LIV Cleveland

Current Resident 863379

Resident • 2015 - 2016

We love living at Sphere! Everything from the amenities to the friendly and helpful front desk workers to our ability to walk just about anywhere in the downtown area makes our living experience incredible. We are so glad to have found Sphere when we were looking for a downtown place to live!

anveshd45

Resident • 2015 - 2016

After the bad reviews on google about Sphere (previously Chester), i was hesitant to move here, but being a student and close to CSU i took the gamble. I did not have much expectations, but the management has really turned it around. No issues with my apartment, and if i did have any, immediate action was taken following the complaints. Friendly staff, clean corridors, resident friendly, nothing much i can ask for for such a reasonable price.

Current Resident 861271

Resident • 2015 - 2016

Great downtown Cleveland location; a block from Playhouse Square, two from Heinen's, and less than a five minute walk from from East 4th. In building laundry, gym, and rooftop pool. Connected parking garage. Security at front desk is friendly.

tonyc49

Resident • 2015 - 2016

The sphere apartments are really fantastic considering location and price. Friendly staff and rooftop pool are big pluses! I have enjoyed living here so much I just renewed my lease!

Av199304

Resident • 2015 - 2016

Decent apartment for the price and location. Mgmt has always been helpful whenever I had questions. The heated parking is also a plus, along with the the gym and pool. Would recommend to anyone!

Snarendhar@gmail.com

Resident • 2015 - 2016

Sphere is an exciting place to live with so many things close by like playhouse square so many bars and restaurants. Also so many amenities within the apartment open top swimming pool, snooker table, app based washers and so many other things

Bruce Babbitt

Resident • 2015 - 2016

I enjoy living at the Sphere Apartments. I'm in a 1 bedroom which has ample living space and good functioning appliances. The maintenance staff is responsive to my needs. Plenty of closet space. While the common areas have WIFI, I was able to get ATT WIFI at a reasonable price. The exercise room is great with trend mills, ellipticals, stationary bikes and free weights. WIFI cyber room next to exercise room is comfortable. Laundry room is nice- can charge machines to credit card using phone app. Party room is comfortable with big screen TV. I haven't used the game room or yoga studio, but both look nice and well maintained. The underground parking is great. All in all the Sphere is a good value and I like living here.

Current Resident 366759

Resident • 2010 - 2015

Look elsewhere unless u like paying top dollar to live in filth!!! Roaches, bed bugs, mice you name it they got it. They will offer you their first born child, to get you to sign a lease. The management staff is rude and incompetent to say the least! The fitness center isn't even 24 hours!! What a joke! Not to mention, the ROOFTOP pool they advertise is NEVER even open!!! What a ripoff!!! Please please do not live here because you will regret it too.

lshultz

Resident • 2015

After reading all of the bad reviews about Chesterfield Apartments which are now called Sphere, I was extremely concerned about renting here but it still had two things in its favor - reasonable rent and a location near my office, only 2 blocks from Heinen's, and one and a half blocks from Play House Square. I'm new to Cleveland. So when I met with Michelle, their leasing representative, I asked about the poor reviews and negative comments. After talking with her, and meeting the manager Vickie, I decided to move forward with a one-year lease on a studio apartment. I've now been here seven months and it's been a very good experience. Michelle is always very professional and courteous; Vickie - a no-nonsense manager, has also been attentive and professional each time I've met her. She runs a tight "ship" which I appreciate. I've never heard loud music in the halls, foul language, or seen drunken tenants. During my stay I've had only two separate problems - the toilet wouldn't flush properly and the kitchen sink became clogged. I filed a work order on-line and both problems were taken care of immediately. The maintenance crew were also courteous and respectful of my apartment, plus they fixed the problem. The building continues to undergo a major refurbishment which includes the laundry room, pool, recreation area, and the apartments. So far they all look great. The building is clean, the security staff are always cheerful and friendly, thus my first seven months here at the Sphere have been very positive. The building is quiet - which I really like and the residents friendly. It's a diverse group of people and ages from students to retirees which is nice. Another aspect that I enjoy are the huge windows in each apartment. I have three in a small studio which really opens it up. The water pressure is strong and water always hot. When I asked Michelle months ago about the negative comments - she assured me all is well and it has been. I would recommend Sphere for value, location, response to problems, and following through with continued renovations. One final item worth mentioning, when searching for apartments I sometimes found the price of rent listed on apartment websites where lower than the price actually being charged. I was told by more than one leasing manager, "the price of rent can change day to day." Really! Nothing I hate more than a bait and switch tactic. At Sphere, when I inquired about the rent, it was actually lower than the price listed on the internet. They were having a special and Michelle presented it without pressure or gimmicks. That's called integrity, and you can't ask any more than that.

