The Modern — Attraction in East Orange

Just stay away from The Modern and ERCT Property Management. Your home should be a place where you can find peace after a long day, I promise you this isn't the place. The building is cheaply put together and not as advertised. Sometimes the fire alarms go off multiple times a week, day and night. They state in their lease that smoking is prohibited, but they do a terrible job of enforcing those rules. Often when you walk around the halls and the stairwells you smell marijuana. If it's not that, then multiple times a moving truck ran into the fire system outside and damaged it which set it off uncontrollably. The superintendent, his wife, and the other employees are great people and try their best, the problem is the management company. When there is an issue, it's hard to get in touch with them. Then when I finally did after a few weeks, they told me one thing to try and suppress me, but when it was time for them to deliver on their words, they wouldn't. They pretended to care when I informed them the fire alarms made my disabilities worse, but their actions showed the opposite. If I didn't educate myself on my rights to reasonable accommodations, threaten to make complaints to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights for failure to provide reasonable accommodation, and stand up for myself, I would still be in that hell. It's sad that instead of fining or trying to evict the people who set off the alarms, break the smoking policy, and make the building untenable for everyone else, they would rather fight me and keep my deposit. They only care about your money. I can't imagine what it's like to have a newborn or young children in this building, the constant alarms may damage their eardrums and leave them with childhood trauma. Their prices are fair, but it's one of the few ways they can attract people to their property. They don't require you to make 2.5x or 3x rent like all the other legitimate properties. Look at the other reviews before you decide. Even if it costs you a little more to live somewhere else, the extra money is not worth the health and sanity of you and your family. Response to the Owner: You can say whatever you want to try and discredit my experience with your company and property, but clearly, I am not the one person who isn’t afraid to speak up about having a terrible experience. What I referred to was that originally I was told I’d be relocated free of charge to another property if the fire alarms persisted. I informed you on October 6th that despite your attempts to fix the alarm, it continued to go off. You ignored me until I messaged you again on October 20th informing you that I requested to be released from my lease without penalty as a reasonable accommodation, otherwise I would file formal complaints to HUD. On October 22nd you replied that the alarms were fixed, but were going off from smokers that you failed to control (as you just acknowledged again). That is also when you told me that you would let me out of the lease while keeping my deposit. You had plenty of time to keep your word prior to this and move me to another location, but you ignored me. You are correct, I didn’t reply to your email as I was advised. You were sent a letter in an attempt to recover my deposit as I wasn’t leaving under a circumstance that was my fault, but due to your inability to stop the fire alarms, enforce your own rules, and failure to relocate me. Your attorney promptly sent one back which I read via email. I chose to drop it all and be done with you as it was never just about the $750. It was about standing up for myself against disgusting behavior from a company that pretended to care about me as a tenant. If I hadn’t made an effort to part ways with you, I doubt I would have ever been relocated. Anyway, that is all in the past. Now, just like others on this review board, I am free to share my experience. People who read this are free to think and make the best decision for themselves and their...

So I wanted to be settled in before I gave a genuine review with all the pros and cons.

Pros: The front of house workers (the ones who show you the apartments and help with move in) are absolutely amazing and quick to answer any questions you may have. The commute is in fact wonderful. You are within walking distance of a number of busses and there are many nearby train stations. This building is very secure, you need a fob to get in everywhere. You get a designated spot so they will tow anyone who uses your designated spot. Many great amenities. The gym IS open. Very spacious and new apartments. Amazing neighbors! All very helpful and friendly.

Cons: It’s been said many times, they cannot do anything about this but it is a con. If frequent fire alarms are not convenient because you have pets or babies or even adults that are sensitive to loud sounds, this is NOT the place for you. It happened twice in my first week here, one of them taking over 20 minutes to stop. The water in East Orange is HARD. The only way around it is if our “luxury” apartment complex invested in a water softening system. There is no way they have one, because if they do, it’s absolute trash. Hard water will not hurt you, but it does cause dry hair, dry skin, and water stains on dishes and appliances. You will have to hand buff your dishes here. The white stuff in the water here is just minerals in the water because of how hard it is. It is not a water quality issue, so calling the water company will not do anything. This apartment building would need a new/better water softening system. THE WHITE STUFF IN THE WATER IS SAFE TO CONSUME. Back of house employees communication is just zero to none. And it’s very difficult to reach them by phone. The mail room is a disaster. Apartment complex states there is nothing they can do but there is plenty they could do. The guest parking is HIGHLY inadequate considering there is no where close anyone can really park. They have stated that 5 spots is sufficient for 100+ residents but i’d love to hear how so. That means less than 5% of your residents can have a guest over at a time. We all know that math is in fact not mathing.

In-Between depending on the type of person you are: The community is pretty loud. I hear music late at night and there is a very loud dog on my hallway. So conventional apartment building noise. I’m young, I work long hours. That stuff absolutely doesn’t bother me. But if it bothers you, maybe don’t rent an apartment :)

My family has a long history of building construction and i’ve rented from many places. I put my genuine thoughts into this for anyone considering...

The Modern has far surpassed my expectations. Living here with my daughter has been a wonderful experience. The building is clean, quiet, and well-maintained, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere to come home to.

The thoughtful details, like granite countertops and in-unit laundry, add convenience and make everyday living more enjoyable. The in-unit washer and dryer, in particular, have been a game-changer—I can’t imagine living without them now. 👚✨

The amenities are fantastic, with highlights like the fitness center and the reading room offering great spaces for both activity and relaxation. While I do wish there was an outdoor pool, the rooftop lounge more than makes up for it with peaceful vibes and stunning city views. 🌇

We’ve been living here for a year, and it’s been a great experience overall. The apartments are modern, with big windows that let in plenty of natural light, perfect for working from home. Appliances work reliably, though I occasionally hear my neighbors more than I’d like. Despite that, the quality of life here is worth it.

The location is unbeatable for commuting—just 30 minutes to NYC! 🚇 Plus, the community itself is vibrant and welcoming, with friendly neighbors, fun activities in the community room, and opportunities for fun playdates for my daughter. The staff is helpful, and management clearly prioritizes keeping the property in excellent condition.

Pet owners will appreciate how dog-friendly the building is, with nearby parks like Branch Brook offering plenty of space for walks. 🐕🌳

The Modern combines style, convenience, and luxury living. While it’s a bit pricey, the amenities and quality make it a worthwhile investment. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a beautiful, modern home with an amazing sense of...