The Argonne

Current Resident 152846

Resident • 2010

I like the Argonne. So far so good

I moved in this past November and so far so good. I have reported a couple of minor issues in my apartment and they have been fixed the same day I reported them. Francis the doorman in the evening is great and Layton in the office has been always nice and very helpful. I did notice that there are a lot of dogs in the bilding which is great. Everyone seem to be very nice in the building, mostly young professionals. I also gve kudos to the cleaning crew. They are always cleaning the building, hallways, trash rooms, entrance and they are very nice. Having the store downstairs and the taco place is awesome. I have not seen any pests in my apartment or in the hallways. So, so far I give them a thumps up.

Current Resident 964502

Resident • 2010

Know the pros and cons

PROS: 1) Good value: The amount of money you pay per square foot makes it a great value for the area (at least among the managed communities) 2) Free utilities: It was great being able to have the air conditioning blasting for hours on end 3) Great kitchen: The appliances are all new and you have a gas stove 4) They have a pool (the "con" on that is that you get these two bootleg bracelets as pool passes). 5) I've never had a pest problem 6) There's a grocery store, starbucks, and CVS only a block or two away 7) It's rent controlled. Some of the places I looked at had a history of raising the rent about 12% each year. This place is pegged at a max of 5%. CONS: 1) The only competent doorman is a guy named Francis who works mostly at night (but not all nights). There have been so many times where there wasn't someone at the front desk or the person there was too busy talking on their cell phone. I wanted to pick up my dry cleaning at night once and the doorman said he didn't have the key to the closet where they store them. Also, you can't pick up packages on the weekends. Add that problem to someone never being at the desk. 2) They constantly have water problems. I've lived there three months and they've had to shut off the water (all day) three times already. 3) Management is rude over the phone. Interestingly, they're not so rude in person. 4) The apartments themselves are not well planned in terms of design. If you go on a tour, be sure to look for a toilet paper roll holder. You'll notice that there isn't one. I live in a large one bedroom with a "walk-in" closet. Their biggest oversight is that there's no light in the closet. I have to tilt a floor lamp over just to look through my clothes. 5) They tell you that pets are not allowed, but you see that everyone has a dog. 6) Parking is expensive (if there's even a spot available) Personally, I think I would have been better off taking a smaller 1 bedroom at another place like Highland Park (when they had their rent specials) than the Argonne. Highland Park does have the issue of too many young party-types running around, but at least there are competent people working the desk, they have a real gym (and not a pathetic looking one like the Argonne), a washer/dryer in the apartment, and they're not shutting off the water every month.

andrewtdc

Resident • 2010

Great place to live

I've lived here for nearly three years. Any repair issue I've ever had is fixed either same day or within 24 hrs. The staff is very friendly and the building is constantly making strides to make itself a nicer place to live. Others complaints may be legitimate, but I'm inclined to believe that their experience is more of a reflection of how they approach the world than it is true reflection of the building itself.

Current Resident 986944

Resident • 2010

Great!

I moved in recently. I like the building a lot, the other tenants seem nice for the most part. The ammenities are nice such as the pool, Pica Taco and lobby area. The only complaints I have is that maintenance is slow, my AC doesn't really circulate and my smoke alarm is extremely sensitive -- of course most of these issues relate to my personal apartment. After reading other reviews, I must admit, I have never seen any bugs or pests, I do have a real air conditioning/heating unit of which I control. I know that there are renovated and unrenovated apartments. Mine happens to be on the newer side. The kitchenette is nice, only problem is that the sink is super small, but that's minimal. And my apartment is tiny for the price, but that's the luxury of living in DC. All in all, the building is great, the location is awesome and it's a nice experience thus far. Move in!

Current Resident 221521

Resident • 2010

Awful Management

I am over 8 months pregnant and need a car close by. We are subletting for a month while a friend is on a campaign. We face the parking lot and for the last week have been viewing the 1/2 empty lot at all times. There is without fail at least 1/2 the spots open at all times. The management refuses to rent us a space for a month- there is a half empty lot, we want to pay for a spot, I am over 8 months pregnant and need a car close by- and yet "there is just nothing we can do". Is there a reason a spot Must be leased for a year? Are we going to do damage to an outdoor piece of cement? Do we need to run a credit check to make sure we don't damage the asphalt?

