The 704 — Local services in Austin

For my first studio apartment (SMART Housing) and living on my own, this was a good starter. Close walking to Asahi and Jersey Mike’s. The Fig restaurant that opened here is pretty good too! I do like being able to park my car in the garage, protected from the elements. Community events are enjoyable.

Though for a self-proclaimed “luxury” apartment complex…don’t make me laugh. Writing this review because seeing my hallway neighbor’s broken litter bag and cat poop strewn everywhere after trash valet pickup was my last straw…which yeah that’s an individual issue but it was enough to ick me out.

Maintenance is quick, but they don’t do their job. When I first moved in during the summer, my AC had a mind of its own and would fluctuate in temperature. For example, I would set it to 72, and it would shift from 68 degrees to 80. When maintenance came, he used a thermal gun and it just so happened that at the moment, it was at 72. He was like “it’s working” and promptly left without actually doing anything. Of course, it went back to 80 again. I had to place two more work orders before they finally stopped ignoring the problem.

Additionally, I’ve requested multiple times to please fix the ceiling pipe in my shower since it was excessively leaking. Each time, I was dismissed. “Oh well it has to do that because of the AC unit and humidity. Each unit is like that.” It caused my shower to turn yellow. I used to have a bowl to catch the flow but it was an eyesore and rancid. No matter how much bleach, vinegar, Pink Stuff, and sheer brute force, it is still freakin’ stained!!!! If y’all charge me for “damages” I will be upset. Also, bugs somehow emerged out of nowhere and enjoyed the scum water to procreate. Finally, after my 5th request they were able to re-route the dripping water to the sink. Though the worker said this solution is temporary. Why didn’t they do this in the first place is beyond me.

Furthermore, my dishwasher rack was rusted before I moved in. I requested them to replace it since I didn’t want my dish ware to get discolored. They brought a “new rack from storage”… and it was only slightly less rusted than the previous one. -_- SMH

Residents keep inappropriately dumping their trash on the floor of the garbage chute room. No matter how many emails the apartment sends, people keep littering. It’s very disgusting and frustrating.

THE PACKAGE ROOM SUCKS!!! I hate how everyone’s packages are out in the open and not secure. Luckily no one has stolen my package. Almost weekly, I am helping poor Amazon workers navigate how to drop off deliveries because the path to the room is confusing. One time, a worker was stuck in the elevator and wouldn’t have gotten out unless time aligned with a resident wanting to utilize it. The open button didn’t work for the worker to free themself!!! Also, the workers who do make it to the package room always put my packages in the wrong labeled section for apartment units. I think a staff member does take the time to write down the unit number with a sharpie after they’ve noticed lingering goods, which is helpful but more often than not I have a hard time finding my item.

Will not be renewing. I have more gross photos from negligence in other parts of the complex, but I’ll spare your eyes. Do better, people who pay good money deserve good living. Also, in case the apartment says, “we couldn’t find your name in our system so you’re fake”- my legal name and Gmail name...

door lock wasn't extending to fully close the door. Filed the service request around 1pm cst, and Bobby & Curtis arrived to resolve the problem by 3:45pm cst. The service was quick, efficient, and simple. No small talk. And the ticket could have remained open much longer since they didn't have a door knob replacement available (we figured grease is needed to fix the lock mechanism). So quick is an understatement - especially if you know the layout of the complex.

Don't have a yelp account, so can't leave a review there. -Ash

There are some real issues with 704 apartments, however when you address them, the management will do everything they can to resolve the issue and prevent it from happening. For instance there was a short spree of auto break ins, and immediately they released a community notice and got night security. This is AMAZING! If you have ever rented you know this type of response never happens, and it happened within a week...so it was quick too!

Cons: parking is tight and limited. Theres reserved parking but spacing again is tight and additional cost. For building C, since the building is long, those who live farther from the leasing office has to walk literally a 2 blocks to their parked car. Its also the same for the trash shute. The elevators is one to a building, so again you have to walk far in building C for elevator use. The distance may be horrible for lazy people like myself, but even the most robust healthy at-prime person gets tired when moving furniture in or lugging their groceries in. Plus at the end of the day, the dragged feet i hear in the halls is more pronounced as they have to walk to their apartment. Some people resolve this with skateboards, scooters and dollys, but it is an annoyance.

