“Symphony House is one of the worst buildings in NYC to live. The owner is a trust fund kid who inherited the business from his father and does not care about his tenants. I have lived in the building for a long time and it used to be very high class with primarily professional tenants. Now it has become worse than a college dormitory. If you want to work from home you can forget about it at the Symphony House. The noise from the constant building renovations during the day and inconsiderate neighbors blaring stereo music makes it impossible to concentrate on your work. There is a non-smoking policy in the building but it is not enforced so you can constantly smell cigarette smoke in the hallways. If you complain to management about the noise they just ignore your concerns, even though they have a noise clause in the lease agreement prohibiting disturbances by fellow tenants. In fact, management has an office in the building that is locked and tenants have no access. The only acceptable means of communication with management is through e-mail. They don't like to personally interact with the tenants. The owners like to spend money to improve the cosmetics of the building, but there is no interest in improving the quality of life for the tenants. There are buildings in the area that are more expensive to live but it is worth the extra money to live some place else.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“Do not live here!!! The management team are a bunch of liars who will do anything to make your life miserable. They refuse to put anything in writing, tell you things over the phone and then pretend like it didn't happen. They won't return your full security deposit, and they'll lose your packages. The doormen are lazy and incompetent, and the staff are rude to guests.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“Listen to me when I say don’t move here. In 5 months the staff “lost” about $3,000 worth of packages (mostly what I sent back). It was always the nice things like an Hermes bracelet that never made it back. When I repeatedly complained to the property manager he sent me a notice for eviction saying if I didn't abide by certain conditions I would be kicked out…basically if I wasn’t “good”. The staff is rude and worthless. They do nothing yet continuously screw up. I ended my lease early bc it was so bad. I lived at Anagram in Nomad for 3 years and never had 1 issue with staff. At this building I found myself in shouting matches every week because they were taking what I bought and basically telling me too bad. One time I had food delivered and I couldn't come down to pick it up immediately bc I was on a work call.. 10 min later I go down to pick up my food and the doorman had thrown it away. And the lobby is dated and gaudy but they pretend like it is fancy.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I would not recommend living here. 1. I'd estimate that 20% of the apartments are corporate - that is, transient tenants staying for a short time. That causes security issues, not to mention the lobby often looks like a messy hotel lobby. 2. The doormen are, for the most part, pretty rude. Some of them (I won't name them, but I probably should) are the rudest I have ever dealt with. With the exception of Senad, who is a fantastic human being, the others just couldn't care less. 3. They won't let delivery folks come up to your apartment. This is just a deal breaker for me. 4. They won't accept fresh direct deliveries. That is another deal breaker for me. 5. The gym/pool (which costs over $1,000 per year) has ridiculous hours, that is, they close at 3pm on Fridays, which is the only day folks generally get off work at a more decent hour. They also close the pool during your lunch break. 6. There are other buildings in the area which are newer and are better managed that cost between 3-6% less. Do your homework.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“This building has to be the worst run building in the city of New York, They even fired the only person willing to take on the outrageously lazy, disrespectful, and downright ornery staff that I have ever come in contact with. This building is a transients paradise with the doormen and concierges allowing ANYONE to enter without question. The owner Managers don't give a hoot about the lease holding residents all they care about is collecting the massive corporate rents from the over 200 corporately leased units. They rule the roost at the SYMPHONEY HOUSE what a DUMP flop house!”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We just moved in a few months ago and are in love with Symphony House! We love being in the center of everything in NYC and jogging in Central Park! No deliveries to our unit is a downer but we understand it's for our own safety. Neighbors on our floor were welcoming, warm and friendly. The lobby is awesome and the staff is always attentive and helpful.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“Symphony House has gone downhill badly since some years ago. Many permanent tenants who had to qualify with incomes 40x monthly rent have left, to be replaced by Corporate Apartments. 