Watertower Realty Management

This place is a disaster!!! Came from out of town with a promise of an apartment and all I got was the run around. We needed an apartment due to re-​location asap, Filled out application and was approved, put money down to save apartment and when I got there NO APARTMENT !!! Was shown an apartment that was not available until first of the month… ummm what did you not understand I need an apartment ASAP!!! Was willing to pay extra even!!! Thank god I didnt look any further the place at 2424 North Clark Lincolin Park was a dump!!! YES DUMP!!! They seemed proud to show a future tenent this vacant apartment in such a sorry state that I wouldnt let a dog go to the bathroom there!!! Filthy smelly and they were proud to show it to me… HOLY CRAP RUN FROM THIS PLACE… LOCATION IS NOT EVERYTHING!!!
PS Apartment found 3 days later… through Chicago Apartment Finders. Beautiful Lake Shore Apartment on the water closer to city and CHEAPER!!!

This was the first of two management companies I’ve ever rented with as well as my first apartment. Like many people it was a cramped studio. In my case, located in Lakeview. It would be fair to say that I was definitely not their target clientele. Most of their properties are located in bigger mid-​risey buildings in traditional neighborhoods and aside from the occasional studio, don’t go for less than $ 1,000.
Being a management company, they certainly had their stuff together when it comes to compliance with renters rights laws and so on. Maintenance was taken care of within a few days. That being said, I know I’m not alone in my disappointment with WTR because while I lived there, our elevator usually had a fresh defacement reading «fuck water tower» or something similar keyed or scrawled into it.
I’m sure if I could afford one of their nicer properties my review would be more positive. But these guys are also kind of ahead of the curve on rent pricing. For what I paid in my place, I was utterly depressed every moment I spent there. I would have much preferred a college dormitory almost. I also signed the lease on this apartment in ‘off peak’ season and being my first place, was naïve enough that when they nonchalantly offered a 16 month lease instead of a year, I took it because I didn’t know what other options I might have.