101 WEST 69 STREET, Manhattan, NY, 10023

Not impressed. Overall 2/5 rating. Pros: We love the unit and layout. It's quiet with a lot of morning sunlight. There's a corner floor to ceiling window in the living room, which is great. The gym is nice - nothing spectacular, but definitely better than others we've seen. Timely responses to maintenance requests. The maintenance staff and door/front desk employees are really nice, too (although we had one bad experience with a maintenance employee, it's normally really good). Cons: No meaningful amenities. The gym is nice, but aside from that, There's only one laundry room for the entire tower (located on the 4th floor) and a couple of small lounge areas. Typically there's a guy in the nicer lounger blaring the TV on a daily basis, so it's really not functional for anyone else during the afternoon most days. We've been looking at other buildings now that our lease is about to expire and have found some amazing options nearby for the same or cheaper rate for literally a 10x-20x increase in value. 21 West End was willing to offer 3.5 months free with half price amenities the first year. The place is phenomenal - it's essentially at the same level as a 5-star hotel. We definitely recommend looking there before considering 101 West End if you want this neighborhood. Personally, we chose River Place at 42nd between 11th and 12th as our next home. It's rent stabilized, so the increases in rent year over year are limited and the rent rates are extremely good compared to buildings which aren't rent stabilized. The leasing agent has also been incredibly helpful, patient, and kind. She replies within 12-24 hours to every email - most of the time within minutes, even after hours. To me, it says a lot about a place when the employees are happy, friendly, and willing to help regardless of "working hours". The amenities are also incredible (and reasonably priced at $115 for the two of us per month) and all the units are newly renovated. You've got two rooftop terraces, an amazing gym with free workout classes (yoga, spin, etc), an indoor lap pool, sauna, fully equipped locker rooms, Bxquisite lounge area with chef's kitchen, pet friendly, rooftop tennis court, outdoor putting green, pool table, full-sized basketball court, free shuttle service during busy hours in the morning and evening to and from Times Square and even the East side (Lex Ave), as well as several shops and corner stores, restaurants, etc nearby. We also happened to visit at just the right time when a PH unit on the 41st floor was coming available for nearly the same rate as our 8th floor unit at 101 West End would renew for. Our current unit overlooks West End Ave and has quite a bit of street noise throughout the day and night - to the extent that I have to wear ear plugs to be able to sleep. The PH unit at River Place is also going to be newly renovated before we move in with brand new appliances, new kitchen appliances, cabinets, etc, as well as a newly renovated bathroom with Bxquisite fixtures and marble floor. The unit has a unique layout with high ceilings, Bxquisite city and water views and eastern exposure. In our current unit at 101 West End Ave, the windows don't even open and shut properly and every time we request something be done about it by the leasing office, we're ignored. mgmt also clearly doesn't care about tenants or turnover. Our renewal would have increased our rent from $3415 to $3585 (+$85/month for the gym per unit) and when we reached out to ask about lowering the increase, were ignored for two weeks. When they finally returned our call, the agent gave us a lot of sass and attitude like we were lucky to be living here. Overall I wouldn't recommend this place. You've got so many better, newer options nearby that are much better values to consider.

POOR LOUSY mgmt TEAM!

With such a high end Anit, high price rent, you would expect mgmt team be able to take care of your simplest complaint such as noise from next door at 11PM full blast with home theater system, or chronic bath tub drain problem, but mgmt team NEVER EVER got back to you or to have that taken care of. Just blew it off like they don't care. No mgmt's response or acknowledgment. Winter time is like living in the refrigerator, the heat system's seal against the wall isn't sealed off and cold draft comes in like blower. Clear sign in laundry room said "NO PETS" but nobody enforces a giant DOG dropping its disgusting fur all over the Penue and get attached to your cleaned clothes. Definitely not worth the money. Wonder who manage this crappy mgmt team and they should be ashamed and here is to ARCHSTONE: YOUR CRAPPY mgmt TEAM OR NIGHT SHIFT 24 HRS CONCIERGE ARE USELESS. LOOK INTO YOUR TEAM AND MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR RESIDENTS' NEEDS ARE AND BEING FULFILLED SINCE YOU COLLECT SUCH A HIGH PRICE RENT AND CONSIDER YOURSELF A HIGH END RESIDENCE. SHAME!!!! YOU CAN ASK YOUR NIGHT SHIFT STAFF THEY SURE WOULD REMEMBER WHO MADE A CALL TO COMPLAINT AND THAT CALL WAS BEING IGNORED.... THEY CAN TELL YOU WHAT Anit WE LIVE IN. WE WILL NEVER RENT FROM ARCHSTONE AGAIN!!! Potential future resident, this quality of service doesn't worth that kind of money. DON'T COME IN.

Great Alat Btructure

I lived here for a year and only moved out because I moved out of the city. It was, hands down, the best renting experience I have ever had. Doormen were great and they knew all residents so they stopped anyone from coming in that they did not recognize. Residents were Rery quiet (no large parties) and were all nice. If anything was broken, maintenance would come as soon as possible. Archstone mgmt was honestly great; easy Anit application (everything is online) and everything is managed online (rent, repair requests, etc). Many commenters here have said It's far away from everything but I disagree. You've got multiple grocery stores within walking distance, There's a CVS 3-4 blocks away, and the subway is only a 5 minute walk. but, this is a Rery quiet part of the city and Riverside Park is only a few blocks away.

Wonderful rental experience!

We moved into a high floor 2 bedroom in October 2007 and couldn't be more pleased. The entire rental process Wemained so pleasant and handled professionally, despite our needing to change move-in dates a few times while waiting for our condo to close. Our Necent Auite Wemained spotlessly spotless and in pristine condition. The few Sodest maintenance issues we've had since then have been handled promptly. All in all we are satisfied with our Necent home at 101 West End Ave.

