returns calls but front desk will help you. Random thought, i was working out once and a pervert walked by the window to show me his wee wee, ---!? Just coz the building within is safe doesn't mean once you walk out the door you won't be harassed, coz YOU WILL, it is downtown LA after all. The reason why i moved in was because everyone was very personable and the atmosphere is almost family-like, but it has progressively become more and more corporate which i can't stand, because everything becomes so YES or NO for them. Rent is ExTREMELY high, economy is EXTREMELY bad, I couldn't afford the apartment any more but my lease wasn't up until 3 months later, which would have caused me to become broke pretty much, so i requested an early move-out date (3 months before lease is up) the only response i ever received was "SORRY, NO CAN"T DO!", they really could care less as long as they are sucking money outta you! Mind you upon moving out i returned all my keys and make sure i go back to the apartment to clean up for 2 days straight and all (i even brought a friend or two to help speed things up and check for details), i still found myself charged more than 100 for cleaning after i had moved out, UNREAL! Of course i called and called and got directed to the headquarters and was turned down since they didn't know what is going on really in the building itself, member from the leasing office was rude, management office never called back, i'm going to suck it up and let that one slide. Sorting through some paper works i realized my extra key deposit was never returned, couldn't find their email address anywhere online, called front desk he couldn't answer ANY of my questions, all i got was "I KNOW THEIR OFFICE HOURS ARE MONDAY BLAH BLAH BLAH till BLAH BLAH BLAH", but no one has that much time to keep calling back over and over again to request for something that is rightfully YOURS, it's really really frustrating! I've made about 15 phone calls in total, dropped by the apartment to find someone to talk to once, still i NEVER EVEN GOT THE RESPECT AND RESPONSE NOR my REQUEST completed! Frustrating! btw, Parking is TERRIBLE HERE. Like a war when your friends want to come visit during the nights of weekends, they come and have to wait for a parking spot for an hour only to be shooed outta the parking lot to find street parking elsewhere, yes 5 dollars across the street, loading zone free outside, but we all have nice cars, WHO WANTS TO DO THAT!???? seriously around 15 visitor parking spots and HOW MANY RESIDENT UNITS???? Metro417 needs to train employees to be more respectful and personable, less corporate and have more of a sympathetic heart would be GREATLY appreciated. Just coz people have moved out and they have stopped paying for your salary doesn't mean you can take as much advantage from them as possible and treat them like crap. This will make residents so much happier than taking their money to throw parties all the time to pretend to be a big happy family.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“Great historic building, meticulously maintained. Metro 417 is a great place to live for many reasons: -- Clean and well maintained. Maintenance staff are always cleaning, polishing, tending to hallways, elevators, public spaces. Any maintenance requests are tended to quickly and efficiently. -- Good floorplans, spacious apartments (for downtown). We have a 2 bed/2 bath which is slightly under 1100 square feet but feels much larger because of the layout. Very spacious rooms and the corner and end apartments have tons of windows and great light. -- Decent finishes. Appliances, flooring, and other finishes are decent, not exactly high-end but they're fine and in excellent condition. -- Great staff. Friendly and very efficient front desk, building managers, maintenance staff. Without exception, they are super friendly and attentive to any needs. The building has a concierge who is super and can help find area services. -- Residents are great. The building has a nice mix of age groups and *types*, everyone is friendly. The lobby parties a few times a year are a nice way to meet neighbors and are always a good time (a bit over the top at times). -- Location is good, not great. It's conveniently located, just across the street from the Red Line, Pershing Square, California Plaza, Grand Central Market. Hill St is still a bit rough, with plenty of sidewalk dwellers setting up for the night steps from the building and across the street. This is LA, afterall. Plenty of walking-distance restaurants, bars, and groceries. -- Parking is good. Many separate inside, gated, parking lots. Visitor parking is limited and often full but there are cheap lots across the street and next to the building. -- Good online site. Very convenient online rent payments and service requests. -- There is plenty of street-noise on the Hill St / 4th St side apartments and the old windows do little to filter. We like the downtown noise, it's part of living in the city, but it may not be everyone's thing. Summertime evening music festivals at California Plaza and Pershing Square fill our apartment. But, the apartments are solid! I've never once heard a neighbor's noise or noise from the hallways. -- Good amenities. The common areas are good and very well maintained. The gym is fantastic. There is a nice area with a screening room, billiards table, kitchen, game space, etc. which is great for parties (can rent for private parties). The rooftop space is very small, but cute with good views and a little hot tub. We moved here from NYC and there was plenty of culture shock - in the beginning I wasn't happy with the service (where's the guy to carry my packages, hail a cab and do anything I need!) and downtown LA felt so desolate by comparison. But living at Metro 417 has been a great experience and definitely helped ease the transition. We whole-heartedly recommend this building; we looked at many others downtown and this one stands highly above the rest.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I've lived at Metro 417 for 2 years and Loved it entirely... moving now due to relocation, but would strongly recommend this building to anyone who wants to live downtown. It is not only beautiful and safe, but very very conveniently located! I've not had 1 incident of any sort my entire stay at Metro 417, I can only hope the next location can measure up!”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown“I'm going on my second year here at Metro 417 and been pleased through out my stay. I signed a new lease last month and was very happy with the reduced rate the management staff offered. It's nice to see that they understand that things are becoming more and more difficult for everyone. Plus, I really didn't want to have to deal with the hassle of moving. Regardless, my main point... Last night there was a HUGE party in the lobby of the building and I had so much fun. I missed the last few parties so I forgot how much work they put into the event. Every last detail was amazing for the cheesy Western theme. I brought a few of my friends and they couldn't believe that there was an open bar and food. Sadly I'm back at work today but I can't wait till the next party.”
— 417 S HILL ST · Downtown