The Mark Tempe

I lived in a two bedroom unit at The Mark May 2014-​January 2015. Since moving into another complex, I’ve realized what The Mark does well and what it does not. I’ll start with what it does well:
–My unit was very large, especially the bedrooms. I had enough space to fit a queen sized bed, full sized dresser, full sized desk, an ottoman, and a bookcase. And even with all the furniture, I still had plenty of space in the room.
–The kitchen was updated and the countertops were very nice. I loved the modern look to the kitchen and the quartz countertops. It was pretty obvious, at least in the kitchen, that The Mark was trying to improve.
–Utilities were included. However, they didn’t always work (I’ll touch on this in a minute)
–Walls bordering each unit were brick, so you couldn’t hear your neighbors (but will touch on noise issues in a moment)
–The rent cheap, cheaper than almost anything else within a square mile.
–Proximity to ASU is awesome if you are a student.
–They are sublease-​friendly. This is how I managed to get out of my apartment before my lease ended.
What The Mark didn’t do well:
–Besides the kitchen, the rest of the apartment was cheap. Instead of installing actual finished concrete floors (which is more concrete than just slab,) they finished the slab. What this means is that the floors are VERY rough and not comfortable on your feet. In my unit, there were steel rods protruding from the floors because they finished the base slab. Additionally, the walls within each unit were paper thin. The thinnest walls I’ve ever seen. If there was someone in another room (even on the opposite side of the apartment,) I could hear them sneeze. The paint job was so rushed and poor that when the doors were painted, the painters painted over hinges, door knobs, and the locks. There were only four interior doors in the entire apartment, but each one of them would stick and not close properly. Plus, the doors were basically made of cardboard.
–The apartment uses a chiller boiler system, which broke multiple times, filtered the same air between all the apartments, and was overall bad. I distinctly remember filing multiple maintenance requests for the A/​C in my unit. It finally got fixed after it broke entirely on a Saturday evening. My thermostat read 95 at one point. Additionally, the maintenance team fixes the lowest set point on the thermostat. I believe the lowest it could be set to was 78, but my apartment would almost never reach that temp. When the A/​C was turned off in the fall, the windows were not large enough to filter cool air and the brick insulates the units well. So my apartment was ALWAYS uncomfortably warm.
–There is no ice maker in the fridge nor is there a garbage disposal. Kind of important things to be missing in «renovated» units.
–Maintenance is hit-​or-​miss. Most of the time it was a miss. I would file a maintenance request and they would just not fix the issue. I filed the same complaints multiple times before it got fixed.
–There is no gate on the apartment complex and it is right next to an orbit stop and the light rail. There are questionable people roaming the complex all the time at all hours of the day. If you live here, expect to see some interesting characters.
–Crime rate is kind of high. I had my bike stolen and my neighbors had their bikes stolen. Whatever you do, do not leave anything in your car and keep everything locked in your apartment.
–The apartment is 4 stories and there are only two elevators for the complex. One questionably works and is only open during office hours. The reason it’s only usable during office hours? Because it will stop working, leave someone trapped in the elevator, and the office needs to reset the elevator for it to work again. Wouldn’t want anyone getting stuck there overnight. The other elevator does not work at all. If you live on the top floor, have fun walking up four flights of stairs.
–The amenities are just pathetic. The gym featured dilapidated, used workout equipment. The card machine for the washers and dryers would break. The pool was sad looking and needed help. The only usable amenity was the study room, which had a tv, study areas, and wifi. I never utilized this feature.
–There are only about 10 covered parking spaces, so you would inevitably have to use the uncovered parking. This is a definite downfall considering what damage the sun can do to your car. Plus, no one likes getting into an overheated car.
If you are a simple college student trying to save money, be close to campus, and you don’t mind all of what I said above, then you will probably love The Mark. Just, for me, I can get much better for the same price a little farther away.

