Lower Burnside Lofts

I generally agree with your comments, Brian Z. Thank you for posting.
Cons:
1. Regarding the access control systems, I have a two bedroom but they only gave my one FOB because I am the only one living in my apartment. However, when I have guests stay, I have to escort them in and out OR give them my FOB when i’m at work and coordinate a time so that I can get back in. Absurd! I was told that to get a second FOB I would have to buy it or get a roommate…
2. $ 10/​month charge for bicycle storage? One would think that since biking to work is a benefit to the environment/​community that they would offer this storage for free. $ 10 is very trivial.
3. Lack of insulation:
a. In the winter, my heating units were cranked up because it was so cold. I could only get warm if I was under a blanket while wearing a hoodie and sweats. Friends and family visiting over the winter also complained about the cool temperatures in my unit. Also, because I use the heater all the time, my utility bills skyrocketed during the winter months. By the way, no utilities are included in the rent price. In the summer, I had to open my front door to let the cold air in from the hallway to cool my apartment down (yes, the hallways were cooler then my apartment).
b. I can hear my neighbors cell phone vibrate, which is an indicator that the builders/​developers didn’t care about privacy. We were under the impression that cement separated the floors — nope. You can hear it all, folks.
4. This place is another example of the Portland housing/​apartment market gouging its residents with overpriced, poorly-​built structures. If you are considering moving to these ‘lofts’ I advise you to choose to a cheaper apartment, wait for the house/​condo bubble to burst (again), and then take advantage of the opportunities.
5. Please don’t move here or any other ‘lofty’ buildings in this city.
Pros:
Great restaurants and bars around.

I’ve been living here for a few months now and I’d like to share my experience. Firstly, the building is beautiful. It’s brand new, and although it is almost a parody of what a «Portland» building is, it’s still relatively well built. With that said, there are a few issues.
Cons:
1. These are by no means lofts. These are studio and one bedroom apartments. Even the «penthouse» is just a two-​bedroom apartment. Nothing special about it besides a nice kitchen.
2. The access control system is absurd. There is no way to let someone in remotely. You can buzz someone into the building but you have to leave your apartment, call the elevator, and then send it down to the first floor. The elevator is controlled by the access fob system so there’s no way that a guest or food delivery person can access your apartment without you physically letting them into the elevator somehow. It seems like a nitpick but it is just so illogical.
3. The large sliding doors in some apartments can be heard through walls and floors when they’re opened/​closed.
4. Unless you get a parking space in the secured parking area, your car *WILL* get broken into on the street. One current resident has had his broken into twice in three weeks, mine was done once, and the surrounding blocks are littered with shattered glass. It is a weekly occurrence.
5. They make you pay $ 10/​month for bike storage.
6. The building is relatively new, so there is constantly work being done, still, on many aspects of the building. Whether the HVAC system, the plumbing, or the new restaurant going in downstairs, there are always contractors around during the day banging around on things.
7. The proximity to Union Jacks, Trio, and Doug Fir make it a particularly rowdy corner on weekends.
Pros:
1. The view from some apartments and from the «sky lounge» is amazing.
2. They’re super cool about dogs.
3. The weekly happy hours are pretty chill but I think I’d rather have free bike storage than a pint of beer every week.
Final thing: the A/​C rental is a racket and they don’t communicate well about many aspects of the process. I’d avoid it or just don’t believe whatever they tell you.
Bottom line: a fine place to live but not worth the price.