CHRISTOPHER P. COURNAN · avg 2.8 ★★★★★ · Chicago
“My family and I went on a tour with Ann Cort and had the most unpleasant experience I’ve ever encountered during apartment tours in my 17 years of living in Chicago. Ann Cort was rude throughout the tour, responding to our questions with annoyance and irritation. Initially, we thought Ann Cort might just not be a friendly person and tried to continue with the tour. However, Ann Cort was just racist and being rude to us. We are Asians, and out of the blue, Ann Cort commented that we ‘smelled like garlic.’ We were too shocked to respond and tried to laugh it off. Yet, Ann Cort persisted, repeatedly asking who had eaten garlic and where the smell was coming from. Not knowing how to respond, we just said that none of us had eaten garlic or anything at all yet today before coming to the tour and asked if it might be her. Ann became offended and responded that she ‘never eats such a thing’ in a degrading tone as if garlic was something ‘her people’ would not eat. It was clear that she was not asking the question with a good intention when she became offended when we asked her back. I have not experienced much racism in real life and certainly did not expect to encounter it during an apartment tour. I should have read the reviews before going on the tour. I would not recommend this place, especially if you are Asians.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“love cockroaches? this is the place for you! after multiple exterminators, traps, sprays, we still continued to get cockroaches. management called them waterbugs. said it not uncommon to see them since we're close to the lake. it completely robbed me of my piece of mind. absolutely disgusting.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I lived at the Van Der Rohe for three years after moving to Chicago from Atlanta. I absolutely loved my apartment and location. I actually miss living here quite often! I had no issues with maintenance or management (that's best case scenario, right?) - would recommend!”
“I lived at the Van Der Rohe for a few years when I moved up to Chicago. The property is well maintained and my one-bedroom apartment was huge! I couldn't fill all of my kitchen cabinet space. The location is also awesome, there are great grocery stores, shopping, and restaurants a short walk away. In the summer, the bike path and lakefront entrance is literally right there. I highly recommend these apartments!”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I like the building, but the rent is way too high for the amount of things that are not done right. There is only one super for the entire building, how can that be? In the mornings, the floor of the elevators is often dirty and smelly. It does not help that the elevators are not ventilated well. I often opt to take the freight elevator because of this. Also, they try to sell you on the Luxer One application that they have for receiving your packages, but it sucks! Most of the time, I do not get a notification about my packages arriving, and I need to call Luxer to give me a code so I could get my package. It is really so terrible. The building used to have a nice lady that would always keep things very neat, but Lisa decided to fire her and get this Luxer app in an effort to save money, I guess. During the weekends, the delivery people NEVER scan the packages because they see that no management personel is in the building, so they leave it all out in the lobby. I attached a picture, and no kidding, it looks like this almost every weekend. It is so hard and time-consuming to look for your package. I would not mind this if the rent was lower, especially since we all pay our utilities too. We pay gas, electric, sewer, trash, everything. So, come on Group Fox. Maintenance and better management need to improve immediately. Also Jimmy, never smiles. Ever. He is probably the most unfriendly person I have ever met.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“My wife and I lived here for three years and have nothing but good things to say about the property. It's great value for the area, the appliances are great, the apartment is beautiful and well maintained, and the management team and staff --Lisa, Jimmy, and Miron--are responsive, respectful, and kind. We are leaving Chicago but otherwise we would have stayed here for many more years. Highly recommend!”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“After year one, our rent got jacked up over one hundred dollars - only to offer my friend who was 'looking' to move there our original rent. So what is it groupfox, do you want high turnover or do you just hate us. Ps. everyone who works there, engineer to front desk is super nice, so do not mistake our harsh words for poor managed management company. Laundry room has not been updated since Reagan was in office.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“We have lived in this apartment building for about 8 years, and it's the best I have lived in in Lakeview East since 1982. The apartments are large and renovated; the maintenance and leasing staff both wonderfully organized and friendly. Great amenities (free exercise room, sundeck with gas grills, and laundry facilities in building). Whether you drive or take public transportation, it's a perfect location. Having utilities included in the rent is also a big bonus. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I can't see living anywhere else.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“we moved to chicago, and looked at a lot of apartment buildings. We found 2933 Sheridan to be the best of amenities, updated apartments, rent and enclosed parking. (that was the clinching factor!) We love the proximity to the parks, and the "Boystown" area whit tons of shopping and restaurants. we also like that our office staff alsways seems on top of things. Whenever there is a problem, you always see notices informing residents aobut how it's being handled, and they are quickly resolved. Also--they area lawyas planning resident events like comedy shows, superbowl parties, march madness, chrstmas, thanksgiving....and they put in a complimentry tassimo coffee machine in the resident lounge. I feel like i am living well in this apartment.