Lovely staff, well-maintained building overall, apartments in need of updating
Pros
Staff is hardworking, and they keep the building clean. Having a part-time doorman is a pretty big perk, too. Friendly neighbors, including many longtime residents from nearly all walks of life.
Cons
Apartments are in serious need of updating. Windows are very flimsy and don't do much to keep the elements out. Some apartments are hot in the summertime, and cold in the wintertime. There's a roach problem in the trash room, which sometimes spreads to apartments. An exterminator comes by once or twice a month, but you have to sign up on a semi-public clipboard located on the first floor. Street-facing apartments can get VERY noisy with the traffic on Westminster; there's a also loud bar patio across the street and a firehouse around the corner. Elevator is extremely slow and gets stuck from time to time. Despite all this, it's an OK place to live. Just kind of pricy for some very dated apartments.
Advice to the owners
Update the units.
RUN do not walk from this building (including 400 Argyle)
Pros
The apartments are a decent size compared to the majority of apartments in the NY area. The Westminster handyman and porters are very kind and helpful.
Cons
Depending on who your neighboring tenants are (upstairs, downstairs, next door -- it doesn't matter), the loud disturbances are absolutely horrible and many of the long-term tenants feel entitled to be loud any time of the day/night. If the superintendent drops the ball on a maintenance request, instead of being responsible for his mistake, he talks crap about you yet expects a hefty tip at the end of the year which doesn't guarantee that you'll get good service for the next year. The washers and dryers in the laundry room are often broken and no one cleans out the detergent/rinse dispensers especially on the large washing machine where there is mold growing. Sometimes, the garbage room smells horrific. The apartment building is listed as "rent stabilized" yet the majority of apartments are renting at fair market value or "preferential rent".
Advice to the owners
Do thorough background checks -- not just financials -- on ALL tenants (new and "succession rights" tenants) prior to approving a lease; have separate riders to lease regarding noise levels and floor coverings for ALL tenants to sign; superintendent needs to be professional and respectful towards tenants; property managers should be required to live in a building that they manage to know first hand what tenants are experiencing.
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