South Bank

Current Resident 847207

Resident • 2008

None Better!

I've been reading these reviews and all I can say is: I LOVE River City! These guys are the best. I've been living at the Parachute Factory since it opened and I've never had a problem (EXCEPT with the TENANTS - they can be loud, obnoxious, and let their dogs poop everywhere!). Cheap rent, large spaces, good folks. What's not to LOVE'!'

Current Resident 839333

Resident • 2008

River City was GOOD to me!

I've read a few of these reviews and I just wanted to comment that River City Real Estate was good to me. I know a lot of thier tenants are young (college/slacker) types, but I guess since I paid my rent on time and did not trash the place, I didn't have any problems. Also, River City was the ONLY place that let me have my 2 dogs (both rescues).

Current Resident 838992

Resident • 2008

River City really helped me out!

I'm a forty year old man. I'm not some kid or college student. I was recently divorced (wife left me) and I was on my own for the first time since high school. I needed a place to stay and River City Real Estate helped me out. The leasing agents were very nice and knowledgable about the area. Did I mention I'm forty years old' Well, after being shown several units to fit my new lifestyle, I settled in my new two bedroom apartment here at the Parachute Factory. I love it. River City Real Estate really helped this forty year old man to begin rebuilding his life!

Current Resident 837721

Resident • 2008

There's good and bad...

I think because of the positioning of my room, I luckily do not have to deal with the noise that some of the other tennants have had to deal with. I had soem maintenance issues when I first moved in, but hey were resolved within 24 hours. There are some isses with tennants letting their animals use the bathroom right in front of the building... which I blame the tennants for.. not River City real Estate. Now what I don't appreciate is how hard they make it to find a roomate here. When I first signed on to the lease, I was told that when I found a roomate all I would have to do is have them approved and added to the lease. What they DIDN'T tell me is that the roomate would have to put down their own full month rent deposit for the whole appartment. This pretty much makes it impossible to find a roomate since most people looking to just rent a room do not have that kind of money to move in off the bat.

Current Resident 775814

Resident • 2008

Asset to the Community!

River City Real Estate is a community asset. Whether they're donating time (and MONEY) to various local charaties (YMCA, SPCA, SPECIAL OLYMPICS, etc.) or donating apartments to battered women in domestic violence situations - you couldn't have a better neighbor than River City Real Estate!

Current Resident 762763

Resident • 2008

Parachute

The hardwood floors and exposed brick did it for me. Throw in the washer/dryer (in the apartment), central ac/heat, and free off-street parking and I was sold! I'm very happy here :)

Current Resident 742985

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Nothing but the facts.

As the title suggests... Pros 1.Spacious Apartments 2.Cheap Rates 3.The rental office will loan you a 16 foot ladder free of charge. 4.Pets, even multiple pets, are allowed. 5.Most tenants are wonderful, caring, helpful neighbors. 6.The office staff is receptive to complaints and requests. (See Con #7) 7.The building entrance has a device that allows only residents to enter, think key tag. 8.I do have a Richmond sky line view---well, kind of---at least in a couple spots. 9.The towing agency River City has contracted to patrol the lot ensures that only River City residents, or those possessing parking tags, parks in the parking lot. Cons 1.Many cars have had windows broken in the off street parking lot. 2.Parking spaces are lined, SUV's and trucks often go over the given lines which allows for towing of your vehicle. 3.I can hear my neighbors every move and conversation, even sneezing. 4.I have changed my own light bulbs and even air conditioner filter to prevent maintenance charges (Light bulb change is $5.00 per bulb and AC filter change is $15.00). 5.When maintenance requests are fulfilled there is no given notification that they have entered your apartment or that the work has been completed. 6.I have called the emergency maintenance hotline (for flooding in common areas and a neighbor's apartment) and they never answered the numerous pages. 7.Even though the staff is receptive to requests and complaints, they are often answered with a shrug of the shoulders and a snarky response about River City. 8.A large shopping trip often requires multiple trips to bring your new things to your apartment, due to there only being one entrance to the building. 9.The dumpster area is very dark and has many hiding spaces for creepy folks (If I go at night I ensure I have a buddy go with me). 10.Good thing my apartment is spacious, I had to arrange my furniture to ensure nothing got ruined during rain storms due to the leaking windows. 11.Unless you are lucky to get a "front space" it is almost impossible to have multiple guests over due to the lack of visitor parking. Hope somone finds this helpful.