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I have lived in the building for a little over 3 years. Over the last 9 months, my water pressure has pretty much ceased and warm water has become a luxury. I have been in the shower on NUMEROUS occassions and the water has completely turned off. One can imagine the misery of this. After many months of reporting the continued issues and management's inability to fix the issue, I am moving out. Management has not addressed the issue adequately and the result has been extremely disruptive to my life. I can no longer shower in my apartment; I either go across the hall to an empty unit or to my boyfriend's house. It is awful. On multiple occassions, management did not address my questions/concerns in communications with them. I'm highly disappointed and feel that the basics one would expect from an apartment building (and it's management) have not been provided. In the past I would have recommended the building, but not now. Unfortunately, I HIGHLY encourage people to stay clear of this apartment.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I moved into my apartment about 6 months ago. I have lived in the Lincoln Park/Lakeview area for several years and this is by far my favorite apartment. The apartment is newly renovated and the location is ideal. I have had a few minor maintenance problems that have been resolved. A nice change that has occured since I moved in, is that the management office is now in the building. Everyone has been very helpful with questions I have had.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“So many of the reviews for this place are obviously composed by the same disgruntled individual who experienced a change in management and an inconvenient building renovation. That's fine, since everyone is entitled to an opinion, but making 3-4 different negative reviews is going a bit overboard. Allow me to share an unbiased impression of 2933 three months into residence here. First, the initial impression when entering one of these units is largely positive. You have big windows with a decent view of the Lakeview area, a new kitchen with stainless steel appliances, shiny hardwood floors, and an open living room/kitchen design that allows full customization of the apartment. Also for one person, there is more than enough room. However, if you are shopping for an apartment and have options I suggest looking at every available unit to compare. Make sure you look around carefully and inspect the areas around the windows, check the ceilings for signs of water damage/cracks, etc. Don't be afraid to run the tub/shower and flush the toilet while you're at it, because chances are you will move into the apartment in the exact condition you viewed it. The management at 2933 is all about cutting corners, so if you seem satisfied with the unit and sign a contract, they will likely not clean it out or fix the small things before you move in unless you specifically ask them to, so be watchful and meticulous. Like the title of the review says, some people may have a bad experience with their apartment in that building while others can spend years there without a glitch. So please be careful and choose the right unit. This includes listening in the hallway for noise coming from other apartments. While the walls have a certain level of sound insulation, if you live next to consistently loud neighbors you will definitely hear them so take that into consideration. As for smoke, I have not had a single issue with smoke from my unit going to the hallway or other units and vice versa. The building itself is nothing special. The lobby is non-existant but I never understood why people care about the lobby. You have an apartment, shouldn't you be spending time there instead of the lobby? Anyway, there is a second floor deck that was recently built (illegally actually, Group Fox provides the court papers if you sign a contract stating this lol). It seems like it could be useful in the summer. On the same floor is the laundry area and the gym, which is small but useful. The laundry area is ok, but like any frequently used coin-op laundry facility, the machines will be weaker than normal so bring plenty of change. The area is great, lots of stores and bars within walking distance and running trails as well as the beach are just a block away. This leads to difficult parking situations if you're not using the building garage, which I have not utilized just yet. I may try it out and see if it is as bad as a couple of these reviews say. However, after a few minutes cruising the blocks you'll find something eventually. If you plan on walking or using the CTA then this won't be much of an issue. Now the real issue with this place is the management. One thing most of the reviews here have in common is how poor the quality of service is from Group Fox. The building manager (Lori) seems quite absent-minded and if you want something accomplished you will need to hound her via email and phone to get a response. They seem very pre-occupied with renovations and ways to improve the residence on the surface to get more money, and are very slow to take any positive action. As long as you don't need anything from Group Fox, you'll be fine. In conclusion, the location and the interior of the apartment is very nice but are the other issues worth committing a year of your life to? Well like I said, it depends on the individual experience. A problem-free apartment is a wonderful thing for anyone, but with Group Fox at the controls it's even nicer since you won't need to deal with them or the maintenance guy (thats right, one guy). The gym provides a convenient way to let off some stress, and the majority of the tenants are younger individuals who for the most part seem friendly, yet keep to themselves and their own groups. Be smart when looking at the units and make the decision for yourself.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“It smells so bad, migrane bad in the apartment. Fox management is redoing some apartments in the building and they don't give you any notice of work to be done on your floor. Next thing you know it smells so bad in your apartment that you literally have to leave in order to breath fresh air. It's not healthy! Considering how much these apartments cost, I shouldn't be forced to leave my house because the apartment building is going through upgrades. I cant' wait to move.