Potomac Towers

Current Resident 590038

Resident • 2013

I have lived in Potomac Towers for five years now. I am quite pleased, it is a safe quiet area. The new management has cleaned up the place significantly with being there for a short time. On the other hand the is construction ongoing and I had to move to a new unit because of it however, I am sure we as residents would be pleased with the outcome of the. The washers should be updated, but other than that I would definitely recommend this place to friends and family.

PTowersResident

Resident • 2003 - 2013

Visit the residents discussion group www.potomactowers.org for other views and news of what is happening at Potomac Towers. Overview/history: I have lived in the building for almost 10 years. When I first moved in, it was a great building with a mix of grad students, young professionals, families and long time residents, some have lived here for more than 30 years. Despite its age, it was a great place to live, with reasonable rent, a good location and a great sense of community. I have referred 4 people who have moved into the building. However, when the original building owners transferred the building to their grandchildren this all changed. The new owners seem to be more interested in making money than providing a good place to live. Rents have gone up, they are now charging for utilities and more fees and charges are coming soon. They seem to want to make Potomac Towers the same as other luxury buildings in the area, except Potomac Towers is a 50 year old building with none of the luxuries offered in other buildings like Archstone properties. Here is a review of the building... Gym: The strength training equipment is family new and in good condition. The cardio equipment is in poor condition, old, and in some cases even rusty. There are 4 TV's in the gym, only one works. The gym is included in the rent. (for now) Office space: The office space is small, but adequate, and includes 2 computers and 2 printers. Residents are able to print for free (for now), but are blocked from many websites, including social media sites like Facebook. Pool: The pool remains one of the best features of living at Potomac Towers. It is included in the rent (for now), and is at least 3 times as big as newer apartment buildings and has plenty of lounge chairs and space to lay out. Parking: Parking is plentiful and included in the rent (for now). Storage: Storage is only available to residents who moved in before 2007. It is included in the rent, however there are plans underway to charge residents for storage space. Recently (May 2013) residents were force to consolidate there things into one storage area. There were also restrictive hours placed on residents to be able to access their own possessions. Utilities: Until December, 2012, utilities were included in the rent. The owners decided to charge residents for electricity, water and gas and installed electronic meters in every apartment. These are the same type of meters that are banned in parts of Europe because of the believed cancer risks. The problem with this is that since it is an old building, the only thing they can accurately measure is the electricity. The water, gas, heating and cooling can only be estimated based on apartment size and occupancy. You will be charged the same, whether you use a lot or a little. This change to a over 50 year policy of having utilities included in the rent caused an uproar in the building, causing many long-time residents to move out. Residents were supposed to get their first utility bills on March 1, however, as of June 10, no one I know has received a bill. There is no way of knowing what the utility charges will be. Renovations: The renovations to the building are finally finishing up after over 5 years. The new windows and ceiling fans were a welcome addition. However, the rest of the renovations were hurriedly and cheaply done. From the outside, the new kitchen looks nice, but look underneath the counter and you will see the cheap materials and poor workmanship. The new appliances are lower quality and not energy efficient, which would have been nice since they now charge for utilities. Nothing was done in the bathrooms and long-time residents were forced to move from their apartments in order to renovate them and if they stayed in the building, were rewarded with higher rents. Views: Some apartments, which have higher rents, do have fantastic views of DC, Georgetown and Rosslyn. The rooftop deck offers an amazing panoramic view of the area, however it has been closed for years, with no sign of reopening. Outdoor area: The outdoor area is large and relaxing. It features grills and a playground. 4 out of the 5 grills are usable and they are sometimes in high demand. One of grills has been broken since the fall of 2012 and as of June 2013 remains broken and one of the riding animals on the playground is missing a bolt and hasn't been fixed in years. Smoking: Smoking is permitted in and around the building. The management is reluctant to change this policy. I've never had a problem with smoke, but people I know who live below a exit door or have a neighbor who smokes (kitchen vents are connected) have had issues. Recommendation: If you are looking for a short-term rental then this might be a decent option. However, there are too many uncertainties with the possible additions of extra fees and charges like storage, parking and other amenities to recommend living here longer that 1 or 2 years. It really is too bad how the building has changed and how greed and money is dictating the management of the building over providing a nice place for residents to live, as the original owners did. I do not recommend living here to friends or family anymore. Visit the residents discussion group www.potomactowers.org for other views and news of what is happening at Potomac Towers.

