Element at Ghent

mbohnet

Resident • 2018

My husband, daughter, and I loved the three months we lived at the Element. We needed a short lease and Harley was so fantastic in getting us what we needed. We had just moved to Norfolk and felt very welcomed. The grounds are clean and the amenities (gym, pool, etc.) are awesome. When we found our dream house a little earlier than expected, management was very helpful in getting our apartment advertised and rented out to help us save money on the remainder of the lease. Ghent is an awesome area with lots of restaurants, shops, and downtown Norfolk close by. I definitely recommend this apartment!

Current Resident 841867

Resident • 2015 - 2018

do not I repeat DO NOT MOVE INTO THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX!!! in the three years I have lived in this apartment it has done nothing but go completely down hill, with prices being astronomical and constantly climbing with stupid fees (valet trash?!). First and foremost, the apartment itself is lovely, pool, grounds, maintenance is wonderful HOWEVER STAY AWAY! While I have lived here there have been atleast 3 major break ins to our "locked" garage, the last one being an absolute demolition including over 30 cars being destroyed with shattered windows with baseball bats, and destroyed insides. My car was slashed and multiple valuables were stolen from this garage with NO help from management or offer to pay or offer any sense of security. There is an ant problem, animals peeing all over the apartment with no cleaning whatsoever. The stairs look like trash, the fire alarm goes off during the wee hours of the night. There are homeless people lurking all up and down the street, my neighbors bike was stolen directly behind our building after about 5 minutes of running upstairs, homeless people follow you, watch everything. Management is kind but does NOTHING to help situations that have occurred. After the last massacre break in my lease cannot end soon enough. DO NOT LIVE HERE!

north38sucks

Resident • 2016 - 2018

Pay attention to the negative reviews on this building because they are the most truthful as they are residents who have lived in this building the longest. We just ended our lease after 15 months. Thank goodness we did. There has been nothing but problems since we moved in. Break ins in a "locked" garage, pets constantly peeing down the entire stairwells and it being there for weeks before it was cleaned, incompetent office staff, constant middle of the night fire alarms, and the list goes on. If you for some reason choose this "luxury" building out of the thousands of other rentals in the Ghent area beware. It's hardly even in Ghent as it is on the outskirts so you have the constant traffic of shady people. Another would be the cost for parking in the garage that's NEVER full. Do yourself a favor and live in the apartment building next door or over on 21st St. Make sure to be very thorough on your move in inspection because it will become imperative on move out. Plus the office staff likes to enter your apartment for pre move out inspections without your knowledge. I can't say enough and how I'm glad we got out of this horrible apartment with a shady company and management. Being military it's very easy to spread the word on places not to live in Norfolk and this would be one of them that I will forewarn anyone who's looking for a new place to live.

kayakgirl2008

Resident • 2017 - 2018

Well it may look nice, do not move in!! You can find a much nicer place for cheaper elsewhere. I moved in and it seemed great at first, but then it went downhill. The elevators were always breaking. It was always a pain. The staff never tried to get the elevators fixed in a timely manner. Sometimes an elevator would be broken 2 weeks at a time. The garage is supposed to be secure, but the gate would break at mutiple times leaving the opportunity for the homeless people that live near by to walk into the garage and break into cars. There is also a bug and ant problem at the complex. There were ants everywhere from the 1st floor to the 4th floor. When you would complain they would tell you to do spray the bugs yourself. Also, staff is very rude and unprofessional once you move in. When moving out even thought the lease didnt state it they charged you a carpet cleaning fee even when the capret was brand new and no stains. Watch out they will nickel and dime you every step of the way! Look elsewhere!

rce23

Resident • 2016 - 2017

I do not recommend this complex for a few reasons: 1. It is VERY overpriced. Yes, Ghent is expensive. That being said, you can get a much nicer apartment at a lower cost that's actually in Ghent. There's no reason to pay rent at a Washington, D.C. rate when you live in Norfolk. 2. It's not safe. There have been many break ins and incidents in the past few months. 3. It's poorly constructed. Yes, it looks beautiful, but when you move in you'll notice cheap drawers breaking and ants crawling in from every corner. 4. Surprise fees. Since I moved in, there have been many added charges that make the overall price even more outrageous. You now have to pay a fee every month to park in the covered lot. This is a lot that always has empty spaces. Furthermore, this is a lot that is constantly broken or being broken into. In addition, they recently added a mandatory valet trash service that you have to pay for and started charging $150 to rent the clubhouse that has always been free to use. Many residents have complained and not been heard. That brings me to my last point... 5. Terrible customer service. Residents have been calling to complain and the property manager has hung up on them. They've started deleting all negative reviews and comments from Facebook. They don't answer email complaints. When you come to them with a valid concern, they keep repeating the same information over and over and over again. If you like circular conversations, this is the place for you. Please go on Craigslist and choose one of the many lovely rentals available before considering the Element. And if you need to go luxury, the Alexander at Ghent and 201 Twenty One are much better options that won't try to squeeze every last penny out of your pocket despite MAJOR safety concerns going on in the building and garage.

