Belmont At Freemason Apartments

Feeling safe in both the building and the neighborhood was what I appreciated most about living at the Belmont at Freemason. I also loved the panoramic view over Downtown Norfolk and how easy it was to get to great dining and entertainment. I loved my time there. Thanks, Belmont!

Residents would appreciate a direct update on what the owners plan to do about security. A Gift Wrapping Party the morning after the weekend incidents wasn't the response we were hoping for. If nothing is going to change, please say so, so people can look for a safer place before car break-ins become something worse. I'd be glad to update this review with steps taken to fix security problems and with good things about the community. The police incident spreadsheet photos are from one weekend in the garage. The City of Norfolk's Open Data Portal lists 15 vehicle incidents on the 200 Block of York that weekend, and 38 since October 2022. The rate of vehicle theft and vandalism for 200 YORK appears significantly higher than in neighboring areas. Mr. Williams says residents feel the Belmont team hasn't taken their concerns seriously and blames a “Norfolk” problem. Anyone can enter the building's seven parking levels, stairwells, or elevators. The owners haven't addressed how this open access to a private garage could contribute to the 15 reported incidents that weekend or the 38 since October. Nearby Norfolk apartment complexes use controlled roll-up garage doors to restrict vehicles and unauthorized pedestrians. The owners say they've hired a security company. Was it there during the weekend incidents, and is it effective? Mr. Williams says the overnight guard sits in his car on the third floor and sleeps most of the night. If owners see this only as “issues in the area,” are they really addressing it? At least our recycling is safe from theft. The recycling room just inside the garage is keyfob-access only, so people can't walk in and take residents' cardboard and plastic bottles.

I've lived here for over a year, and things were great with the previous management team. Recently, there have been several vehicle break-ins, and my car was broken into twice in two months. The management response has been deeply disappointing. It amounts to saying the police and their security company are short-staffed, there's nothing they can do, residents should lock their cars and hope for the best, and they won't cover bills, lost work time, or distress. They haven't even cleaned up the shattered glass in the parking lot. It's everywhere. I understand the police may be limited by staffing, but management or the company should take more responsibility. Relying only on the police and security firm isn't working. If they care about tenants, what else can they do to protect us? When residents raise concerns, management seems to make excuses and talk them down. It feels like being gaslighted. I'd appreciate clear communication about an action plan. The lost work time and huge stress have been worse than the money lost in the break-ins. I'm mission-essential at my workplace, and my car window was smashed on a day I was on call. I couldn't get to work, and the damage to my mission can't be compensated.

The apartment has a roomy bathroom and tub, plus a walk-in closet with loads of space. There's plenty of kitchen cabinet storage too. The place was nice, with fresh paint and new carpet, and the women in the leasing office were really friendly and helpful.