LIV Cleveland

scottkaminsky

Resident • 2012 - 2014

Where do I even begin with this place... First of all, I lived on one of the top floors and had a mice problem. I've heard from other tenants and from other review sites that the Chesterfield had a cockroach problem, but I wasn't prepared for the mice at all. After telling management that I had seen a mouse in my apartment they sent an exterminator who simply put three of those cheap cardboard traps around my apartment. This was completely ineffective and I received no further help after that. I ended up dealing with the problem myself, killing three mice in a week. Luckily, this was at the end of my lease, and it gave me even more incentive to leave this dump. On top of the mice/roach problems, the entire building stinks. There is a Chinese restaurant next door with an odor that completely envelops the lobby most nights. It was utterly embarrassing having guests over and seeing their faces as they entered the lobby. The garage also smells awful, as the dumpsters are inside. The combination of the dumpsters and the Chinese restaurant next door make for one hell of a combination when you come home from a long day of work/class. Speaking of the garage, it is extremely sketchy. Parking on the lower levels is just asking for your car to be broken into, something I experienced during my stay here. Also, finding a spot is a joke since the garage is overcrowded. Oh yeah, paying $100+ a month for such a VIP parking experience is also a great time. One of the worst things about this place is the staff. I'm pretty sure management changed over 5 times during my 2-year stay at the Chesterfield, with the situation getting more and more depressing. I heard from a previous employee that their vacancy rate is around 40% at all times, so if they tell you to "act fast" as they are running out of space as they told me, don't believe it. Management and the leasing office staff is full of rude, impatient employees. I will say that the receptionists and the door men were usually nice. However, it was odd how high the turnover rate was for the doormen working there. At one point there was a new door man/woman every week. Another cause for concern is that the area near the Chesterfield and Reserve Square is becoming more and more...unwelcoming. I'm not sure if this is due to subsidized living nearby or just a trend in that area, but there was huge change in the area from when I moved in in early 2012 and moved out earlier this year. Hopefully, the improvements to Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University can turn this around. Overall, I would give this place 3 stars for my first year of living there. Management was ok, the area was nicer, it didn't smell as bad, and most importantly, I didn't have any rodent problems. On the other hand, for my second year of living there, I would give this place 0 stars if this site allowed it. For all the reasons above, and the impression I got that the situation there is just getting worse, I would recommend that anyone looking to lease here STAY FAR FAR AWAY. Do not waste a year of your life living in a dump like this, trust me.

Current Resident 676895

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Hmmm, Where should I start? The apartment is infested with Roaches, bed bugs and mices. No type of treatment seems to get rid of them. That's exactly the reason why they are cheaper and u get way less than what u pay for as well. Plus, their lease is so shady and complicated, you can't break it, unless you pay off the remainder of the lease . They get mad when u ask the penalty for breaking the lease and she said "It seems like u have a plan to break the lease, so I might not let u move in", lol, it's crazy. I moved in anyway. I regretted that decision for the entire year, till I moved out. Shower: half of the time, there is no hot water, so be ready to take cold shower. When u ask them, they say just run the water till u get hot water (30 minutes) . Sometimes it work, sometimes u never get hot water. Management : the people working in the office are unprofessional and rude to all tenants. The managers (old white lady) and the black lady are so rude and show no urgency to help anybody. How could one management company hire such incompetent individuals, who have no idea of customer relations. They don't realize that the tenants are the one paying their salary (10/hr). My apartment had odor and they did nothing about it, even though I brought it to their attention many times. Don't make the same mistake as I and ruin ur entire year for a lil savings. just find another apartment and enjoy ur life.

per122

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Stay away. This place is run by some of the most disrespectful and unprofessional group of individual that you will ever encounter in your life. The management will get you in trouble if you request anything from them. They are also extremely prejudice against foreigners. The rent is cheap but you will not get peace of mind. .

hutchison.yana@yahoo.com

Resident • 2011 - 2014

My boyfriend and I lived here for 3 years due to his job downtown but we are finally moving out next month. After the major pool leak the cockroaches found their way to our apartment and stayed for a good 5-6 months. I still see one here and there, especially in the hallways. Hot water is regularly turned off. Maintenance does a poor job and problems are not taken care of unless they are emergency and by that time its usually too late. They regularly change the office staff (who are very rude), the maintenance, the door man, etc. Management made many mistakes with our rent/lease. They would give us a paper saying we were late with our payments or were being evicted, only to find out someone in the office made a "mistake". So unprofessional! The building itself is falling apart in my opinion, but you get what you pay for. They think if they paint the lobby and call it "Sphere" it will attract new residents. The only things I actually love is the huge windows that make my apartment so bright and the size of the bedroom and living room. Other than that, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.