140-160 of the 400 apartments are corporate - meaning transient tenants staying for a week to months who do not have to, and probably could not, qualify on their own for a one year lease. Resident quality has not only declined for this reason, but security now is poor - the staff has no idea who lives in the building, the lobby often looking like a hotel lobby filled with luggage loaded carts of the temps coming and going. The tales the staff tell of women of questionable repute coming and going at all hours are dusgusting. Corporate maid services monopolize the 2 washers and dryers on each floor - whose cost is now $3.25/load! Most of the staff are great - with the execption of the doorman Chris who is never at the door when you need him but is hiding in the dark behind the columns or plumping pillows in the lobby, and Senad, who can be surly and uncooperative. I feel bad for the other staff because they do a lot for the temps and never get a tip, nor a Christmas check. Their incomes have fallen with the current resident structure. The water is constantly being shut off "for repairs". No fault of the building, but the noise from 8th Avenue, 57th Street and Broadway is unbearable. Every emergency vehicle crossing town uses 57th, and they get stopped by traffic - their sirens blaring and the fire trucks especially, laying on their air horns as well. Add to that the weekly jackhammers and digging up of 57th street, and you can only imagine the din. The construction of the new Nordstrom at 57th and Broadway should add nicely to the cacophony of sound for people overlooking 57th Street. We could not watch television on a very high floor with our windows open - the noise was deafening, and the terrace useless. It ia all a shame really because the apartments themselves are nice with our rarely hearing any sound from apartment to apartment, and the rooms large.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We really love Symphony House and its wonderful location. Also the building ownership is continually making upgrades to the property both interior apartments and exterior amenities. The new green roof is spectacular as well as the childrens playroom! And having on site staff is really helpful. Looking forward to life on our balcony!”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I've lived here for a few years and love the location and convenient commute to my office. Many staff members here are good but there are a number of really horrible ones. The daytime concierge and doormen are good for the most part with the exception of the doorman with the mustache (Steve). He generally has a grumpy demeanor. There is another doorman who's name I don't know. He sometimes works the front desk. He's the rotund doorman with grey hair and is a bit oaf-ish. He is useless and lazy. Their electronic mail system was down one day and he refused to give me my package because he saaid he would need to manually log it by hand. He asked that I return later. There have been times when I needed to use the luggage cart to haul groceries to my apt. He would stand there and not think to open the door for me with the cart. Someone else had to open the door for me or I've had to open it myself with one hand while struggling to move the cart in with the other. He's also refused to accept deliveries (not postal) left for me because he didn't want to be responsible if anything was wrong with it. His words. I don't know why he thinks what the content of my deliveries have anything to do with him. As for the maintenance staff, some are good, some are horrific. There are faulty smoke alarms in the building. I've complained and the maintenance guy who came to check it out chalked it up to old batteries. I should also mention that his attitude is atrocious and unprofessional. I dont call maintenance often but whenever he responds to a fix request, he is extremely unpleasant to deal with. He supposedly replaced the batteries in my smoke alarm but a month later, the alarm went off for no apparent reason. Soon after that I had burnt popcorn that filled the apt with smoke. The alarm never went off. Real safe. The rentals in this building are expensive. With all the increases in rent every year, I expect service to be top notch from everyone but unfortunately, this isn't so. To be fair, there are some really great staffers (Josh, Fidel, Senad, Jeremiah, and some others). It's just a shame that there are some really bad seeds that tarnish the overall service experience. The gym is ok but the hours are limited. Other buildings in the area have much longer gym hours which is more accommodating for people who need to work late. Cigarette smoke is prevalent in the stairwells. I generally don't have a problem with the security staff but perhaps they don't check the stairwells during their walks around the building. The staff is huge. Be prepared to shell out an arm and a leg during the end of the year for tips. When I first moved in, there was a roach problem that I had to remedy myself. The building sent an exterminator but all they did was use a gel-like pesticide around the apt. The "water bugs" aka giant roaches were coming through crevices from the medicine cabinet. The problem was resolved after we sealed all the cracks and crevices in the bathroom. We also had a mold problem in the bathroom. After complaining a couple of times, the maintenance guys finally realized there was a