pattivera

Resident • 2015 - 2016

I have been living in this apartment building for over a year. I honestly LOVE where I am. I have all the adventures that downtown brings yet I can still enjoy a quiet night in. Everything is walking distance, so I never drive anywhere. I love the staff they are always there to help any way they can and go above and beyond to make sure I am satisfied. I honestly would never pictured finding such a perfect apartment and building on my first try but I am lucky that I did. Also you have a free gym, pool and attached covered parking (at a very descent price, one of the cheapest downtown).I have been living in this apartment building for over a year. I honestly LOVE where I am. I have all the adventures that downtown brings yet I can still enjoy a quiet night in. Everything is walking distance, so I never drive anywhere. I love the staff they are always there to help any way they can and go above and beyond to make sure I am satisfied. I honestly would never pictured finding such a perfect apartment and building on my first try but I am lucky that I did. Also you have a free gym, pool and attached covered parking (at a very descent price, one of the cheapest downtown).

szaszdwyer

Resident • 2014 - 2015

Management is rude, unprofessional, difficult to work with, unreasonable, doesn't return calls, doesn't respond to emails . . . need I say more? Tried contacting their corporate office -- Metropolitan Properties of America Inc. is Boston, MA -- and they are just as rude! No one returns calls or responds to emails. Poor, Poor, Poor management all the way around! I would definitely say "STAY AWAY FROM THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX OR ANY COMPLEX MANAGED BY METROPOLITAN PROPERTIES OF AMERICAN, INC.!!!" Terrible customer service -- that is if you can get any customer service from them to begin with!!! Spend a little more and go elsewhere. You get what you paid for -- poor, quality!

Cleveland1519

Resident • 2015

I've lived at this place since November 30th, 2014. My lease is not up until November of this year and I have chosen not to stay at my apartment because of how awful the place is. The residents are great. But the leasing staff is probably the worst staff I've ever met in my entire life. I've never met such an unfriendly, unhelpful, downright miserable group of people ever. I absolutely do not recommend this place to anyone. It's worse than living in a college dorm. You'd be better off staying in a men's or women's shelter down the street.

Prospective Resident 740654

Prospect • Visited 2015

I have never lived here but been looking to rent in downtown cleveland and l emailed the leasing office twice in mid July no response for a week.and l emailed again got an answer 2days before my move in date and it was kind of pointless so l called them the lady was so rude on the phone sounded like they didn't want my business. I am glad l didn't move there and l keep getting emails about renting there now when my profile clearly stated l needed an apartment like years ago. I understand what people mean they might be cheap but they are rude and disorganized in my opinion.

hehep

Resident • 2015

The management is horrible. Never trust anything they say. Have every single information written down because they are never in the same page. No professionalism at all.

adflowers

Resident • 2014 - 2015

Please do not be fooled. Place is full of roaches and derogatory management from the leasing offices to the top management team. I will never rent from this place under current cheap, non understanding, unapologetic management team currently running this place.

Current Resident 871631

Resident • 2000 - 2015

The owners changed the name to the Sphere because the Chesterfield had such a terrible reputation throughout the apartment community. Changing the name and making a few "curb appeal" improvements have done nothing to improve the building. Roaches, bed bugs, mice and rude office staff who are not concerned with anything except your monthly payment still persist. The worst part is constantly showing your ID when you want to access the pool area...you must leave your ID with the security guard in exchange for a special FOB pass allowing you entry to the pool area. BTW, no smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages anywhere on the property. there is also a great deal of noise due to the remodeling construction on the second floor being converted from commercial space into residential space. I have warned you, proceed at your own risk and believe the other postings on this site, they are not exaggerated,

zeroj

Resident • 2006 - 2014

DON'T MOVE INTO THIS APARTMENT. This is th worst apartment in Cleveland, OH caused by the manager. Manager who is white old lady, is very rude, nad She will NOT take care about residents' condition. She kick residents'pets, she also discriinate students, especially international students. Many students were evicted by her terrible management and pollicy. Money is the most important thing for her. 8 years ago, this apartment used be a good apartment for students, but getting worse when this rude manger starts to manane this apartment. If you can waste your money,and you can live with bed bug and roaches, you can move. However, it equals you will waste your time nad life.

