Milwaukee Apartments

When I moved in the apartment was not clean at all, the fridge is not clean, the floor is kind of oily, and I asked them to clean the floor again, but still not so clean. When I moved out I spent couple hours to clean it and they charged me 2 hours or cleaning labor, also charged me 1.5 hours of painting, and the most ridiculous thing is that, they charged me for a broken light bulb which I didn’t think there’s any broken one, and the manager also didn’t say there’s any broken light bulb when the move out inspection. They just try to charge your deposit when you move out. If you really want to live here, please make sure to take pictures when you moving and check their jobs when you move out.

Get away from this place as far as you possibly can. Save yourselves from emotional pain, financial pain of over thousands of dollars, and a bad memory that will linger.
We moved in about 8 months ago to this apartment. We moved away from this place about 1.5 months ago. It seems like a nightmare thinking about being there. Especially the management’s response to these problems. Sam, the apartment manager and the other lady who manages these buildings are disconnected and evil people, and I would assume anyone who works with the building. They have caused me and my girlfriend a lot of pain and suffering. Here is a separate breakdown of our problem:
BED BUG problems:
I had been getting these mysterious bites in January. I didn’t know what they were. We assumed it was cockroaches so we had to pitch a bug net to sleep in otherwise I couldn’t fall asleep because I was afraid that cockroaches will be crawling all over me. I was so disturbed on many night about thinking about this. When we had the bug net (pic), we still kept getting bit. So I went to the doctor to get it checked out. The doctor didn’t think they were bed bugs, but she wasn’t sure. So I send all this information to the management. And they came in the apartment and did ritualistic treatment which did not work. They REFUSED to hire an exterminator to take care of the problem, because they are cheapskates that enjoys exploiting tenants. They make me sick.
COCKROACH problems:
We had cockroach problems for 4 months. 4 months. I want to say that 2 times because again management is adequate at dealing with these issues. They are delusional in thinking that they are exterminators as well as managers. They aren’t. They are incompetent managers and exterminators. They came in about 6 – 7 times to treat the apartment over the course of 4 months. There was NO decrease in roach activity in the things that they have implemented. Their failure lies in the fact that they are delusional and abusive people. They are delusional that their solution works, so they do the same thing over and over again even if they are hitting a brick wall every single time. And in the meanwhile, the management treated us as if we were delusional.
MANAGEMENT problems:
They showed no sympathy for us. A whole bunch of empty sorries and NO action. How pitiful. And they have the illusion that they are exterminators. They said they saw how exterminators treat bugs and that’s how they know it is effective. I asked them how long that was ago. And they said 2 years ago. And I ask them that the methods change after years. And they gave me excuses and excuses and lies and lies. They are sick people. Do not let your friends, family, self, anybody you care about let inside of this building.

I’ve lived in the Milwaukee since it first opened — I can’t remember now when that was — at least 4 years ago, maybe 5? Anyway, I love living there. It’s quiet (aside from neighbor noises that any reasonable person would expect from living in an apartment building.) It’s charming. Any time any maintenance/​fire alarm testing/​etc. is taking place, proper notice is always given. My only complaints aren’t with the building, the neighbors, or the property managers, so they don’t affect my rating at all. I live over the alley, which is filled with rats, dumpsters (and LOUD dumptrucks), crackheads, and a guy across the way who sings really bad karaōke on weekend afternoons. Some people hate it, but I find it charming — at least it’s got personality. Management has always been helpful, the rent is cheap, the units are beautiful, the building itself has lots of character, it’s super convenient to public transportation, although it’s so close to downtown and the Hill that I usually wind up walking everywhere I need to go.
A note on parking: when I first moved in a remember pulling into the garage (which is, as reported, crazy, tight, and almost guaranteed to be scraped into until you learn how and where your car fits) and literally sat in my car and freak out cried. I drove a Honda Civic coupe… I can’t imagine how people with bigger cars manage, but they do. So if driving/​parking/​your big car are important to you, you might consider paying a nearby lot for monthly parking.