Current Resident 791719

Resident • 2012 - 2013

The review immediately below this one was either: 1. written for another Potomac Towers in utopia OR 2. written by management. I've been living here for over a year. Rent no longer includes utilities as it has in the past. Management rudely let tenants know of this change a few days before Christmas. To their credit, management seemed to take into consideration the fact that our utilities were included in our rent costs before after we sent multiple emails; our rent did not increase for this coming year (though I will say that it probably should have gone down, but I won't complain too much). It's very easy to hear conversations (and sex, for that matter) between apartments here, especially if said apartment is right next to you or across the hall. And construction continues to be ongoing due to apartment renovations, so if you're home between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday, you're bound to hear the sweet sounds of jackhammering coming from somewhere in the building. On the bright side, the neighborhood in general is pretty quiet. You won't have to worry about some screaming bros stumbling home from the bar drunk at 2 AM like you would if you lived in Ballston or Clarendon. There's no washer or drier in units. In fact, it's not uncommon to have only 1 functioning washer on your floor at one time. Good luck getting your laundry done. On the bright side, the pool is still free. So is parking. Of note, my partner and I each have a parking spot for our cars, and we live in a 1BR apt. The tenants have been the most friendly out of any building that I've lived in throughout this area. Most of the front desk staff is friendly (especially Ivory). Maintenance has been good to my partner and I; they came to fix our toilet within 5 minutes one night. And this place is walking distance to Court House and Clarendon. We also have a beautiful view. If I didn't already live here, I'm not sure that I'd move in to Potomac Towers knowing what I know now, and knowing how management treats its tenants. Prospective renters can find places of better value elsewhere. I'm beginning to look forward to the day when I can move out of here forever, in favor of a home that I'll own.

Current Resident 2683

Resident • 2013

I love this building. The front desk staff are friendly especially Ivory. Maintenence staff, mainly Stanley, is also friendly, efficient and very responsive. There are cement walls and floors so the noise level is very minimal, if any. The pool is nice and well kept. The gym is very basic and doesn't have tons of equipment but it's clean and accessible. The women in the rental office, Dorothy and Susan, are amazing. They'll answer ant questions and are super helpful. The building is a mix of older residence and young professionals. Not too many families. The location is unbeatable for the price. I loved my time here. The only reason I'm leaving is because I'm buying a place. If they sold units here, though, I would buy here.

Current Resident 697457

Resident • 2008 - 2013

I have lived in Potomac Towers for 6 yrs and I like it a lot. Many of tenets have been here for a long, long time; I have gotten to know many long term tenets, from simple hello's to good friends. The building (tenets) are QUIET. This is very important for me. There was a period of construction but that is pretty much over. I have had one noisy neighbor who decided to move out after management explained that noise is not appreciated. (I have lived around noisy neighbors in the 30yrs I have been renting and have had landlords who were not willing to enforce a strict policy of considerate quiet, so I know what a nightmare noisy neighbors are.) Management and maintenance are responsive and get the job done -- no problem. The amenities are good -- I use the exercise facility daily; don't use the pool because I don't like swimming; the laundry room is always clean and works just fine. I have lived in 3 different apartments in 3 of the 4 wings of Potomac Towers; the views and light from the windows from all are great. I recommend Potomac Towers, especially for those interested in considerate quiet!

Current Resident 633163

Resident • 2008 - 2013

I have lived here for 5 years and have never had a problem. The building is well kept and in a great neighborhood. Maintenance is totally reliable. The apartment has great amenities and all of the people I've met in the building have been incredibly friendly and quiet. I would highly recommend Potomac Towers to anyone.

Current Resident 764177

Resident • 2012 - 2013

NOT recommended. it is not what is seems at the first look. washers/dryers are not in-unit, but instead they are for use in common, only 2 for each floor.they are very old, and they are either NOT working at all or they are working POORLY, the clothes are frequently full of rust spots when you take them out of those washers, and they will never be clean again. the third party company who manages the washers couldn't care less about their clients, any complaints you make will remain without solution. or, if they do come to fix something, the next day the washer is broken again... i am wondering what's the reason potomac towers still does business with that washer company and sacrifices this way her tenants and her interests... very noisy building, there is construction ongoing, they keep drilling walls, a never-ending inferno starts every day at 8am... plus, obviously, plenty of dust comes inside the apartments, even if one vacuums a couple of times per week it is still not clean. the neighbors are very noisy and very rude, many partying students, very immature, or families with young children yelling 24hours, on the halls mind you, every day on and on. the kind of people who forget they don't live in the woods anymore, but in a building instead, where they have to behave like civilized people do... even if there are "no smoking" signs in the building, the cigar smell is terrible on the stairs, and many people smoke on the halls too... the management personnel, except for one person, is very rude and bossy. however, the gentleman from the front desk is a very nice person indeed, he is an angel. they allow now dogs in the building. i also saw a couple of cokroaches on the halls. so of course, for all these reasons, the rent MUST go up, right???!! of course!

