AVA Ballston Square

I’ve lived here for almost 7 years, and despite the renovations, it has taken a huge downturn.
There is CONSTANT NOISE and dust from construction, very poor security (fobs never work, doors always unlocked, no cameras nor cell service in garage, and outdated security systems), the management never seems to have answers or get things done/fixed, and they never turn the air conditioning on within the hallways on the residence floors , so the summers are humid and smelly within your living space.... The gym is nice but more than half of the treadmills have not worked in over 1.5 years. Prices may be attractive for the neighborhood but rent goes up a lot every year. Lee mas

We moved here about 7 months ago, and we are very happy with all the amenities that are offered. The building is nice and clean, the gym is very convenient, they have a secure mailroom, all the people are nice, and best of all, maintenance is responsive and addresses any issues you may have within a day or two. There are always people at the front desk, and there has never been a time where I felt unsafe. The location is ideal, only a 2 minute walk from the Ballston metro stop and about the same... from an underground food hall kind of thing (the Ballston Quarter). Truly, I don't know why I would ever have to leave a 10 minute walking radius of the apartment, that's the diversity of restaurants, shops, and amenities around this apartment. If it weren't for the noise, this apartment would definitely be five stars.

That being said, I would not recommend moving here until after 2024 if you work ANY part of the time at home or are home between 9-5 or if you have pets, children, or partners that would be home between 9-5. They are doing balcony construction on apartments, meaning that they lock EVERYONE'S balcony (no, you won't have access to it at all) and every weekday from 9am-5pm there is heavy construction noise on the apartment. Saying that there is "construction noise" is misleading -- it's more than that. The sounds go through your bones and rattle your skull, making your ears ring if you're brave enough to leave them uncovered. The vibrations of jackhammering (or whatever they're doing) travel through the metal of the building and into your apartment no matter how distant they are from your apartment (for context, I'm on the third floor and am still disturbed by construction on the 20th). You have to yell to be heard by anyone, and earplugs and noise cancelling headphones don't work because of the sheer volume (I know because I've tried three different kinds). The one redeeming grace is that they offer four work from home rooms on the ground floor and a partnership with a nearby office building that you can go to in order to work and escape the noise. However, for me (and my partner) that defeats the whole business of working from home, to have to leave home to work. In total, if you're a single person with no pets who does a traditional 9-5 work day, then this construction noise won't bother you and this is an amazing place to live. However, if you plan on spending ANY time at home during the work day, I would suggest looking elsewhere. Lee mas

Do not rent here! For the next two years there is going to be consistent drilling. You won’t be able to sleep work. Not to mention you won’t have access to a balcony or be able to open any windows or doors.
They raised rent during the construction they are only giving you a 100 dollar credit if you don’t have access to a balcony.
They charge a 600 for new or a 500 for amenity fee for living here. You get kicked out of the courtyard at 10pm
For reading a book and the TVs no longer work.
The... lifeguard will kick everyone out of the pool at random times. They will also take away benches.
When you ask about the noise you are told leave or put up with it. Lee mas

Do not rent here!!!! They have been “renovating apartments” for over a year with no end in sight, the entire building sounds like a war zone every day Monday - Friday. No matter how many residents complain their solution is "deal with it or move out".

Meanwhile things in the rest of the building (elevators, printers, door locks, lights, gym equipment, etc) are constantly breaking and never updated yet on top of overpriced rent they charge you an extra $500 yearly for “amenity fees”. And please... please trust me when I tell you the parking garage is an absolute NIGHTMARE. Lee mas

24 year old kid murdered in his apt here in January, no security upgrades, still broken gates that dont lock in courtyard, no cameras in garage, and no suspect found..still.
Rents go up exponentially every year, now amenity fee is annual..despite all amenities being closed with no plan in place to re-open (bike locks on grills, courtyard "closed at 8pm" gym and pool locked up).
Paint chips all over everyone's balconies (lead dose anyone?) And leaks and concrete falling in garage on people's... cars. This place is a mess and managed so poorly. Now management treats tenets like children and punishes us by locking down courtyard...so many nicer newer buildings in this neighborhood...keep looking friends . Lee mas