Current Resident 731794

Resident • 2008

Parachute Factory

Good building. Good Location. Good Price. Good Office Staff. Good Neighbors. In-Room Laundry. Off-Street Parking. I love it.

Current Resident 727640

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Pet Checks Illegal!

Dear Tenants, If you received fines and charges for having a pet under the radar, and agents of River City Real Estate entered your apartment without notice or permission, then you are entitled to sue, under the Virginia Residential Tenant and Landlord Act. Contact the Virginia Legal Aid Society at 1-866-534-5243. Agents of River City Real Estate have and will again, post messages here trying to scare you away from your rights by saying the judge won't listen to you; that you're a criminal. This is false. They cannot, by law, justify breaching Virginia state law to enforce their contract. State law ALWAYS supersedes a contract. There are witnesses that will attest to seeing River City Real Estate employees knock on doors on the days of the pet check, and then enter with their own keys when the knocks went unanswered. Don't let River City Real Estate continue to pull the wool over your eyes and attack your wallet. In these trying economic times, the last thing you or your family needs are thieves stealing your hard earned money. Know your rights, and fight back!

Current Resident 724013

Resident • 2008

Wonderful

As we un-pack our belongings and head into the parachute factory, we just love it! Charles helped to get us in (with less than perfect credit) and this place is amazing. He's kind and considerate to anyone with a VALID complaint, and his ability to answer VALID questions is remarkable. The building is great, and the people who run it are just wonderful.

Current Resident 712698

Resident • 2008

Awful

As we pack our belongings and head out the door the many transgressions this landlord has made seem to be only too apparent. River City Real Estate has allowed Charles to bully and abuse its tenants to an amazing degree. He's verbally abusive to anyone with a valid complaint, and his inability to actually answer a question is remarkable. From the lack of common courtesy within the leasing office, the constant leaks from windows, pipes and appliances, the filth laying around the halls, the poor response to maintenance requests, to the poor employees who openly admit that they aren't proud of the company they work for, the tenants who are utterly ready to leave due to the poor property management and the pointless memos and letters sent to the tenants, this place is an utter disgrace to the Manchester and Richmond communities. The tenants association, with the best of intentions, has received nothing but abuse (via email and web postings) from the managements company. The building is great, the people who run are awful. If you are looking, keep looking, other landlords have spotless reputations and are in good standing with the BBB, this is NOT one of them.

Current Resident 711985

Resident • 2008

Parachute seems nice to me (so far)

I too have just signed (well, last week) at the parachute factory. So far - despite the rantings on this site - it seems pretty good. I do love my apartment (and everyone seems to agree they are big!) and I have my cat. So, I give it 5 stars. So far!

Current Resident 708668

Resident • 2008

Best Value for the Money!

I just signed a lease here at the parachute factory - and so far - things are great! My apartment is very large and I love the exposed brick and hardwood floors. I just met my new neighbors and they seem lovely. I can't wait to get settled in.

Current Resident 690037

Resident • 2008

You should RENT HERE!

This place rocks! With all the hip, young, singles - and convenient location to downtown, The Parachute Factory Rocks! If you're looking for a great apartment - RENT HERE!

Current Resident 687216

Resident • 2006 - 2007

A new review

It's really just sad when the office workers at this place are forced to write false reviews on here to make the place seem appealing. Sad because there are so many other lofts on here with FANTASTIC reviews (Pohlig Box Factory anyone?) Let's stop being childish and help turn what could be an AMAZING apartment building into just that.

Current Resident 685201

Resident • 2008

Well Said!

I don't know who these yahoos think they are speaking for me - but I love my apartment at the Parachute. I also think the staff is very friendly and helpful. I would recommend the Parachute factory apartments to anyone!

