The Blackwood

I’ve lived here a year now. The price is a little on the high side, but we love our apartment.
The laundry machines are consistently malfunctioning or stealing coins. Instead of helping, the desk employee tells us to call some company to have them fix it. When I moved here, the desk person could help out. Not sure why Mac decided to give the desk person less ability to help us.
When we moved here, we had an amazing building manager. One of the selling features of the building was that we had a desk person to take our packages and generally be around to help. A couple months later Mac pulled him and left us with no one. There was little to no warning. They told us we would now be walking several blocks to get packages instead of picking them up in the lobby. They have since attempted to address this by hiring a few people who seem to be paid too little to care about their jobs.
Recently, the main issue is the elevators. Every week at least one of the elevators breaks, often with someone stuck in it. The fire department has been to our building multiple times in the last few months. Mac seems to think that that’s a better option than actually making the elevators work. All in all, don’t move here if you don’t want a high probability of being stuck in an elevator.
I guess the moral of the story is that Mac consistently thinks of the customer last. Had I known about all of these issues before, I wouldn’t have moved here.

A few months ago I would have said things were looking up at the Blackwood but after being a resident here for 4 yours and seeing many positive and negative changes we are back in negative territory. Over the last few weeks there have been several maintenance issues (air conditioning, elevators, and non functional entry doors). Sitting tonight sweating because the air is broken again. This is the fourth time in the last month. I have been stuck in the elevator twice (fire department had to come let me out) and one of the entry doors hasn’t been functioning for the last several weeks (creating a safety issue). Mac appears to me taking a bandaid approach to maintaining this building. It terrible for the amount of rent paid!

Echoing what Emily and many others have stated (unsure why so many recent reviews are being listed as «not currently recommended, but if you are reviewing I would look at this).
Prior to the last few months I would have given a solid ~4 star review. Unfortunately the recent change and removal of on-​site manager, Robert, during the day was at best a terribly executed transition done without any notice or explanation of how this was going to be better for residents. The note on the door about packages being delivered blocks as a change for our convenience was laughable, especially during the many poor weather days here in Chicago.
The bigger concern is the onsite presence that a building manager provided. I cannot see how we can expect to have as timely response to issues as we had the past. Security is the biggest issue though. Reviews from 3+ years ago indicated this was not a very desirable building to live in. Then Robert became the building manager and many of these issues were addressed. Review the comments from Greg G (mac business manager) as well:
«2÷28÷2012 We acknowledged the challenges that The Blackwood has previously faced. However, since June/​2011 we have made changes within our management and property that have proved to be most successful.»
«7÷12÷2012 We are glad you stayed at the Blackwood. I think we found the right recipe for success and we are eager to win over all the residents»
I’m unsure why they messed with this recipe. So now I have to decide if i want to pay more for my next lease while having these new concerns about convenience, maintenance and most importantly, safety.

Like others that have posted recently, only a few weeks ago, I would have given The Blackwood and Mac Property Management a fairly decent review. The building wasn’t perfect, but it had a wonderful onsite property manager who was friendly and helpful. He ensured all of my maintenance concerns were addressed same day and made the building feel safe and welcoming. Additionally, since someone was at the desk for the majority of the day, packages could be delivered and picked up from the building. This was a significant element in why I decided to sign a lease at this location.
A few weeks ago, the management removed the building’s onsite manager. The front desk is empty for most of the day and is only staffed in the evening. There is no one available to help address immediate maintenance concerns. Additionally residents now have to have packages delivered to a location multiple blocks away that can only be picked up while the main Mac office is open. The most frustrating part was that management labelled these reductions in services as improvements. Somehow finding time in a busy schedule to walk through the snow in the dark is much better and safer than picking-​up packages from the front desk in the building.
The building in itself is nothing amazing. The elevators are painfully slow and the laundry room leaves a lot wanting. The convenience of the onsite manager and his responsiveness to maintenance issues had overshadowed these other concerns. With the removal of the onsite manager, I will definitely not be re-​signing my lease next year, nor will I be leasing from Mac Properties again. I highly recommend not living at the Blackwood nor with any other Mac Property — their complete disregard for their tenants is apparent in the way they handled these changes.