Current Resident 754902

Resident • 2011 - 2013

Pros: the man at the front desk, light offered by windows, pool, and the parking situation Cons: Comcast, washer and dryer situation, closet space, rude front desk people majority of the time and incompetent management office, price hikes in rent, new utility meters and costs coming into effect soon, cracks in walls, power blips (or fllat out outages), drafts from poor mantainence, and short notice in people entering the apartment (if any notice at all), animal feces and pee smell in hallway, animal owners who don't seem to care about cleaning up after their dog, smoke from neighboring apartments seeping into ours (an asthmatic's worst nightmare)

varent12

Resident • 2011 - 2013

I've been living at Potomac Towers a little over a year and I do not recommend it. First, there's only 2 washers/ 2 dryers per floor (40 apartments per floor). We never saw the roof top deck open last summer. Water pressure is horrible in the mornings. Tenants are allowed to smoke, and in some apartments it's horrible. There's never notice of when construction will be going on around your unit. And lastly, we got noticed the week before Christmas that now we have to pay for utilities (which used to be included in our rennt). Overall, I don't recommend this building.

Current Resident 112675

Resident • 2014

Pros: Location. It is easy to get to 110, 66, GW Parkway, and this building is about a 10 minute walk to the Court House metro. There are also two bike share stations at both ends of the parking lot which is nice on a sunny day. Cons: Management. I lived in this building for two years, and have moved out since viewing the new lease for 2014-2015. It is a good road map of what is ahead for this property, and I would like to warn everyone, especially potential tenants, to beware. While rent may seem reasonable for the area, and for new tenants, be aware of additional "amenities" fees that will be tacked on in the future. On the new lease, I was shocked to see paragraphs about fees for parking, as well as, use of the gym, clubroom, pool, and business center. The quality of the amenities in this building (specifically the gym) are not great either, and I personally would not pay extra for any of them. The worst part is that utilities are not included in rent. While the lease states that individuals pay for their own utilities, something is very wrong with the picture. When an individuals heat/ac is off, and has been for a year, there is absolutely no way that HVAC should cost $50/month, nor should total utilities to cost anywhere near $100 (especially for a studio apartment). Lastly, while tenants are allowed to have pets (for a fee, of course) pet-visitors are not permitted on this property. This is very hypocritical, which says a lot about this management company and complex. For potential tenants, I would strongly suggest reconsidering and evaluating all of your options.

Current Resident 82822

Resident • 2009 - 2013

I have rented at Potomac Towers for almost 4 years. I moved into one of the newly renovated two-bedroom corner units and I love it. My favorite highlights: 1) It is spacious and gets a ton of light. 2) My #1 favorite part: NO BUGS. I think I've seen one stinkbug on my window and maybe one spider in my nearly FOUR YEARS living in my unit. 3) The units have gas ovens and stoves. 4) The water always gets very hot immediately and there is good water pressure. 5) In the renovated units, the kitchens are white and clean with new appliances, the light fixtures are updated, and they replaces all of the windows during construction in 2010 which are beautiful and air-tight. 6) Safety. In this neighborhood I never, ever feel unsafe walking alone, even at night. Many people have kids, and although there aren't any businesses/restaurants/bars on our street there are always people around. 7) Location. Many easily accessible forms of transportation (below) and a few minutes' walk to Courthouse and Clarendon areas for restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. The rent is reasonable for the location - especially considering that it is right next to buses (3A, 3E, 3B, and 3Y), easy access to major roads, zipcar, capital bike share, running trails, and a ten minute walk to the metro. The amenities are pretty bare-bones except for the POOL, which is the best feature. Not too many kids, a lifeguard, a manicured lawn and plenty of chairs, and the water is always sparkling clean. If I had to name a few points for improvement (in the interest of pointing out the minor flaws for potential renters), I would say: 1) It is great that laundry was on every floor - if it was in-unit it would be better, but I can't really fault them for this as many apartment buildings don't have this. 2) I can hear the plumbing run every time my upstairs neighbor runs the bathroom sink, shower, or toilet. I'm used to it by now but I wish it was better insulated. 3) The elevators, basement, and hallways are a little dated. I had one visitor compare it to the corridor in The Shining, which was a little harsh, but I get their point. Clean but a little drab and dim. In early 2013 they are planning on adding utilities on top of our rent cost (currently, all utilities are included). I'm pretty annoyed about this since it's one of the major perks of living here. It still might end up being cheaper than other similar buildings so that is why my recommendation for living here is still "yes."

Current Resident 998843

Resident • 2012

I have lived in this building for many years by now and the quality has gone down in maintenance. Utilities are no longer covered. Recent renovations have used very poor material. The building is more than 60-70 years old. If you want to live close to commute then this place is manageable.