Current Resident 684116

Resident • 2008

Actual Tenant- Actual Reveiw

I've noticed the nonsense on this site and I just wanted to say that I'm an actual tenant at the Parachute Factory apartment complex. Just because some annon posts that he/she doesn't like it here doesn't mean that everyone agrees with him/her. I've been here since April 08. The only problem I've had was a clogged garbage disposal - which River City fixed. Now, they charged me $35 to do this, as my disposal was filled with bottle caps (left by ex-boyfriend). Totally understandable. I love my apartment. I have a great view of the city skyline and lots of natural light. The price is just what I can afford too. I don't have any pets, but its nice to know that if I did, they're allowed. To the bickering fools on this site, all I can say is - if you don't like it, leave. If all of the "illegal" things that you claim are happening - then you certainly should be able to find a good attorney and get out of your lease. In fact, I recommend that you take all of your "illegal" allegations to court - I'm sure the judges in Richmond would shut them down in a heartbeat. Of course, this won't happen, because most of you were/are (by your own admissions) in violation of your lease. River City has been nothing but responsible and attentive to all my needs as a tenant.

Current Resident 661424

Resident • 2007 - 2008

The Parashit Factory!!

This place is run by slumlords. I can not wait to move out in 8 days!!! Hey if you want you can rent my apartment. They just lowered the price another 100 dollars because they can't get anyone to move in here. However the management who spends their time writing false reviews on here will treat you like crap, so it is not worth the hundred bucks. I can understand the tenants desire to whine and complain. As consumers it is their responsibility to whine and complain if a product they are paying for is not living up to their standards. However, that said, it does not give the faulty company the right to retaliate smearing hate across the internet, or getting into verbally abusive arguments with tenants. Now for my review of the actual apartments: I have lived here for almost a year now, and i can honestly say this is the worst living arrangement I have ever had. The walls are poorly constructed, i.e.: You can see where the painters were too lazy to paint all the way up the 15 foot walls, the drywall looks in some places like it was hung by a 3rd grader working on their big 3rd grade drywall project. Did I mention that the walls are paper thin. Luckily, I like my neighbors otherwise I would be rather upset having to hear every word they say. I am awaken every morning by my neighbors above me walking around their domicile in heels, it sounds like ponies walking on cobblestone. The cabinets in the kitchen are installed backwards, they just open wierd. To warn about the lease, in the lease you will sign that you will give River City 90 days notice. Otherwise your lease will be automatically renewed at a much higher rent. They claim this new rent is the fair market value. Don't be fooled. If the fair market value of a poorly constructed building in the middle of a fuel refinery, a waste treatment plant, and a crime ridden neighborhood is MORE, than an apartment in the fan, than I'll be a monkey's uncle. But at the time you sign it you'll think well 90 days isn't too bad and it seems nice enough. I am warning you now, do not make that mistake. Nowhere in my life have i had to give 90 days notice and that they can enter your apartment to show it to potential tenants WHILE YOU ARE LIVING THERE!. Did I mention it is your responsibility to find someone to rent the apartment after you. Sounds easy doesn't it? With the economy what it is, that will be no easy feat. The leasing company can't even get new tenants what makes you think you will be able to. Plus that will mess up your Karma if you trick someone into moving here. In addition to the 90 day notice clause, their is a clause that states River City Real estate automatically keeps 300 dollars of your security deposit " to cover expenses from routine maintenance and care." Well they won't fix anything and their sure as heck won't care, so get your checkbooks out and hand over the 300 bucks now. Let's talk about the awe-inspiring windows for a moment. The windows,if you are so forunate to get an apartment that does not face the interior of the building, loook great in photos online. In reality they suck. they let in entirely too much heat during the summer and they let out all the heat in the winter. Additionally, if it rains they WILL leak. According to the laws of Virginia, "Landlord to provide locks and peepholes...Lockiing devices which meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code on all exterior window." I have not read the building code's lock requirements on windows, but if a screwdeiver jammed in the lock is acceptable to keep a window shut, God help us all. I could go on all day long but no one will want to read this. I will end with this, Every negative review on here is TRUE. The property IS run by slumlords who care not for their tenants, but for greed and greed alone. If you do decide to live you here you will feel imprisoned by your lease agreement and the leasing company. Every positive review is clearly written by the agents or an affiliiate thereof. I am not a "slacker," or a "disgruntled loser" as River City Real Estate would have you believe. I am a professional and an employee of the federal government. End the charade River City, You can not win against your tenants, just fix the place up and listen to your tenants complainits. It is not that hard. P.S. to anyone looking to move into #225, after the toilet above you leaked for four hours and sent sewage down your walls all night. River City DID NOT re-drywall or replace the walls they simply painted over them and called it a job well done. So if you start to not feel good, now you know why. Sincerely, local lowlife busybody.

