3/25/26
Great Potential and Location, But Maintenance and Security Should Improve
AltaNova is a modern and visually appealing apartment community in a convenient location near Columbia Pike with walkable access to grocery stores, restaurants, and other daily conveniences. The apartments are nicely designed, the common areas are attractive, and the building hosts community events that help create a welcoming environment. However, there have been operational issues prospective residents should be aware of. The garage door has been intermittently inoperable for extended periods,... including stretches of several weeks, which raises concerns since residents pay separately for controlled-access parking. When the door remains open, it undermines the purpose of secured parking and building access. There have also been periodic elevator issues, intermittent internet connectivity problems, and instances where rainwater has entered parts of the building during heavy storms. As with many pet-friendly communities, there are occasional issues with residents not properly cleaning up after their dogs in common areas. The surrounding area is also active. The building sits near a liquor store, a busy car wash, and a nearby restaurant that sometimes operates more like a nightclub, which can make the immediate area feel chaotic in the evenings. Because of this activity, building security and consistent maintenance of access points such as the garage door are especially important. Virginia law recognizes the importance of maintaining safe common areas in residential communities. Under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Va. Code § 55.1-1227), landlords must keep common areas in a reasonably safe condition. Courts have also recognized the duty of property owners to exercise ordinary care in maintaining common areas, including Klingbeil Management Group v. Vito, 233 Va. 445 (1987), and have discussed addressing foreseeable safety concerns in Wright v. Webb, 234 Va. 527 (1987). To management’s credit, communication with residents does occur and repairs are periodically scheduled with vendors. Like many newer buildings in busy mixed-use areas, AltaNova appears to still be working through operational adjustments. Overall, the building has a lot of potential due to its modern design, convenient location, and community atmosphere. With more consistent attention to maintenance, building access control, and coordination with local authorities regarding surrounding activity, AltaNova could be an even stronger place to live.
Review from Apartments.com
Property Manager at Alta NOVA responded to this review
Hello - Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We’re glad to hear you’ve enjoyed the apartment design, community atmosphere, and convenient location. We understand your concerns and want to assure you that maintaining a safe... and comfortable environment for our residents is a top priority. AltaNova is a controlled-access community throughout the building, and we continue to work closely with our teams and vendors to monitor and address items as they arise. We appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue improving the resident experience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team directly if there’s anything further we can assist with.
- Community Manager
