AVA Back Bay — Local services in Boston

Lived at Ava Back Bay for 5 years and enjoyed my time there.

Pros: The location is awesome, and directly connected to the Prudential mall. You can enter the mall without going outside. The building is also within short walking distance to multiple supermarkets: Trader Joes, Star Market, and Whole Foods. Lastly, there are plenty of restaurants and fast casual places near the building. -24 hr concierge with package acceptance is a wonderful perk -Better than average shared fitness center. The fitness center is shared with 780, but is never too full. Plenty of cardio machines, but could use improvement in the weight department. No bench press, squat rack, etc. You'll probably need to still sign for a gym if you're a serious lifter. -Apartments are a bit older and could use some renovations, but are very spacious. Tons of closet space in the 1 bedroom apartments. -Water, trash, ac/heat are included in the base rent price. You just need to pay for electric and subscribe to Ava's wifi arrangement. -Elevators are very fast, and there usually isn't a long wait to get on one. -Maintenance (Hugo) is very responsive and does a great job at resolving issues. -Water pressure is very strong

Cons: -For the price I paid ($3,500+), I would have expected an in-unit washer and dryer, however, only 2 bedroom+ apartments have this luxury -Some apartments are a bit older, and could use updating (e.g. older wood floors, older bathtub, etc.) -Soundproofing isn't the best. I was never bothered by this, but you can hear your upstairs neighbor walk sometimes and flush the toilet. -The 1 bedroom apartment that I rented had central AC/Heat, and I was not able to control the temperature. I was only able to "adjust" the air flow, and it didn't really do much to help with the excess heat during winter. As a result, it got very hot/dry during winter. The constant AC however was wonderful during the summer, and my apartment was always nice and cool during that time. -My apartment rent increased between 20-25% every year. If you like the apartment, I'd recommend signing a longer lease, since your rent will likely go up when it comes time to renew. -Pre-covid, the leasing team hosted a wonderful holiday party for residents, but post-covid Ava has scaled back, and there are limited resident events now -Even though smoking is not allowed indoors I sometimes smelled weed in the hallways and near the elevators. Also, if you happen to live near someone who smokes weed, there's a chance that you'll smell it in your apartment due to the...

Update: July 16 2021

It is never enough to give credit to the maintenance team!

When everyone in this city is complaining about the heat in the summer, here, in AVA we say it is too cool!

Yes, chilling and cool in summer!

This time was: Louise and I am very thankful to him to adjust the AC.

Jun 22, 2020,

I write 2020 here, but this is one of the many times so far this year, that I have received great maintenance service.

Before noon, I asked for a tile refilling grout (a material that you fill between the tiles of the bathroom floor), and I received it just this afternoon. I am more than grateful.

Sincere and many "Thanks" to the person who did the job, for your professionalism, manner and respectfulness.

Thank you again. May 2020 Leo is such a great skillful person. Not only he repaired the AC, but also, he did a follow up the day after to evaluate if it was working fine.

Thank you very much! 2019

Thanks to the maintenance team.

This team is fast-responsive, and highly effective.

They are also very kind, understanding, and supportive.

So far, I have had several requests from them such as: to adjust my heater or cooler, to repair my dishwasher…, all were done in the same day that I asked for help.

This high standard of work-ethic and effectiveness is very unique and a big plus to AVA Backbay.

My recent maintenance support, that made me write this review is as below (to feedback and also to show that I am thankful to them as well):

I lost my apartment key; I searched everywhere I could think of.

I asked them 8am to replace the door lock and also give me new keys. They replaced the lock in the same day and gave me the new keys. Then I found my original key, I asked them the day after, 8am again, to replace my old lock back again. They could have refused my second request of replacing my old lock back again, but they are just fabulous in support and did it right at the spot.

Thank to them. I am lucky to...

If you want to rent an apartment in this building, just be aware you are paying for a fantastic location in Back Bay, next to the Prudential Center and the T, and only 0.9 miles from Fenway. You’re getting all that along with a so-so apartment and having the concierge receive packages. If you’re okay with that, it’s great. I lived there for 3 years until it just wasn’t worth it anymore.

First, I should mention that living in this building became a much more positive experience once they replaced the building manager, the maintenance manager and the leasing staff. They do a great job finding friendly and helpful people to work at the front desk. And the maintenance crew has always been stellar (a special shout-out to Hugo and Leo for your hard work).

Though this is considered a “luxury” apartment building, it’s missing some amenities that would be nice.

1. It does have central air, but the system is for the entire building, and you have only a little control over your the temperature in your individual unit.
2. Washers and dryers are only available in 2 and 3 bedrooms. Everyone else has to use a common laundry room, which can be kind of gross.
3. Get used to the smell of marijuana. Management seems to be unable and often unwilling to deal with the problem. I had to move to a new apartment because they refused to enforce the no smoking policy with my neighbors who smoked pot all day, everyday.
4. if you have a car, the only parking is in the Prudential Public Garage, beneath the mall. When I moved out, it cost $425 per month just for a parking space.
5. There is no sound-proofing. You can hear all of your neighbors (of course, that’s just part of living in an apartment building, but I could’ve done without hearing my neighbors flush their toilets.)

I love Back Bay, and I was willing to deal with these issues so I could stay in that neighborhood. If you feel the same way, this is a good...