Prospective Resident 974528

Prospect • Visited 2014

I must say, I'd NEVER recommend here... I even overheard one of the employee's telling a co-worker that they wish there was a way they could warn future tenants not to live here. Just thought it was funny that even employee's agree how horrible this place is. The management and owners are MOST DEFINITELY verbally abusive to tenants, vendors, and employees. They talk down to everyone like a child. They try to take a mile from any inch given by a vendor / employee. Not to mention the cockroaches....

Current Resident 889557

Resident • 2014

Stay away from this place , every thing bad . the staff do not respect you they treat you very bad , they insulting and do not care about you.

Current Resident 820892

Resident • 2014

I wish I had read the reviews prior to moving into this AWFUL place. I feel it is my duty to warn the next person who wishes to move here. First of all the ROACHES are overwhelming and the manager stated to me that they will never be controlled because the building is totally infested and they are in the walls. You cannot control your heat/air, and during seasonal changes, it is either way too hot or cold. The manager is extremely rude, and abrasive, and talks to residents like crap. Maintenance is very slow and ineffective when it comes to fixing anything. The odors in the hallways are awful and marijuana permeates the halls as well. The hall carpets are dirty and the mold in this building is overpowering. Their answer to the mold is to paint or wallpaper over it. If you move here after reading this, then you deserve what you get. My advice to anyone looking here is to Rent at your own Risk!!!!

Current Resident 548247

Resident • 2014

Run away. Management refuses to fix cockroach problem, are verbally abusive to residents, and keep residents from entering the building. Many of their selling points are a flat out lie. Do not even think about renting here.

Current Resident 513155

Resident • 2011 - 2014

Building Management and the Owner, MPA, think that changing the name of The Chesterfield to Sphere will somehow make the building more appealing. The management and owner think new paint in the main lobby will satisfy disgruntled residents when what residents truly want is a functional building. Beside the issues with mold, critters and lack of safety, the laundry room is not ADA compliant and is dilapidated to the point of not being healthy. Community rooms, which provided a place for residents to enjoy each other's company, now must be rented for $75. The Building Manager issues 'edicts' and claims that her stringent rules are for residents' safety when just the opposite is true. Residents are no longer allowed to speak with one another when we meet in the lobby, mail room or lobby. The pool rules instituted under the manager prohibited most of us from enjoying the water. The exercise equipment room has been renovated but the new rules issued today make it seem that residents are not really welcome. The Chesterfield/Sphere owned by MPA is not an apartment building to add to your list of possible homes.

Current Resident 482682

Resident • 2014

Please believe the reviews, They are NOT exaggerated. I only wish I had believed them when I moved in a few years ago. Now, the atmosphere has gotten worse. The new group of people, who are poorly managing the building, have become worse. They are harsh, insulting and do not care about people or animals. They "rule by intimidation." Numerous people have not had their leases renewed. . only because their lives had been organized and approved with laws from previous property managements. Now, property managers' attitudes are being backed by MPA owner-Management in Boston. They care only about the rents and saving money on the back of tenants. Recently they offered to replace light bulbs and batteries in smoke detectors if the tenant purchased them. Previously these things were handled by the maintenance department. Mold is a problem, as are cockroaches. MPA is working hard to try to improve the "looks" of the building; however, this place needs more improvement than just looks. Let's talk about elevators that frequently break down; let's have concerns about a laundry room that is very dysfunctional, with breakdowns that are not known about until your money has been used, and then find the machine won't work. How about boilers that many times don't work for hot water, heat or air conditioning? Please believe the reviews.