Current Resident 631276

Resident • 2008 - 2012

This building used to be an adequate place to live, but in the past year or so, it has gotten a lot noisier, probably because the people moving in now tend to be younger -- there seem to be a lot of students in roommate situations and people who obviously don't need sleep on weeknights. Edited to add: Utilities have up until now been included in the rent, but that's about to change as of March 2013, and the scheme for dividing the costs does not appear to be particularly equitable. This is likely to be a major annoyance in the future for many renters in the building. Cons: * Noise from neighbors. The renovated units are much noisier than the older units, and the crowd coming in obviously doesn't care about making noise at night. * The office staff seems less responsive to noise complaints than it was in earlier years, but perhaps that's merely subjective. I had quieter neighbors before, so there were fewer problems to bring up. * If you're on a night shift and want to sleep during the day, good luck! The renovations are still going on, and you will hear drilling and pounding starting at 8 a.m. every day. * The renovations are not particularly well done, and rents are rising fast. They're taking out the kitchen walls of individual apartments and putting in new (cheaply made) cabinets and fixtures as fast as they can, the better to charge higher rents. Strangely, though, these renovations do not include the bathrooms, which still appear to have the original tile and bath fixtures from 1959. But that means this building, which doesn't have in-unit laundry machines, is about a half-mile from the Metro, and is not by any description a luxury residence, is probably moving toward charging more rent than its apartments are worth. * There are just two laundry machines and dryers per floor, in a place where each floor has 40 apartment units. The laundry machines and payment system are handled by a separate contracting firm, and often some of the machines are out of order. This situation creates frustrating laundry traffic jams, because most people have a limited window in which to do laundry. Forget cleaning your clothes on Sundays unless you want a major headache. * Anytime there's a maintenance project that requires having someone enter your apartment or that turns off your hot water/water/electricity for an hour or a day -- and this occurs on a fairly frequent basis -- you will be notified two days in advance. That's probably the minimum required by law, but sometimes it's not enough for planning. They did this with the parking lot repairs and painting a couple of months ago. We were given two days' notice of a project that required moving our cars in musical-chairs fashion around the lot for about a week -- fine if you were around during that time, as I was, but not so great if you happened to be on vacation. * This used to be a cats-only building, but recently, its policy has been changed to allow dogs. That's great if you're a dog owner or love dogs, but not so great if you want to live free of barking and the occasional spot of dog urine or feces in the halls or elevators. Also, now they charge a pet fee, I believe, for both cats and dogs, so it's no longer Shangri-La for cat lovers, either. Some pros: * The maintenance staff is friendly and helpful and the place is well kept up, in an ordinary way. I'm particularly impressed with the cleaning staff and the way the parking lot is kept clear in the winter. The head maintenance man is an absolute pro and lives on-site, as do some of the others on staff. * The man at the front desk on weeknights is a treasure. He knows his job well, and he gets to know people's names and backgrounds. Some of the other front desk people are adequate and some can never answer simple questions, but he's a major reason this place has any pleasant atmosphere at all. * The location is pretty good, though not stellar. Being within walking distance from the Metro but not too close keeps your legs in shape. Capital Bikeshare has dropped two stations on either side of the building, so it's great for bike lovers, too. The entrance to I-66 is right down Lee Highway, and the shopping center at Clarendon is easily accessible, as well. * The new dog policy, if you're a dog owner.

Current Resident 146349

Resident • 2012

not good

construction here is awful.

Current Resident 937258

Resident • 2012

If you like AC when it's hot, think twice

This place switches between heat in the winter to AC in the summer. I didn't know this when I moved in. They don't turn the AC on til it's well into Spring. It's been in the 80's recently and NO AC! Think about this before you move in here. I have severe allergies and I'm getting totally slammed by an awful allergy season and no way to get relief from either the heat or the pollen. I like the studio, my boyfriend and I love the thought of having the pool this summer and the area is very convenient, but the climate control situation sucks badly.

Current Resident 662972

Resident • 2011

Great bang for your buck

I've lived here for about six months and have no real complaints. Its in walking distance of both the courthouse and clarendon metro, parking is free and there are always spots, and electricity and water is included. For the money you are paying, space, and distance from metro, you won't find a better deal. There is no longer any real construction, and I have not heard any disruptions in terms of noise etc. The pool and grills are great, and while the gym and business center are a little small, I've still never had a problem getting on a machine or being able to print something. My only real complaint is that since utilities are included, they do turn off the AC around mid october, and turn the head on. This fall its been about 70s or so in october, and 60s in november, so its been warm, but not intolerable in the apartment.

