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Reviews of Washington DC Corporate Apartments
Lincoln Towers
Review Number One
Review Number Two
Review Number Three
Review Number Four
Reviewed by Wendy Morrill, Department of State.
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
We moved in on May 7, 2002. We plan on staying here for two months.
What were the advantages of staying at the complex? What were the disadvantages?
The facilities and common areas are luxurious! An on site business center has six computers with internet access and a laser printer and two fax machines-- all for use free of charge to residents. The fitness center is ample, with several treadmills, bikes, and a weight circuit. Lots of parking underneath the building. The elevators are fast and go directly to the parking garage. Several delis and bakeries in the building, as well as an upscale mall across the street (Ballston Common). Many fun, trendy restaurants all within walking distance. Also, they allow cats (for a fee). We can walk to and from NFATC, or ride the metro (Ballston stop a block away) to Main State. Coffe and cookies in the lobby.
The outdoor pool gets very little sun because it is surrounded by high-rise buildings. That's the only disadvantage I could think of!
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?
So far, yes. My four year old son enjoys going to Quincy Park, two blocks away. It has tennis courts, playing fields, and a great playground. Also, the Arlington Central library is next to the park and it is FABULOUS. I have counted three preschools within walking distance (all connected to churches).I haven't checked out the public schools yet.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
You could get by without a car easily. There is a large grocery store only two blocks away. Most of the sights in the area (including the zoo) are accessible by the metro, which is right outside our door here.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
We are renting a one bedroom furnished apt. and will only be able to afford it for the first two months. After that, we will probably have to move to another complex because there is very little availability here at this time.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
Both towers are equally lovely. All look out onto the busy Ballston area however, so the higher up you are, the better. (There are 20+ floors)Any changes to your lease can cost fifty dollars, so be sure to let them know that you need to be on month to month until you know how long you will be in D.C.
Reviewed by Kenneth Zurcher, State Department
What were the advantages of staying at the complex? What were the disadvantages?
Proximity to FSI/NFATC is an advatange. Also, there is and Internet Cafe/Business Center in the complex.
The disadvantage is an incompetent staff which is unresponsive and only reactive rather than proactive.
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?
I don't know about schools, but there is a local library within 2 blocks.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
Yes! In the first 7 weeks here we only drove about 150 miles - I walk to FSI daily, and the metro is basically across the street.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
For a furnished 1 or 2 bedroom it does for 2 months. For unfurnished 1 or 2 bedroom it does for 4 months.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
The staff verbally expressed disinterest in our concerns and expressed that they understand many people from State Dept are here temporarily and so they aren't concerned to lose a customer over dissatisfaction.
Reviewed by Kirsten Miller, State Department
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
January 2003 - February 2003
What were the advantages of staying at the complex?
Proximity to FSI and Metro; close to Harris Teeter grocery store. (By
the way, don't get too excited
about it being close to the Ballston Common Mall -- it's pretty lame).
The building has a small "Internet
cafe" and an even smaller "business center", though they
were always too full on the occasions when I
tried to use them.
What were the disadvantages?
The main disadvantage here is the staff. Most appear to be right out
of college, and though there is
nothing wrong with being young, the staff do behave extremely immaturely
and are totally unprofessional, not to mention often clueless about things
they should know. Once you have signed your lease, they don't even pretend
to want to be helpful or professional. On one occasion the leasing manager
actually rolled her eyes at me! She also complained to me about how hard
her job is, how put-upon she was -- not something you discuss with your
customers, for crying out loud.
When we were due a refund after moving out, it took several months of
calling and harassing them to
finally get it. Also, though the building looks fairly new and pretty,
much of it is cheaply put together, and we always seemed to be dealing
with something that was falling apart. Another problem was parking --
somehow the garage often did not have enough spaces, which is extremely
frustrating.
Finally, the noise level was unpleasant, as the building is surrounded
by fairly busy streets. We were on the courtyard side, and the level of
street noise echoing up through the courtyard was surprising.
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?
Not my area of expertise; there did not appear to be very many families with kids living there.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
Metro to Foggy Bottom is four stops from the Ballston station. Many people actually just walk to FSI (about 25-35 minutes). You could also take the Metro three stops to Rosslyn to get the shuttle to FSI. However, the fastest way to FSI will be by car, about 7 minutes.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
We had a tiny furnished 1-bedroom apartment, and knowing that we were with State, they charged us the full per diem.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
I really can't recommend Lincoln Towers at all.
Reviewed by I. Ravin, Department of State
When did you stay at the apartment? For how long?
I am currently residing there (February, 2004), and have been there for a month.
What were the advantages of staying at the complex?
Very convenient to shopping and restaurants - it is located right across
Ballston Mall. Very close to Route 66, and adjacent to the Metro. It is
about a 30min walk from NFATC.
Apartments have washer/dryer, nice gym, free guest parking for furnished
apartments, weekly maid service, a business center with computers/ fax/
printer/ Internet. Outdoor pool during the summer. In general, the apartments
are well maintained.
What were the disadvantages?
There is no shuttle to NFATC. You have to take the metro to Rosslyn.
Is this a good place to stay with children? Are the schools, play areas, etc. acceptable?
Don't have kids, and have not looked into these factors.
Can you get by without a car at this complex? With just one car?
You can get by without a car if you don't mind taking the metro or the mass transit buses. You can definitely get by with one car.
Do the rental rates fall within per diem? For how long?
The apartments fall within the per diem rate for the first 120 days. You may need to contact the apartments for any revisions to their policy.
Do you have any specific advice for people who will be staying at this complex? Are some buildings more desirable than others, for example?
No advice. I'm pleased with their service.
Lincoln Towers
850 N. Randolph Street
Arlington, VA 22203
Phone: 1-888-234-STAY (7829)
or 703-769-5578
Fax: 703-486-7488
Email: smithliving@archstonesmith.com.
Corporate website: http://www.smithlivingtemp.com.
Page for this property: http://www.smithlivingtemp.com/places/washington/lincoln-t.html.
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