The Duncan - West Loop — Local services in West Chicago Township

It is no coincidence that The Duncan have been getting so many negative reviews lately. I do have to say that the building does have an initial charm with the exposed brick and the nice amenities. Most of the staff are also friendly and maintenance normally responds to tickets quickly. However, the number of issues that plague the building, which were brushed off or hid by management really spoiled the experience.

Let me write about all the issues that I have personally experienced while living here:

• The heat completely went out in February when it was 5F outside. It took a couple of hours for them to even answer my phone calls or answer the on the building app, with no updates or ETA on when it was fixed. They offered a tiny space heater toward the later part of the day. I was also told at night that they wouldn't be able to fix it until noon the next day. They offered no compensation or accommodation for a hotel room, even though the temperature inside was illegal according to the city of Chicago.

• The internet goes out at least once a month, sometimes once a week for several hours. While this would be annoying normally, having this issue happen during COVID made working from home a gamble since you never know when the internet would go down. Maintenance said it was a ventilation issue within the building equipment, but we were told this fix was never placed by management.

• The elevator reliability has been a consistent issue. There is only one elevator in the entire Ashland building so all residents must use the stairs when it goes down (which is multiple times a month – sometimes people getting stuck in it). Many have asked for rent concessions since people have mobility issues and/or need to carry their pets up to 6 floors - management has refused to get a long-term fix for the singular elevator or give concessions.

• Front desk and management hours are very inconsistent. This became an issue because I would not be able to call or walk in about any issues during business hours. Likewise, packages can be trapped in the package room for days (longer than the delivery time of the package itself) - as only staff can open the package room. Resident’s packages will also be lost entirely with no system of accountability.

It would be nice if the management team ever gave timely announcements or follow up with residents. However, residents must continuously ask for follow up in the building app, where management would respond after many days. Residents would also ask if issues such as the internet, heat, or elevator would not occur in the future. Instead of giving assurance, management deletes the posts from the app entirely!

I would also like to mention that next door that there is construction with heavy machinery that will be ongoing for the next 1.5 years, shaking the entire building. You can also expect now roaches/ants, hallways smelling like weed, and units leaking/flooding from rain.

Until management works on fixing these issues (which they’ve given no indication of doing), I would avoid this building – there are several luxury apartments in the area for the same price point.

Last point - if management responds to this post - I have reached out multiple times about this and have received...

Update: when I moved in, I was pressured to give a review as it would help the leasing guys get a bonus.

Now that I have lived here for a few months, here are a few more thoughts:

I don’t use the pool here because the water is not heated and it is Chicago.

While the dog run is inside of the confines of the building, where you don’t have to technically leave to go too. The safety of it all gets washed out by the fact that the Duncan has consistently had broken locks on the door leading into the building and residents sometimes leave the outdoor gate open and so it’s immediate access to your building. For me, that’s a major safety issue as I have dealt with stalkers in the past and people have been robbed in the alley way where the door is broken and where residents leave the gate open.

I tried to post this in the community app but the leasing team monitors post and have not accepted my post because it calls out their broken doors. We pay for safety, they simply cannot maintain. If they had approved my post, I would have to share this issue here. But it’s important for folks to know! Especially because my move in day someone was robbed, we really could use doors that actually lock.

The internet, while included in your monthly rent is managed by the building and it has gone out at least 15 times since I’ve moved in, sometimes taking hours to get up but mostly fixed within an hour or two. Do with this information, as you will. Some don’t mind, I did, missed a major meeting I had to present in and now I’m layed off. I’m not blaming the Duncan but it didn’t help.

To break my lease, it will take 3x the rent. That is almost 8K for me. Do with this information what you will…

Being that I still have several months here, I will hold out on the rest of my feedback.

Since moving in the beginning of October, I’ve enjoyed my time living at the Duncan. There are a few really neat things, 1. Diversity , I’m new to Chicago by way of NJ/Atlanta Chicago is night and day to those places. The West loop is one of the few places I feel back to what I’m used to diversity wise. The building itself has a number of diverse individuals working regularly. Which was a factor in my decision.

George who works at the front greeted me when I came for my tour and made sure I understood the building while I waited for my tour guide. He works in the mornings and is super easy to connect with for any needs or if you are lost in the building! Love living here!

Today, there is a live band playing soft hits. There’s an amazing cafe with great food and drinks, the bar downstairs Is Awesome!👏🏽👏🏽

Location, location, location Safety, locked building and 24x7 doorman Transparent chat page for residents Cleanliness Former YMCA so has full gym, sauna, etc. comes with...

I am writing to express my immense satisfaction and appreciation for Jessica, our property manager at the Duncan. Jessica consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that all residents feel valued and well taken care of. Her kindness and generosity are evident in every interaction, and she always approaches situations with a positive and understanding attitude. Jessica's attention to detail and commitment to excellence make living at the Duncan a truly wonderful experience. She is always prompt in addressing any concerns or issues that arise, and her solutions are both effective and considerate of residents' needs. Her dedication to creating a comfortable and enjoyable living environment is unparalleled. Moreover, Jessica's warm and friendly demeanor makes her a joy to interact with. She is always willing to listen and provide support, making residents feel heard and appreciated. Her proactive approach in organizing community events and activities fosters a strong sense of community among residents. In summary, Jessica is an exceptional property manager who combines professionalism with genuine care for residents. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the positive living experience at the Duncan, and I am incredibly grateful for all that she does. Thank you, Jessica, for your outstanding service and dedication. Your hard work and kindness do not go unnoticed, and you truly make the Duncan a wonderful place to call home. I am also delighted to share my appreciation for Ladanna, our residence coordinator at the Duncan. Ladanna consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and a positive attitude, making our living experience truly outstanding. Her hard work and commitment to excellence do not go unnoticed, and she is greatly appreciated by all residents. Ladanna's warm and approachable demeanor makes her an invaluable asset to our community. She always takes the time to listen to residents' concerns and addresses them promptly and effectively. Her ability to resolve issues with efficiency and a smile is truly commendable. Moreover, Ladanna goes above and beyond to create a welcoming and inclusive environment at the Duncan. She organizes events and activities that foster a sense of community and ensure everyone feels at home. Her attention to detail and proactive approach make living here a pleasure. Ladanna's dedication to her role is evident in everything she does, and her positive impact on our community is immense. She consistently goes the extra mile to ensure that all residents feel valued and well taken care of. Her efforts have significantly enhanced the quality of life at the Duncan. Thank you, Ladanna, for your outstanding service and unwavering commitment. You guys are...