The Paramount

Current Resident 169835

Resident • 2025 - 2026

look elsewhere!

No meaningful security -people get in, use stairwells to drink and drug. A resident found someone dead in the stairwell. Hot water may or may not work. Heat is centrally controlled, apts have radiators, it's frequently too hot or too cold. Elevator safety is ignored. Fire extinguishers in the hallways (two per floor, each apt has one, too, and they do check that those are ok) are not fully charged. My stove, a small gas range, is impossible to regulate and is very poorly insulated. Management routinely ignores residents' legitimate concerns. (It took them 15 months to set up a package room, and then the room's access codes didn't work, resulting in the continued practice of having packages thrown in public spaces with no security. Washing machines are card and app operated, but frequently the technology fails and you can't wash your clothes. It is really close to Metro, though.

Current Resident 980155

Resident • 2018 - 2020

I've loved this apartment!! Reading other reviews I kind of wonder if some people have ever rented in DC before or even in a city? Not trying to be shady at all but things like stolen packages aren't dealbreakers to me, I consider it part of the cost of living in this city. That said ,when packages of mine were stolen and I alerted the office a couple times, the office and maintenance staff started keeping packages that didn't fit in lockers in the leasing office and even a couple of times delivering them right to my door! I ended up being laid off last year and when rent was due before my first paycheck at my new job I spoke to the property manager in the leasing office and she was incredibly understanding and told me just to email her to remind her I'd be paying late and didn't charge a penalty. Everyone keeps to themselves but the people I see regularly in the elevators are all really friendly and always say hi. The location is AMAZING, even my homebody --- gets out more when the metro is literally across the street. There are also great bars close by if you don't want to leave the neighborhood and Upshur St is easily walkable with amazing food and an adorable farmer's market. A friend called it "the cutest farmer's market in dc" and I definitely agree! My only minor complaints would be that the office hours are pretty restricted and it's led to some frustration on a couple occasions. But seriously, this is the 5th place I've rented in DC and by far the easiest to work with in terms of maintenance and office requests. I know the maintenance staff and trust them and have never felt weird letting them into my apartment, which is saying something as a single woman living alone and usually working from home! The building is also 100 years old and the apartment itself is gorgeous, although the appliances are a bit dated. Basically if you're willing to sacrifice a bit of convenience for a great location and a good price you'll be really happy here.

Current Resident 223315

Verified Resident • 2011 - 2016

The Paramount is a wonderful place to live in DC. The building is across street from the Georgia Avenue metro station, next door to a Safeway grocery store, and within walking distance to numerous bars, restaurants, and the DC USA shopping center. My unit is relatively quiet (on the alley side), has absolutely beautiful hardwood floors, and has an efficient floor plan. The building is well-maintained and has a responsive maintenance and property management team. Living at the Paramount has been a great value for me for the last 5 years. Highly recommended!

Current Resident 220224

Verified Resident • 1999 - 2016

Pretty poor management with first two resident managers. Robin Baxter and Desi Andrews. Things much better now with Silvia. Need to have a person here in the evenings to accept packages. Only problem that I have with the building. Joel is very nice

Current Resident 91837

Verified Resident • 2013 - 2014

Spacious, especially for other apartments I viewed in this price range and area. Beautiful hardwood floors. Very helpful and responsive building manager and engineer. Great location for someone without a car -- right next to Metro and Safeway and plenty of good food and going out options within a few blocks.

Current Resident 64953

Verified Resident • 2012 - 2016

My partner and I have lived here for 4 years and still contend it's one of the best deals in the city. No, we don't have granite countertops, a parking garage, or polished concrete floors and a roof deck, but we do have a comfy, rent-controlled, secure building with very responsive management and maintenance teams (and we don't pay utilities), for a significant amount less than the fancier places in a 2-block radius from our place. We have zero plans to leave the Paramount -- we'd be nuts to turn down this deal.

Current Resident 64278

Verified Resident • 2013 - 2014

This place isn't a good value. While it's cheaper that other areas, which attracted me, it's too expensive for the condition of the facilities, amenities, etc. The neighborhood is really great and convenient, but there are better buildings and deals to be had in the area. For some reason they think adding keyless entry and trees justifies ridiculous rent increases.

Current Resident 38155

Verified Resident • 2011 - 2016

Overall the location is great, and we like our apartment. Maintenance is fast and friendly. We are lucky that our neighbors are pretty quiet and we only get regular city noises from outside. The landscaping is new, and the lobby is well maintained. The elevator has poor ventilation, which I deducted for in my rating on common areas. The exterior doors lock, though people prop them open and I've seen non-residents enter, I deducted for this on security. The front desk is staffed about half of the time, but they are responsive and attentive about package delivery. The neighborhood has a new grocery store, restaurants, and the metro entrance is directly across the street? 9

Current Resident 492622

Resident • 2013

Just as an FYI, the building has an ongoing bed bug problem. Besides that it is a lovely building.