Shawn Gidley

Resident • 2002 - 2014

I am the current President of the residents group at The Chesterfield building. An official review will be provided shortly. In the meantime I have attached pictures taken within the building during the months of August and September 2014.

Current Resident 451155

Resident • 2012 - 2014

Well.. The list of issues this place has is LONG.. Most tenants are the students of CSU or working professionals. I have experienced the management being rude. They lie a lot. They curb the use of amenities that were promised when you signed the lease. The place reeks of weed. They have issues with water lines. The heater and cooler barely functions. It doesn't cool the room below 5 degree of the atmospheric temperature. ( if its 85 outside. the room will be cooled only to 80) That's the maintenance's scale of working air conditioning. I wouldn't suggest this place. If you do want honest opinion from the residents you could talk to atleast 5 residents walking out the door.

Current Resident 448985

Resident • 1989 - 2014

The Chesterfield has declined markedly since MPA acquired the property in 1998. If you want to be swayed by CHEAP rents, by means do so but be aware of the roaches, bedbugs, noisy neighbors and other filth and scum that pervades the building. Maintenance is slow at best and may take two or three attempts before the problem is repaired properly. BTW, make sure you have adequate renters insurance, because Murphy's Law is in effect and working overtime at this building! If you move here, you must be desperate for downtown housing or have several roommates to split the cost - either way, you WILL regret the day you moved here...life is short my friends, be happier somewhere else. Signed, a long-term resident too old to move!

Current Resident 209014

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Moving out ASAP! Dont rent from this place. The leasing office is the most skechty group of ladies. Never have I dealt with someone as rude as them. They have different policies for anyone walking through that door and qualifications are different based on if they like you or not. I was approved to renew my lease... They gave me 10 days notice saying that i was no longer able to renew right before my lease was up. They claim they are doing all these improvements on the building yet I look at this wall every day with water damages in my hall way that has been sitting there for months! They started with the basement where no one goes and cant even improve the residents hall ways first! Vikki the office manager has completly ignored the situation with the water damage of the wall in the hall way and forget about ever getting a call back from her. Trust me you are getting for what you pay for. Horrible management, roaches, dirty hall ways, water leaks, and just being extremely disrespected 24/7. I also attached photos to prove they leave things sitting there in the hall way for everyone to see.

ap16888

Resident • 2012 - 2014

I would like to report the dismissive and extremely rude behaviour of the Chesterfield property manager towards me and my colleague, during our conversation with her on Saturday. She came across as a very bitter and sarcastic person completely dismissive of the complaints of two hardworking residents when they visited her office for a completely genuine issue. We were not even invited to sit inside her office and she completely shrugged off the issue and said some very rude words to both of us.My friend and I went separately and not together, and both of us agree on how condescending she was.