Current Resident 598227

Resident • 2009 - 2010

I would not recommend living here

I would not recommend living here. It does seem very nice, at first, but there are countless maintenance problems that are consistently ignored by management. The building does not have air condition, but rather a swamp cooler, a device that cools air through the simple evaporation of water, and is typically found in very dry climate like Arizona and New Mexico. I am sure it works ok, although it does put a lot of moisture in the air, however the building controls use of it and residents don't even have access to it until mid-May. My unit was over 85 degrees my Mid-May and I had no way to cool it. Similarly, they control the heat as well. Typically tenants will not have access to heat until they can see their own breath in the unit. There are countless other problems: continuous water leaks in the units, last year they turned the water off on 5 separate occasions for 4-8 hour stretches, lights burned out in common areas outside creating safety issues, a constantly broken parking gate... Do your research before you sign your lease!

Current Resident 46266

Resident • 2009 - 2010

I love it here

I've lived here for 11 months now and have had no problems. My air conditioning wasn't working when I first moved so I called and it was fixed within the same day. I've never had any bugs or other pests in my apartment and Francis, the guy at the front desk, is so nice and helpful. The only problem I have is the noise (ambulances and sirens) coming from outside but this is DC so it's expected.

Current Resident 961694

Resident • 2006 - 2009

Poorly Maintained

The location is good and the apartments seem nice at first glance, but the building is poorly maintained. Our air conditioning system has leaked water into our apartment of five separate occasions; each time they promised they had it fixed. They've shut the water off for the whole building three separate days this past month, often with less than twenty-four hours of notice. The entire heating/cooling system goes out or barely works with no warning or explanation. It has an exercise room, but when equipment breaks they take it away without replacing it.

Current Resident 112412

Resident • 2007 - 2009

Don't live here

I have lived in the Argonne for years and while it is decent, the building has really bad air conditioning problems. The AC unit has leaked in my closet and several other renters I know, leaving rusty mold smelling water all over your stuff. This has happened several times and the only solution provided is to paint over the leak.

Prospective Resident 708939

Prospect • Visited 2009

Terrible Experience, Don't Rent Here!

I went to go check out an apartment here but when I was waiting for the manager I overheard some existing tenants speaking to the manager about a terrible roach problem (and apparentely they had already exterminated twice before). Then as I was leaving the managers office walking towards the front door another tenant approached me and said "do yourself a favor and don't rent in here, there is a terrible rodent as well as a roach problem here". That was all I needed to hear.

Current Resident 712508

Resident • 2008 - 2009

DON'T DO IT!!!

If you want bugs; no air conditioning; ceilings which fall and smash bathroom fixtures and people; smelly hallways; and incompetent management The Argonne is for you! I'll be gone as soon as my lease is up or I can claim constructive eviction, whichever comes first. Luxurious living is their motto. You can find lots of other places in the area for the same price which are not like this, DO IT.

Current Resident 876306

Resident • 2008

Mediocre at best

Workers are constantly spraying chemicals in the lobby to mask the smell of rotting rat in the walls, which is probably a health hazard for them and anyone who walks through. Ac units leak and nothing is done, and laundry machines in the basement constantly break. However, none of this compares to the ineptitude of the main manager at this building, who has been utterly unhelpful and for the most part, not responsive unless you badger him for weeks.

Current Resident 998878

Resident • 1995 - 2008

don't live here

The leasing office will attempt to razzle-dazzle you, but they're only interested in getting you to sign a lease. Things break and stay broken. In the rare event something gets fixed, it is fixed badly and the workers leave a mess. Security is questionable, the central A/C didn't work over the summer (08), the elevators frequently break and despite official claims that "we can always be reached", right now the emergency number is disconnected.Oh, and the office cannot, CANNOT keep track of paper. Leases, checks, anything. The location is great and the rent used to be good, and it used to b pet-friendly here.

Hersh71

Resident • 2008

Living with the dripping water and the smell...

I have lived in the Argonne for 7 months. Two things stand out to me. First, you can take an old car and give it a new paint job and stick a pine tree air freshner in it but it won't run any better. This pretty much describes the Argonne. The lobby and unit interiors look great, but do not function well. And that smell in the lobby? Don't be fooled, it is permanent. Second, while the maintenance staff is friendly, they only do what the management tells them to do. So if you put in a request, it may or may not get attention. I have had brown, oily water dripping from the ciling ceiling vent in my closet for 8 weeks. It staretd when they attempted to turn the building over to AC. I have had to live with buckets collecting this water and splashing onto the floor. They have tried to fix it once in 8 weeks. I am not making this up, and have photos (one attached). Other than those things, it is a great place to live.

