The Left Bank

I have lived at the left bank for over 2 years now, and really enjoy it.
We have an apartment that is very quiet, and the only noise we ever hear is from the hallway occasionally. Tip: we are on the inside of the building, facing the courtyard, which I think is a lot less noisy — never hear trains or anything even though we are literally next to the train tracks.
Maintenance is extremely prompt and courteous — anytime anything has ever gone wrong they have arrived within 24 hours to fix it.
The staff make an effort to get to know you. Security is a priority. Packages are always accepted and organized for pickup. They have the biggest gym I have ever seen for an apartment building gym and it’s such a big/​awesome thing to be able to just walk downstairs and get a workout in even in the middle of a blizzard or scorching heat.
Within the last year, a new building manager has been hired and communicates very well regarding repairs and building issues. As another reviewer who gave a poor review has stated, there has been noise as necessary repairs go on, but the building manager communicates when the work is being done and typically what hours as well. They have never done anything unreasonable.
They also have underbuilding parking and adjacent parking that is assigned, which if you’ve ever had to walk blocks to get to your street car or circle the block 5 times to find a spot at 11pm, you’ll appreciate this too!
Overall, I would say the left bank is the best place for a graduate student to live in this area. My only complaints are: 1) it is very dusty, as another reviewer said — every time I vacuum loads of dust comes up. 2) rent is high. but, there are many amenities, so its a trade off. 3) no dogs — I would love to get a small dog, but they don’t allow it. Obviously this has its plusses in term of building cleanliness/​noise… Also, fire alarms do seem to happen more frequently than other places — maybe once every 4 months?
Overall, considering my experience thus far, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the university city area!

Do not even consider. Basically an expensive dorm. Fire alarm goes off ALL THE TIME from people pulling it as pranks. Management has sent emails asking people to cook with doors closed because people complain of smells. Worst management ever, they make your life worse. These assholes decided to make structural renovations to the garage during the week… but during the night when everyone was sleeping! Imagine drilling and massive machinery making construction noise at 2:00 am every day for a week. Seriously… So many rules that they make everything annoying. Walls between apartments are basically paper thin!!! Oh and don’t get me started on the people who work at front desk… I think they purposely hire the most incompetent rudest and most pathetic people to NOT help you at all. Everything is a no. The management office is harder to get into than the White House, security guard has to let you in as if you were not wanted to talk to the building manager. Over $ 2000 a month for all this? F that. Im out. RUN AWAY AND DONT EVEN CONSIDER THIS DUMP.

I don’t think my apartment building gets enough love. I have been living here for three years this March and I must say this is the best I have ever seen it. The new management group is great and really have been getting things done. everyone who lives here already know about the maintenance guys and how good they are. And this 24 hour concierge service is awesome!!! My neighbor is moving out at the end of February to take a new job. Don“t wait to grab her spot cause it’s a pretty awesome place.

I lived in a studio apartment. The amenities were decent and I appreciated a washer and dryer in my apartment. My issues include unprofessional staff, constant smoking in apartments and stairwells despite complaints and poor ventilation. My things were constantly in a sheet of dust even within hours of cleaning. When I moved out, I wanted to have my little brother (age 22) live there. They told me they don’t accept undergraduates regardless of the fact that my brother is 22 and in a 5 year Co op program at Drexel. The whole reason he wanted to live here was because of the low noise level so he could study. Don’t plan on living here unless you are a graduate student or family. They don’t budge regardless.

I lived in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment close to both Drexel U and UPenn campus. This luxury complex has reasonable pricing compared to surrounding area apartments. I felt especially safe with the ²⁴⁄₇ front desk attendants, who always knew me by name. The other street entrance was always locked with key card, so that only residents can enter. There are cameras throughout the building, especially calming to those with cars in the private parking area.
Each floor has comfortable seating areas with coffee tables, which are always empty and quiet for use. I like the gym area that has ample equipment, so that you will never need to go elsewhere. They have resident socials every once in a while with free finger food. I wish that I made more use of the roof deck overlooking the Philadelphia skyline. We went up there to sunbathe in the morning and threw some Friday night parties. Employees were very accommodating with move-​in coordination. The apartment itself was new, with maintenance answering to every request promptly. There is a trash chute on every floor, which is super clean. Washer and dryers are in each apartment, with larger laundry machines on another floor for residents with greater loads. I loved the walk-​in closets, thick walls, and large windows overlooking the city.