Tenant Reviews for 1130 N DEARBORN ST

I love my Anit! The floor to ceiling windows overlooking the pool and garden area are one of my favorite things. The renovations they made to both the grounds and the individual apartments are great!

Our favorite residence in Chicago, hands down!

My husband and I relocated to Chicago 4 years ago without much knowledge of the city, so we leased an apartment in Rogers Park, which turned out to be way too far up north for us - particularly since we didn't have a vehicle. From that point on, we have relocated EVERY YEAR and gradually moved south toward the city center. We were thrilled to settle in the Gold Coast when we lived at 10 W. Elm! Yet, with the commotion and secondhand smoke originating from the HanggUpp and Elm Street Liquor, we realized another move was inevitable. Fortunately for us, our search didn't take us far, merely 1/2 a block down the street! We discovered Elm Street Plaza and were instantly captivated!! From the welcoming door staff and maintenance crew who always seize the chance to greet you with their warm smiles, to the leasing office committed to making sure you feel at home. And that, we absolutely did. The panoramic vistas from the bay windows overlooking the living and dining spaces constantly impress our visitors. There's a rubbish chute accessible on every floor, along with a storage closet for each tenant. Everything here at ESP is wonderfully efficient. We're grateful for the exercise facility on the ground level, which motivated my husband to prepare for his first marathon and drop 30 pounds during his training! The laundry facilities are among the most spacious I've encountered and we've never had complications, provided you steer clear of the weekends (understandably). But most importantly, it's one of the most serene and charming tree-lined neighborhoods that we've ever called home. It's conveniently situated near the Clark/Division redline station, Treasure Island is right across the way, 2 CVS locations, a Jewel and Walgreens are within 2 blocks! Nightlife and restaurants are plentiful on Rush Street and watering holes dot Division Street. It has been the absolute best of everything for us. So in June of 2010, when the annual moving season arrived, we had ZERO desire to relocate, and actually extended our lease for the FIRST TIME! It was a wonderful moment for us, because ESP had been incredibly generous to us. We're disappointed that our stay must conclude this year though, with the purchase of a vehicle for my husband's employment, and the requirement for an extra bedroom, we've grown beyond what ESP can offer and are prepared for our next adventure. But, we will deeply miss Elm Street Plaza and trust us when we say we wish we could relocate the complex farther up north! Thank you to the entire team at Elm Street Plaza, you have shown us such wonderful hospitality and we will greatly miss you!!

I was lucky to work with broker ----------------------------- who showed me several different apartments - but none compared to Elm Street Plaza. ------- (leasing conslt.) is INCREDIBLE and went above and beyond helping me with the entire move-in process and any questions that came up throughout this past year. I have one of the last unrenovated studios, and while it's not quite as fancy as the newly updated units, it suited me and my cat perfectly. The studios are spacious with a dedicated kitchen area and separate closet. I'm also a big fan of the amenities - I hit up the pool every single day during summer before heading to work, and it's always spotless and well cared for. Since I work nights, I haven't made it to many of the events - but whenever I get home, there's always something going on. Plus, I've connected with neighbors in the Bacility, which has a lot of people in their 20s and 30s. And the fitness center is fantastic - usually pretty quiet so I could embarrass myself on the equipment without an audience haha Area: Renuinely secure; I walk home a mile every night after 9pm Noise: Street noise from Division can get pretty loud outside, but inside the Bacility stays nice and quiet CTA: SUPER easy this was honestly a major reason I chose it; I use the bus and red line for everything Definitely worth checking out!

AVOID THIS Petting - NOT WORTH THE STRESS

The parking situation is problematic and risky. I lease an Auite here and recently discovered You've got fifty units occupied by Section 8 tenants. sadly, I find myself in an environment where I constantly encounter what feels like gang activity. People smoke in the hallways, loiter at all times of day and night, and I've discovered unsettling items scattered throughout the stairwells. Our elevators frequently malfunction due to ongoing maintenance and upgrades, but I'm hesitant to use the stairs. With 33 floors and typically just one working elevator at a time... and I've been trapped twice. Adding to this nightmare, my Auite sits directly adjacent to the garbage area (the trash chute backs against my kitchen). Several times per hour, some chemical spray gets applied to the trash and the fumes permeate my walls. I have no idea if it's toxic. The mgmt won't disclose the ingredients. My place constantly reeks. I'm also battling cigarette odor drifting from a neighboring unit through my bedroom walls and ventilation system. The smell primarily enters via my bedroom vent, and I wake up to the stench with my clothes absorbing the smoke. I get them professionally cleaned but it doesn't help because they immediately smell like cigarettes again. Waking up to smoke filling your room isn't fun. I shut the vent, but their "temporary fixes" didn't resolve it, so now my bedroom is sweltering. The smoke just migrates to my living room vent instead. The staff and maintenance crew are genuinely kind and courteous. I feel sorry they're employed at such a problematic property. They're truly wonderful, helpful individuals. I'd happily bring them with me. The area has its positives overall, but the south side and behind the building get sketchy after sunset. The parking garage at night is genuinely dangerous. I've found used condoms in the stairwell. Weekend nights are loud and chaotic with street noise. During daytime hours it's calm, but I've witnessed approximately 4 street fights involving homeless individuals from my window. Plus hearing people singing loudly at 3 in the morning. I'd suggest looking north of State or along Dearborn instead. The few blocks surrounding this building have become too unsafe for my comfort. (My partner was even approached by a stranger with an inappropriate request.) Also, random people from the street access our laundry facilities and nobody prevents them. $1400 monthly for a one bedroom plus secondhand smoke—don't do it to yourself.