Current Resident 466664

Resident • 2008

Decent place in awesome location

I've lived in the Argonne for 6 years and have generally been pretty happy. The location cannot be beat - walk to Green and Red lines, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Target, Best Buy, more resturants that you would know what to do with, bus lines downtown and across town right on your doorstep. The building is on the border of three distinct neighborhoods (Adams Morgan, Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights) and is one of the more diverse areas of the city. Drawbacks - I'm on the fifth floor and occassionally the street noise is a bother but not overwhelming for city living. (I can't imagine how loud it is in the front facing Columbia Rd!) However, the building is well made and I NEVER hear my apartment neighbors. One year I had a problem with roaches, but one day they up and left and I haven't seen them since. Maintainance is usually prompt and Francis, who mans the front desk, is a jewel who makes the place feel like home. The pool, grocery, gym and small cafe are added bonuses. Someone noted that the AC has been sporatic over the bast few summers - but I have never had any problems. The lobby occasionaly smells terrible! I live in a sunny, unrenovated studio (450 sq ft), but the one and and two bedrooms can be HUGE and very light. Apts on the back of the building have balconies. As a young woman, I usually feel farily safe at night given all the foot and car traffic in the neighborhood on the main roads. However, there are muggers in the area, esp. Columbia Heights - just take the usual precautions.

Current Resident 507212

Resident • 2007 - 2008

NO A/C AND ITS 99 DEGREES OUTSIDE!!

We are in the middle of a heatwave and the ENTIRE building does NOT have functioning air conditioning!! DO NOT MOVE HERE. If this is what its like in early JUNE how are we supposed to survive the ENTIRE SUMMER??? Awful attention to this MAJOR issue!!!

Current Resident 645844

Resident • 2008

Very happy here

I just moved in here after several years overseas, and I'm quite satisified. The staff is helpful and friendly, and the other tenants are nice. The building is in a great location, with shops and cafes nearby. There are occasional problems, but with a complex this large that is to be expected. The pool, fitness center, laundry room and on-site shop are nice bonuses. I rented a large, light apartment with a roomy kitchen and bath (and utilities) for a better price than I found anywhere else close to the city center.

Current Resident 69676

Resident • 2005

I loved it there

I lived at Park Plaza in 2005 and loved it. I understand it has changed hands since then, but at the time I was there I loved the beauty of the historic building (the lobby was really great), the maintenance staff was eager to help, and the front desk people were nice. Buses right at the front door, and pet friendly. My efficiency apartment had a gorgeous view of the cathedral across the park and the bathroom was lovely. I liked it then...can't say anything about it after 2005, however. I have only one complaint, when you are moving in, there is really no place to park a moving truck. Any place you park will block parked cars or doorways...and believe me, the residents will let you know that they are displeased!

Current Resident 687604

Resident • 2007

Good value for the price, but...

First I want to say that I really like it here and have lived here for six months now. The staff is always very friendly and fixes issues immediately. They make a real effort to make sure you are happy with your place, and the doormen are wonderful! Francis is awesome!!! I love having a mini-grocery downstairs, and also the pool and workout room are more than adequate (and free). Also utilities are included. Now the downside. 1. Since the Argonne is at a major crossstreets (Columbia and 16th), it is SUPER SUPER SUPER loud. Sirens. Horns honking. People shouting. I face Columbia Road and it is awful. I am always waking up at night because of some insane homeless person (or some drunk idiot) screaming obscenities. Speaking of which, while it is very convenient to the metro and Safeway and the new Target, the neighborhood is NOT safe at night. You won't get killed, I don't think, but if you are female prepare yourself for lots of catcalling and feeling very very uncomfortable, even at 9am on your morning walk to the metro. All that is not the fault of the Argonne, it's just how Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan is, and prolly is the price you pay to be so near the bars and restaurants. If you have a new baby you prolly don't want to move here just because they will never sleep due to all the noise. Maybe the back side of the building is better, I don't know, but definitely do not get an apartment facing Columbia Road or you will regret it. Unless you are deaf. 2. Ok. I'm a clean person. In fact I'm a travelling consultant and I'm alway really not into cooking. Thus my refridgerator has ketchup, mayonnnaise, and some wine and that's about all. Yet, still, there have been roaches in my apartment. Since I've been at the Argonne they have had exterminator twice, and I actually bought roach spray too, and yet there are still roaches on occasion. I have NO food sitting out, nor do I have any in the cabinets, nor do I have any dirty dishes, and I empty my trash faithfully every week, so it's mind boggling. In fact I've had them in my closet perched on my stack of sweaters. It's pretty effing nasty. When I first moved in, the lobby had this horribleeeeee smell and I didn't know what it was. Another resident told me they had exterminated and it was the smelling of rats/mice rotting inside the walls. "Not to worry, the smell will go away once their corpses dry up" he said. Nice. Very nice. Still though, I've seen rats scurrying through Georgetown and I know for a fact my friend's apartment in Dupont that costs double this amount has had roaches, soooo... it's likely just a problem with DC itself and not the Argonne. I feel like they do as much as they can. I like the place.