Current Resident 249504

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

We enjoy living at the Element. We moved for what was supposed to be a temporary situation and ended up renewing our lease. It is still temporary, but we aren't in a hurry to leave. The staff are friendly and accommodating, the maintenance team is always helpful and the apartment has everything we need.

Current Resident 247453

Verified Resident • 2016 - 2020

My experience in this community is very positive. The positivity comes from the fact that Janice manages the building very well. Her team is top notch. Harley smiles constantly and responds to all concerns. Johnny is the best maintenance guy ever. Karen keeps the building very clean.

Current Resident 350254

Resident • 2015 - 2016

There is a lot of theft in this building. Cars are always getting broken into by the homeless that lives across the street. The elevators always seem dirty and broken, and the leasing staff (Jessie) is quite rude and not welcoming after you move in. The gym is great, and the clubhouse is awesome! The events don't seem to be happening nearly as often as they said they would be. There are plenty of spaces in the lot, however if you are a couple that lives in a one bedroom they will rip you off and make you pay for a extra space(in a lot that has break ins making someone pay seems a little ridiculous). The elevators never work (I have a hip issue and walking up 4 flights with groceries is extremely wearing) The maintenance crew is awesome, but I've had to submit multiple times and even emergency submittals for anything to get done. They claim there is security but I have yet to see anyone.

Current Resident 984815

Resident • 2015 - 2017

Overall, we very much enjoyed living here for our first 1.5 years. The location of Element is both good and bad. You are very close to Downtown Norfolk, 21st Street, and Colley Avenue and can easily drive to any of these areas where there are great restaurants and activities. The actual location of Element at Ghent is right on the fringes of the Ghent community though and there are many different types of people roaming the streets. I wouldn't say it's an unsafe area, it just isn't an area where I would frequently walk to places (especially at night). The amenities within the apartment complex and individuals apartments were great and are now just good. This is one of the very few apartment complexes in the Ghent/Downtown Norfolk area with full balconies in every unit and we really enjoy this feature. It's also very safe because the 1st floor units are not on ground level since the parking garage is below. I have never heard my neighbors on either side of me, I can hear the children trampling on the floor above me though. It's not a problem, but something to consider. Apartment is spacious as compared to Downtown Norfolk apartment complexes. The upkeep of the common areas is just okay. There is a problem with inconsiderate neighbors not properly cleaning up after their dogs, but the apartment complex has recently hired additional cleaning staff to help. Generally speaking, there are items around the community that could use attention (more vacuuming, touch-up painting in the halls, cleaning the stairwells) so hopefully additional cleaning staff will help. The maintenance person and office staff are very professional and friendly. Any maintenance requests are typically completed within 48 hours. Unfortunately, the complex had come under new management which was recently imposed numerous new fees including $15/month maintenance fee, $20/month Valet Trash fee, and clubhouse rentals are no longer free (requires $150 fee and $150 refundable deposit). In addition, there has been an increase in crime at the apartment complex - vehicle break-ins and even an apartment larceny. Overall, we would not extend our lease given the increasing costs, increasing crime, and decreasing amenities at Element.

Current Resident 234210

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

The apartments are modern and very spacious. I love spending time by the pool and having quick access to the gym! The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Residents are more active in the summer time but tend to hibernate during the winter.

Current Resident 231143

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

Everything is great here. Close to so much that makes Ghent great, best amenities ever, beautiful inside and out. Never want to leave! Great community events put on each week. Spacious and secure two level parking garage. Modern features including LED lighting!

Current Resident 227686

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I would not recommend anyone looking for "luxury apartments" look here. The building is somewhat aesthetically pleasing but the quality of construction / building material for actual luxury living is not there. Just an honest opinion..

Current Resident 227205

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

Best apartment complex I found in the Ghent area, as far as quality and parking, and definitely one of the best apartments I've ever lived in. The staff are fun and helpful. The FREE beer and food twice a month was a huge bonus and greatly appreciated.

Current Resident 227200

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

The Element at Ghent is a great community. I love living in this beautiful apartment complex and would highly recommend it to others! The proximity to entertainment and restaurants in Ghent is my favorite part about living here. It is also close to downtown and conveniently situated to access the Naval Base where I work.

