Gables City Vista

Since moving in 3 years ago staff has gotten worse. Don’t expect a response to any emails sent to the leasing office. Only good thing left about this place is the maintenance staff. Leasing office doesn’t help with any manner and says to call the police if we have any problems. I’ve seen car windows broken in in the private parking garage, not so private since they leave the door open for days on end. A man constantly stands in the hallways and stares people down as they leave and lock their apartments then follows them down the block, sometimes shirtless. Leasing office never responded to my emails about that!! When I went in person, they said to email lol. Packages get stolen, leasing office won’t pull the video footage. Elevators constantly down and the leasing agent couldn’t even show me where the stairs are to get to my apartment. Since losing one of our best and kindest concierges about a year ago, I no longer feel safe since she knew everyone who lived in the building and everyone respected her. Now it feels like someone new every day and they never know what is going on. Location was great, but for how expensive rent then all the utilities are, I suggest looking elsewhere.

I would suggest looking at other apartments in the area. The apartments are old and outdated and management doesn't appear interested in resolving issues. In most cases it seems they would rather replace residents than resolve issues. We have been living with a temporary sink (that looks like an airplane sink) for over 6 weeks. They ignore and try to hide the fact that the building has a cockroach infestation. A couple months ago I rode up the elevator with a police officer who was delivering a search warrant for another apartment to look for guns and drugs. There are a lot of apartment buildings in DC, Gables simply isn't worth your time, money, or energy. It does have a convenient location if that's all you need.

Really really rude leasing office staff. Cancelled my tour when I scheduled online and changed my time of touring because they said they had limited availability even though their scheduling portal did not reflect that at all. Was unable to tour the apt when I arrived because I forgot my ID. They told me it was required in the email instructions but when I checked my email I did not receive any message saying this. Will never be living here.

I cannot even begin to count the number of times. I have been verbally threatened with physical violence by people who either live here or pretend to live here. My husband and I have seen multiple drug deals happen just outside one of the emergency exits that have been propped open. Fire alarms are constantly going off. They are constantly doing their once a year. Fire alarm testing. If you live on the courtyard level, expect to have people sticking their heads up against your windows. Looking into your apartment. I should have called 911 multiple times while living here. You have been living here for some time and when new people moved in next to us within a few weeks we had a huge roach problem and the building has done nothing to handle it. My husband and I have resorted to throwing away Oliver food. All of our soft products. Anything cardboard before we move. I cannot advise anyone to move here. It is absolutely awful. The management is awful. The people at the front desk are awful. The neighbors are awful.

I genuinely fell in love with this building as I moved in this time last year. The office had a great energy, the agent i worked with Arianna gave me one of the best tours i have had in this city just because of her hospitality , unfortunately she is no longer working here along with the other temporary employee Alba who offered so much assistance and information with my move and the programs DC offers. This building has lost its spark, everyone with good energy is gone from leasing staff to concierge. This was my happy place I took pride in coming home but the welcoming feeling has drifted away

New property manager Dorothy sucks just like the rest. They fired the best concierge we had now we have “PAUL” who has a nasty attitude and hates doing his simple job.
Please stay far away from this property. Crime infested as and corrupt management. There was another break in in the garage last night. You think we get alerted about this stuff? A month ago the Vida Fitness had a bomb threat and had to evacuate while we weren’t told a thing until 2/3 days after. Vida is literally the same building we live in. Why weren’t the residents evacuated?

Trash (if you're lucky--I've seen literal feces in there) in the elevator, and that's IF the elevators are working, which is rarely. Zero security, non-existent amenities, rampant crime, noise issues (don't get a window above the VERY active alley). Continually broken alert system. They keep firing the only decent front desk people. The building has switched management several times since I moved in and it's just gotten worse and worse, while they keep raising the rents. This is a dangerous, bad place to live. I can't wait to move out.

Summary: Convenient location (if you’re fine with noise) + amenities (when they work). Management can improve on communication.

Recommendation: I discourage people from living at Gables City Vista unless they fix the persistent false fire alarms. There have been at least 9 alarms in 11 months, sometimes in the early morning.

Detailed Pros
- Metrorail (red/green/yellow) and bus accessibility
- 20 minute walk to Downtown DC
- Vista Green outdoor space is unique perk if you like walking without leaving your building
- Living less than a block from a grocery store (Safeway) and restaurants
- In-Unit Washer and Dryer + dishwasher
- Up to date oven/stove/fridge/freezer
- Maintenance team is quick to fix things within the unit
- Online rent system is convenient and easy to set up autopay
- Fitness center and community room are nice
- Package room: notified when packages arrive
- Receptionist can be helpful
- Underground parking lot

Detailed Cons
- Living near busy NY Avenue = you often hear police/emergency sirens
- Application fee is unnecessarily expensive
- No help finding roommates
- Utilities not included
- Unfurnished, so I rented furniture
- No substantive community social events
- Sometimes smells like weed in elevators and in hallways
- Bugs can be an issue. Keep your air conditioning on in the summer to avoid this!
- Walls are somewhat thin (I can hear my neighbors sometimes)
- Heater/air conditioner is a little loud
- Wi-Fi does not always work in the gym
- Occasional false/test fire alarms go off in the building without being notified in advance
- One of the elevators is occasionally out of use, which is tough when there are three elevators and one is sometimes reserved for move-ins

Good to know
- Move-in was chaotic: I had to switch units because my original unit was not ready. Got a better unit for original rental rate.
- Amenities can take weeks or months to get fixed such as business center printer/computer, 2 out of 3 fitness center ellipticals
- Loading dock and freight elevator reservations good for moving (have movers enter on K Street, not L Street)
- Lots of dogs in the building
- Near multiple DC public library branches (MLK and Northwest One)