leak behind the wall. We had to have the bathroom cabinet replaced because it was rotted from the water and mold covered the back wall. We also needed the a/c / heat unit replaced. It was likely old and we did get a new one but the maintenance guy who installed it (the one with the bad attitude) did not install it properly. He had the a/c working but when winter came along, the heat did not work. The apt was freezing and there was a draft coming from the unit. When we had another maintenance guy come to take a look, he told us that the unit was never installed correctly and it was misaligned so there was a large gap that was allowing cold air to come indoors. Laundry in the building is insanely expensive. Loads are small and cost $3.25 per load to wash and another $3.25 to dry. Paying $6.50 for a small load is ridiculous. All in all, this building is in a great location but it's too expensive. The good staffers are a pleasure but I dread having to deal with the bad ones. They are THAT bad and for the amount paid in rent, I expect service to be top notch all around.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I've lived here for 2 years, and there are several things that people considering living here need to know: - The management is horrendous. They are rude, indifferent, and generally unhelpful. - The rules to the gym / rooftop are ridiculous - you cannot have friends (not even 1 or 2) there unless they pay an all day visitor fee, the rooftop closes at like 6 pm, the gym is small, dirty, and closes early. None of these amenities are included in the exhorbitant rent. - Deliveries. This is a MAJOR problem with this building. No delivery men are allowed up the apartments, so if you order food, etc. you have to go downstairs yourself each time to get it. For larger packages like Fresh Direct, the doormen will routinely turn away deliveries - I've had to yell, beg, plead, and threaten management many, many times in order for them to accept my Fresh Direct deliveries. It takes an act of God to get your packages and groceries delivered to this "24 hour luxury doorman building." Truly sad and pathetic. - Rent. They routinely raise the rent $200 - $250 EVERY SINGLE year. I have been here 2.5 years and my rent is $500 more than when I moved in. Thus, I am happy to be moving out of this place! - Noise - it is incredibly noisy at ALL hours, especially with the ambulances on 57th street, construction, etc. You learn to drown it out, but guests I've had ALWAYS notice and comment on the noise. Overall, although the location is great, this place feels more like temporary housing than a friendly, residential building for long term renters (like more than 6 months). Don't let the beautiful lobby fool you - if only they kept up the whole place like they do that lobby - it's all for show!!!”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“This place caters to the sure money of corporate housing. THIS IS NOT AN APARTMENT BUILDING AS YOU KNOW IT ! IT IS A HOTEL WITH TRANSIENT TENANTS, THE MANAGEMENT SUCKS”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I think you are talking about Symphony Place not Symphony House since these are not renovated they are new and we don't have a super, new or otherwise. Please change posting”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“Before you decide to rent an apartment in this building there are some things you should know: Recently, the building hired a new super who is neglecting the building. It sometimes takes 5 maintenance requests before a repair is made. Also, after 9:00PM and before 8:00AM there is no one on call in case of emergencies. The Super is either out gambling or somewhere in a drunken stupor. In the event of a fire, you probably will not know about it because many of the apartments are not equipped with functioning smoke alarms. As well, most of the apartments have heating and air conditioning units that are always breaking down and ownership is too cheap to replace them. The building advertises renovated apartments but don't let the name fool you. Other than marble countertops in the kitchen and other minor cosmetic improvements, the apartments are essentially identical to non-renovated apartments. They use the term renovated as an excuse to increase the rent. Therefore, it is a ripoff.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I have lived in the building for over two years. There used to be a noise issue during the day when there was construction across the street. Since the construction finished it's been very quiet here. The windows are double paned, so if your windows are closed, you cannot even hear the average hustle and bustle of the city. Even with the windows open, it's no noisier here than any part of Manhattan. Take it from me, a native Manhattanite. I have lived all over Manhattan and this block is actually quiet compared to most.