Tenant Reviews for 40 E Oak St

I couldn't find a better place for the price, location, and quality. There are so many great stores and restaurants just around the block. The apartment is cozy, comfortable, and quiet! And I really appreciate the people that work here. I never had a problem with management- they're really organized and have been nothing but nice. The doormen and maintenance workers are really friendly and efficient! My apartment needed something fixed once and maintenance arrived on site almost immediately to correct the problem. As a student away from home, I find the necessary convenience, comfort and security are provided here.

I never do reviews like this but I feel so strongly about this place. I'd give this place less than one star if I could. For starters, I have perfect credit, I'm an ideal renter, not a smoker, no cats, very clean etc. I've never had a problem with any landlord, ever... but the manager of this building, ----, makes things 10x's harder than need be. I make an impressive salary, ----'s response to this made me very uncomfortable when I moved in. I signed the lease for the 1st, but then found out ---- wasn't available for a couple days so I couldn't move in on the 1st (yes, I WASN'T allowed to move in on my lease start date that I had already signed, and yes, I was charged for those days). When I asked for an extra day at the end of my lease so I could take time off work he agreed (he was going to make me pay for the extra day but I reminded him I wasn't allowed to move in on my start date, so technically, they owed me days)... then suddenly with 24 hour notice he switched it back. I was out of town for a client meeting, it was all very stressful. No one was moving into my apartment, and the building isn't full so why he did this is beyond me. I won't recommend anyone live there. On top of that the building mediocre at best. No hot water, it's lukewarm even after you run it for 15 minutes and very inconsistent. The radiators are incredibly hot, the place is like a sauna and you will have to crack windows in January. The fitness room is a joke, one treadmill and no leg machines so you'll have to wait in line if you are runner. Oh and one of the two ellipticals is broken, it has no tension. They will suck up to you on move in, then nickel and dime you to death when you move out. ---- is weird, smug and has a chip on his shoulder, he literally ended up yelling at me on the phone when I was at work trying to coordinate a move out. Completely totally unprofessional. His own management couldn't get a hold of him for 2 solid hours, he was "out to lunch." If you move into this place, you are at the mercy of his whims. Avoid it!

I love living at 40 E. Oak! I looked at many other buildings and fell in love with the charming little quarks of this place, built ins, crystal doorknobs, crown moulding! Great views! The doormen are very friendly and even know me by name! The maintenance staff takes care of any problem within 48 hours. Everyone that works here is friendly and attentive! I love the location its minutes from the loop and the neighborhood is safe with the best shopping and dining in Chicago! This place is definitely worth checking out! I plan on renewing my lease this fall!

I moved into 40 E. Oak two years ago when I started my studies at Northwestern Medical School. I have enjoyed living here these past 2 years (and will continue to rent here for the duration of my studies) and would recommend it to anyone needing a prime location, within walking distance, while studying at Northwestern Medical School or the NU Law School for the matter. This building is a well-run and any problems or concerns are quickly and efficiently handled by the excellent staff - who are always very helpful - they really take pride in the management of the building. The doormen are professional and courteous to me as well as to friends or family who visit me periodically.The engineer and his staff keep the building in tip-top shape, and fix any problems that occur in a timely manner. BTW the sundeck is really awesome and I love to go up there and study. I get all of this, plus I live in one of the best neighborhoods - close to great shopping, superb dining choice, entertainment, as well as many transportation options (El, bus, taxi) to get me around town. I couldn't be happier. Anyone choosing to live at 40 E. Oak will be living in a nice building in a great location and close to the NU downtown campus! -BV

You can't beat the location/price of this apartment building. However, beware of the word "Vintage" Apartments. The apartments are very old, but somewhat well maintained. If you are looking for new carpet, forget it! I was told the carpet in my apartment should have been replaced before I moved in, but instead they gave it to me soiled and yet the management tried to explain to me that they had the carpet professionally shampooed and everything is in perfect condition. The building is quiet, but make sure you are not near the elevator otherwise you will hear people at all hours. Be careful when taking a shower, because the water pressure/temperature is very unpredictable (hence, vintage). Overall, it's nice, but I couldn't see myself living there for more than 1 or 2 years.

I have lived in the building a while. I think people are underestimating its value. Perhaps they are from out of town and this is their first apartment building in downtown Chicago. Anyway, I have lived here for years and have helped several people find apartment buildings downtown, and my opinion--and that of several old-time Chicagoans I've met--is that you simply can't beat this building for the money. I have looked at nearly every comparably priced apartment building in the Gold Coast at one time or another, and nothing even comes close. The location is to die for, the apartments are beautiful, the building is very well maintained and the staff is friendly. My one complaint about the building is nevertheless serious: The amount of dust that accumulates in the apartments is simply mind-blowing. Granted, I am highly allergenic, so I am sure I am more sensitive to it than most, but the dust that accumulates in the units--and I don't know why, whether it is the location, the fact that it's an old building with poor circulation or something else--is just unbelievable. None of my fellow tenants seem to mind much; I find myself having to do a wholesale, turn-the-furniture over cleaning about once a month, in addition to the normal maintenance. Sometimes I think I have woken up with a severe cold, yet when I step outside, the symptoms disappear... allergies. The dust is just unbelievable. I'll probably leave this year, largely for that reason. Beyond that, however, the building has been a dream.

