The Cosmopolitan — Local services in Saint Paul

I’ve lived here for 2 years, and it’s been a wonderful place for me. Dave: He works at the front as well as being a resident is a wonderful welcoming & kind person. He wants to always help & made my experience here wonderful. In a way, he makes a building into a community. My dogs are obsessed with him. People here are super nice. Lots of dogs & kind people who give your dogs scratches in the elevator. The huge windows, various types of floor plans to fit your needs are available. Common area is beautiful. I just wish when we rent the party room, that we can be there longer. It closes down at 11 pm. The apartments are pretty sound proof. I couldn’t hear much being inside. The sounds that you mostly hear is from outside. As the poverty levels increase in the country, mental hospitals are shut down, there’s a lot of unhoused population around. I didnt personally experience anything terrible but just felt sad for those who don’t have a shelter & safe place. Sometimes there’s fights and screaming but that’s not in control of any management but more of a social issue. The management recently changed. No complains so far. The previous management put together community events so id request the new Bigos management to try and do that too when they settle in. Bigos did allow Cosmo residents access to their other building that has the YMCA at no extra cost. It is right across the Mears Park & a 3 min walk. An indoor Olympic sized pool, jacuzzi, art room, pickleball court etc is a very nice added amenity. You can rent a guest apartment at Cosmo for $100 a night and when I had my family visiting, I rented that place for 2 days and it was wonderful. The guest parking could be expanded to add a few more spots in the front but it is lowertown so there is paid parking on streets and $8 parking across the street for your guests. Location- walking distance to dog park, Chs field, farmers market, big river pizza (AMAZING), Mississippi River, a bunch of bars and restaurants. Rooftop bar is the hangout for young professionals during summer. It’s lit. Mears Park has lots of events during summer. Food trucks, concerts, movies etc. My least fav part about Cosmo is the parking lot. But I understand nothing much can be done about it. The residents are very courteous to each other about it. Since I was parked on the top level, I never had anything stolen etc. I know that’s a concern for people looking to rent sometimes. There are two entrances to the apartments, and the address leads the delivery folks to the side entrance instead of the front. Sometimes they’ll just leave your deliveries at that entrance and sometimes they’ll make the extra effort. It’s an inconvenience. So always make a note in your deliveries. I do wish dogs were allowed in the party room and the outdoor common area. Love the fact that the windows open big and there’s a screen. I’ve lived in apartments before where the windows only opens a few inches and there’s no screen. I will add that the air conditioning is not strong. Like summers can be uncomfortable. The AC just reduces the temp by 10 degrees or so. So if it’s 90 out, your ac can drop the temp down to 80. So you’ll be hot a lot. I do think upgrading appliances, and bathrooms could add a touch of luxury. I hope the cleaning crew is treated well since they keep our community clean and are very nice. I don’t know the lighting situation in the other directions but my apartment 314- faced West, and the lighting during sunny days was amazing. I’d lay on the daybed and soak the sun. While also looking out the window to see what’s happening in the area because I faced the Mears park. Every season looked so beautiful out my windows. It was a great apartment to host. Everyone loved the space and praised it. Also adding a photo of a huge party I threw in the common area. Just wonderful...

I rented at the Cosmopolitan for 20 months between 2021 and 2022, and I am grateful to have lived in such a fantastic apartment complex. Let me share a few reasons why I'd hightly recommend Cosmo to anyone considering a new home in Lowertown!

First, Cosmo is located right next to Mears park (which often hosts live music, outdoor movies, festivals, and more!), the St. Paul Saints staium (CHS Field), the world-class St. Paul Farmers Market, an easy-to-access 94E on-ramp, and dozens of fantastic eateries and bars. Part of what you pay for (and get!) when living here is a thriving downtown setting with tons to do within walking distance. Now that COVID is lifting and restaurants are re-opening, I couldn't recommend this Lowertown location more highly.

Second, the building is historic, the architecture is industrial, the setting is modern, and the apartment layouts are varied. I lived on the 7th floor overlooking the park in a platform apartment, and my high cielings, huge windows, and open-concept living area lended itself perfectly to hosting big and small gatherings alike. The parking garage is a little tight but is indoor and heated, unlike any other options in that area (e.g., Rayette or Lowertown Lofts), and the amenities, while not completely 5-star, are well-maintained.

Third, the staff is amazing. I can't tell you how many times Joanne, Nick, Dave, Nate, and others have come to my rescue (forgotten keys, package troubles, maintenance, rent/policy questions, etc.). The Cosmo team is super responsive and always willing to help out however they can (subject to the constraints of the Cushman-Wakefield overlords). The Cosmo staff is also works hard to promote social connection--a tough task during COVID--among their residents via hosted get-togethers, advertising for local events, fun pet exposes, and more.

Finally, let me say that I have read the negative Google reviews, and I acknoweldge that the living situation isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Living in any downtown area comes with its fair share of nonidealities, including some homelessness, crime, noise, traffic, strange neighbors, smelly/icky findings...it's just part of the experience. So, while taking advantage of all the upsides of living in Lowertown, be sure to lock your car, protect your belongings, and keep vigilient :). If you do that, I can confidently say that living at Cosmo is a fantastic St....

Overall I enjoyed my stay at the Cosmopolitan and would live there again given the chance. Here are the Pros... *Great location close to the park, dining, farmers market, etc *Nice modern updated units *Friendly staff *Great neighbors and resident events *Covered underground parking space included in rent (great in winter)

My only complaint is that my bike was stolen out of the garage and I felt that no one was concerned about it. I get it, a building in a downtown area is going to be subject to riff raff wandering in off the street, and anything that's not nailed down is subject to be stolen (my bike was locked but the thieves cut the lock), and I also get that the residents share responsibility in making sure we help keep the building secure, such as making sure the garage door closes before you drive away and not letting people piggy back in behind you through the door. But I felt that every time and incident like this happened, management would post a notice about the residents' responsibilities and that notice somehow absolved management of their own responsibilities to us. We kept hearing about them installing a bike closet but nothing was happening. INSTALL THE CLOSET! Also, put LED lights in your garage, the brighter lights will be a deterrent to thieves (friends who visited me often commented on how dark the garage area was). Finally, move the bike rack off the first floor, away from the loading dock door. Movers aren't as concerned about people wandering in off the street as residents and staff and once they opened the loading doors they'd sit open unattended for hours with the bike rack about 50 feet away.

I was there for 2 years and I heard of about 5 thefts from the garage, I'm sure there were more. Again, I'd still move back in again so this wasn't a deal breaker for me. When I got my new bike, I kept it in my apt and I'd...