FRONTDESK 735 West Apts Westown Milwaukee

Kyle was a real plus. He communicated well and dealt with issues quickly. I also liked that utilities were included, though I still paid rent and an electric bill averaging $35. My 460 sq ft room worked for me, with space for desks, a loveseat, a full-size bed, and an island table. This was my first apartment, where I lived for 10 months while finishing my bachelor’s in Milwaukee. The location suited me, and I felt safe both in the area and in the building. Room 315 was a corner room with lots of light. There were some serious problems, though. Water sat under the floorboards throughout the apartment for most of my stay, so I had to wear slippers. It was embarrassing to tell guests their feet would get wet, and even a bath mat by the shower would end up soaked. I had to leave the room over a possible mold issue. I’d only recommend that room if it’s remodeled, since the moisture could damage furniture and rugs. I also had heating issues, including times when the room was 50 degrees in winter. Other residents have mentioned problems with heat and AC as well. The walls are thin, so you hear neighbors. The garbage room gets dirty and smelly, which I expected, and the laundry room and gym get really hot.

The laundry room is filthy, and the washers are always dirty enough to put you off using them. The AC stays off until mid May, so expect to sweat in your apartment. There’s also just one working elevator for all 10 floors, and it’s been that way for at least 7-8 months.

This former bank building feels like it was converted into apartments with minimal effort. The rooms don’t have proper separation, and the place still has a bank-like feel. The laundry room was a mess and never seemed to get cleaned. I had to clean the washer or dryer myself before using it, which was disgusting. The heating and AC were a disaster too. In winter, the heat came on only once it was cold enough to freeze inside, and even then it didn’t warm the apartment properly. In summer, the AC was loud, and on upper floors I could hear the rooftop motor. It also blew awful dust into the apartment, leaving black dust on everything. The fire alarm would sometimes go off in the middle of the night with no fire. It was terrifyingly loud, and a few times it kept going for two hours. Living here was a real nightmare.

Kyle has been cheerful and helpful from the tour through move-in and right up to now. He answers my questions and sends residents useful texts when needed. I’m glad he showed me the larger studio because the extra space makes a real difference. My cat and I may be here a long time. The apartment is quiet and has the best water pressure of anywhere I’ve lived. The tap gets very cold and very hot. The stainless steel GE appliances are great, the bathroom is a good size, and the medicine cabinet looks new or nearly so. There’s plenty of storage under the sink and enough outlets to place lamps and other things where I want them. The building is close to everything downtown. I don’t need a car: there are bus stops a couple of blocks away for longer trips, and a Bubblr bike rack across the street. Heat, AC, and Internet are free, so my monthly bills should stay low.