I selected 40 East Oak for its fantastic location!!! Can you imagine living on the same block as Prada, YSL, Barneys, Hermes, Harry Winston and Jimmy Choo...$$$!!! LUV IT!!! I shopped a lot of buildings and found the rental rates to be reasonable for this prestigious zip code. Plus I am a total SHOP-O-HOLIC so living on this block is bananas for a fashionista! :) The building is very well maintained and charming. The bldg. staff seem to be on top of everything and the maintenance staff respond quickly to any issues. When I have put in requests for things that need to be done in my apartment - they are always taken care of in a timely manner. As for the overall security, the building has a staff of full-time doorman stationed in the main Lobby. I do like knowing there is someone to greet me and my guests when we enter the Lobby. :) There are a very nice caliber of residents. Very diverse and really cool people at this address! I have made some great contacts during my residency. Keep in mind that this is an older classic building. I'm originally from NYC and 40 East Oak reminds me of one of the classic apartment buildings on the Upper East Side. Lots of little quirks - which is to be expected. But I love the high ceilings, crown molding, built-in bookcases and charming decor w/ lots of character. If you are looking for "cookie-cutter" layouts and sterile new construction then this is not the building for you. My apartment is a very large 1-bedroom compared to those in the newer high-rises. The rental rates are what attracted me initially. I looked at buildings in the same neighborhood (Gold Coast), and they were all much more expensive for what little space you got. I get free heat, expanded basic cable and Internet! There is also a fitness room and a bike storage room. Oh, and there is a spectacular rooftop sundeck that will blow away any other high-rise sundeck in the neighborhood. The downside was it took them months and months to totally renovate it. But it turned out absolutely gorgeous! I love it up there - AWESOME VIEWS! Plenty of lounge chairs and sun all day. We also go up to there at nite with a glass of wine because the view of the skyline is incredible! :) I would highly recommend this building. Now if you looking for a "new" building then you should probably look elsewhere. But if you are totally cool with vintage then this is one of the nicer of the classic apartment buildings in the area. The really big pluses are the nice residents, professional staff, and overall great vibe. I just renewed my Lease for a (3rd) third year and plan to stay at 40 East Oak until I purchase a condo. (((*-*)))

The year (8/07 thru 7/08) i lived at 40 East was very enjoyable and i loved being so close to everything. I don't own a car and you will definitely not need one if you move into the Gold Coast as you will see that parking is a major hassle. I got a lot of walking in. You will notice that you will be in the best shape of your life when you live in the city and i swear it is so easy to just walk to everything from 40 East. I was working at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was only 10-minutes door to door walking distance - which was a luxury. I recently moved out of the area for my job (but i hope to be moving back asap) and i really miss my apartment at 40 East and living in the Gold Coast. PROS: Doormen, all utilities included, nice Fitness Center, packages are received for you even when you are out of town, 24hr Laundry Room (all on the Smart Card - no coins!), beautiful Sky-Deck, and responsive management. CONS: It is a vintage building which means no washer/driers inside your unit, smaller bathrooms, no granite counter tops or stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, no swimming pool, and no parking garage on-site. MORE PROS: The rent is very competitive for the neighborhood and the location couldn't be more fabulous! Very safe area too. I always felt safe as there are always a lot of people walking around at all hours with all the hotels and restaurants in the neighborhood - which made for a nice pedestrian feeling. On a side note, starting around the Holiday Season all the trees that line both sides of Oak Street are all decorated with lights that stay lit through the winter season. The lit trees are truly breathtaking at night. I always felt like i was residing in a very friendly environment and i met some nice people while i was living in the building. Overall, i would say my one year at 40 East was really enjoyable.

I lived in the building 2-3 years ago and was very disappointed by all the rules from the building when my friends came to visit me from Europe. The management was rude and non flexible so I decided to leave as the visit of my friends and family were a priority. The location is awesome though, everything is close by but do not expect any assistance or flexibility from the management if needed...I still advise the place but it depends on your life style obviously.

I am a Law Student at Loyola University and I chose 40 East Oak Street for the close proximity to the Loyola Law School and all the conveniences that the building and neighborhood offer someone who is relatively new to the city. The location and views from my apartment are really quite nice. I have a large convertible (an 08 unit) and I actually have a view of the Lake! The rent and all of the amenities that are actually bundled into the rental amount makes the building a great value for the location indeed. Not to mention that this is a "doorman building". For me, having an around-the-clock doorman was non-negotiable. I also have friends in my law program who live here at 40 East Oak Street and they are also fairly happy campers with their experience living here as well. Anyone who is attending Loyola Law School I would put 40 East Oak Street on your list for sure. I hope this review helps others who are new to the Chicago region and looking for an apartment a few blocks from campus. Ciao.