I lived here a couple of years ago when it was «campus point». Listen. I too witnessed guns being pulled on people, abuse, drug use, gang violence. I had to call the police SO many times. People breaking into the apartment above me. Where a baby lived! Not to mention… COCKROACH CENTRAL. No one would come to my apartment for fear of violence and bugs. I wouldn’t go outside ever unless it was to get into the car. People threw a tv out their window above us! My nice nerdy neighbor got his face stomped on outside our window and I had to hear the whole thing! The staff knew that the «gangsters» we’re breaking into apartments and living there for free and they did nothing about it. I HAD to leave for fear for my life! I left so now they are STILL coming after me for 2300 dollars for canceling lease. They should be paying ME that for the trauma I experienced there. You can change the name all you want. Please just burn this place down.

Living at The Mark has been a wonderful experience. The staff there worked with me, knowing my busy football schedule and accommodated my needs. They were very helpful and responsive to my requests with pricing and move in details. I worked with Natalie and she got me all the proper documents within minutes when needed. Move in was simple and fast. My apartment had new appliances and was very modern in look. I definitely loved the place. Whenever I had maintenance issues they were taken care of within two days. If something else was wrong like my AC they updated me about switching out parts and let me know the timeline of that. With apartments I always look for honesty, communication, and responsiveness. They definitely met my needs. Would recommend 100%

I moved in last summer (2014) so the place was recently renovated. I toured the model and loved it. The urban, but modern feel really sold me. Coming from California, I thought rent was really affordable. At first I was like hmm maybe it looks good but the appliances are cheap… However, when I moved in I definitely thought the place looked just like the model. Only difference is that the floors are darker. The appliances were brand new. I even got all the documents that came with each appliance. The stove is glass and electric which I loved (but be warned they are hard to clean). The counter tops aren’t synthetic marble or anything. They are actually hard, solid, and quality counter tops. I think it might be quartz? Not sure but was very happy. I looked at several apartments in Tempe and I would say the mark BY FAR has the biggest bedrooms and the most up to date kitchen. Downside: no storage space! BUT for the price and look, I can say I am happy. I think I can see why some people have been upset with The Mark, but it seems most were upset when the Mark was still going through renovation. I had a couple of frustrations as far as air conditioning goes. It seemed to not completely cool. However, when I let staff know, they told me they were working on a big AC project… They ended up getting it taken care of one weekend and it did get much cooler. Now The Mark seems to have it together. My maintenance issues are taken care of as soon as possible. Honestly most affordable off campus housing with a good urban feel.

I recently helped my daughter relocate for college and we found these apartments driving by
The office was very helpful and professional seeing it was her first apartment
I feel very comfortable with her decision and she is happy to be living there and so close to campus

The apartment itself is great. Big, clean, cheap. Decent pool, nice study room. Management is super friendly and helpful. Looks like they’re really pushing to attract a nice college crowd. It’s an older complex and kind of has a seedy motel vibe, but overall the apartment itself is great.
The problem is the other people who live here. I understand that management changed recently and only started to really target students looking to be near campus. The majority of people living here are… sketchy to say the least. I know at least one drug dealer who lives here, and I’ve heard of more dealers in the complex. It’s ambiguous how many of the people living here are actual students or just dirtbags in the mid-​20s. The average person living here is definitely older than college age.
But anyways, a lot of the problem stems from living closer to the ground facing the courtyard. The courtyard is crowded every. single. night. with extremely loud groups of guys who play beer pong and shout and blast music everyone can hear. There’s really no way to avoid them, and they’re often out there till 3 in the morning on weekdays, so if you run a normal sleep schedule or work, you’re in trouble. Sometimes these people will be running around the hallways and shouting as loud as possible at each other. I really can’t understate how loud it gets.
I actually feel like this semester it’s gotten less sketchy, but at least last semester the complex would flood with sketchy non-​students at night who would fight each other and pass out. I don’t mind smoking pot, but people just smoke out in the open here and there are constantly drunk people or homeless guys loitering around, which gives it a seedy vibe. Some thug was knocking on doors late at night trying to sell fake magazine subscriptions but basically just strong-​arming his way into peoples’ apartments to get their money. Just saw a homeless guy dumpster diving the other day when I wen to throw out the trash. Yikes.
It’s crazy because campus is literally within sight. I don’t know where these people even come from — or why they would pay inflated rent to be near campus if they aren’t students — but this complex really needs to work on selecting residents. The people I see coming in to sign a lease seem awesome and normal, but the people who were already living here before the new management switch… that’s hard to ignore.