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We are bicoastal and need this place to sign for all of our packages while here, and away. we liked other buildings better but chose symphony house, because of its 24/7 dooreman policy. in the four weeks that weve been here, the doormen have turned away 5 fresh direct deliveries. they only called my cell, didn't email or sign for it...on all five occassions. the fresh direct folks said the problem is endemic to symphony house, and most deliveries to the address have issues bc of managements delivery policy. the poor doormen, who are simply following orders to turn away if they cant reach the resident by phone, are now the scapegoats of this awful issue. i think the problem is they dont want to use the lobby space to story the groceries, but guess what? you are a full service building; act like it. a call to management was met with a frustrating and ------ idiot, who redirected me. with two kids in diapers, fresh direct is essential to my survival and the symphony house will be losing a resident if this doesnt change. ps. every time were on the elevator someone is complaining about them turning away groceries and even fresh direct complains about the problem working with this building.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We have been generally happy, the regular doormen and front desk folks are great, weekend doormen less so. They try really hard on the maintenance side - very nice and punctual. It is noisey, but the views are great. If we don't stay, it will be due to the fact the rooftop, gym and pool are not always included in the rent and has different management. That part of the facility is aging badly, is poorly managed and has indiffernet staff...not sure why they don't incorporate it into the building itself and renovate....it really occupies some prime real estate.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“we are subletting and the flat is perfect for our limited needs. The front of house staff, though, needs some serious training by Resnick about what is acceptable and appropriate on the job behavior. The doormen in particular, are either on their mobile phones, chatting with friends outside or with concierge staff, and mostly giving residents attitude. Concierge staff does their job but again need some attitude adjustment. I told rental office, and new building super who all confirm I'm not alone in my experience. The location keeps people coming to rent, the way the building's run and its staff keeps the smart folks leaving.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY noisy! We ve been in the building for almost a year and we are definitely moving out once the lease ends and we are on 30 floor. First about the positives: -great location - swimming pool NEGATIVES: -extremely noisy due to: 1. Non stop construction on 57th and Broadway and 8th. 2. Heavy traffic starting at 4am on 57th and Broadway ( welcome to you regular 4am alarm traffic clock!!!) 3. Gubbage truck at 5-50am..if you aren t up by this time, you are definitely will be! 4. Swimming pool is great, but if you plan to do it during the lunch hours, guess what&!...maintenance hours from noon till 2pm. 5. Another construction on 8th ave between 54th and 55th just recently started with some interruptions will be continued (money are gone for the current investors, but the new investor will join next year) . Management is ok, not very friendly”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We have been living at Symphony House for several years -- not sure exactly why we have put up with big rent increases and lots of construction noise. With the building under construction on 8th ave (between 54th and 55th), plan to be up as early as 6:30am. The evening doormen are friendly and helpful, but the daytime staff are rude and unhelpful.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I have been living in Symphony house for about 6 months. The _only_ good thing I have to say is location, location, location. My apartment filled with second hand smoke from my neighbor, and the company said there was nothing they could do for months, until suddenly I threatened legal action, and now, poof, the smoke is gone. The building does not let deliverymen in (that's right folks, no fresh direct, no chinese food, no nothing!) except for certain unidentified tenants. I still can't figure out the rules, probably because they're not written anywhere (not even in the lease!!!). This can't be legal. The doormen (except for two guys that are ok) are rude. One mouths off to me when I do not say hello. The laundry rooms are filthy. The hallway carpet is filthy. The "outside running track" is an obstacle course of broken boards, cracked surfaces, and puddles. The gym is only open till 3 pm on Fridays (do any NY professionals get off before 3 pm on Friday?!?). And the rent is ridculously hight.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“New word going around about the Bob Cat. There is a Bob Cat running loose in the exits and along the corridors. The other night I was awakened with a horrific "ROAR" at approximately 2:18 am. Before I knew it, the claws were scratching at my door. My cat was hissing up a storm. I knew this just wasn't right. I called the lobby but no one answered.What am I supposed to do if something like this occurs at night? NO ONE ANSWERS! I am so scared. What on Earth is going on in this place between the jungle animals and the psychotic staff we got here. Is there or is there not anyone available to assist me with this Bob Cat at 2:18 am???? Not to mention that I heard that the giraffs knocked out 95% of the ceiling lights in the lobby. If you walk in the lobby there are like only 2 bulbs lit. What happened to the rest? I know, it's the giraffs and no ones fixing anything. I should get money deducted from my rent since this place is a goddamn amazon. What are we tenants supposed to feed your animals? How do they sneak these things in? Are they raising them from pups and then letting them loose? I just don't understand how it's all getting through, especially the giraff. It's proof about the giraffs because all the lights are out in the lobby.