Grand Plaza

The balcony was the highlight, with breathtaking views of the city and lake. This elegant, extravagant penthouse on the top floor made me realize how much I'd been missing. It was a beautiful stay.

It's dark, dirty, and generally looks old. I tried to take the self-guided tour, but the unit was locked and no one was at the leasing office, so I couldn't even see the apartment. This place is a dump. I wouldn't move in even if they paid me.

Living here has been far below the quality experience promised, and I strongly advise against buying here. The condo tower is poorly managed. Jeff, the property manager, comes across as entitled and disrespectful, making residents feel like unwelcome guests despite being the ones funding his salary. Rather than helping, management seems to create needless hurdles and often acts hostile and unprofessionally. Jeff is the main culprit, and should be fired. The amenities are neglected too. The dog park smells persistently, the pool is often packed with non-residents because access isn't controlled, and many chairs are broken or filthy. Only one barbecue works. Parking feels unsafe, with cars vandalized every week.

I'm near the end of my lease, and after 14 months at GP, I can say it's the best apartment building I've lived in since moving to Chicago. I wouldn't be leaving if my circumstances hadn't changed and I didn't need to downsize. I love my unit, and maintenance requests are handled quickly, often in minutes or within a few hours. The work is efficient, and I can't praise that team enough. The package room attendant is phenomenal. I feel bad that I never learned her name, but she's friendly, knows the residents, and always knows where their packages are. I hope she's paid well because she deserves it. The community here is welcoming and friendly, and the building hosts events like happy hours and a summer casino night. I wish I'd joined more of them. There are a few drawbacks: the artificial turf dog park can get smelly in summer when waste piles up, elevators sometimes take a while, and basketballs can be heard from units a floor or two above the fitness center. The building has noticed these issues and has been working to keep the park cleaner, and now enforces a strict closing time for the court. Some negative reviews seem to come from people who are especially picky, because I've been very happy here. I'd recommend GP to anyone looking for an amenity-filled building in River North.