Canvas at Valor Acres — Local services in Brecksville

I lived at Canvas from May 2024 through May 2025, and I am so grateful that my lease is over!

Price First and foremost, this place is incredibly overpriced for this location. For a 1,400 sq ft, 2bed-2bath unit, I paid $3,850 per month. That does NOT include the cost of trash ($10), outdoor parking ($25), amenities ($25), electricity (avg $110), water/sewer (avg $55), or internet ($75). There are smaller units in the building but on average the cost is about $2.70 per square foot. This is the type of pricing you would expect in a major city where there is walkable retail or restaurants nearby.

Location Not only is this apartment building way out in the suburbs. The site it sits on is completely isolated. This apartment is on a construction site in which very little progress was made in the year I lived here. When I moved in, I thought for sure there would be progress on the Valor Acres project during the year, but the only thing that happened was construction of an office building that is used by the developer. There is supposed to be a restaurant or two going into the ground floor of the office building soon. But the vast majority of the Valor Acres site is barren or mountains of dirt (see the satellite images of the property). My view from my apartment was a bare dirt lot with a shipping container.

Amenities This is advertised as a luxury apartment, but I think that is a stretch! The units are tall, white, modern … kind of like living in a cold office space. Vinyl flooring, black Frigidare appliances (dishwasher so loud you can't run it at night or while watching TV), small water heater (no long showers here!), low water pressure (1.2 gpm flow rate in my kitchen sink AFTER reporting this to maintenance). There is no doorman. There is no storage. There is no secure package drop off. The lobby of the building is accessible to the public due to the coffee shop/bar. Noise is a significant issue here. The windows and doors are very permeable to sound. That means if there is anyone in the hallways or balconies, or a chirping smoke alarm or barking dogs in other units, or a snow plow or a loud car, you can hear them VERY well (all of which I experienced, at the expense of my sleep). There is a fitness center on site (think of a nice hotel gym), but be prepared to have screaming children climbing on the equipment during your workout, because small children ARE allowed in the gym. They offer indoor parking, which I didn't want to pay for because it's $125 a month, but it seems if you have an indoor spot, you're allowed to use your parking space as unsecured storage for things like bins, and holiday decorations, and sports equipment.

Cafe/Bar There is a cafe/bar in the lobby of this building, and they do try to hold social events at the bar. Personally, this was not somewhere I wanted to hang out. There are no discounts for tenants, and if I was going to go out somewhere, I would want to leave the premises. Also, at the prices I was paying to live here, I couldn't stomach paying a single dollar more. As a resident, when you are trying to live your life and you get home to loud music and a bunch of people in your lobby at night, it's kind of irritating and intrusive.

Kids One of the advantages of this apartment is that it's in a great school district. However, I would not call this apartment family friendly. My kids were 8 and 12 during our time here. There was nowhere for them to go. There is nothing like a game room or a basketball court or a grassy area to play catch. There are now two small playgrounds suitable for younger kids. There is an outdoor pool open 3 months of the year, but children under the age of 16 are not permitted at the pool unless accompanied by an adult.

Conclusion Overall, I would not recommend this building. It's a bad fit for families. I think that younger people could find more interesting locations to rent. It might be a good fit for older folks who have the budget to spend, and are interested in the socialization within...

I’ve lived at Canvas for nearly a year now, and it has truly been an incredible place to call home. One of the main reasons I chose this community is the unbeatable location—just two minutes from I-77, which makes commuting and getting around so convenient. On top of that, I feel incredibly safe living here. Brecksville itself is a wonderful, peaceful area, and the added security of the complex gives me so much peace of mind. Without a fob, you can’t access the elevators, pool, gym, or any of the private amenities—something I really appreciate.

The atmosphere within the complex is quiet and calm, perfect for those who value peace at home. But if you’re in the mood to socialize, there are great opportunities to do so. The on-site bar is a fun bonus—especially the strong, freshly brewed hazelnut espresso martinis (a personal favorite). I also love going on walks around the nearby lake—it’s such a relaxing way to unwind.

The pool area is truly the crown jewel of the property. It’s beautiful, well-maintained, and perfect for summer relaxation. The entire complex is spotless and thoughtfully designed for modern living.

What makes Canvas even more special is the people. The leasing and management team are incredibly kind, helpful, and responsive. They’ve gone out of their way to make sure this community feels like home.

I know I’ll be genuinely sad when it’s time to move out because this is the first place I have lived where I could make it all my own, and so this unit is going to have a special place in my heart.

If you’re looking for an apartment that combines convenience, security, comfort, and a welcoming atmosphere, I highly recommend...

Valor acres has it all from the community feel they try to implement, safety, quietness, and high end finishes. We’ve also had an enjoyable experience and prompt service by Dorin, with their maintenance team, anytime an issue would come up. He’s been very thorough, clean, courteous, and professional when we’d interact with him. Overall, would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for an apartment both close enough to work/play in Cleveland and at the same time just far enough that you get get the quietness and sense that you’re not in a larger city if that’s what you’re...