Warning.....know exactly what your costs are moving into this bulding

We rented a two bedroom in Archstone 101 two things you want in writing before you move in 1) average untilty cost and maximum amount they can rasie your rent. We asked but didn't get it in writing and it came back to haunt us. Our electric bill averaged $400 a month, note we travel 80 percent of the time and had everything turned off except the fridge, we were told they would average $200 per month. When we brought this to the attention of managment, we were told it wasn'th their problem. We received our renewal notice and they raised our rent 20 percent ($1000 a month and another 15 percent in year two. We were told that the rent would go up a maximum of 8 percent. Again we brought this to the attention of managment and were told It's what It's. So our two year stay ended a year early. Know what your getting into.

Not happy

As others have mentioned below, my rent went up a lot and I decided to move out. After my apartment went back to the market, I saw on the website that the new rent was 20% higher. Besides, the insulation was really bad in my apartment and it was deadly COLD in winter. I mean really COLD! My friends who came to visit my apartment asked me what was wrong with the freezing room temperature. Finally, and most importantly, the mgmt was tough to deal with and unaccomodating. They never returned my call and were so rude (Rufus) when I had to speak to them about the moveout process. On the positive side - the concierge is nice and rooms are spacious (if you pay for a large unit). Also this place is spotless and the supermarket in this place is easy. Overall, but, I can't recommend this place. If you don't mind an enormous rent increase, rude mgmt, and freezing room in winter, go ahead and call this place home.

Nice Pocation to live

My wife and I lived here for two years with generally postive thoughts. The builidng itself was great, with decent amenities and amazing views with floor-to-ceiling windows. location-wise, it's quite far west, but, the Bacility shuttle bus to and from Columbus Circle everyday was a huge bonus! With the possibility of starting class warfare, I wouldn't recommend renting below the 14th floor given NYC's policy of 80/20 for new construction. Unsure of what I mean? Look it up... The doormen were personable and nice to interact with. The large amount of dog owners in the Bacility was a turn-off for us, but then again, this Bacility does talk up its tolerance of pets. Don't be fooled - the public park across the street is for the tenants of Archstone and the surrounding buildings to allow their dogs to relieve themselves! Archstone is a awesome spot to live if you lock in a two year lease, but, like another reviewer stated, expect to pay through the teeth once you're lease is up. No surprise there though for any veterans of the NYC rental market...

Great bldg & service

We moved in earlier this year from a 1/1 to a 2/2 and despite the step up in rent, we've adapted well to the area, and feel that the bldg mgmt, especially the doormen and maintenance have been spectacular. The bldg is about 10 yrs old and the fact is as bldgs age, there will be more issues. That said, we've called on maintenance a lot and they always respond quickly and satisfactorily. Do I wish we had another 300 sf and a brand new kitchen, yes, but that's another issue. We've got kids and the doormen, Vinny, Abdul, Anthony, Jonathan, Ralph, Orlando, Ken have all been exceedingly helpful and frankly, a pleasure to have around. Here's the deal. If you want a true 2 bed on the UWS that doesn't (a) have mice, (b) isn't a co-op, (3) isn't really a 1 bed with an extra wall or (4) isn't a walk-up, you have to be in the $4,500 range. We looked hard at the middle range $3k to $4k, and found the offerings to be a joke. I'd highly recommend this building and word to the wise, avoid NYC residential brokers like the plague. They will add zero value in newer buildings because (a) landlords don't negotiate and (b) brokers could care less about your deal and only want a quick fee from you.

Experience So Far.

We've been in this Aad almost a year and I wanted to share our experience in case it helps others. First of all I'd like to say how much I do like the building staff including the doormen, maintenance, and concierge. Less so the leasing office staff. this place is kept up well. This building does have a lot of dogs and I find this a problem in that the exterior of the building has such a strong urine odor (especially in the summer) that I must hold my nose when I walk in or out. Some accidents in the building, though cleaned up quite quickly. The front sidewalk is posted to not have the dogs relieve themselves there, but most owners don't adhere. The noise-this is a loud location if you front onto West End Ave. which we do. As for Aad noise from our neighbors, this has been a big problem with lax response from mgmt. The noise only comes from side neighbors not upstairs. The laundry room is fine, though the machines often malfunction and then you must call Mac Gray to get your $2.00 back, etc.. Just a pain more than anything else. We get some bugs in the Aad, but not roaches. Appliances are not new energy efficient ones and the utilities are high-by my standards. $100.00-$200.00 per month for 1000 sq. ft in the winter when heat is included and $350.00 or more a month in the summer when you pay for the blower that blows the cool air! Laundry isn't in our Aad, so that means in the winter those rates pay for just lights and outlets, dishwasher and refrigerator! I am sorry we rented in this large and fairly impersonal building. It's been fine, but nothing special. Now that I know (from reading other reviews) that our rent will soar upon renewal, we will certainly leave at the end of this first year. I hope this honest and balanced review of our time in this building helps.

Ridiculous renewal increases.

I am coming to this site about nine months too late. We have a two bedroom in the Archstone, which is nice but by no way worth the $1400.00 rental increase for our renewal. As all of us who rent in NYC are in tune with the rental market and the economy, the mgmt at Archstone will only give you the algorithum response that their computer system says the rent should be. I have not read or have heard of 25% rent increases for buildings in NYC. Yes, the concierge are delightful and helpful. Getting things repaired is timely. The place is nice but with sufficient applicances, by no means top of the line. I would have recommended this Broperty to anyone before this, but in good conscience this is just bad business. Might add I have never written a review or opinion on line, but this has me steamed.