1221 Van Apartments

This building has shared utilities. During the summer months expect it to cost $95 and your personal apartment to cost $75. A rip off for people who live in a 650 square foot apartment.

The garage you pay a fortune to park in is always broken. Elevators are always down.

If you chose to live here, it ALWAYS smells like marijuana. Your neighbors will smoke in their apartments, in the parking garage, on the roof, in the pool and other random people will smoke in the alley ways around the... building.

Speaking of which.. it is a complete frat house here on the weekends, drunk people on the elevators, in the hallways, leaving their messes behind. I can not tell you how many times I have seen beer cans or food in the hallways after the weekend, even in the elevator. Also, thanks to mission there is always throw up all over the sidewalk.

I think that it should be mentioned that residents allow their dogs to pee right outside of the front entrance which is totally gross! They also let their dogs poop in the landscaped areas and DO NOT clean up after them. There is always a ton of trash around the building as well. Read More

See review below about multiple building issues not being addressed and resolved. Rent is too high and they add in a number of stipulations to the lease AFTER you move-in. I've heard they also intend to raise the rents by the maximum amount if you dare to consider renewal. Building is LOUD. Neighborhood is fun albeit hectic during Nats games and concerts. No parking available. Difficult to get ridesharing vehicles to pick you up because Van street is either closed due to construction and also... during Nats games.

They charge crazy high rent and additional fees but don't address basics. The gym needs to be improved with more equipment and weights. The water pressure is low although the water is at least hot. Staff is friendly but makes promises and then doesn't do what it says.

You can hear your neighbors both the construction works and the paying residents consistently. Nice looking but not the best construction.

Advice to management (who are nice to speak with): offer flexible lease terms, don't have such high rents given the location and issues, remove such ridiculous rules and provisions in order to increase occupancy of the building and keep current residents. Continue communications and kudos for being friendly.

Building hosts events which is cool BUT THEY ARE NOT FREE. EACH RESIDENT has to pay a $500 fee annually for these events, and they don't even offer water at them. There is not even a water fountain on the rooftop!!! That is insane. They only offer beer so if you want a different beverage like liquor or even wine or sparkling or still water, you have to bring it yourself, even if you paid the crazy high $500 fees in addition to the monthly rent which is overpriced for the neighborhood. Baseball season is almost over so recommend looking at this building next year - hopefully be then they address the lease terms and sky high rents and you can enjoy baseball season. During the fall and winter this neighborhood will not be as fun.

Thanks for listening! Read More

I moved to 1221 Van Street in mid-April and haven’t had any regrets. There is not one facet of the building’s operation, from the rental staff, the consigliere desk, to the maintenance crew that warrants any criticism from me.

The building is clean, the main entrance is striking, the gym is adequately equipped, access is secure, the package service is unique and efficient and minor repairs and glitches I’ve experienced (sub-contractor problems and not building’s errors) have been corrected... neatly and efficiently, all within 24 hours. The rooftop lounge areas are exceptional and while I haven’t yet used the pool, it appears that fellow tenants are enjoying it. In a month or two, a Mexican restaurant (Mission) and a sports bar (Walter’s) will be opening on the street floor of the building.

With regard to the neighborhood and the environs, it couldn’t be much better. There are plenty of restaurants and it’s still growing. Riverwalk is fabulous. The ball park is right across the street and we’re only a short walk from the new soccer stadium, built for D.C. United Also within walking distance is the DC Waterfront area, also recently renewed, with fine dining restaurants, Arena Stage, the Fish Market, etc. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t want to have been caught in this neighborhood after the sun went down. Now, I go for a walk almost every evening. After living in Washington for nearly 45 years, I can honestly say that I’ve never felt safer than I am living here. Read More

1. Maintenance does not address issues appropriately.
2. Staff have gone into my apartment multiple times without calling to ask for permission.
3. Small gym. Machines are terrible. Promised more equipment would be added. Not true. Had to join gym near by.
4. Not really pet friendly. They don't let you have your dog with you in any of the common areas.
5. Several residents have had issues with management asking them to resign lease documents.
7. Sound system around the building always having... problems.
8. Was told I would pay utilities per my own use. Instead, paying for use of the building as a whole.
9. Was told the pool would be open year round. Not true.
10. Kitchen islands look like middle school projects. It gets easily scratched and has a stench of steel when you try to clean it.
11. Dishwasher not working after only a few months. Hasn't gotten fixed. Told maintenance multiple times.
12. Balcony doors still not locking. Haven't gotten fixed. Told maintenance multiple times.
13. Shower head and faucet both leak water when trying to shower. Told maintenance multiple times.
14. No calendar of events for residents. Basically at management's whim.
15. Had to beg for non-alcoholic drinks at events. Told to figure it out. Then got water with lemon wedges at the next event. Nice.
16. VERY LOUD NOISE coming from the kitchen fan. It's constant and never ending. Contractors were supposed to fix it... 4 months ago.

On the plus side, really nice concierge staff.

And multiple things that have been brought up to management and have not been addressed. Yes, it has a great view. No, don't move in unless you're willing to compromise commodity. Very nice buildings near by. Read More