Current Resident 848545

Resident • 2011

If you're laid back, then you'll like it here

I've read horror stories on this site from other tenants in the building, and I feel sorry for them. I have to say however, that I haven't experienced any problems and have only had to make small maintenance requests that never bothered me and shouldn't bother anyone. The construction is complete with the exception of the on-going remodeling as long-term tenants move out. The walls are thin within the apartment, but I rarely have problems hearing my neighbors. Maybe I just have good neighbors. The folks at the front desk and rental office are friendly, understanding and personable and the maintenance staff is exactly the same way. You can tell that they like being on a first name basis with everyone, which makes it feel more like home rather than just a place to live. No great amenities, the gym kind of stinks with old machines that don't work half the time and they've added a small business room in the lobby with two computers and two printers. So, not many amenities. The pool seems to be really nice, but I haven't been able to enjoy it yet. If you're laid back, have a normal 9-5 job and don't mind living a simple lifestyle without all the bells and whistles that the apartments on Wilson Blvd. offer, then you'll like this place. My only true complaint is that the main doors of the apartments are not air tight, so you can smell EVERYONE'S cooking on your hall, and really, they're probably the biggest reason for hearing noise that comes from outside the apartment. Let me tell you, the smell of Italian food, TV dinners, fish, Indian food and Asian food all on one hall, all at the same time, is not pleasant. There are also some residents that do not care about the NO SMOKING rule and if you live on their hall, then you will smell their smoke in the hall and possibly in your own apartment. That smell will take a while to go away because the ventilation in the hall is poor. Overall, I'm happy, and if I move out, it won't be because I can't stand the building or staff. Come check this place out for yourself and make your own judgment, and remember that some people just need to learn to chill out.

Current Resident 765964

Resident • 2011

Don't Believe the Hype

I have lived here for going on two years now. Yes, the noise from construction was difficult to bear at times when they refaced the entire complex. That was completed several months ago now but people still complain. Managment has ALWAYS been very receptive to my needs and if there is a problem, it is fixed that day. If an occupant leaves an apartment, some work will be done on it of course... that is expected. The older apartments are being redone with upgraded appliances and a nice kitchen. So if the noise during the day disturbs you... Managment has hospitality suites that they will give you to hang out if you need. I mean come on... Anywhere you go there is going to be construction of this nature. I have no intention of leaving this complex as long as I work here. Scott

