Mark Plus Lofts

As someone who actually lives in these apartments I can give a first hand account and tell you that it’s a mixed bag. First the good stuff. While the space is narrow — it is still livable and having one of the more generous outdoor spaces prevents it from being claustrophobic. The lack of significant partitions between balconies has not been an issue to date. It forces a friendly and social atmosphere between some neighbors (almost universally aged under 30) — but not recommended for hermits or people extremely private about their space. Courtyard set up with windows at the end of kitchens and living rooms does make for a bit of a fishbowl effect. Sometimes I feel like I’m living in a cross-​section illustration — but most neighbors keeps some type of blind or curtain to avoid awkwardness. Also really beautiful skyline views from the top floors and roof. Neighborhood has a great vibe right now with tons of shops, bars and restaurants on Franklin Ave and the surrounding neighborhood. Huge grocery store, indoor bike storage/​garage and pleasant indoor/​outdoor common area are also pluses. Live in super is very nice guy and takes great care of the place.
Now, the CONS. It is noisy as all hell. You get used to the hum of fans on the neighboring garage and the shuttle eventually and just chalk it up as ambient noise. Speaking of the shuttle, it’s only two cars long and run infrequently. While it was an adjustment during the first week, now I barely notice it. The real crime of this building is the electric bills and poor insulation. Overall, these apartments are ideal for warm temperatures with their big sliding doors you get a great cross breeze and the lower floors stay cool with the use of the A/​C unit. Winter on the other hand makes you feel like you’re freezing in some Moscow tenement building, suffering under an oppressive Soviet régime. The heaters take forever to kick in and even once they get going they really act more like a space heater and don’t heat up the whole apartment ever. The second half of the crime is how high the electric bills are (in general) but especially in the winter. When the weather gets cold and you’re using your heater every night you can easily expect electric bills in the neighborhood of $ 300 and thats on the low end and without running a washer dryer. The management company only wants to get paid and while I’ve rarely had a building manager who wants to be your best buddy this company reals has no time for their tenants needs or concerns.

This Review is for Mark Plus Lofts/​542 Saint Marks Ave apartment Building
If I could give less than a star I would. I know this is New York and we’re in an up and coming hot spot in Brooklyn, but you do not get what you pay for here. It’s way too expensive for the things that keep happening.
— There is Roof Access, but when I moved in I was told that it was off limits because of people not cleaning up after themselves.
— Fitness Center has 1 Universal Machine, 1 Treadmill, 1 elliptical, some free weights and other small things (jump rope, perfect push up) brought in by tenants.
— The only treadmill was broken for 7 months before anyone could use it again. Someone was electrically shocked when they tried to check their heart rate. The building would not replace the treadmill. That same treadmill is there now, it works but beware
— People who don’t live here have somehow been able to sneak in and sleep in the fitness center.
— People have been following tenants into the building and stealing packages.
— Electric bills are HIGH; ranging from $ 250 — $ 600 in the winter for 1 bedroom apartments
— Plaza Management has been terrible to the tenants of this building. Rude, rude, rude
One shred of hope remains, there is a rumor going around that the building is changing management companies. Maybe things will get better when I’m gone.