I wish I could give this place less than one star. Too many issues to count! First, when we got to Tempe to move in they had forgotten we were coming. We didnt get the key for 8 hours. When we finally did get the key we found out our furnished apartment that we had paid 4 months rent upfront for, was not furnished. I got to sleep on the concrete that evening. Third, they had forgotten to change over our mail slot so we didnt get mail for the first month. The post man kept sending it back. Fourth, walked home one evening to find the door wide open and the apartment trashed. Called the office to find out that they had mistakenly come in to our apartment to replace the baseboards (which werent there in the first place) and had gone to the wrong apartment. In addition they had forgotten to lock the door and «the doors sometimes swing open when they arent locked.» Oh, and they had forgotten to clean up. FInally, the reason I am writing this complaint is because it has been two weeks since submitting a maintenance request to get our AC fixed. I am not one to complain, but it is currently 82 degrees in this damn apartment and the office doesnt seem to care. I absolutely hate this place. DO NOT live at the mark.

THIS IS YOUR WARNING!!!
Also mike and craig both work for this place. I never write reviews but I felt like this was necessary after all the trouble I had.
I lived in a 600 sq ft renovated 1 bedroom. Yes the redesign in the apartment is nice, but don’t be fooled. Everything, and I mean everything is cheap. Before I even used the dishwasher, it was broken and I had to have someone come and fix it. Everything in the apartment looked like the workers didn’t care for detail. Paint lines uneven and on door knobs, old nails left in wall, uneven colored concrete floors and borders, half hanging on popcorn ceilings. Everything is cheap and was done poorly. Once I had a friend over and we were just sitting on the couch and water started leaking from the ceiling! I ran and got the worker guy and when we came back it had stopped so he didn’t even try to find out what was the issue so it happened again of course. Also I did not appreciate the water being shut off all the time, most of the time with no prior notice until of course I complained.
Neighbors and construction are constantly noisy and the smell of weed never leaves the building. Since it is a central air system, your whole apartment will smell of whatever the other apartments are cooking or smoking. Not one tenant besides me cared about how the place looked. After they got mail they would just through their junk mail on the floor instead of taking it back to their apartments. Along with any other garbage including alcohol bottles, syringes, and cigs. I would be so embarrassed of the place before friends came to visit that I would actually go pick up the junk mail off the floor. I paid $ 800 a month to basically put up with a terrible apartment.
I started to notice roaches everywhere. In previous reviews before the renovation, this was a huge problem. So I went to the front office and they assured me they would come on Tuesday and I approved for that Tuesday. So I took the whole day of work off Tuesday and no one ever showed up. I come back to my apartment one day and what do I find? A notice saying them entered my apartment and sprayed! I did not approve that day and just because they missed the first one does not mean that they can just waltz in without a 24 hour notice! Once again, illegal. So I went and talked to the front office and they made it seem like it was my fault and I argued with the fact of what if I was sleeping or showering and they just entered and their response was «OH THEY DO IT ALL THE TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING PASSED OUT FROM PARTYING THE NIGHT BEFORE», but whatever it was settled and that was supposed to be the end of it. Come the next week I was actually in the shower when I hear my front door open. LETS KEEP IN MIND THAT I AM AN 19 YEAR OLD GIRL WHO LIVES BY HERSELF. So I begin screaming «please do not enter!!! Please!!!» and they left. Once again I returned to the office where they assured me «oh we’re sorry it wont happen again».
In the month of June, the AC went out. I was forced to go live back with my parents since the heat was unbearable. There was no thermostat so I bought an indoor thermometer to see exactly how hot it was. Most of the time it read anywhere from 88 – 92!!! I have photos and videos to document the whole time the AC was out and how poorly it was handled. At first they promised to have it fixed in a matter of days. I called on the day they promised and they just said «I honestly don’t know when it will be fixed». So I would call back a few days later. And got the same «I honestly don’t know, I honestly don’t know». Calling every few days turned to every single day as I was becoming impatient. This went on for a little over 3 weeks. AZ law states that they have 5 days to fix my AC or else I can go live in a hotel and they would have to pay for it or I could have it fixed personally and bill them. Thankfully, I had my parents house to stay at so I decided to not go to those measures. It came to the point where I would call and say «let me guess you HONESTLY DON’T KNOW?» and of course I was right. Finally, end of June I went to check on my apartment and it was finally fixed that very day. I was obviously upset and entirely fed up with the place that they let me end my lease early. So I moved out and the trouble stopped there right? WRONG!
So I passed the security deposit check since I took great care of my place and I waited to receive my check in 3 days. Those days passed and nothing so I decided to give them to the end of the week, still nothing! So I called and once again they entire terrible staff had «no clue» so I was told they would get it settled. So I had to drive all the way over to their office to pick it up. I get there still no check. Of course she goes «uh we sent it out lemme check» as she goes to just move around her mouse and not even check any sort of document, «we’ll send it out again I swear!». So more waiting until it reached a month. went back and demanded the check.