Current Resident 636849

Resident • 2010 - 2011

Noise, Construction Everywhere, Shoddy Apartment Quality

The first thing I can say about this apartment complex is NOISE, NOISE NOISE. First of all, when I moved in, I knew that the complex was undergoing massive renovations, and that weighed heavy on my mind. Before I signed a lease, I specifically asked the rental agent whether or not I would be impacted by the noise of the ongoing construction. She assured me that my unit would be away from the construction and I would not be affected. This was a blatant LIE. I am a graduate student and I have hours that differ from the average 9-5 working professional, so this question was of particular importance to me. I signed a lease and moved in, comforted by the reassurance of the rental agent. In retrospect, I wish I had gotten her "promise" in writing. While a certain aspect of the rental agent's reassurance was true (I do not often hear the construction noise from the exterior of the building, or the lobby, or basement for instance), I am CONSTANTLY affected by construction noise from various apartments. What happens is this - when a tenant moves out, the construction workers swoop in and begin renovations on that tenant's apartment. You have ABSOLUTELY ZERO advance notice when this is going to happen. So, things will be fine, and you will have moderate peace and quiet in your unit until one morning you wake up to the sound of jackhammers. And then your life is ruined for the next couple of MONTHS, where you must constantly listen to hammers, jackhammers, sanders and all kinds of unimaginable noises from 8:30 in the morning THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Management can never give you a definitive answer of when the construction will be finished, or tell you what is going on. If you question them about it, they look at you like you are crazy. Management keeps you completely in the dark about the construction noise that you will be directly impacted by as a tenant living in this building. The worst instance re: the construction that impacted me directly involved a renovation of the apartment directly next to mine. The renovations continued for at least 6 WEEKS. What I don't understand is why, in God's name, it would take that length of time to renovate a 700 sq foot apartment. I patiently dealt with the noise for the majority of the time, wore earplugs while I studied all day to mute the sound of jackhammers, or went to the library (even though I am paying $1465/month to deal with constant noise and inability to be in my own apartment that I am renting). The icing on the cake happened when I came home one day from the library to find my entire kitchen FLOODED (see attached pictures). The kitchen was covered with a goopy paint-like watery substance that had been flushed through the pipes during the renovation next door. I immediately went to the rental office and had them come up to my unit and observe. I was furious. A digital camera that I had on the counter was ruined, as well as a carpet rug. Did management reimburse me for any of this? NO. Did they apologize for the incompetence of their workers? NO. Absolutely ridiculous. Maintenance came to clean the kitchen after pictures were taken, but they disposed of the kitchen rug without my consent, flippantly telling me days later that they did so (after I had to find a worker and ask), and the worker told me I should just "probably buy a new one." Money grows on trees, doesn't it, and I love to have my stuff ruined while I'm studying at the library. Maintenance or management never checked in on me after the incident to ask how I was doing, to apologize, or to offer to pay me for the damages. That was the last day of renovations on the apartment next door to me. Fast forward to 2 months of moderate peace and quiet and now they are renovating the apartment directly above mine. There is constant noise that I can hear from the unit above me, beginning at 8:30 AM. WHEN IS IT GOING TO STOP? Again, management provided me of no notice that these renovations were about to begin, or give me a timeline of how long they would take and how I would be impacted. I'm not sure it would help the situation any to know I would be inconvenienced in advance, but I would know in advance so I could plan my study time accordingly, know when I would have a guaranteed headache, and find a way to plan my day to avoid the guaranteed noise and discomfort. To add to all of this, there is the constant inconvenience of renovations on the basement level, where you must exit the building in the lobby and walk around the building to reach your car. Also, the fitness center has been closed on a whim for these renovations, as well as the convenience store, limiting access to amenities that you are paying good money to use. Finally, the actual condition of the apartment is questionable. In the summertime, I had to call maintenance at least 5-6 times to fix my leaky air conditioner that would start spewing water all over my brand new carpets about once every other week. Maintenance would always come promptly, but obviously they were just putting a band aid on a problem and not truly fixing it. My floors got waterlogged and damaged, my rugs got stained with the water, and rather than fixing the problem fully, maintenance would provide me with a noisy fan that I would have to keep running for days on end in order to dry the water damage. Wait a couple weeks, and it would happen again. The cycle continued throughout the summer. I can hear my neighbors constantly (especially in my bathroom), and I can hear people in the halls. I can often hear doors slamming (maybe my neighbors are especially noisy, I don't know). The washers/dryers are often broken, limiting the available units to 1 washer/dryer per floor sometimes. I have heard the management team address these concerns with a "tough luck" kind of attitude, and say it is the tenant's responsibility to call the laundry company and report the problem. Great customer service, right? With all of these cons, there are a couple of pro's. 1.) Parking is sufficient, but it would be better if it was assigned. As a graduate student, I often have late hours, and feel a little unsafe having to park far away in the lot. I would pay to have a reserved spot closer to the building 2.) Ivory, the front desk concierge is amazing - always greets you with a friendly smile 3.) I like the pool 4.) My view is pretty nice, and I like being in a relatively suburban area, surrounded by trees, yet a 10 minute walk to the metro. 5.) I haven't seen any bugs, which definitely makes me happy 6.) Utilities are included, but I imagine this will probably change soon (like it seems to happen in all buildings in this area). The problem with this place is they kind of have you in a precarious position. There is only a small iota of a chance you could find a 1 br this size within walking distance to the metro for $1465 or less. What infuriates me is I'll probably renew my lease b/c the unit is big and close to Clarendon nightlife and the cheapest around. If they raise the rent at all though, I'm out of here. The noise and construction is a serious, serious detractor from this apartment complex, but if you have a relatively normal schedule and are not ever home from 9-5, you will probably like this place. Unless of course you ever have to deal with the management, or if something breaks..then, good luck.

IoanaRusu

Resident • 2009 - 2011

Completely satisfied...minus the fact that they don't allow dogs!

I have to say, I'm a bit surprised by all the bad reviews this building is getting. I've lived here for over a year, and before that, my boyfriend lived here for a year, too. The construction phase was definitely difficult to deal with...all the people complaining about loud hammering and drilling are completely justified. However, all that is done now. The only part still left to finish is the basement. This building is a FANTASTIC value at the moment, simply due to the fact that ALL your utilities are included in your rent. You can't find this in Arlington. Also, the apartments are some of the most spacious I've ever encountered. Huge bedrooms and living rooms. Our unit's kitchen is a bit small, but some of the other renovated kitchens I've seen are really large. There are some heating/cooling issues. The vents are either pumping out hot air (winter) or cold air (summer). There's not really any in between. Also, the vents are POWERFUL so in the winter, we don't usually even turn them on - it's warm enough without them. But this is really not a huge deal, the only time it sucks is in the spring/fall, when the whether starts to change, but the heating/cooling hasn't yet been switched. This would definitely not make me move out of this place. Having washer/dryers on the hallway is a bit of a chore, but you can usually find free ones pretty easily. The staff has been extremely friendly, especially the doorman, Ivory, who knows everyone in the building by name and always has a friendly greeting. He's really great. Parking is ample. The parking lot is huge, and you will always get a spot. One other note: the landscaping is really amazing. I know this is not necessarily a big selling point for most people, but I just had to mention that they do a really REALLY good job with it. In the summertime, the grass always looks incredible, and they plant fresh flowers in the front. It's a nice touch. Also, did I mention the swimming pool? It rocks. So all in all, a great place to live. So far, we've managed to convince at least 4 other people to move in here. I'm a bit worried that prices will go up after construction, but considering the fact that all utilities are included, I think it will still be a good deal. The only reason (seriously, the ONLY reason) I am contemplating leaving this place is because they don't allow dogs of any kind. Which sucks. But in every other way, it is the best and most affordable place I've ever lived. And if you think this is a "plant" from management, I would be happy to talk to you and confirm everything I've said.

wvladka

Resident • 2010

Yes, there is noise but othewise it is a great place!