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I've read the reviews that say that the upgrades have improved this building and justify higher rent prices. That's like saying a dingy motel that sticks air-fresheners in each room and puts up a fancy sign can justify charging the same as the ritz-- it's still just a dingy motel. The upgrades are purely a facade. The flooring looks nice in the summer, but was improperly installed and shrinks with winter temperatures, leaving several inch-wide gaps in your floor (not fun to walk on and the gaps collect everything you sweep/mop). The cabinet doors have been replaced, but they're still the same tiny cabinets on the inside, complete with wobbly shelves. Prospective tenants should LOOK UP when inspecting a unit-- see all of those smooth areas on the ceiling?? Those are spackle patches of where the ceiling used to leak. I, wrongly, assumed this meant that the leak AND the ceiling was repaired, but much to my dismay, shortly after moving in, leaks sprung from the exact spots that had been previously repaired. When I called Jimmy, who only arrives after receiving 3 calls at a minimum, he demanded that I pay him $40 in cash for making him inspect my ceiling after 6pm. Can anyone define extortion for me? Shortly after arriving, he told me I had a leak and should contact someone to have it repaired. I'm guessing it was the water dripping from the crack in the ceiling that tipped him off, but he was entirely un-helpful. This is just one example of the temporary, cheap, fixes Group Fox employs to get tenants to rent the place before the underlying problems emerge. For almost a month, the front door card-swipe did not work, which wouldn't be a huge issue if Group Fox was willing to issue enough outside-keys for each roommate. My roommate and I had to begin coordinating who was going to return home first so one could let the other into the building. Jimmy knows about as much about construction as your average middle-aged man, which is fine for small tasks (like plunging a toilet), but when confronted with the serious lack of septic flow he's at a complete loss, and will blame the tenant rather than the improperly retro-fitted building. The various abspestos containing materials throughout the building are a complete HEALTH HAZARD. In fact, I was encouraged to hang shelves and pictures throughout my apartment by Arnell when signing my lease, but when doing so created an abspestos dust storm that is sure to mutate my cells. I regret ever signing legal documentation guaranteeing Group Fox an outrageous profit for 12 months, and will never do so again-- YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I had a place at 2933 Sheridan the past year. I will mention some of the positives, then share my experience (and drawing upon the experience of several other residents as well). The short of it is this: stay as far away as you can. The building management (Group Fox) will screw you. DO NOT trust anything they say, especially ------------, unless you have it in writing. The upsides: the large windows, kitchen counters, etc. These are obvious if you visit. -----, guy who lives there and fixes things, is also OK. The downsides (from minor down to TERRIFYING): The laundry machines sometimes don't work, sometimes don't take your money, and sometimes flood. It's like a lottery - but not a fun one. And I can often set my clothes in warm water after using the machines (with no detergent) and wring the detergent from them; people use way too much. Group Fox uses some sort of cheap lacquer on the floors. It began peeling away immediately after we moved in. It continues to peel in any area with any amount of foot traffic, even since I quit wearing shoes in the apartment. The walls are thin. I hear all kinds of conversations in neighbors' apartments, even though my bedroom shares no wall (the rest of the apartment does). If someone smokes - and people smoke inside - that comes into our apartment as well. If you're not a smoker, don't move here. But the BIGGEST downside is management. The woman who worked the office when we moved in left or was fired. The current woman is incompetent. She has lied to us repeatedly, to the point where I cannot trust what she says unless it is written. I thought I was the only one with this problem, but then other residents have told me that they had the same issue. After I began having problems, people came up to me and mentioned that she had done this to them as well (my roommate had apparently talked to others in the building). I know of at least four other residents - in different units - who were also lied to. And in each case, the individual paid substantially more than they were supposed to; none of them has so far written a review here as far as I can tell. ---- is especially incompetent about parking issues. We had a spot we could not use while there - Group Fox employees and others would block our cars in so that we could not get out. Group Fox refused to do anything about it; they were in fact directing people to park where it would block other cars in (completely block them in). Last month I met a guy who was down in the garage on his birthday rather than celebrating because ---- had sold him a spot that was already taken. He was blocking us in (and nicely moved so that we could get out), and he was afraid that he might get towed or the neighbors would get upset because they could not get out. So, instead of going to the party his friends were throwing him, he was sitting in the parking garage. I dealt with a variety of Group Fox employees; the only one who seemed somewhat reasonable (though I never met him) was Paul Gioia. One employee, ----, came over and began shouting obscenities at me when I was told by the office girl that he was just coming over to give me information (he gave me no information at all). I've never been treated that way before by anyone in any professional context, ever. I hadn't raised my voice or done anything to him; we had never even met. I've lived in a variety of buildings over the years. Most were OK or even good. My last building was great as far as management went - and I paid a lot less to live there. But the management at 2933 is the most unprofessional, rude, and dishonest group of individuals I have ever encountered. NEVER deal with them except in writing. Once you're in the doors, Group Fox wants to squeeze every cent it can out of you, and some of the management employees will lie to you in order to do so. They're clever about it, too: after repeated inquiries I still could not ascertain who the manager was. Not until I threatened litigation could I get any sort of answers, and I still do not know who is in charge there. I am so grateful that I am in a new place. I wish I had never moved to 2933; I would have gladly stayed in my old place. No location is worth that much hassle. Avoid it if you have any alternatives whatsoever.