throwawayabcd

Resident • 2014

I promised myself after living here a few months I would write an accurate and helpful review for those who are confused by the others. Keep in mind that anyone can leave a review on this site without any verification, so take everything here with a grain of salt. When you visit an apartment you should look at a room yourself and make sure the particular room you are renting fits your expectations, that's what's most important. I was reluctant to consider this place because of the reviews online, but when I noticed that they sounded exaggerated I realized the place could be a bargain. And in many ways it is a bargain. The place is very conveniently located, and the rooms are decent and a good size for the price. It is surprisingly quiet at least where my apartment is. There is one big overriding problem with the Chesterfield - they don't take care of maintenance problems until they are emergencies. There had been a water outage for about 24 hours due to a pipe break, and I heard of water coming into some other apartments. Hot water has turned off a couple of times. Non-emergency maintenance requests take a long time (weeks to months). The gym has broken equipment that seems to never get fixed, including all of the treadmills. The tennis court is in bad shape and I never see anyone play tennis there, the putting green is no longer there. These problems suggest a pervasive attitude that maintenance problems are to be fixed only when absolutely necessary. They'll never be able to raise their rent unless they fix their maintenance problems. Other problems (surprisingly not mentioned in other reviews): The windows are very poorly designed - they do not have screens and only open part way. This allows midges in if you leave them open at night. There is only control over how much heat or cooling blows into the room - not whether it is hot or cold. In the early spring the heat is left on supposedly due to city requirements, but it makes the room too hot unless the windows are open (and then midges come in). The "business center" is just a room with chairs and a table or two, more a study lounge than a business center. The apartment building next door is section 8 and sometimes you see drunk-looking characters outside. But it's not a very bad neighborhood. Interesting that no one has mentioned the parking situation. You should ask someone who lives here about that. There are two things that seem to be widely complained about that I simply have not experienced: bugs and staff attitude. Many reviews mention bug horror stories that are blatantly intended to create emotional reaction. I have not seen any roaches or bedbugs, not a one. Although there is evidence of prior exterminations. The other common complaint in these reviews is staff attitude. I have not had personal problems of significance with staff. I do wish they would fix more stuff and return rent when things break but I can't complain much about rudeness. When I signed up they were honest enough with about the past bug problems and gym issues, to the extent you can expect that from leasing agents. I have not used the pool, but people seem to go there a lot so I doubt the stories about it are true. There is an occasional smell from the indian residents' cooking, but it is not pervasive. I have to think that such reviews were written by people who did not actually live here. Any review with typing in all caps is trying to grab your attention, so it's probably BS. So if you are willing to put up with poor maintenance for a cheap place downtown that you can move right away, the Chesterfield is an option to consider. But if you want a low-hassle apartment or place with better amenities, you'll want to pay more to live somewhere else.

Prospective Resident 550698

Prospect • Visited 2014

Seriously F***k the management here! Bunch of airheaded ladies who can't get off their high horse and actually be productive. Sick of the attitude and unwillingness to actually do their damn job. DON'T RENT FROM HERE!

Current Resident 526239

Resident • 2014

STAY AWAY...FAR, FAR AWAY!!! You get what you pay for (not at all good), along with being treated very badly. All the pictures on the website are outdated, and it's just horrible. Before I even moved here, the management office treated me very badly, and refused to assist me with the whole application process. Due to the fact that I was in a desperate need to move into an apartment for a job quickly, and all the other apartments that I looked at were full, I had no choice really but to live here. Well, now I regret that decision more than ever. The management team is absolutely rude as all get out, refuses to assist anyone (should've known from the beginning), and are very blunt about showing off their attitudes when dealing with other residents. This place has been going down the crapper in quality and professionalism for a while now. The only good thing I can say about this place is that the maintenance staff has been decent and quick. I just wish I hadn't chosen this place and can't wait til my lease is up. I just hope I never have to deal with the management people ever again. : / I called someone even higher than the property manager and it seems the whole establishment MPA just doesn't really care. Won't take anything into consideration. They may not be in business for much longer, so don't bother with this place.

brittanygidley

Resident • 2002 - 2014

My husband and I lived in the Chesterfield for 12 years. You are probably thinking to yourself- hey, if you gave it one star, why the heck did you live there so long?! Let me explain. We moved into the building in 2002. There was a clean pool, tennis courts, a putting green and a fabulous workout room. Those things are no longer. The images that The Chesterfield portrays are from years ago when the building was properly maintained. Under the current ownership, the building has continually deteriorated with very minimal maintenance to apartments and public areas alike. It has all of the issues that older buildings have along with a management team that is rude and apathetic. Many residents- young and old- have been scolded by the current property manager and many long time residents are high tailing it out of the building. Your rent may be cheap at The Chesterfield- but the age old saying of 'you get what you pay for' rings true in this building especially. After 12 long years we are not walking- we are running- to a more peaceful place in Downtown Cleveland to call home. Heed my advice and don't waste your time here.