I have lived at Potomac Towers since February 2010. I have to say the reviews are right about the noise from the ongoing construction but it seems to be getting to an end soon and yes it only takes place during the weekdays. It will make the building so much nicer. I don't have much problem with it in my apartment on the 8th floor though. I have to say I absolutely LOVE this place! It's location is fantastic, only less then 10 minute walk to Courthouse Metro and you walk though a very nice a safe neighborhood! The grounds are well maintained, the swimming pool is big and lovely although I wish it would stay open longer hours and at least until October. I never had problems with parking. The gym is pretty sufficient and nice. The laundry facilities are on each floor and I never had a problem getting my laundry done. People living in the building are mainly professionals. I have two cats and they allow cats with no additional fee (which is pretty rare). All utilities are included. No problem with heating or AC ever. I never had any problem with bugs. My only complaint is that I am facing I-66 and can't have my windows open at night because the noise is too bad to sleep in. I very much recommend this place!

Current Resident 148131

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Very poor, let me explain why

If you have a very high tolerance for aggravating living conditions, and really want a location that is close to a cool area and a metro station...Potomac Towers is just right for you. 1) Parking - While the parking lot is extensive and spacious, the ongoing construction (for many years now) causes large areas of the lot to be unavailable. Also, all cars in the lot are supposed to have a tenant or visitor's decal. This is not enforced, there is little if any towing, and everyone in the neighborhood seems to know this. Non-tenants use the parking lot, taking up spaces near the building. Expect to regularly park far from the building as a result. 2) Noise - I hear my neighbor coughing up his lungs in my bathroom vent every morning, and I smell his cigarettes. I was told there was no construction near my apartment. However, they've been knocking out walls on the apartment above me. (See below) 3) Safety - I don't know of any problems. 4) Ongoing renovation - Let me assure you, you will be affected. Do not believe the staff if they tell you your apartment is fully renovated and there's no construction on your floor/wing. There's external and internal construction going on, and they'll be talking about one or the other...not both. While the windows on my wing have been replaced, and my unit is renovated...they're knocking out walls in other non-renovated units on my floor, and the floor above me. And there's guys on scaffolding outside my windows b/c they're headed up to do the windows above my floor. You will be affected by the construction, debris (including tons of broken glass every few weeks), dust, and noise. There's no "safe wing/floor" to move in on. They will try to convince you otherwise. 5) Construction - The "renovated" apartments have paint slapped over old paint. It peels and is even hard to fully close my bedroom door because of the layers of paint in the doorway. I guess this is why we didn't need a security deposit. Our "new" dishwasher is shoddy at best, and we handwash our dishes and use the dishwasher to rinse them only since it won't wash them clean. 6) Maintenance - These guys are friendly, courteous, and quick to respond. But they clearly have no power to actually fix things...only the power to put a "band aid" on the situation. Especially when it comes to the leaking A/C units. They just bring you a de-humidifier and scrap the ruined plaster. They would probably do a good job fixing things...but I suspect upper management won't let them spend the $ on it. 7) Staff - The leasing staff is really not ok. Rude and stupid. We even received a document from them that had mutually exclusive clauses activated. As in a form letter that indicated: "You must do X, Y, and Z. Because of A, B, and C." (and then a paragraph later) "You must not do X, Y, Z. Because it's not the case that A, B, and C." When I pointed this out, they couldn't understand what I was talking about. I'm sorry, but a form letter is as difficult to fill out as a multiple choice test...there's no excuse for not understanding your own form letter. The letter even indicated that I'm in the military. I'm not. I can't get them to understand why I want a revised letter.

Tenant7217

Prospect • Visited 2009 - 2010

Not Worth It!