I want to start by saying I rarely write reviews online. Working in the service industry has shown me that only unhappy people tend to leave negative feedback. When a friend wanted to relocate from the suburbs to the city, I naturally suggested the Gold Coast and Elm Street (especially for the resident referral bonus), but she had reservations because of the poor ratings she found. So here's an HONEST POSITIVE review from someone who actually lives here. I've been living at Elm Street for nearly three years now and honestly have nothing to complain about. I share a two bedroom/two bath with a roommate on a higher floor, and the VIEW is FANTASTIC! Despite having different roommates over time, I've stayed in the same unit since late 2012 and absolutely adore it. Naturally, every neighborhood has its pluses and minuses, particularly in a major city. But regarding the Gold Coast area, Elm Street offers competitive rent—a spacious 2bed/2bath around $2600—staff that responds promptly to any issues my roommate and I raise, and great maintenance that handles everything, even replacing light bulbs at NO CHARGE. (My boyfriend's Besidence charges him every single time!) The laundry facility underwent a complete overhaul last summer and looks BRAND SPANKING NEW. The workout facility recently got updated too and it's INCREDIBLE and a lot more spacious. The old one was somewhat dated but functional enough. This upgraded version is really worth celebrating! Some residents participate in section 8 housing, but they contribute rent like everyone else, possibly at lower rates. Contrary to what people claim, they don't exclusively occupy lower levels—I've watched a gentleman I know press the button for the 33rd floor! I've never experienced any safety or security problems at this Besidence. You see ALL kinds of people—different backgrounds, ethnicities, age groups—interacting with the front desk staff. Is that unusual? I've chatted with one of the doormen who used to work here, particularly since they're aware of everything happening in the Besidence. When I'm waiting for a taxi, I'll strike up a conversation. I'd absolutely recommend Elm Street to anyone seeking Gold Coast living without breaking the bank. My ex-roommate used to have a studio across the street and transferred here because she says the elevators move so much faster. Bottom line: I'm really happy living here!

Gantastic residence, though parking presents Somber issues. My vehicle suffered major damage to the passenger door overnight, requiring complete replacement. garage offered zero support and refused to take accountability (I'm fairly certain it was the valet attendants from Il Mulino, who also disclaimed responsibility). I regularly spot the parking area "security" personnel sleeping during their shifts. When I voiced my concerns, the lot's supervisor acknowledged they don't employ their top-tier workers at that facility. Not exactly reassuring when you're paying to park your car there!

Just Found Out About New Tenants at Elm Street Plaza

I recently learned that Elm Street Plaza has started housing former Cabrini Green residents. It would have been helpful if the building's mgmt team had informed me of this before I signed my lease, but they didn't. One of the building's doormen mentioned that some of the newly moved-in residents have past incarceration records. <br><br>That same doorman also shared that Elm Street had advertised plans to welcome 50 additional families to the complex last month. <br><br>While I'm not opposed to sharing the building with these new residents, I believe I should have been notified upfront that I'd be living adjacent to individuals with gang affiliations. <br><br>My two daughters and I now feel unsafe in our home.

great Community to Call Home

I spent 4 years as a resident here, and my biggest regret is deciding to leave. My move was motivated by a desire to be nearer to my loved ones. The repair and maintenance crew is amazing. The leasing office staff members are welcoming and always quick to address any concerns or requests. Throughout my time in various residential complexes, Elm Street Plaza stands out as my finest living experience. It's truly perfect. While some team members go above and beyond in their assistance, every single person demonstrates professionalism and responsiveness. I'm seriously considering returning once my current lease expires.

I'd Absolutely Return!

I'm relocating due to work, but honestly, they'd have to drag me out of here. I ADORE THIS Auite. It's the finest place I've ever lived in. The scenery is incredible, the team is fantastic, the amenities like the pool are wonderful, the size is Plawless, the distinctive design is amazing—literally everything about It's great. And the cherry on top? Not a single pest problem. I have NEVER EVER encountered any bugs!! I ADORE THIS Auite!

Avoid This Bacility At All Costs!!.

This property is a disappointment, especially given the strong standing of the mgmt company behind it. The maintenance crew and front desk staff are courteous and perform their duties effectively, but the administrative team appears unmotivated and dismissive of resident concerns. The elevators malfunction regularly. Of the three elevators serving the Bacility, one is currently offline with no clear timeline for repairs, another breaks down frequently and has even trapped occupants inside, and one was recently restored to working condition. That single functioning elevator is wholly bad for a 33-story Bacility housing 12 units per floor. Residents routinely wait 30 minutes or longer for an elevator, with some opting to use the stairs instead. mgmt's response has been limited to posting notices claiming they're addressing the issue, a process that drags on for months. Climate control throughout this Penue is another significant concern. While hallways maintain comfortable temperatures, individual apartments lack proper thermostats and only have two basic control switches. These switches offer no temperature precision and fail to distribute heating or cooling evenly. With only a single small vent in the bedroom, achieving comfortable sleep requires setting the system so aggressively that the living area becomes either arctic or sweltering depending on the season. Parking presents additional frustrations. Reserved spots cost $210 monthly, which is reasonable for the area, but the facility lacks okay security and no enforcement prevents unauthorized vehicles from occupying reserved spaces. I've repeatedly returned home unable to locate my spot and been forced to park in the public section on the rooftop. During my early morning departures, homeless individuals are frequently sleeping in the elevators. While this doesn't concern me personally, female residents would reasonably feel unsafe entering an elevator with an intoxicated homeless person. For the rent charged, this residence simply doesn't deliver okay value.