Current Resident 637561

Resident • 2008 - 2012

Everything that I need...but a little noisy

I really enjoy living in this building. The space is great, utilities are included and the office and maintenance staff is always very prompt in dealing with any issues that arise. I have read some things about Desi stealing but we have NEVER had any issues with her. I was a little worried before we moved in based on the postings that I read, but, happily our experience has been a great one. I have lived in many buildings in DC and this is one of the best. My only issue with the Paramount is the noise. We are right on the corner and there are always people yelling outside and police/ambulance sirens. I guess this is what you get for living in the city? I have had issues with my neighbors being loud as well but it is usually solved by me saying politely for them to keep it down. I wish we had some amenities but for the price, and location, it can't be beat.

cryptoqueen

Resident • 2010

Great for a quick Move

I am a current resident and I have a basement unit. I took a position in DC on short notice, and my original apartment was rented to me under false pretenses... So, upon contacting Desi here, I was at the end of my rope. She had a stdio unit, she got all the papaerwork for me, and even had maintenance meet me on SUnday afternoon to let me in, and help me get my bags and things in. My unit was clean & freshly painted, applicances sparkling and hardwood floors freshly varnished. Maintenance on the few issues I've had (a folding door came off its track) has been quick and without issues. Desi even prought me a package later during an evening because I told her I was expecting it, and would not be back by 5. I feel very safe, and enjoy the range of neighbors I have. I like that people leave magazines and paperbacks in the laundry room to share. My only issue has been some noise, but from teenagers in the alley next to the building and SAfeways parking lot. I have wondered how to report these issues. and yes, there is no official parking. But I have found ample locations to park 2 blockas away on "street cleaning" nights. When my lease runs out, I may look elsewhere, but I will probablt just see if I can get a one bedroom, on a higher floor.

Current Resident 442711

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Great Customer Service

I am a current resident at the Paramount. It is an old building, but I feel that it is adequately kept up. There is noise but not from my neighbors. Street noise is to be expected, since the building is located at Georgia Avenue and Quincy. Georgia Avenue is busy. This is the city, not the suburbs. I have never seen roaches in my apartment, although I have seen two or three in the laundry room. Twice, I have seen roaches on the furniture of residents moving out; so obviously some residents have roach issues. I guess that's what happens if you are not clean or have neighbors who are not clean. Management issues letters to residents at least 48 hours in advance for periodic building maintenance or exterminator services. Any minor maintenance issues that I have had were responded to promptly. I am currently apartment hunting, not because I am displeased with my apartment home or management, but because of the lack of parking. I received a $250 parking ticket for parking in the Safeway parking lot. The previous month I received a $30 ticket for parking on Quincy during the street cleaning hours. Unfortunately, I took my chances -- and lost -- on these days because there was nowhere else to park. Yes, there are larger apartments in the suburbs for the price of these apartments; but when I research these apartments, the residents always complain about the managers and/or maintenance staff -- nasty attitude, slow to respond, lack of response, etc. I currently do not have that problem here at the Paramount, so this apartment hunting is not going well for me. Parking sucks but management is great!

Current Resident 526632

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Some good, mostly bad.

I lived in the Paramount for one year. The building is great in that much of it is unchanged since it was built; the floors in my apartment were original (and beautiful), the millwork in units I saw was lovely, and some apartments had original french doors. Lots of windows and good layouts in units (including nice "foyer" areas in some) add to the charm. The units I saw in the buildings were nicely sized; one bedrooms were quite spacious and the corner units had tons of windows. The maintenance man was great, and the only "after hours" issue I had while I was there (a backed up bathroom sink) was taken care of fairly quickly. The office was only open "business hours" of 8:00am-5:00pm, so package pick-up could be problematic. I often found it to open late and close early, or shut don for over an hour for "lunch." I appreciated that utilities were included, but the heat in the winter was terrible. I had no control over the radiators and when they turned on (in early fall) the whole apartment was filled with dust and grime from the dirty radiators. The building has no amenities except for a small, grimy laundry room in the basement. I frequently saw roaches in the laundry room and once walked in to find a man passed out on the floor. Hallways, garbage rooms, and communal areas were pretty gross and poorly maintained. An example of this is that when the laundry room door was painted, the painters just painted over several magnets someone had stuck on the door instead of taking them off before painting. One of the biggest issues I had with the place was that some residents were allowed to have dogs while others were not. When I asked about this, I was told that one of the residents needed the dog for "emotional reasons" and the other always hid her dog when management asked her about it. This is not to say that I cannot understand that service animals should be permitted everywhere, but there is a big difference between service animals and "therapy" animals, which do not have to be allowed everywhere (I work in an office that deals with policies like these). I think the building manager was just unwilling to do something about the problem of residents not following rules. If the elevator was going to be repaired or the power/water was going to be turned off for part of a day, residents were only told the day of (not in advance) and sometimes maintenance did not let me know they had been in my unit. The kitchens in all the units I saw were nasty (built up grime and old bug repellent). I kept my food in plastic bins to avoid contamination and at least one other resident refused to use the cabinets at all, and instead installed shelves in the kitchen. I think some units had newer kitchens, but I never saw them. What made me not renew my lease more than anything, though, was the bugs. I saw roaches in the basement and garbage rooms frequently (at least every other day). I kept my unit spotless and still had occasional pests (not roaches). About three months before my lease was up, I heard there were bedbugs in the building. When this was confirmed by the rental office, I secured another apartment and moved out early. When I left, the building manager tried to falsify some of the information on my documents. I cleared this up with the company that owns the building after I moved. So overall, I'd say there are good things about the building (big units, relatively low rent, close to Metro, nice original features in units), but these are outweighed by the bad (bugs, gross common areas, no amenities, limited access to management, poor communication from building manager). For less than $200 a month more, I found a condo to rent in a new building in upper NW, which I am much happier with.