Management — You will not be able to get a clear answer from them regarding changes to your lease as those in the building will defer to «the company» not allowing them to make decisions when posed with questions. I inquired about my lease and options around it and had to go back and forth with the property managers… yes, both of them at least a dozen times before I was informed of all of my options (in my case, to sublease). Furthermore, they will do a little as possible to assist the tenants. You will see signs such as «The washers are broken, you will need to contact the washing machine company as management will not do it.» Signed management. Mind you two floors of apartments are sharing just THREE washing machines.
Parking — your car WILL get scratched up. It is not a matter of how and when. Space within the basement lot is extremely tight and the ramp lending into and out of the lot is outrageously steep, so if your car is at all low, say goodbye to the bottom workings of your ride. Also, you will undoubtedly be met with a ridiculous amount of trash in the alleyway leading into the lot. Btw, management will not do anything to rectify the trash problem as I have tried… «There is nothing that they can do as it is the restaurant trash» nearby. I personally had to contact the city as I do not appreciate the seeing and smelling of open trash every time I enter and exit the garage.
Environment — management will at will test the fire alarm that blare extremely loud for hours (literally) at a time. It got so loud that I had to leave my apartment for the day. In looking back, I had to pay for my apartment to then leave it because management did not inform the tenants of their random alarm testing. When confronting management about this I go the response «do you know how much it cost us to get the technician out here?» Sorry about your inconvenience but do you know how much it cost me to rent an apartment and be forced out of it for the whole day because it was unlivable due to your actions? I had planned on working from home that day. Additionally, you will see signs all throughout the building written with terrible grammar «informing» you of rules and threatening the consequences… if you like to be treated like a teenager living with your parents then this is the place for you. Just watch out for being grounded every now and then.
Neighborhood — VERY sketchy and it is not uncommon to be approached by «crazies» or hearing arguments/​fighting at random times throughout the night. Also, if you paid extra to get a unit with a view, you will be looking directly into a dilapidated building with a HUGE burnt roof that the city has deemed unsafe as it can collapse at any time.
Cost — rent is not much cheaper than other buildings if you factor in the stress that you have to deal with living here. Plus units are way too small for the prices they are charging.
I noticed that management is spending time justifying why they are getting bad reviews, how about they invest that time in actually making their business better so that you naturally will not get bad reviews.

No complaints. Beautiful upkeep for a great price. Small, but charming with a relaxed atmosphere.

I lived in the Milwaukee Apartments for a year. I loved living in the International District for its many events, proximity to delicious food, and the light rail was only a few blocks away. Unfortunately, for all the good in the ID, there’s a lot of bad… I always tell my friends that it’s beautiful in the daylight.
I had one of the one bedroom apartments. I’m not complaining… It’s small. Really make a list of what you need in your home and you’ll know if it’s a good fit for you. I had artificial hardwood floors, stove/​oven, fridge, built-​in wine rack. It’s a nice looking place for it’s age and maintenance was prompt whenever something happened. My rent was inexpensive, never had problems paying my rent in the dropbox, and Sam at the office was always friendly. I wish more tenants appreciated that it’s a historic building and treated it more nicely. The move-​out process was hassle-​free except that the elevator wasn’t working that day.
My utilities always remained very cheap. I paid half here, what I’ve paid elsewhere in the Seattle area. A small apartment will teach you to live this way and has it’s perks.
They do have parking available for a fairly high amount. If you need a parking spot, consider that local businesses and shoppers will trap you in the alley you exit from. It’s no fault of the Milwaukee’s, but it pissed me off frequently.
Now the bad. The building has rules: no smoking, no pets, no loud noises I believe after 10. They aren’t really enforced it seems except for notes in the common areas. Unfortunately the walls are thin and my window faces my neighbors. One of my neighbors had a loud cat and the other played music loudly and his friends smoked in the building, but even without that, I can hear people snoring through the walls. The walls are thin… They’d probably say much about me too.
If I had an outward facing apartment, this would have been 5 stars… I’m sure of it!

I lived here for a year and apart from apartment being so tiny, I had no problems whatsoever. There are a lot of young people renting here and once, only once, I had to deal with loud downstairs neighbors.