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I currently reside at the Symphony House. I have been here for about 4 years. I have to say that this place is a circus. The super is never to be found, especially on weekends. I have never heard of a super that is not on call 24/7, and he is the rudest person I have to deal with living here. Not only is his staff incompetent such as he, but now I hear that there are ANACONDAS literally running loose throughout the building. I have no idea how on earth could an ANACONDA be missed. I heard it snuck in during the middle of the night. I don't know why there has not been any type of animal patrol on the premises. I have heard hissing and pounding in the lobby the other day. But I ran in the elevator. Symphony house is also known for it's infestation of mice and rats. I heard that the Anaconda has been acting as an exterminator and management is trying to keep it on the down low so that there is no panic amongst the residents. Also, maintenance is horrible. The break everything!!! Doorpersons are rude as hell and I wish the anaconda would choke the ---- out of them. All they care about is that tip tip tip. The concierge never has my packages, never answers the phones, I've seen doormen that disappear from the door for hours. I don't think that Symphony House's idea of an Anaconda as an exterminator is a good idea. There are families with small children, and it's a fact that Anacondas eat children. I am petrified to walk out of my apartment everyday going to work, in fear of that anaconda. Talk is going around about the Anaconda. So residents, please be aware!!! I know that super knows it too and he won't do ---- as usual to exterminate it.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“We have been living in this building for 6 months and we are very pleased with it. The location is great, a few blocks from Columbus Circle and from Central Park. The view on North Side are amazing. We live on 28th floor and have a great view of Central Park. Staff is nice and they are quick when you have something that need to be fixed. The swimming pool on 43rd floor is great. There is an amazing view of Central Park. And we like having some rest in the jacuzzi. There are a few classes offerd by the fitness club (pilates, yoga, water gym). Machines in the gym are not very new but we do not really care. On Sunday mornings the sports club oragnize a breakfast with bagels. It is a really friendly athmosphere with families and young kids (even if there are a few cranky tenants that do not appreciate kids). We did not pay for the sports club, the landlord gave it to us as an incentive to move in the building. It is really to negotiate it I think.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I have lived here for several years. Half the building are corporate apartments with transient tenants. The staff never gets to know them and they treat the building and staff as if it were a hotel - even asking the concierge for more toilet paper!! Perhaps that is why the staff is not particluarly nice - the working conditions suck. They have a rat infestation behind the concierge desk that sometimes forces the workers out!! Cabinet door hinges constantly need fixing, appliances are old and dirty and some do not work properly - heat and AC units replaced repeatedly - and the heat simply does not work - it supposedly has a thermostat built in but the heat NEVER SHUTS OFF. And this with brand new units. Great location - but poor quality materials - poor maintenance - the staff tries, but they are losing the battle. One elevator is repeatedly out of service with 6 guys stuck in it last week alone. Not a pleasant place to stay and rents are out of line - you can do better elsewhere.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan“I've lived in the Symphony House for 3 years and love the location. Very close to Central Park, Time Warner Center and the 1, N, R and other subways. Most of the staff is helpful and very friendly with some major exceptions. One doorman with a mustache is only out to make daily tips and is rude if he doesn't think one is forthcoming. I have witnessed him counting money while on duty a few times, even neglecting to get the door for tenants while he does so. While the super Bob is not very helpful, the rest of the maintenance staff does their best. The roof deck has great views, the rooftop pool is great, especially in the summer, but the gym is grungy with outdated and not very good equipment. (note, you have to pay extra to join the club to get access to the roof deck, pool and gym). A new building is under construction on the block across the street (eighth ave btw 55 & 56TH) I would only recommend moving into a newly renovated unit and only if rents continue to drop.”
— 235 W 56TH ST · Manhattan