The BLVD Collection

1. Mice. I live on the 24th floor and had mice. When I went to inform my neighbors, they said they’d been dealing with mice for months. It took 4 days from the time I put in a request with maintenance for them to respond. And when the exterminator finally came, he just put traps next to the traps I already had. No effort was made to investigate or plug holes in the wall.
2. Stuck in the elevator. I was stuck in an elevator for 30 minutes with 3 other people and the emergency button didn’t work.... We kept pressing the call button but there was no answer. We had no idea if anyone was coming to help. Fortunately, one person among us eventually had 1 bar of cell service and dialed 911. Afterwards, I went to speak with Vincent DeBlasio (the area manager) and Reuben Kuchinsky (the community manager) and they brushed the whole thing off like it wasn’t a big deal and just a standard issue.
3. Broken elevators. There are 4 elevators for 40 floors, but it’s common for one, two, or three to be out of service. We often have to wait long lines for an elevator —especially during rush hours. I’m on the 24th floor and have waited up to 40 minutes for an elevator to the lobby on workdays. People in wheelchairs or with strollers wait even longer since there usually isn’t space for them when elevators finally reach their floors.
4. No hot water. I went to shower one night and there was no hot water. We received no advanced notice of this. When I went down to the desk, they said it would be fixed within 10 minutes. Days later, it still wasn’t fixed, so despite still paying full rent, I was needing to shower at a friends apartment.
5. Unsafe dog run. My dog was injured by equipment in the dog run that wasn’t safe for dogs. I learned from other dog owners I the building that he wasn’t the first dog this happened to. Again, when I spoke with Vincent DeBlasio about this, he dismissed it as not that big of a deal. I also asked Vincent how frequently the dog run was cleaned, since dogs kept getting gut infections after playing there. He told me he had no idea.
7. Lost packages. The package room is a disorganized mess, so it’s common to be told a package cannot be found. I’ve also had packages given to me that weren’t mine and I’ve had other tenants return packages to me that were given to them by mistake. Read More

Let's start with the positives: the management team is approachable and accommodating, fostering a pleasant atmosphere within the community.

However, there are notable challenges. The insulation in the building is lacking, resulting in exorbitant electricity bills, particularly during winter months. Residents have reported bills soaring to $600-700 for a 2-bedroom unit. Additionally, the single-layered glass curtain walls, while offering stunning views, fail to provide adequate insulation,... leaving occupants uncomfortably cold in winter and excessively warm in summer.

Structural issues further compound these challenges. Rainwater seepage has led to instances of floor flooding, and the unsettling sound of drywall "screaming" during windy weather raises concerns about the building's integrity and safety.

Transportation logistics are also problematic, with only four elevators struggling to accommodate the building's population. Breakdowns are frequent, exacerbating wait times, particularly given the influx of Uber Eats delivery personnel crowding the elevators.

Despite attempts at renovation, the lobby's aesthetic still falls short of the luxury promised, disappointing those expecting a more elegant entry point to their residence. Read More