Current Resident 871476

Resident • 2013 - 2015

ITS A TRAP!! Worst Decision of my life, countless issues, disgusting management, manager and staff are ridiculous, demeaning, unprofessional, inhuman and unsocial. Just care about money. Apartment roots have bed bugs, roaches, leaking ceilings, dirty in house carpets, hot water comes and goes, heat and cooling delayed in respective season, costliest parking. They told me they will change my apartment carpet once I move in that never happened. when you file complain they will mark it "addressed the issue" without even looking at it. They can sign on your behalf on any paper. Worst lease term and no way out until you pay remainder of your lease or at least 4 month rent, no sub letting no lease transfer. So if you have 2BH or 1BH be ready to pay 5000 or 3000 even you get bankrupt or some mishap happens in your family or otherwise know your future for next year before signing the lease. Previously they have flexible lease 9-15 month, now fixed to 12 month, parking 140. They increased the prices recently after so called renovation, 1BH 600 to 850 and 2BH 850 to 1250, no one was coming, 80% apartment is empty, they are slashing there prices again but no one is still coming cause public is not moron. Every time you come in, you have to show your ID, imagine how much humiliation you have to suffer in front of your guest whom they are disrespectful as well. every time you go to so called super chilled rooftop swimming pool, club room or gym, surrender your driving license/photo ID and go downstairs to take it back, the cheapest thing ever faced in any apartment community, it sucks!!. Apartment and its management is still the same from within, dirty, corrupt and digestive. This is an insider review and rest is your sanity to get trapped.

Current Resident 587826

Resident • 2013 - 2015

Biggest mistake of my life!! Yes biggest!! Extremely rude staff, extremely bad group of people in management Very unprofessional, demeaning and careless. Every time you come in your apartment you have to show your Identity... big Suck!!!!. They will humiliate your guests and even you in front of your guests by checking yours and their identity every time you come in. Full of roaches, bed bugs, mites, clean and then recur. Carpets are super dirty, not replaced even after three requests after their promise to replace once you move in. To go in to Roof top swimming pool every time you need to sign in and sign out access cards at the ground floor.... who wanna come for that after a swim. Parking is costliest in the area. There is not an even cart to move your stuff in or out, never seen anywhere else. Recently there is sudden increase in 2 BH prices from 830 to 1150 a month!, yes 1150!.. they are not even worth 800... Extremely expensive!! GO to somewhere else if you have that much

ss626907

Resident • 2013 - 2015

I have now lived in the Chesterfield/Sphere for roughly a year and a half. The only reason I renewed for a second year was the proximity to my work and my classes at Cleveland State. The renewal had nothing, and I stress ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the apartment being a suitable place to live. When the building was originally marketed to me, a lot of promises were made, including a refurbishment of the workout room, which was in terrible shape with very few working machines upon my arrival. Management took over a year to replace or fix broken equipment. The features of the building were entirely misrepresented. After living in the building for several months, a key fob sensor was installed to keep non-residents from entering the building from the attached parking garage. My key card was not working for this sensor, so I approached management. They attempted to fix my card but could not. I approached them again saying I still am having an issue and they told me they did everything they could. I was obviously dumbfounded when my apartment complex's manager was telling me they were not able to help me enter my own apartment. I approached them a third time and the manager (-------------) had the audacity to tell me that I was doing it wrong and there couldn't possibly be a problem with my key card. It's a very simple concept, you put the card up to the sensor, the light turns green and you enter. Let's just say that telling someone they can't use a key fob correctly is a shot at their intelligence. I consistently had to wait outside my own apartment for 10-15 min depending on the day for another resident to either come in or out. This lasted for about four months before the maintenance guy figured out what they were doing wrong and was finally able to fix my card. I received no apology from management for this incident. Roughly three weeks ago the "Sphere" sent out an email telling the residents that they could come reserve a new parking spot when the garage makes its change in April to all reserved spaces. I went into the office and reserved a tandem spot (long enough to fit two sedan sized vehicles.) I was charged $140.00 as a down payment. I made the down payment and was on my way. About a week later, I received another email that stated they now need a copy of the vehicle registration to reserve a spot. I went in that exact day with my registration and I questioned my own ability to reserve a tandem spot to ensure I wasn't going to get "screwed over." They told me the spots were for two residents only. I then had to pick an individual spot when most of the good spots were already taken. I would have probably been screwed out of any reasonable spot if I hadn't checked to cover myself. The members of the leasing office are never on the same page and you will get a different answer to just about every question depending on who you ask. The garage being entirely reserved benefits corporate and corporate only. It is now near impossible to have any guests over because there is no available parking. I do not want my mother walking around downtown Cleveland at night to go to and from her car if she wants to visit me. Just recently, corporate mandated a rule where residents have to show their id every time they enter the building. This is an extremely inconvenient practice that isn't employed at any other apartment complex I have ever been in. I often have to wait for the security guard to check 3 or 4 id's of residents in front of me before I am allowed to enter my own apartment. How backwards is that? There is a reason everyone has a key card. All in all, management has been a complete nightmare to deal with. ------------- is constantly talking down to residents who come into the office with questions. She never gives a cordial response to anything and I would be willing to bet that is the perspective of nearly every resident. I would recommend to anyone trying to move downtown to seek somewhere else to live. Don't be fooled by the "Sphere" and its attempt to be more aesthetically pleasing than the Chesterfield. It is the same building with the same problems. It is run by the same rude and ill-natured management staff. Plenty of new apartments are going up all over downtown and while they may be a bit pricier, the extra money you will spend will be well worth it, the cleanliness of the building and the respect you receive from those running it is worth it alone.

