278 Main Street - Giannotti Apartments

Prospective Resident 562146

Prospect • Visited 2007

Just went to look at the place

My first impression of Giannotti was that it was beautiful--as much so in real life as online. I sent two emails to the management but neither were returned, so I called instead and set up an appointment. They were not able to show me the two-bedroom I had asked to see (the "Galilleo" [sic] and said that some people "pre-rent", meaning that they put down on a deposit on an apartment they haven't even seen. Seemed very foolish to me, so I asked to take a look at a one bedroom. It looked fabulous--clean, eclectic, had a STUDY which is what I wanted the second bedroom for anyway. The floorplan didn't match anything in any of the literature they sent me though, which was odd. I also didn't like the $325 nonrefundable cat deposit either. WTF? I walked around the neighborhood and it seemed really nice--a used book store with a chatty owner, a witch shop with scented whatnot, a gym in walking distance.... Reading these reviews, though, I've decided not to take it after all. The consensus seems to be that the place is going downhill under the new management, and reading reviews of places ALSO managed by Tarragon, it doesn't seem that they're well liked anywhere. Oh well, a shame. But who misspells "Galileo"?

magoober

Resident • 2000 - 2007

they do not care who they rent to

Our neighbors next door turned out to be running a prostitution ring.The manager must have either know and not cared or had been in on it.Nasty furniture sat outside for months before it was taken away.This place has gone down hill fast.

Current Resident 841330

Resident • 2006 - 2007

thin walls and roaches

WORST PLACE I HAVE EEVR LIVED...I COULD NOT WAIT FOR OUR LEASE TO END SO WE COULD GET OUT.THE OFFICE MANAGER COULD CARE LESS IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.CEILINGS LEAKED,FLOORS SMELLED BADLY,LOTS OF CARS STOLEN FROM PARKING LOT IN THE YEAR WE WERE THERE....STAY AWAY!

Current Resident 266642

Resident • 2006 - 2007

I Love it

This is my first apartment. I am still currently in college. I have never had any real issues here. There is a parking lot which now requires a permit to park in so I have never had an issue finding a space. When we first moved in there were some problems with the dishwasher and the toilet but they were both replaced right away. The building is kind of confusing and easy to get lost in. But I have a 3 bedroom and it is beautiful and I love the layout. The high ceilings are very expensive to heat in the winter and cool in the summmer and the large windows are hard to find curtains for but Ikea is right down the street.

Current Resident 335624

Resident • 2005 - 2006

Alright

Since we moved in, we have had no problems really. 1 problem, reported it to the staff, and they fixed it. No one bothers us here. The neibors keep to themselves,you never see people roaming the building, but it seems like we are having a parking lot war for spaces. The mail situation is not the best. I wouldent have packages sent here. Management says they will take your packages if your not home, I havent seen that done once. The mail man leaves notes posted to the door saying he tried to deliver but no one was around. The washing machines and dryers are nice, no problem there. Heat is perfect, no problems with the heating. Stove and refrigerator are fine, no problems there eather. Phone and cable hook-ups are right in the walls already, so when you call to get those things it dosent take long to install. The staff does come into your apartment when ever they feel its nessasary, even when your taking a shower. The enviroment is fine, they upkeep the lawn very well, and the dumpsters outside are dumped often. apartment cealings are high, about 12ft. windows are about 8ft, so you do get very nice light from the sun on a sunny day. we do have central air, and a fan vent in the bathroom. As well as a heat lamp and mirror light in the Bathroom. We have a decent amount of outlets for electricity in the apartment, with no problems with the breakers. The apartments do not come furnished but living rooms have enough room for 2 couches. upon moving in your apartment, they steam clean the rugs/floors and paint the walls, for a decently "new" look. The apartments have much character with the old school heat and air venting hanging from the ceiling. The kitchen cabinets have a decent amout of room, more room then we need and more room then the house that i was ling in had. Cable internet,phone,and video is avilable, as well as local phone company phone and DSL access. Stove,Heatand hot water run on natural gas. Even though I think we are having a war in the parking lot, the cars are being left alone, no vandalism. hallways outside the apartments are well heated, lighted and carpeted. Carbon monoxide detectors/alarms in all the apartments and hallways. A cleaning crew keeps the hallways, stairwells and wash rooms clean. Cats are allowed if you let management know about them. Cell phone service works fine. (at least for Nextel and Cingular) The outside of the building looks great, very clean and upkept. Landlord does not live in building but is around during the normal 9 to 5 shift monday thru Friday. All the outside access doors are locked and the front door has a apartment buzzer for the visitor to call the resident to get the door opened remotely. havent had any bug,ant, or bee problems. All in all, I think this is a well kept, decent place to live and worth what you pay for. If you do have problems, the staff will work with you to get the problem or problems fixed. Since we have moved here I have seen the staff gradually replacing different things and keeping the building up-to-date. If your looking to move here I would say that 75% of other apartment buildings in the area have much much much worse living conditions then this one. I have looked around, this building is one of the better ones. Its right on Main St. so if there is any problems emergency crews would be here in a timely matter.

mtaricani

Resident • 2005 - 2006

DO NOT LIVE HERE

I moved in April of '05 loving the style of the building, the charm, and the seemingly nice property manager. Such an act...<br><br>First, I had obnoxious tenants move in next to me in November. After MULTIPLE calls to my manager and numerous visits from police due to 24 hour a day partying (its was 3 kids all under 20 living in a 1 bedroom) I only was granted a move to another unit after a lawyer was brought in to mediate. <br><br>So I move at the end of november. 5 weeks after moving, I'm told that there is a musty smell in my old unit (which wasn't there when I moved and the apartment has been vacant since, and my water heater was leaking the week before I moved and the lazy maintainence did nothing about except paint) and they wanted to charge me $200 to reclean the place. Again, it took a lawyer to resolve this.<br><br>So this brings us to now (Jan '06) This past weekend it rained. There are puddles of nasty smelly water all over the building, piles of sludge and plaster from walls/ceilings that I must walk through to get to my apartment, and the elevator is not working. I made a call at 2 am to emergency maintainence because I had to walk through the dripping water to get to my door. Its been 36 hours, and not a phone call, visit, NOTHING. <br><br>As I walked around the property today, I found that this is not the only place they have leak issues (My hallway leaks everytime we have a drop of rain or of melting snow). I also found piles of garbage everywhere, maintainence garbage they just leave lying around, broken glass so that just anyone can walk in our building that I was told was fixed and obviously it wasnt, and old, non-running vehicles taking up spaces that could be used for tenants running cars. Not to mention I almost killed myself because they can't plow or salt the parkinglot and walkways.<br><br>If you plan on moving here, please don't. The management company can afford a brand new, beautiful property and a $33 million purchase of land this week, but they can't make simple litte repairs. Its a crock

Current Resident 902112

Resident • 2001 - 2005

Since the apartments were purchase by Tarragon Management in Feb 2005 it has been pure hell living and adjusting. i understand "growing pains" put dealing with the attitude of the so-call professional staff members is atrocious, and should not be allowed by law!

Current Resident 977116

Resident • 2001 - 2002

So So

Apartment complex not too bad, but glass around side door was constantly getting broken, neighborhood deteriorating quickly. No problems ever with vandalism. I had a basement apartment and it was very damp. when I moved out I had a black film on EVERYTHING when I moved out. My parents thought it may be something from the heat or something? Very weird stuff though. My apartment had a silverfish problem, which was kind of annoying. No bugs besides that. Good airconditioning. Laundry facilities were awful. I could never do my laundry because it was so bad.