I have attempted to contact the management company at the Milwaukee Apartments for a tour about 8 times over 3 years, the last time today for a tour. As others here have commented, the management company doesn’t respond to calls or emails reliably. Over the years I’ve replied to ads for housing they’ve placed – leaving multiple voice messages politely requesting a returned call, and have sent dozens of emails. The responses, only to email, have been sporadic (in total, they’ve replied only to 2 emails). In the 3 years I’ve been trying to contact this company, in 2011 I got one reply to meet at 668 South King Street, their office, at a certain date and time. I confirmed that I’d do so. On doing so, I found no one answers the dial-​pad code for admittance.
Two weeks ago I again replied to an ad the Milwaukee Apartments had placed for a 2-​bedroom, 1.5 bathroom apartment. «Sam» replied to my email, we made an appointment, then he changed the appointment (via email) to Friday 3 May at 1PM. I confirmed. I arrived early, entered the dial-​pad code as instructed, and got no reply. From 12:48PM to 1:15PM I remained at the door, periodically entering the code, only to be rudely rebuffed by the few residents and one young woman who I thought might be the manager but who wouldn’t even reply to my inquiry as to whether she was.
In the 6 years I’ve lived in Seattle I’ve never encountered a ruder, less professional management company. I live in Kirkland now where I’m paying more than 3 times what the Milwaukee is asking, for about the same size of space. Since I must travel to Seattle often, I thought the move would save me both money and time. But no amount of saved cash is worth dealing with a management company that obviously doesn’t care about others’ time. If that’s how the Milwaukee treats potential clients, I can only imagine how its managers and staff treat clients bound by a rental contract.
Milwaukee Apartments, good riddance.

I honestly don’t understand the bad reviews; the Milwaukee and Chinatown have become a second home for me since moving here two years back. One of the property managers, Christina, is incredibly professional and friendly and helped me get settled with no fuss. Woody keeps everything in great repair and is a best friend to all the tenants. They are great about screening perspective tenants; I’ve never had issues with any of my neighbors and find it a quiet place to retreat to after a day at my rather high-​stress job.
A previous poster said he had roaches and that’s just ridiculous. I’ve seen one spider in two years here that wandered in from a window ledge. Everything is very clean and practically brand new (for a historic building) — there was only one person in my unit before me. The cabinets and fixtures are new and up to date, yet the building keeps its charm of being a historic property. The Milwaukee is mentioned as well in a publication on The ID as being historically cared for by the community and with low rent prices– the Milwaukee was a landmark in «what one neighborhood can accomplish.» Coho does a perfectly good job at honoring its history with great low rent and great upkeep. I manage large scale hotels for a living, so I’m picky and know my property management.
My unit is in-​facing, meaning the windows face in on others; remember, this is a historic building, from a time when rooms were built around air/​light shafts, which is common in European cities (I had the same situation in Paris). The street-​side units tend to be larger. Mine is small but I move for work and travel so it’s a good hub for people starting out or who don’t really crave the giant open floor plans. Single, career people will find it ridiculously affordable. It does have its own secure garage, and as mentioned, the garage is a little tight (again, it’s a historic building– they weren’t built like a high rise, open floor plan condo!!). Street parking is always available if you have a huge car, however seems like most people here work close by and ride a bike/​scooter or take the transit which is right around the corner.
The real draw for me is the neighborhood. All I can say is give the ID a chance and don’t believe the bad rumors. Yes, at night you may see a homeless guy or two. I’m a young woman, and in two years here, I’ve never been harassed by anyone on the street. Downtown is much worse with two bums on every corner asking you for change, it’s just dismissed because all the pretty new buildings and suits. Chinatown is very much a family neighborhood with the most rich and amazing history and traditions that welcomes you with a cacophony of color and culture. Where most of Seattle shuts down by 10pm, restaurants in the Chinatown stay open till 3am! It is an older neighborhood so it’s not all shiny and pompous but it’s a loved place and a really rich atmosphere that you’ll fall in love with. People here have history, just like the buildings. A great place to live.

