VIA 57 West Apartments — Local services in New York

Updated review, 5 years later:

Still love it here! All the stuff I wrote below still stands, but on top of that we met some great neighbors in the building now that we have a kid, so our kids can play together in the big play areas and also outdoors in the garden in the summers (without risk of cars, etc.). Really sweet. In fact, we are also just finally upgrading to a 2BR so we look forward to that too, and both Rabiya and Paris have been super helpful in that process. Again, highly recommended building and staff!

Original review:

Love it here. I've lived in at least a dozen buildings in NYC, and each has had its problems.

I really can't think of a single negative thing to say about Via and would probably rate it 6 stars if I could. The building and the apartments are very clean, the staff is super friendly, the walls are thick such that you can't hear any noise from neighbors, and importantly, it really feels like home. Also, the air quality in the apartment feels very clean and healthy, and the Scandinavian design of the building and the interior makes the interior feel very airy, clean and open (I should know since I'm Scandinavian myself).

I've read some of the reviews here on Yelp and -- not to discount them or anything -- but I've never myself even been close to experiencing any of that. I'm of course only speaking for myself here, but in my opinion, this building is the real deal.

I wanted to finish off by giving a special mention to the team who manages the events for the building. Since we moved in here, this team has arranged for anything from outdoor movie showings, spinning classes, pasta making classes, outdoor concerts, and a lot of events like this (all done on-site). We have gone to many of these, met great people and had a lot of fun. The team really cares.

This building is actually fairly social and everyone -- anywhere from front desk staff to events staff to maintenance staff -- has really been so nice to us. Oh, and almost the best thing about the building -- they have 4 grills in the courtyard. Let's just say we have been grilling a lot...

Trust me. Don't do business w them. Don't rent their apt. Just share u guys w my experience. The first time when I was trying to rent a studio there, my broker and I find a nice studio there and I applied immediately and paid the fee and deposit. 2 days later they told us that they made a mistake on the price and they can't rent my that apt for the price I signed for and they can only return me back my security deposit and I have to find another apartment. Yesterday I goes to their leasing office and looking for a 1bedroom apartment cuz my lease ends soon. And I didn't sign it immediately cuz the price it's a little bit high. Today i decided to apply for the apartment I saw yesterday and goes there w my broker. And the leasing agent BILL was the most bad attitude leasing agent I've ever seen in my entire life. Idk how can he keep his job w that attitude but I guess that's the same w all their agent. And BILL says the apt I saw yesterday was gone and there's a same layout on a higher level. But the price it's higher than the one I saw yesterday. With his attitude, my broker and I decided to go and call their leasing office and speak w another agent. And after my broker called she find out that the apt I saw yesterday it's still there and BILL lied to us and want me to apply for the high level and also much expensive one. And I told them that I think the apt I saw yesterday w the lower price seems much more reasonable for me and I want that one. They suddenly told my broker that they raised the price today. And the apt I saw yesterday on 12 floor is $4350 now which it's $150 higher than yesterday and the apt I saw today on 17 floor w/ the same layout it's $4280 even cheaper than the price on 12 floor. I suddenly realized how ridiculous they are and trying to force me to sign the 17 floor's apt by raise the price of the apt on 12 floor. Idk how fool I am that would believe the same layout apt on 12 floor will be more expensive than the one on 17 floor.

RIDICULOUS and please don't go there...

I lived in Helena for one year, and VIA for another year. Now I live in 21 west end Avenue.

I have to say that the leasing office here is the worst. And if you wanna live in this neighborhood, better try 21we or the max.

And now let’s go in details. First of all, after I pay my deposit, they suddenly said that my studio was already taken by another guy and would like to offer a similar one, which i found out, had no light at all!!

Secondly, when I was hesitating, they sent me emails every day (and that was thanksgiving). They want everyone to pay their full year rent immediately after you pay the deposit, otherwise your offer expires and they take your money.

Thirdly, their maintenance staff are much slower than other buildings (because sometimes one person serves three buildings)

Fourthly, don’t trust a word they said. Four months before my lease ends, I asked them if I could do another 6 months. They said ok but it comes with one month penalty. When it comes to the time to actually renew the lease, they suddenly change their words with an extremely bad attitude, saying it was 3 month penalty.

Fifthly, they don’t allow any kind of sublease. They don’t allow you to add another leaseholder. They don’t allow everything.

Sixthly, after you refuse to renew, they take people to your apt with or without your permission.

Seventhly, their email is dead. Phone is dead for most of the time. I literally call them seven times in a day to book an elevator.

Eighthly, of course they charge you a lot when moving out.

All in all, don’t live here.

Oh, right. They also put a wrong name on the deposit check after I call them 4 times just to confirm. The reason is just that they changed the accounting team, isn’t that interesting?

I’m so surprised that people get paid for this kind of...