Terrible experience

Resident • 2014 - 2015

If you move into the Sphere or formerly known as The Chesterfield, after reading this ACCURATE review, then shame on you, and you deserve the horrible treatment you are going to receive. Apartment 512 should not even be rented at all, because some committed suicide inside that apartment, and blood was everywhere and it was NOT sanitized nor cleaned with the proper cleaning solutions. The manager is rude, and hates dealing with people and those were her exact words. The infestation of roaches and bedbugs are unreal. The MPA owners are only in the business for the money and I promise you that they do NOT care about the residents at all. The maintenance staff is incompetent, and short staffed and really don't care about the residents either. The stinch in the hallways will run you away. Please do not eat at the attached Chinese restaurant. I know for a fact they have roaches, their kitchen is disgusting, and they have a lot of hidden mold due to a previous water pipe burst last year. Getting back to the actual living conditions at the Sphere, the building is very old and so are the pipes, I was even told NOT to drink the water because rust is in all of the pipelines. The manager told me herself that they will never be able to get rid of the roaches because they are in the pipes in all of downtown Cleveland. (how crazy is that, but I promise, I'm not making this up). If you don't mind living in these types of conditions, then by all means, live here and don't complain, because you have been warned. Oh and look at how run down the laundry room is.

pattyo1111

Prospect • Visited 2014

STOP! DO NOT RENT HERE! DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT! YOU WILL BE SORRY! I am a previous employee. I worked at the Chesterfield for 6 weeks as assistant to the property manager starting in December of 2014. It was a complete waste of 6 weeks of my life! I would like to publicly apologise to any/all of the residents that I leased to during my time at The Chesterfield.... especially to Denise Ril...Dominique Fish...and soooo many others. Please know that I would NEVER have leased to you if I knew what the management was really like! I would like to share with everyone my resignation letter and hope that you take this into consideration if you are even thinking of renting here.... To whom it may concern at MPA, After considerable thought I have decided to resign from my position as assistant manager at The Chesterfield Apartments as of today, January 12, 2015. I have found this office and management to be completely unprofessional. I've had inadequate training in leasing as well as the assistant management position and have been expected to train new hires and accomplish tasks when not yet completely familiar with MPA's operating procedures. My experience with Vicki Gibbons over the past month has left me in daily turmoil. She has very little knowledge of property management and refuses to be held accountable for any of her actions. I find it hard to believe that Ms. Gibbons has held the position of property manager for as long as she has due to her lack of ability to deal with, influence, and communicate with other people. I guarantee that if anyone from home office spent any substantial amount of time at The Chesterfield it would be very clear that her knowledge of the business and of MPA's operating procedures is completely insufficient. In the short time that I have worked at The Chesterfield I have witnessed Ms. Gibbons be inconsiderate, abusive and rude to contractors, cleaners, security guards, leasing professionals, maintenance, residents, and even prospective residents. Not only is it unconscionable for me to work in such a hostile environment, it is also physically and mentally debilitating to work under such stressful circumstances. I believe that the relationship between employee and manager should be one of mutual respect and support. Instead, Ms. Gibbons uses bullying and verbal abuse as management style. Unfortunately, these tactics directly oppose my personal and business philosophy, which advocates a much more sensitive approach and is without a doubt, more successful. I regret that these circumstances make it necessary for me to leave abruptly.