Pros: Amazing representatives that dont just rotate out after a year. Theyve been here for several years and when i asked, they plan to manage the property for several more years. They take pride in the property and u can see that with hallway fans, well kept up trash rooms, timely maintenance response, etc.. They also seem to show some consideratioon in placing the noisy residents versuses the professionals and quiet people...which is amazing. Because i think if people need loud music to relax then they ought to be able to without imposing it on their neighbors. Theres also great businesses around, such as dentistry, victory medical center, red porch, lavaca st bar and pub, kirby lane, wolly burgers, etc.. theyre all in walking distance. Uncommon objects moved in the neighborhood, so if thats not a sign of a good neighborhood, nothing is!

Advise: wish they repaint and consider better parking garage policies. Would also like the security gate of the garage to close at all times and not left open for convenience - shortcuts for convenience sake is the cause for problems. We can wait a 30 seconds for it to open. Put active cameras at the gate to catch and prosecute those who tamper with the gate. But aside from that, its a great community to live in. They shuttle people to festivals, provide social events such as bagels and tacos most saturdays.

Overall: great tightly secure community to live in. As a victim of domestic abuse or agoraphobia or a retiree or a young professional, this is a very safe place to be living. Its like...

Disclaimer, for the sake of not being mistaken for a bored and angry Yelper with nothing better to do than badmouth Austin business: the location of the 704 is really great, and I so far do not regret my decision to move here. The building is still new and relatively nice, and some of the facilities are great. That said, I’m out of here the minute my lease is up and advising everyone I know (and hopefully, you reading this) to steer clear of this great facility with terrible management.

The laundry list goes on and on, but for starters, our dryer was busted and wouldn’t dry anything. When we approached the front office, we were told “just dry all your clothes on hot.” That’s nearly a direct quote. It took about a month (and countless service requests) for management to realize that they had painted over the outdoor dryer vent. That actually happened. In the meantime, I had to go elsewhere and pay to have my laundry done.

When my roommate and I moved in, we were really pleased with some of the amenities in our unit, and really disappointed with most. The refrigerator light was broken (it looked like a rave in our fridge) and after three service requests they still couldn’t figure out how to fix it. The water filter on the fridge was also broken and they told us that we would have to pay for it (that was one week after moving in and being promised new amenities), and one of the drawers was cracked down the middle. The floors were scratched to hell, and when they sent someone to inspect this, that person “waxed” the floors – I’m not entirely sure why, as this didn’t solve the problem. Also, it’s the most half-assed wax job i’ve ever seen, with wide girths given around the furniture. My floor looks like a Pollock painting. And who cares about a nice backsplash or a spacious balcony when once a week, your kitchen lights are going out?

Most recently, two of my friends were towed for parking in a spot that was not indicated to be resident-only parking. The lot they were in was nearly empty, had no signs indicating anything either way, and their cars had only been there for one night. They were charged $400 for the towing fee – I covered them since it happened at my place, and when I asked the 704 if there was any chance for reimbursement, I was politically told that the issue was “out of their hands.” I might be a little foggy on the legalisms of units and their garages or the contracts they have with towing companies, but saying “we sent you an email about parking” is not a sufficient defense. This happened after a string of robberies – cars in designated resident parking being broken into. No cameras, no security, just a generic “we’re so sorry about that” email.

My roommate and I have sent in several emails trying to address our problems, but all we ever really get back is “we’re concerned to hear that” emails. You should of course take this all with a grain of salt; make your own decision. But I’d advise you to steer clear. It’s a nice complex despite our myriad maintenance issues, and like I said I don’t regret my decision to live here. The location is great! But the headache of dealing with unprofessional and unexperienced management qualifies this complex as a ‘hard pass,’ and a place I’m encouraging all of my friends moving to...