I am editing this post because I can’t stand it when a company tries to spin it so that the person posting looks an overly agitated person with no grounds for reacting the way they did. The company, of course, leaves nothing but fairy dust and rose petals in their wake. I tried to be diplomatic and not post everything that this place was, but they asked for this.
I lived in the Milwaukee for a year and a half, cheap rent, good location. The fun however, children, stops there. I had a small studio (roughly, 250 sq ft) for $ 452.00. Not much, but all that a single guy who is usually not at home needs. My first encounter was with a leasing agent, who in my opinion, is the only thing that this company (CoHo Real Estate is the actual proprietor of the building) has going for it.
I «toured» the apartment and decided it was close enough to downtown for me. I paid my deposit and gave my requested move-​in date. A day or two before move-​in, I called to inquire about the required monies for lease signing. I was told that I would need my first month’s rent and the normal pro-​rate. What they did not tell me, was that the last month’s rent was also a condition of rental, up front. Instead, at lease signing, I was handed another piece of paper with my actual rent payment, $ 602.00 for the first three months. I called and specifically asked what money I needed, and was lied to. They offered to extend that by a month, or just cancel the lease that I had just signed. I should have run away at this point.
You get what you pay for. During my residency, they posted signs on the walls warning that carpet cleaning charges would be passed on to tenants. There was a problem with people taking leaking trash to the dumpsters, which were in the basement, of a 5 story building. Also, this was only accessible via the single elevator in the building. There were also signs posted around the dumpster/​recycling bin that stated that any additional charges incurred from overflow would, of course, be handed to the tenants. Because, you know, we totally control the collection of the refuse. At times, the trash would swell to well more than overflowing. Leaving people no option other than to leave their trash around the dumpsters.
There were always signs warning tenants; if you left a useful piece of furniture in a common area for others to take and were caught, that was a $ 200.00 fine.
Office hours were haphazard at best. They will not sign for packages delivered, instead you will have to make arrangements with the carrier to either have them delivered at a time that you can be present, or pick them up from the distribution center.
When I moved out, I cleaned the apartment to a state that was almost cleaner than when I moved in. Which, by the way, was still a fully furnished model. I helped to move the furniture out when I moved in. I left a wrong forwarding address for my deposit refund, my bad and I totally take responsibility. I returned a month later to inquire about the refund, as there are/​were no listed numbers for the property online. I asked that my account be notated to simply re-​mail the check once it was returned. I even offered to go to the main office in the U-​district to get the check. I waited almost two more months for almost $ 500.00 dollars. I called the «Corporate Headquarters» and was told that I had to deal with the Milwaukee itself. They then provided me a wrong number. Had to make a second physical trip to get at my money. I was informed that there would be a $ 35.00 dollar canceled check fee for my convenience. To the credit of the aforementioned leasing agent, he cut me a personal check to cover the fee.
Cheap rental, especially in a city with the high cost of living like Seattle is a boon, to say the least. However, this place stretches credibility at best, and at it’s worst is little more than a pretty-​painted slumlord rental. They are a large real estate company and can continue to do what they do. This is, however, an era of connected people. Poor treatment will be posted, everywhere.
Take this as you will, just a review of a cheap apartment complex. Oh, and by the way, they have cockroaches, enjoy!

The leasing people does not respond to e-​mails, letters, and voicemails. Several noise complaints by my neighbors and I, neither of us even received an acknowledgement. The parking garage is secure and underground but cramped. If you drive drive than a compact sedan you’re going to have problems. Nearly every car in there has scrape damage from rubbing against the extremely close together pillars. As for the apartments, they are okay, and the furnishings are modern. However as modern they may be, they are no good if you can’t get a good night’s sleep because your upstairs neighbors blast techno all night long. Starting at 11pm.
Would give more than one star of the apartment people would at least have acknowledged a single one of my emails. I would do it in person, but they are closed before i go to work and after I get home from work.

I’m about to move here, and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and casually I was shown in for an unscheduled showing. Not only was the staff gracious, but the manager showed competence and professionalism.
I’m used to what I hear about
from business owners, so I won’t be paying attention to the lengthy review above.

Honestly, I don’t know why some review for these units are bad. I went there the other day to view a unit, and both of the ladys working there were extremely helpful and professional. I get the impression that they’re really trying to clean up the tenants one would normally expect in this area. They said it was remodeled just last summer, so everything is new and clean. Everyone I saw walking in/​out of the building were normal– a lot of students. I would really recommend this place because 1.) Good price and 2.) it’s BRAND NEW!