Current Resident 841083

Resident • 2007 - 2009

It's OK for a starter apt. but look eslewhere

I totally agree with one the previous posting. The area is extermely nosiy and busy, no matter the time of year. I have been living on property for nearly two years and have been looking for a new apartment since year two. I too suspect Desi or the maintence man stole over $500.00 from me when my roommate and I were out of town. The laundryroom and trashrooms are roaches infested, so be careful doing laundry or taking out the trash. You may bring a uninvited guest(s)back with you. Our apartment is always clean and neat, yet on several I have seen a roache or two. I had personally sent off bombs and sprayed bugs spray but within a few months one appears. I have conplained to Desi and she was responsive. However, when pest control arrives he/she only sprays the kitchen area and not where it was originally seen. Overall the apartment is so so. It is kind of over priced for the limited amount of ammendities that are offerred. Customer service is relatively good but slow. Finding parking is horrible and the metermaids are even worst. Be mindful of when guest visit, they are bound to get a ticket. By the way the apt. website falsely advertises pets are allowed and parking availablity.

Current Resident 680660

Resident • 2007

I would not recommend this place! The building itself is nice, if you're into historic buildings but that's about it for the positives. Living in Petworth absolutely sucks, it is extremely ------. You will see drunks, prostitutes, and jobless loiterers. There are not enough washers and dryers for the entire building. I was on a second floor unit and there was a lot of noise from the street-the bus, sirens, cars, and endless chatter. However, the worst part of the experience was dealing with Desi, the property manager. We suspected that she stole from us and she would let herself into our apartment unannounced and for no reason.

Current Resident 357531

Resident • 2007

If you don't mind GA Ave., the Paramount is great

I lived at the Paramount from Jan. '06 to Dec. '07. The 1 BR apt. I had was wonderful, hardwood floors with lots of light from the windows. Desi, the manager was very friendly and helpful and the maintenance crew was responsive. Having the Safeway right out the back door and the GA Ave. metro station right out the front door was incredibly convenient. As for problems - whenever I dared park a car in the neighborhood, it ended up vandalized. Someone wrote on it with permanent marker and someone else busted the driver side window. Also, the AC charge increases in the summer. Overall, it's a good, relatively quiet building with nice tenants.

abacus

Resident • 2006 - 2007

Nice place near the metro

A beautiful building from 1930, Paramount sits on the corner of Quincy Avenue and busy Georgia Avenue. The grocery store is convenient, literally out the back door. Although there is no parking as part of the apartment building (permit parking only), it sits at the crossroads of several major bus lines and immediately accross the street from the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro stop on Green and Yellow lines. There is a laundry facility in the basement, easily accessed via elevator. The staff are always friendly. The few things I had to call maintenance for were dealt with in a timely and professional fashion. I have seen one roach in the basement hall, but maintaining a clean apartment seems to have kept them out of my space, on a higher floor. Scheduled extermination is part of the service, regardless of bug-sightings and all utilities are included. The apartment is radiated heat with an extra fee for a window air conditioner (not included). Spacious main bedroom and smaller secondary bedroom and a large living room all have high ceilings and hard-wood floors. The kitchen is fairly small and the closet space is a bit lacking, but over all a nice place to live. ------------------------------------------ It's now 2009 and I still stick by what I wrote above. I am moving out now as I found an apartment closer to work, but it took me three years to find an apartment I liked enough to leave the Paramount. I have read some of the other reviews and do agree the street noise is a bit much at times. Georgia Ave is extremely busy and there are often sirens, but we do live in a major city. As for Desi - I'm going to miss her! She's very kind and supportive. She was happy for me finding my new apartment. There are yearly assessments of each apartment as well as scheduled exterminator visits and I always had at least 24 hours written warning prior to those occurring. All in all, still a great building. If it were a 1/2 hour closer to work I wouldn't be moving.