Riverbend Condominiums

I've lived in the Riverbend Condominiums for nearly 4 years. While I have noticed a deterioration in some aspects of the property, on the whole, I find it a good place to live.
Positive aspects include: the fact that you are walking distance to downtown Racine business, availability of indoor, not quite underground parking (ground level under other apartment units) for many of the units, beautiful exposed brick and timber, 12' ceilings, open floor plans, appliances in the apartment (for at... least some unit), generally nice fellow tenants, and a price that is much less than similar units in the Milwaukee area. Drawbacks: parking is limited for guests, walls between rooms and units are fairly transparent to sound, open rooms with high ceilings can be a problem in terms of heat regulation, some issues with homeless people getting into the building beyond the foyer (though this is likely due to tenants not securing doors).
Probably my biggest concern is the amount of trash that is being disposed by tenants. Despite daily trash or recyclable collection, the two trash bins and one recycling bin are typically overflowing with items placed around them in the trash area. It is difficult for me to believe that all of this trash is being developed within the units and that some may be coming from commercial sources outside of the building. This was not a problem when I first moved to the building and has gotten steadily worse. I'm not sure how building management could address this issue, but it is disconcerting.
I feel like the year before the pandemic, prior management was much less selective in filling rentals and some tenants were brought in who were less diligent in taking care of our communal home. I hope that the new management team, which came onboard about a year ago, will help to reverse this slide.
All in all, I have a beautiful apartment that stuns visitors when then enter my abode. While not cheap, it is also a bargain in comparison to similarly sized units I've rented elsewhere. Could things improve? Of course. There is no perfect living arrangement. Will you be happy living here? I believe you would be. Lee mas

Spent 3 years at RBL. Maintenance issues always addressed quickly. Hallways were always clean. Very spacious condo living. Stainless appliances. Parking a mild issue but can always find alternative parking or underground garage. Walking distance to downtown. Online rental payments. Positive atmosphere amongst neighbors. Property manager is very helpful and respectful.

Management. Terrible.
Drugs. Yes.
Broken appliances. Nonstop.
Neighbors. LOUD.
Just an overall bad experience.

If you have spent any time reading though the reviews you will notice a lot of the reviews state how thin the walls are. This is very accurate, its almost like there a holes in the walls and you can hear things so clear like a sneeze or cough. This also includes all the sounds outside like the fire station down the street or just people talking in the parking lot. If your a deep sleeper then this place is perfect for you. The inside of the building is set up like most loft apartments, and there... is a ton of space with exposed brick. Each apartment is newly updated and has new appliances. The new management that has taken over has made a lot of good changes and updates. Brian is quick to respond and resolve any issues. Unfortunately there are things he cannot fix like homeless people digging though the community trash or even sleeping in the entrance to the building. The area is far from desirable... I would not walk alone at night. Overall you are paying a lot for "loft life" but the price is questionable for the location. Lee mas

We were tenants here from 2010-2017. Although the exterior of the building leaves much to be desired, the units are beautiful! However, there are many, many problems associated with River Bend:

1. Neighborhood is questionable at best as it borders a high crime area. This crime often spills over into River Bend Lofts, ie.vehicles being vandalized or broken into and items stolen;
2. Building is allegedly a “secured” building, only accessible by key or key card. Unfortunately, some residents... routinely leave doors unsecured or propped open, providing easy access to criminal element;
3. Management is offsite and does not properly enforce the rules regarding noise levels and courtesy to neighbors. Garbage is left in the hallways, and common areas are not kept clean. There is often loud music and parties well after “quiet hours”, and, many times, into the wee hours of the morning, with no consequences. If reported, manager simply agrees to send the offenders a “text message” versus addressing properly;
4. Construction is poor between units, shared walls are paper thin, conversations conducted at a normal volume in the unit next door can be heard as if they are in the room with you. This is NO exaggeration. And, if you read all the reviews from former tenants, you will see this is a common thread;
5. Off-site Manager does not appear to properly vet new tenants, ie, drug dealers. I routinely witnessed drug deals in the parking lot taking place by tenants and buyers.

In closing, I fell in love with the units when I first saw them. However, the last several years were literally a nightmare, with no sleep due to noise levels and lack of sound barriers between units. Unfortunately, with the Property Management’s ridiculous policy of not allowing any move outs for practically half the year, it was difficult to relocate. Finally, we escaped at no small cost to us as we were forced to continue paying the rent for several months after we departed until a new tenant could be found. We’ve never been happier since moving into our new home, and look at it as money well spent to get out of the nightmare that is living in River Bend Lofts. Lee mas