Current Resident 679590

Resident • 2008

I like River City Too!

I, too like living in my Parachute Factory apartment. It IS big. It IS cheap. River City has been great! I too, LOVE River City!

Current Resident 679435

Resident • 2008

Really, really, really good.

I like my apartment at The Parachute Factory. I like living so close to downtown and to work. I like having a big apartment for little money. I like having all my pets. I like River City Real Estate.

Current Resident 679218

Resident • 2007 - 2008

Not worth it

I loved living here when I first moved in, but have found that it's not worth the price and the headaches of trying to work with management on anything, especially when you can rent from about 100 other properties in the city that actually care about their tenants. Do some research before signing a lease!

Current Resident 678815

Resident • 2006 - 2008

Simply the B-E-S-T

I've been reading these reviews and all I can say is: I LOVE River City! These guys are the best. I've been living at the Parachute Factory since it opened and I've never had a problem (EXCEPT with the TENANTS - they can be loud, obnoxious, and let their dogs poop everywhere!). Cheap rent, large spaces, good folks. What's not to LOVE?!?

Current Resident 673452

Resident • 2008

Want a GREAT place to LIVE- try The Parachute Factory!

Reading the "back and forth" you guys seem to be having with the property managers is a hoot! You complain about leaking roofs - then you complain about the noise when they fix them. You complain about dog pee and poo - then, complain when they try to enforce their pet policies. I guess - bottom line, you just want to complain about something. I live on the 3rd floor and am GLAD they are fixing the roof. Guess what? Hammering makes noise. I'm tired of stepping in dog s*it - so, I'm GLAD they charged you for your "pet sitting" that is clearly prohibited in your lease. For the rest of you - GET A LIFE.

Current Resident 670352

Resident • 2008

Tenants rights = good, corrupt employees = bad

You keep it up, RCR employees; the angry tenants who are victims of your illegal policies and slumlord employer will keep running circles around you. In addition to all of the disgusting, unmaintained shared spaces, the terrible parking, the noise, the refusal of management to deal with any complaints, the illegal entries by the management, the water damage, the mold growths, the elevator in constant disrepair, the ugly new bricking out front, the lease filled with fees that aren't legal (did you know you get to pay for the privilege of moving out?), the pretty much guaranteed rent increases for NO resultant increase in services, the mysterious "utility fee" that apparently pays for the lights in the office to run all night, the 6-day-a-week construction that's been going on for weeks, the packs of migrant workers that do questionable "maintenance" without any supervision ... Well, apparently on top of all of that, RCR thinks its a good idea to hire employees who feel free to share private information in a forum like this. If they could string a sentence together without sounding like high school dropouts, I'd be insulted. Instead, I'm just saddened that my way-too-high for way-too-little rent goes to this company. Use Craigslist, find yourself a pet-friendly landlord (not a slumlord) that doesn't overextend themselves by owning 43 properties, and don't even think of moving in to any of River City's properties. Period.

MarisaLyman

Resident • 2008

River City = Good... Disgruntled Losers = Bad!

River City Real Estate is the best company that I've ever rented from. Some of the losers on this site are (and have been) simply "Bad Tenants". Whether its the guy who's rent check bounced and didn't have his vehicle in compliance with the parking regulations (and got towed) or the guy who wasn't even on the lease in the apartment he was living in. Oh, don't forget the lady who has tried to "organize" these deadbeats - she's been late with her rent over SEVEN times! So, just keep in mind that while River City provides large Fan and Downtown apartments (where you can keep your pets!), there are always going to be losers who don't think the rules apply to them.