Go to the very bottom where is let’s you see reviews that are not recommended. Those are the most truthful. DO NOT MOVE HERE FOR ANY REASON.

This is the place with the giant lizard mural on Lemon. It used to be really run down, but they’ve done a ton of renovations over the last year and it is like new. I really like how things turned out, especially the polished concrete floors and the kitchen. Doesn’t hurt that it’s right down the street from ASU.

CAUTION: place has bed bugs, 1000 of cockroaches in each apartment. BEEN HERE SINCE 2013, and like most people who reside here, we’re basically still living here because we’re so broke! this whole place is a joke how they tried to change the name and management, paint the outside, put a couple new stainless steel appliances and say it’s brand new and great to live in. That’s Bullshit! and can you say GHETTO!!! yes I know me and my family are low income so we live here but seriously, everyday someone is physically fighting outside, homeless and drug addicts are in and out of the whole complex daily, even my neighbors have asked me if I want to buy some H and Meth. uhhhh disgusting! Plus outside of our apartment I don’t know how many times we have found broken meth pipes and thrown syringes across the street at the liquor store. I honestly don’t know how this place is so horribly ghetto and dangerous that they haven’t considered closing this whole complex down and have it investigated. in the past year I’ve lived here there has seriously been at least 6 police raids cleaning out drug dealer homes. don’t ever move here in your life and if you ever drive by slowly keep your windows up because it’s not safe!!! especially for students and children RUN!!! :-(

NO! I’ve been here since 2012. I admit to staying cause they were cheap for what you got. The whole time I’ve had to have my own exterminator come in. Who by the way worked. This place is full of infestations. The staff is incompetent at best. Any work orders for maintenance are ignored. I have had to do most of the repairs myself, if I cared to have them done. I have an old unit and have seen the new ones… not worth it at all. The price is going up almost twice what it was, and for basically no more than a coat of paint. lol. It’s a shithole. If you’ve a choice, go somewhere else.

Run! Run Far Away! This place is a hovel at best. There are bugs everywhere and then there is construction throughout so that it is impossible to sleep past 6:30 am. Not to mention that they shut off the air and water at random. Not to mention that you will pay more than the rooms are actually worth. Even though they are renovating they have left in the popcorn ceiling which may contain white fiber asbestos. Ugh. Additionally, do not expect the staff or property manager to help you. They damaged my brand new bed due to their negligence during renovations and refuse to pay out, so I hope you have renters if you actually live here. Take your money and go to a place like Cabana or Rancho Murietta instead.