We were aware of the ongoing construction and were told it would be completed by June. It's still not even close to being done. The construction crew has routinely begun work at 8 am M-F, although we were under the impression it would start at 9 am each day. Either way, if you're at home during the day, the noise level is OUTRAGEOUS. It you work odd hours, DO NOT MOVE IN HERE!! Also, we have seen construction workers half naked as they were changing their clothes in the parking lot more than once. Also on more then one occasion, HEAPS of dust came into the apartment, through the heat vents and seals of the windows. Management was very lax about addressing the issue and sending up a cleaning crew. Ruined a lot of our things and was a major inconvenience. There is always junk and other trash left in the construction area. While they were replacing windows, they left a MASSIVE mound of broken glass overnight. The majority of the pile was inside of the fenced in construction area, but there were plenty of shards outside of the fence onto the driveway area. Was REALLY worried about running over glass and puncturing a tire. Definitely should have been cleaned up properly before the crew went home for the day. They are just NOT a very professional construction crew at all. Temperature control is TERRIBLE. We don't have a thermostat, just two separate high, medium, low switches (one in the living room, one in the bedroom). High is too high, medium is too high, and low is too low (for heat and AC). So it's impossible to be comfortable without constantly adjusting the levels, a pain in the butt when you are sleeping and have to keep waking up to adjust it. Also, because of the type of heating/cooling system the building has, the building controls when to switch other to heat from AC and vice versa. So spring and fall months are miserable...I remember weeks in October that the apartment was excruciatingly hot because they turned on the heat too soon. I will definitely make sure my next apartment has individual apartment temperature control. Parking lot is big, but don't expect a close space. The construction crew blocks off 20-30 spaces at a time depending upon which section of the building they are working. Laundry is not cheap, and there are not nearly enough machines. There are only two washers and two dryers on each floor, so machines are ALWAYS full. We don't hear a lot of noise from neighbors, except in the bathroom, where we regularly hear neighbors going to the bathroom, coughing, vomiting, etc. Not pleasant. No dishwasher. The stove/oven is not full size, and I've honestly never seen one like it before. But I guess it gets the job done. Plenty of cabinet space in the kitchen, but the cupboard doors are made of weird metal material and are not very aesthetically pleasing. Utilities are included, although it's not really worth it considering the lack of temperature control in units. Apartments are spacious with lots of closet space, rent is reasonable, free parking, bike room on the basement level for bike storage, close to bike trails, 15 minute walk from Courthouse Metro station, convenience store in basement level, on-site dry cleaning, pool, front door man. Overall: Hopefully will be much improved when construction is done, but there are no indications it will be ending any time soon. Will definitely be leaving when lease is up.

Current Resident 349741

Resident • 2009 - 2010

Meh...it's OK

I've lived here for almost a year and will be moving out when my lease is up. The other reviews are pretty much accurate. Cons: construction noise, noise in general, cheap renovations, not the best deal out there. Before moving in, I read the reviews here and was fully aware of the construction issues. I made sure to ask management detailed questions about the effect of the construction on various available units. They were pretty shady about the whole thing and gave vague answers which varied depending on who I talked to. But the price and location were right, so I settled on a remodled unit on a side of the building where they *said* construction was complete. It's true, the windows had already been replaced so I didn't have to deal with the dust problems, but the rennovation of the apartments above and accross the hall from me make it unbearable to be in my apartment during the day. I honestly don't know what they're doing above me because the construction noise is constant and has been going on since I moved in ten months ago! Sometimes it's so loud that my apartment actually shakes. I know this because it knocks loose dust from underneath my kitchen cabinets on particularly bad days. When I first moved in I worked odd hours and it was absolutely awful, even with earplugs. They say the construction is 9-5 but I hear them start before 8am at least once a week. Basically, they knew I was concerned about noise and lied so that I would sign a lease. The walls between apartments seem adequate, but when I'm in the bathroom I can hear one of my neighbors hacking and coughing regularly. Not sure what's up with that. As I mentioned, I live in one of the remodled units. At first, it seemed great. Nice new appliances, nice carpet, fresh paint. But it's all very cheaply done as it turns out. My dishwasher and garbage disposal constantly break down, my kitchen faucet needs to be adjusted periodically so that it doesn't spray me in the face, and the shower pipes are loud and leaky. Pros: Yes there are pros. Very few bugs, plentiful free parking, location, utilities included in rent, new windows. I have seriously seen only one roach in ten months and the occasional spider. Even with the construction, which blocks a lot of parking, there is always a vacant space. The Courthouse metro is about a 12 minute walk away and Lee Hwy is right there for easy access to DC. I love not having to worry about paying utility bills. The new windows are giant and wonderful. I have a great wooded view and a nice breeze when I want it. It's true that the HVAC is outdated, but it's effective. There were a couple of weeks right at the beginning of summer that were a little uncomfortable before they turned on the air, but that's pretty typical in my experience. I am not sorry that I moved in, but I am pretty excited about finding a new place with a little more style and much less drilling.

youyou22201

Resident • 2009 - 2010

I wish didn't rent here

With all the constructions on going I have to clean everyday my near by windows additional to that, you can not open the windows from the dust, I am leaving sooooooon, and my advice don't waste your money. I have just to say the staff are very nice other then that very very very bad comparing to what I pay for 1 bedroom.