461 Dean Street

Arthur from the leasing office deliberately misled us about an apartment we were interested in, based on apartment layout and size.The listing on their website said it was a one bedroom with a corresponding floorplan. We called to check availability and schedule a visit, and he confirmed that the details on the website were accurate. The first time we visited the building he showed a different one bedroom apartment since the other one was still occupied and said it had a similar layout to the one we were interested in. When we said we won't be able to sign a lease without seeing the apartment he made an arrangement with the current resident to show the apartment. Upon our second visit, we discovered that it was a studio. In addition, the indicated living area was much smaller than advertised. The leasing office's resistance to show us the actual apartment, rush into making a decision, and giving inconsistent and misleading information made us waste time with considering this building. Don't waste yours!

So , I recently visited my friend at this building that has been newly constructed. It is a nice looking building. However , I was appalled that I smelled weed on the 21st floor several times I have visited. You can even smell it through the vents when you use her bathroom. I mentioned it to my friend because she has a child . The bathroom is connected to his bedroom and a child especially should not have to inhale smoke.. She has complained and nothing is being done. I think they need to monitor the building closer and take the tenants concerns more serious. No one should have to smell weed or any type of smoke in their apartment.

I fell for everything in the earlier review and decided to sign a lease at 461Dean seven months ago. Since it's a new building, there wasn't much information available in terms of existing reviews. But, I loved the location, loved the unit I decided to move into, and generally liked the people I met in the building. I will say, I still do like the staff in the building (although some are better than others) and the leasing team was great (which is what motivated me to sign the lease). It's the property management team that's sits in their cushy offices and cares only about bottom line and not people, that I'm wary of. I'm not sure what additional research or verification I could have done to avoid this terrible experience, but for the last six weeks, I have had water flowing into the apartment from the ceiling near my window, whenever it rains. That has basically meant coming home to water all over the floor in my tiny studio, which is terribly inconvenient and scary. I travel a lot as a working professional, and neither the building nor renters insurance will cover any damage to my personal belongings as a result of a building construction issue. Still no resolution in sight and I'm basically stuck in a lease, where management won't make alternative arrangements for me and have proposed penalties if I opt to move out. Great way of locking someone into a lease and forcing them to stay in an unlivable unit; instead of actually taking care of a tenant when inconvenienced by a poor-construction building issue. Lesson I've learnt: all that glitters is not gold. There is not much I can do with the fancy fixtures or the great views, when day to day living in a space I pay above-market rent for, is such a pain. Can't wait for the lease to end and not sure what more I have to endure at 461Dean! I know I'm never coming back to this building or for that matter any of the buildings constructed by this developer and managed by FirstService Residential New York.

Pretty much a dream apartment complex.I read Wendy's 1 star review. She found a pipe that wasn't working and decided that 300+ other functional units and a gorgeous building with huge windows and friendly staff are somehow secondary to a noise she heard. She's the reason this community resisted luxury developments for so long. I'm only writing because of how silly and selfish that review seems. For anyone who really cares about finding new apartments, here's what to expect:Building:New, clean, with some growing pains. One elevator still has protective sheeting for move ins, Some units are unoccupied, but my unit was presented fresh and beautiful since day 1. No smoking, water / heat included, electric separate. The lights in the kitchens and bathrooms are fixtures with fluorescent tubes, not terrible at all, but if you're into things like "Philips Hue" you'll need to replace with management approval. The units themselves are very quiet, with windows closed I barely hear the street, and haven't heard a neighbor at all (I have one on both sides).Amenities:Gym and roof access for extra (roof not yet open), free game room, tv lounge, kitchen, cafeteria esque space, soon to be announced art room, and optional bike / storage units. Play billiards on a beautiful table or get slightly frustrated with a tinier than standard ping pong table. Fun regardless. Also a kid's room if you have kids. Recently, free (included in gym price) yoga classes in the dance / yoga room are offered. The building offers Fios Gigabit and TWC, the former I love and the latter I switched from because they never arrived for 3 consecutive appointments.Appliances:All come with manuals, all work great. I had to adjust my refrigerator feet for balance (standard practice), but everything else was pre-installed, state of the art, and wonderful. Felt nice to peel fresh plastic film off never-used appliances. The dryer gets hot so it's best to leave the door open when in use, loud, but safe. There's also a shared laundry room if you have big items, like a heavy blanket and bedding.Staff:If you need something you get it fast from the building staff. They are incredible and kind and remember you quickly. There's also an app called "Building Link". Certain agreements require someone from Forest City Ratner to follow up (like amenities agreement for gym and roof) so these have been delayed -- I'm told this is because too many people are moving in. Follow up is key.Neighbors:I'm told the building is half affordable rate / half market rate. I'll say that everyone I've met is wonderful, there's no sense of "us" or "them" and overall this building has an atmosphere of friendliness and calm. I moved from Manhattan so it's nice to see families and 20-30 somethings. I was accustomed to elderly shut-ins and creaky wood stairs. I walked into the pool room one night with friends and saw another group. It became a fun mixer.Neighborhood:It feels like living on the four corner intersection of Colorado, Arizona, etc. You have Atlantic mall and Target (closes at midnight daily) and a cheap grocer on one side, but a medley of small and local shops on another. Above the building the rest of pacific park will arrive, and altogether it feels nice. I have met local bartenders who bemoan the construction, I've seen plenty of local businesses put themselves up for lease looking for a windfall too. It's clear this is a new "must visit" neighborhood but local NIMBYs aren't going to be impressed by yuppies moving in (Wendy) but they will appreciate your business. It's a charming area but I advise new movers to understand they live in a building that many have mixed feelings about. It's more caution than hate, but I like the neighborhood and it has plenty of charm, warmth, and receptive energy.Overall:If your needs are met by this building, with a budget for the rent, you'll discover a wonderful neighborhood, great staff, and easy living atop New York's 3rd busiest transit hub. Great new development, the first of many, but worth checking out. And if your pipes leak like Wendy's did, just talk to the staff. They will help. It will be fixed. And you'll get right back to enjoying your new digs.

No stars. Stay away. Building is still under construction, building management has no idea what they're doing. Pipes leak and won't repair.