I will echo the sentiments of many others here. A few short weeks ago, I would have given The Blackwood and Mac Property Management largely positive reviews. The building had a wonderful onsite property manager who was professional and welcoming. Residents were able to pick-​up packages in the building at nearly any hour of any day. Rent prices were reasonable given the level of services.
Alas, the good times did not last. Without warning, the management removed the building’s onsite manager. The front desk now sits empty for much of the day. Management now requires residents to have packages mailed to a separate address (rather than one’s home address) and residents must pick-​up packages at an offsite office, which is only open during business hours. The management tried to sell these reductions in services as improvements. Mac apparently would like us to believe that walking through the snow in subzero temperatures is much better than picking-​up a package in the warm comfort of one’s own building.
Given the current state of affairs, I would not choose to live in The Blackwood (or any other Mac apartment for that matter), and I do not recommend the property to anyone else. Don’t live here.

Great location, close to Hyde park produce, Starbucks, Akira, etc. Amazing resident manager and staff. There is also a gym in the building and in my opinion it’s been super helpful. Internet is included in the rent, you just pay for electricity. Overall, this is a great apartment. Love it.

Amazing building manager– Robert has really made the building great to live in. We have some sort of party or celebration every month, like ice cream socials, BBQs and a Cinco de Mayo celebration! They are also so responsive to maintenance requests. The location is great and the 24 hour security makes me feel super safe!

Pros: great location (close to transportation, Hyde Park Produce, Whole Foods, Starbucks, DD, several restaurants, Movie Theater; laundry and coffee shops); the manager, Robert, is SUPER efficient; gorgeous building; lots of social events and free breakfast every month; FREE wi fi Internet in your apt… Hyde Park is improving a lot and this is the right place. I live here for a long time and I love it!

I am writing this review in response to my experiences here at The Blackwood over the last 2.5 months. I had read some of the previous reviews before moving in, and was a little nervous. However, from the minute I moved in I have been so impressed with how helpful and friendly everyone is here at The Blackwood; staff and resident alike.
And there was an experience that was overwhelmingly amazing that I had to write this review to say what a great place The Blackwood is to live!
I had decided to move some of my things into a storage unit. As usual, Robert was so helpful and set up the building so that my move would be seamless (put signs on the freight elevator, opened up the loading dock to me).
A couple of my friends came over to help me move. After moving, one of my friends realized he left his keys and cellphone outside of the building on the grass. They rushed back to the building, and Robert helped them look for it any and everywhere! Sadly, they couldn’t find it. But we got a call about a half and hour later from Robert, and one of the other tenants of the Blackwood found the keys and phone and turned them into Robert!
It was such a great example of the amazing sense of community that exists in Hyde Park and especially at The Blackwood!
Robert is awesome! And the Blackwood is definitely a great place to live!

DO NOT LIVE HERE. do not rent with mac properties. Just as Nowaylin said in his/​her review the tour seems very nice but once you move in you will see that this place is a mess. She is absolutely right about the elevators and central air. That stuff was broken when i lived their too, its been broken for years.
I would never have children living here, the smell of illegal substances is so strong throughout the building, this is like living in the projects or something… except you will pay 10 times as much. Mac rents to ANY one, i guess those government housing subsidies are real nice huh mac? Yes your neighbors will be some of the most ghetto people in all of hyde park. And ladies you will be hit on by lots of men and the little highshcool kids that like to hang out around the building too. Renting here was one of the worst decisions i ever made. Coming home to this place at night can be down right scary with the type of people living in the building… and FYI tenants are urinating in the elevators!
This place is disgusting, please do not rent with this company.

I was told that I could not do a walk through to make sure the apartment was clean before I moved in. When I moved in their was open food in the cabinets, mice, and roaches. I have never in my life lived like this. I had my apt professionally cleaned since they did not do it when I moved in. My window were black from the dirt that had not been cleaned off in years. The staff were not polite. I still have holes in my walls that mice can get through that they have not sealed. No matter how clean you are you will see mice with Mac Properties. The exterminater said they need to clear have all their buildings treated.