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“hi i looked at the 2933 sherridan appartments and liked the updates and the big windows which let tons of natural light. I have the option to choose between the 6th or the 10th floor. My initial choice was the 10th floor appartment, but haven't desided yet. Any insights on the building are highly appriciated?! cheaper parking around?! Thanks!”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“Great Value!! Clean, full of light, great area, people are nice, the gym is well kept - best I've seen in my search over about 20 locations.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I am thinking about renting here; the apartments look nice, although the doors are kind of cheap. Hallways and elevators were OK. However, I am wondering how much noise there is between apartments? Do you hear your neighbors? How about the people above you? The wood floors were a bit creaky. Are the people in the building loud or considerate? Any insight is appreciated!!”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I found these reviews the day before i was set to sign my lease (in 2007) and was so worried that it might be a terrible place to live, but as i was now running out of time to find a place i signed and hoped for the best. honestly this place isn't bad at all. Actually i am usually talking about it to my friends and family and saying how nice it is. it might be a little on the expensive side, but i think that the building is really shaping up into something nice. the new gym is pretty cool, not huge but a nice option especially in the winter. I think that all buildings like this will have issues, maybe i am easy to please, but honestly this is a nice place to live. I would recommend it.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“AND that gym is crap. All old stuff Group Fox got for free. Two of the three bikes are broken. They took away our storage lockers and the trash cans on each floor. They made these lame cosmetic changes and raised the rent 50 percent. The apartments are cold in the winter and you cannot turn up the heat. The water pressure varies from apt to apt. Mine was horrible. I had to shower at my gym every day. You have to be a dummy to stay there. I'm paying 945 a few blocks away and I have 4 storage lockers and a sundeck that has sun all day long and a pool and a sauna....”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I moved into the building as boyfriend was moving out--- he lived here 2006-2007 and I signed a lease 2007-2008. I read all the bad reviews about the buildings management... however... I LOVE THIS PLACE. The office has ALWAYS been helpful and maintenance gets work orders done usually the same day for me. Jimmy (the older guy mentioned before) is TRUSTWORTHY and HELPFUL. So, no complaints there. My boyfriend lived here during the construction orig. and it was a pain but the units look amazing now--- why not put up with it?? They are nearly done with the entrance and foyer remodeling and have already finished the new laundry room (I don't think anyone actually LIKES their laundry room... that would probably be my only complaint) new elevators and a huge new gym. They are also making a "club house" of sorts with doors that lead out to the rooftop and they're finally putting grills and landscaping in. They knew that the biggest complaint from before was the noise and how long the remodeling took for units... they have been working at rapid speed this time around. I know rent will go up... the place is much nicer now and I don't blame them. At any rate I LOVE this building and location!!”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“Unethical Business Practices is all I can say about Living here....”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“The building has undergone massive changes, and continues to, since I moved here in mid 2007. The new building manager, in addition to being hot, is 1000% better than the old excuse for a human being. The fitness center was upgraded with new equipment, and is being expanded. The hallways are being upgraded, the elevators are a night and day difference from their past look and condition, and the common areas are being renovated right now. My only complaint has to do with the tenants. It's a very odd collection of out-of-towners that aren't that friendly. Many are college kids with 3-4 per ONE bedroom apartment - and on the weekends, they tend to leave beer bottles, cigarrette butts, and vomit in the elevators. It's pricey for the amount of space, and $185 is expensive for parking, but all in all, it's a nice place. The rehabs did have a lot of shortcuts, but the location is great. No guest parking, but not many places have that anyway...”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“I have lived in this building over the past year. I was paying $1295 and they have increased the rent to $1400. Check out the amenities- no doorman, no trash chutes on the floors ( you have to go out to dispose your garbage ), small laundry units that now cost $3.00 for washing and drying. If you are married, the closets space will not at all be sufficient. If you are ready to shell $1400 a month, believe me there are a lot better places to go to. I can afford one and thats what I am going to do.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago“What a lot of new tenants don't know is that this dust consists of asbestos. It was all over the hallway closet and IT WAS NOT removed properly just like 2930 Sheridan. That was why 2930 was shut down. Group Fox doesn't care about anything but money. That's why they fired the four janitors we had for 20 years and hired ONE guy. That's why they removed our storage lockers and our trash cans. They now make the tenants bring down their trash. For $1400 a month, you think they would provide some of that service.”
— 2933 N Sheridan Rd · Chicago