The Watkins at Shockoe

They put up signs all over the building asking for our reviews with a QR code to here…so here’s mine!
The Watkins could be nice if it had good property management and if whatever contractors that renovated the building…and working on the second Watkins building next door didn’t cut corners. Nothing gets resolved quickly or properly. Maybe they finally fixed the leaks? Have to wait until winter to find out again.
It says on the description that this is a gated community but that's a joke! We... pay extra for a private gated garage attached to the building…except the gate has been stuck open for months because it's broken…and some bikes have been stolen. At least the elevators have been working lately. The alley doors don’t lock and recently some drunk guy was passed out on the floor next to his e-bike he was charging in the electric outlets for the drinking fountains in the lobby. There are weeds, not ivy, growing out of cracks I can stick two fingers into the walls and there’s literally a rat sized hole on a piece of wood covering exterior wall in the alley. The hallways are dirty from trash and weird attempts to paint over stains and holes in the wrong color.
Another review complain about noise but the trains and weekend nightlife aren’t that bad. Otherwise this place leaves a lot to be desired. Packages are ripped open and occasionally stolen from the mailroom by hopefully people off the street?? and not my neighbors?? And whoever thinks they’re fooling anyone by spraying febreeze after they smoke weed in the hall by the coworking space is fooling no one. I don’t know why they even bother because the leasing office only sends out a mass email reminding people what the terms of the lease are but doesn’t actually punish anyone.
The gym, an overpriced vending machine full of Walmart and Trader Joe’s packaged sandwiches, and free donuts they leasing office gives out once every couple months are not really perks.
Maybe a one star review is harsh, but I pay way too much a month for the lack of quality in this place. I won't renew because I could live somewhere with a pool downtown for the same price. Read More

Location is the only good thing. Gym is big but doesn’t have much. Parking is extra. Utilities aren’t bundled. WiFi isn’t stable. Loud noisy neighbors, trains, street, clubs. Messy hallway full of piles of trash for the Trash Fairies all weekend long and regular poisonous pesticides sprayed all over kitchens. Doors never lock and people steal packages. Leasing office people never around. There are better places for the same price in the same neighborhood.