John1020

Resident • 2014 - 2015

OMG, this is just unbelievable how one could be this incompetent running business. The picture on the website, I don't recognize. It must have been taken over 20 years ago. It does not look like that now by any stretch. I am a current resident at the chesterfield (now, sphere), soon to be an EX resident (thank GOD). This is the worst apartment I have ever lived in. They changed their name (in 2015) from the chesterfield to sphere, as if it is going to erase their TERRIBLE REPUTATION. The apartment is infested with cockroach, bedbug and mice. They sent exterminator couple of times, but didn't even help reducing the number roaches running around in the living room, let alone the bedbugs crawling in my bed. The second time I spoke with the manager (unprofessional old lady with a bad attitude or mental issue), she was very disrespectful, rude, and said I should consider moving out if I am scared of bedbugs and mice. I took her advice and found a nice apartment down the street. They changed their name "the chesterfield" to "the sphere", rather, they should change the management (specially the manager who is hostile to residents), and renovating bedbug infested old building. I can't believe the City of Cleveland allowing them to do business with this much complaint from residents. Also, once you sign the lease you are stuck for the entire year, because the way the lease is designed, if you try to break your lease, you owe the remainder of your lease term. I tried to break my lease as soon as I realized I got myself into, However, I was told I have to pay 4 months' rent in addition to rent for every month till the apartment is rented to somebody else. Your security deposit, just kiss it goodbye. Do not move into this ---- hole, you will end up regretting as I did. I was never this happy moving out of an apartment. DO NOT MOVE IN TO THIS TERRIBLE PLACE!!!

mvprams

Resident • 2013 - 2015

I currently live here and have lived here to date for a year and a half. I read the reviews and heard from people about the poor condition of the Chesterfield but also assumed things would get better. After talking to the old management I was reassured everything was going to change. Many broken promises and let downs and stabs in the back later, here is my review. Lets just say the management is terrible (The newer property manager has actually kicked a residents pet). Infestation is a problem. They fine for everything and are raising rent next year even though nothing is currently working. The AC didnt work for 2 months of the summer last year. They lied to residents saying that they couldnt turn the AC on yet because of a city rule, but then those signs were removed a week later. Quickly removed because their were talks of class action law suits being issued. However, the Chesterfield staff instead blasted heat into residents apartments with central air. There is no way to completely shut off the heat, only to hope to restrict the flow of it coming out of your unit. It sucks to think about how ------ you are being treated. When its 90 degree outside, midges are stuck to your window and there arent screens so you cant open the windows, and you have hot air coming through your AC unit. I was promised re-embursement for running my fan since my Electric bill trippled and they said I had been mis-informed. So I was not only miserable, but dubbed as well, and had a large bill to pay. Lets just say the girlfriend needed convincing to come over as did my friends because being at their parents house was more enjoyable than even stepping foot inside the chesterfield. And all the apartment photos on their sites are artists takes on the space, because the reality is nothing looks like its shown. Even the pool on the roof is bad since it's not heated it takes until 2pm to warm up and by then bugs are all over the top of the water. So there isnt even a good time to actually go swimming and its only open during the usual pool season, then you lose access to the roof once its closed. Talk about pointless, having a pool and it being 80 degrees in October and not being able to go up on the roof or swim. Cheap place, bad property manager, and you'll hear (corporate controls.... more times than you'll ever want to hear). So why have Cleveland based employees if corporate dictates everything anyways? Just annoyed and after 2 years of bad treatment, they are going to up my rent even though over the last two years promises of new things were never kept, very slow, and I still paid full price when everything was "In progress". Now that things finally are getting done you're going to charge me more!? Get real. If you are a college kid, the doors are at least cleaner. If you are a local, I suggest you live from home. If you are not local, I suggest you look elsewhere because otherwise you will likely get sick and spend most of your time elsewhere anyways... Just saying.

Current Resident 939403

Resident • 2014 - 2015

I moved to Chesterfield in November I fully moved all of my thing's in by December because very busy at work this time of the year. We'll the manager is very rude person. The first night I started in my apartment I did notice the cock roaches. They are putting new carpet in the hall ways but it looks like it is used carpet. The building is rundown if you are looking for upscale building this is not it. I pay 150 a month to park always other people park in the building that doesn't live there for free. I will not renew my lease I will move am use to better.