dieselpup

Resident • 2006 - 2007

IM HAPPY HERE

I just moved into a studio unit at the Argonne, and its been better than average. It would be nice if we had a party room or a entertainment area, though the pool will make up for that in the summer! The management staff has been attentive and have responded to my numerous request, they are very responsive. My rent is $1190 a month for a decent studio with utilities! I some old residents went through some hard times,however, my friends that visit are stunned by the lobby and my apartment. There are a few very unhappy people on this site, they are probably part of the Tenant group that meets for meaningless things! VALUE... FUN.... and overall .. not a bad place to live .

Current Resident 587437

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Good Place to Live

My husband and I have lived here for nearly 2 years. We came when I was pregnant with our now nearly 2 year old. We came at a time of renovation and a change in management. There were expected problems during construction, but in the end the building is now asthetically more appealing. The staff from maintenance to leasing staff have been nothing but nice and friendly. I have to admit that at some point we had problems with roaches. When we notified management about it they were very apologetic and rushed to provide services to rectify the problem. The same day I called, an exterminator showed up at my apartment and treated the apartment with good end results. We have been living in a one bed apartment room apartment with our daughter and it is an exceptionally large space. Our one bedroom could easily be the size of two bedrooms in any other rental property. Our kitchen is great with all new appliances and we can even fit a table and chairs in our kitchen. The apartment is located on the border of three neighborhoods..Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant. My husband and I love the neighborhood for its convenience to public transportation, restaurants, supermarkets (2), farmers markets (2)...all within walking distance.

Current Resident 483365

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Name Change

FYI- The property has changed its name to The Argonne. Same management (Carmel) just a name change.<br>This form makes me answer the question of whether I would recommend the bldg (I would rather have not answered it). I said yes b/c there are a lot of nice things about the bldg, but I don't care for management.

Current Resident 502647

Resident • 2004 - 2007

Wonderful Location, Management Lacks

I've lived in the Park Plaza for three years. The Carmel Partners group bought the building from H&M (Bernstein Management) in 2004. The quality of services and consistency of management have been turbulent at best. The rent continues to rise, the level of service continues to be spotty and security concerns abound. The doors always seem to be wide open, there have been several thefts in both cars and units in the building. The water hasn't been hot for months, except in the summer, when the AC doesn't work and the water is definitely hot. Beware of the management shills and the leasing agents. Read your lease carefully, as these shylocks are constantly changing the rules around here. Recently, they decided that this pet friendly property would only be cat friendly. No notice was ever given to existing residents....

Current Resident 743635

Resident • 2006

A once great building, now troubled.

First, it should be noted that until a couple months ago the Argonne was called the Park Plaza - the ownership is still the same so those reviews may be worth perusing. <br><br>With the many amenities, great newly renovated apartments, unparrelled views, and fantastic location, this should be among the best apts in Washington - unfortunately in light of recent conditions I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the Argonne at this time. <br><br>I have been here several months. The managers who I had to deal with when leasing were laughably incompetant, unprofessional, and shockingly rude and condesceding. This group was (deservedly) fired. The new managers seem more professional, but problems remain. <br><br>-The level of security provided by the managment has decreased over the past year.<br><br>-There is a serious rodent (rat) problem on at least the first couple floors. That odd smell in the lobby? - guess what it is!<br><br>-Many code violations<br><br>Although I havent dealt with it much directly, many others have noted the highly combative nature of the management, and their cut-throat adherence to the bottom line is apparent. I hold out hope that they will come to address the above concerns, but these issues have only gotten worse since ive been here.<br><br>I will note that Ive been quite happy with the maintenance staff.

foxifaye

Resident • 2006

one question to those living there

I am considering moving back to the Park Plaza. I lived there from 2002-2004 and thought the management was fabulous. Now, I'm hesitant to go back. My question: can anyone explain to me why the lobby smells like cat litter???