Current Resident 154859

Resident • 2013 - 2014

The Chesterfield has horrific management. They do not fix problems. The "full gym" has several broken equipment. The management first explained that it would be fixed in 6 weeks, it has been 4 months and now they have no idea to as when the equipment will be replaced. This past winter we had roaches steadily for 6 months every week we had to call the exterminator. The management had mapped out apartments that were infested with bugs. We were informed that we lived below and next to other apartments that were infested as well (gross). The exterminator seemed to only put a Band-Aid on the situation. The heat was left on this summer until three weeks ago. Management always has an excuse. When the laundry facility is down "It's not there responsibility to fix it". The pool is ok, only allowed one visitor per apartment. The only thing good about this building is the location, the staff doesn't care about the residents. I would not recommend this apartment facility to anyone.

chesterfieldtenant

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Great location, two views of lake from apartment. 1 noisy neighbor but I sleep heavily so noise at night doesn't bother me - no need for me to complain. The other neighbor is silent. A few maintenance issues when I first moved in but they were quickly resolved by the very helpful maintenance team. It's always very warm in the apartment. Bug problem back in the fall of 2013 but not seen a bug since (6 months bug free so far).

Current Resident 560217

Resident • 2013 - 2014

Run the other way! Fraudulent misrepresentations by the leasing office. Was told was approved for a new lease, then told was not 10 days before the expiration of current one. Sudden "policy changes" in the leasing office. Inept and unprofessional staff. A conspiracy of stupidity.

Current Resident 475494

Resident • 2014

ABSOLUTLEY HORRIBLE! The management in this building is horrendous. They never answer their phones and are impossible to get a hold of. There were countless things in my apartment that needed the attention of the management. It took me 6 months to get a hold of ONE WOMAN in the management office. When I finally spoke to her about the issues I have in my apartment, she rudely denied any problems I am experiencing and practically kicked me out of her office. When I went to complain to her senior, that woman was even worse!!!! She told me they will do absolutey nothing for me to help me out in my apartment. She also flat out called me a liar when I told her the other woman was extremely rude to me. I am packing my stuff and moving out. Please do yourself a favor.. save your stress, time, and do not move into this building!!!

jonieg

Resident • 2009 - 2011

PLEASE PLEASE RUN THE OTHER WAY!! during my time here I witnessed so many horrific things that I will never forget and forever changed my views on renting at all. We aren't talking 1 or 2 small problems we are talking whole building infestation. I would not normally say that as people would take it as an exaggeration but in this case it is not a joke or inflation of the truth. I had over heard the lady at the front desk talking to the exterminator one day on how the office was mapping the problem and they had already had 146 confirmed cases of Bedbugs. We aren't even talking roaches hear people....the roaches are about .5 to 1.5 inches. they are huge. While I was there the pool was green, and it flooded every apartment from the 19th floor to the 1st floor that was under the pool. From what I hear this is a constant problem. I have seen bedbugs in the hallway on their fancy ledges outside the elevators.....this is if the elevators work. at one time the only elevator that was working was the freight elevator which I used and had to walk past an abandoned mattress that was littered with black spots and running bugs. I also ended up with bedbugs. I tried to follow the instructions to get rid of them but there was no hot water in the laundry room. Plus when my neighbor moved out 2 months after I found bugs in my apartment I saw why I had them. My neighbors attended CSU and they were 4 boys rooming together. As they were taking their stuff down the hall roaches were running from their doorway while it was open. I walked by to see in and their was literally bedbugs hanging from the ceiling with roaches running over them it was so thick with them. They actually had to co-exist due to the numbers. I know this is hard to picture but I promise you this is not the choice to make moving here. Not only that your better off never seeing what I've seen.

Prospective Resident 969919

Prospect • Visited 2012

I stayed in the Chesterfield for a short time (a week) with some friends while apartment searching. I decided I couldnt take it anymore and left after a couple days. The place is a hell hole filled with roaches and bed bugs. The basement laundry room and game room or whatever its called reminded me of a horror movie. The building is sooooo outdated. I dont even know where to start with everything I hated about this place. Anyone thinking about living here should know that all these negative reviews are highly accurate. There is way too much wrong with place to even consider living here for a week. I glady moved across the street to where I actually enjoyed saying hi to the doorman and lived comfortably in a nice place with no bugs. I completely loathe the chesterfield after my experiences there. IT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The management also seemed shady. Theyll tell you that every building in cleveland has bugs and that its normal or something stupid like that. Dont believe anything. The pool is gross and cheap rent isnt worth it. I wouldnt touch this place with a ten foot pole. STAY AWAY FROM THE CHESTERFIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!