Current Resident 217354

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

My experience has been okay so far. I enjoy the location of the building in relation to my job, as well as major transportation routes. It seems like it is on the fringe of a great neighborhood, but on a busy road. Some days there are people that just hang outside on the sidewalk yelling. I think I would be much happier if I did not have a unit directly on Monticello Ave. I would even consider signing a lease (when my current one is finished) in a different unit in the building, instead of moving out of the building. The amenities (gym, exterior spaces, parking garage, etc) are great, and a bonus over other buildings I have lived at. My major concern is the quality of my apartment, in terms of the maintenance issues I have already had in my few months of living here. I travel for work frequently, and can be gone anywhere from two days up to ten days at a time. The last two times I have left, I have come back to significant maintenance issues. Because I have traveled for work for long stretches in the past, I go to great lengths to leave my apartment in good condition and very clean when I am gone- no food out, everything picked up off the floor, no food in the refrigerator or open food in cabinets, vacuumed, etc. The first issue was back in December, when I returned back from a four day trip. My bathroom had flooded and there was significant water on the floor, and stains on the ceiling. I filed a maintenance report, and they came to replace the drywall in the ceiling. Apparently the people above me had had a flood in their bathroom days before and it leaked down into mine. It was a bit concerning that no one even thought to check my apartment until I filed a request. But, the ceiling has been fixed and no problems have come from that since. The second big issue occurred this past week when I returned home from a ten day trip. I came back late Wednesday night and found my bathroom covered in ants, coming from a hole in the trim of the door between the bathroom and bedroom. Lamar came out the next morning and patched the hole, and called the pest control. Pest control came the following day and sprayed. The efficiency and speed that the maintenance/pest control request was done was great. However, I was initially supposed to be gone two additional days. If I had not come back early, I feel like the ants would have been all over my entire apartment. I am not sure of the frequency of regular pest control, but maybe it should occur more regularly. I also realized around this time that the bathroom sink was leaking into the cabinet. Lamar came and fixed this quickly. Maintenance has been great, and I appreciate the quickness as to them fixing the problems. My concern is just that a building this new should not be having so many problems. I moved in at the beginning of October and have had maintenance come to my apartment three times. I lived in an older building in Philadelphia before moving here and only had maintenance out once in two years. I really like my apartment, I just don't want to have the thought of "what's going to happen when I'm gone this time" every single time I leave. The rent is high enough that I should not have to have this concern at all. Maybe I just have the worst unit in the building.

Current Resident 214160

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

The Element at Ghent is a clean, generally quiet community of young professionals. The grounds are well managed, I enjoy my living space, and I enjoy many of the perks of living here. In particular, the parking garage and the gym are a bonus to living here. I like that community events are held as well though I don't get to participate in them as much as I'd like due to my own schedule.

Current Resident 213681

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I love living here. The office staff is very friendly and usually prompt in reply with issues. The building is kept very clean clean. There are monthly activities for the residents to participate in and that helps to build a sense of community.

Current Resident 212923

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

My car was broken into once and nothing stolen. My partner's car has been broken into and stolen GPSs from it. My bike has been stolen as well from garage (thanks renter's insurance) and water damage to my car from the swimming pool's leak which was taken care of eventually. So, overall: the apt. building is well taken care of but this past year has been a trial year I would see but eventually the elevator is running fine; security has improved (I would like to imagine) but there are some structural deficiencies that can be noticed inside the apartment.

Current Resident 211594

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

I really feel secure and comfortable since I moved here. The staff are really helpful and concern about residents... aaajjjjjsssssddddddaaaaaasdadasdasdasdasdasdasdasdasdasdasdadasdasdadadasdadasdasdasdasdadasdasdsdasdasdasdadasdasdasdadasdasd

Current Resident 211507

Verified Resident • 2015 - 2016

Element at Ghent has a modern feel and incredibly friendly staff, I feel lucky to call this place home! From the beautiful building, resident get togethers and a staff that puts your comfort and satisfaction first I couldn't imagine living somewhere else!

Current Resident 430860

Resident • 2015

There is a lot of theft in this building. Cars are always getting broken into by the homeless that lives across the street. The elevators always seem dirty, and the leasing staff (Jessie) is not as warm and welcoming after you move in. Unsure how she won the leasing agent award with the level of service she provides. The gym is nice, and the clubhouse is awesome! People who own dogs in the building sometimes let their dogs use the bathroom in the hallways of the building. A lot of Parking in the building! However , if you are a couple that lives in a one bedroom they will rip you off and make you pay for a extra space. The elevators never work! If I had to grade the apartment based on price, and the overall quality of the staff and apartment I would give it a C-. The manager of the building rocks! HOWEVER her employee needs development ASAP!