The Nolo

My boyfriend and I moved into this building from Brooklyn, NYC less than 60 days ago. We drove a uhaul with our 80 pound dog across the country over the course of less than five days. Sydney & Zenani were incredibly helpful to us with getting everything situated while we were traveling… Moving in was organized and a breeze thanks to them. Since we have moved in, all of the staff members have made sure to anticipate all of our needs and surpass our expectations. I love the events the Nolo hosts, and the community spaces that are in the building. I know if I have questions or need help with anything that I can rely on all of you. I have so much gratitude for that!

Lets start with this: The NOLO is absolutely incredible. We LOVE it here.
The quality of the apartment and the appliances are unbeatable. Everything is in perfect working condition. If there is ever an issue, (typical household repairs) a person from the maintenance staff will have the problem solved within a couple hours.
The ceilings are vaulted, and the A/​C circulation is flippin’ phenomenal. Having two giant, shedding dogs, this is a HUGE deal for us. Prime air quality is a must! This is the first community in which I do not have allergies everyday!
In the summer, the 11^th floor rooftop is unbeatable! The views of the Olympics are incredible. During the winter, the fire-​pits on both terraces are super cozy. Also, for those Centurylink concert & Seahawks lovers, you can actually see into the stadium from the 5^th floor terrace. Oh, & the gym is as good as a gym you would pay a hefty monthly fee for, at a swanky gym downtown. The local restaurants downstairs keep your dining out satisfied, so you do not have to venture far for date night. Cone & Steiner General store underneath The Nolo, has every single daily essential you need for your home, in case you run out of something. This place is truly like a luxury, «dorm for adults!» I wish we could stay here forever!

I’ve lived in The Nolo since May 2015 and have had a great experience. I can’t speak to the experiences of those who lived here in 2014, but it seems a lot has changed:
— There is no DNA testing for pets. I do wish the dog «runs» were bigger though, so pets could play off-​leash in these areas. There are also dog washing stations, which I find VERY useful.
— The maintenance staff is great and very helpful, so I’ll echo those sentiments. One employee (Gustavo) walked all over the building with me once when I thought I accidentally threw my key down the trash shoot. And the one time I’ve needed someone to look at our dryer, he arrived within 2 hours and fixed the issue (which turned out to not really be an issue at all).
— Unlike other reviewers state, I’ve always had a pleasant experience with the administrative and management staff. Lauren was great when we were touring and signing the lease (I don’t think she’s here anymore and we were sad to see her go.) Zenani and Sydney are always great: They respond to any communications quickly and never complain when I ask them to print something for the 19^th time (which reminds me — I wish there was a business center). And Diana and Megan have always been friendly too. We’ve never had any major complaints or issues to deal with, so I can’t speak to how that experience goes, but day-​to-​day, I have no complaints at all.
— The construction was bad for a while, but I think the worst part is over (Note: I do live on the farthest side of both buildings from the construction). Since I’ve lived here, management did give routine noise/​status updates and offered alternative solutions for work-​from-​home during peak construction hours. I don’t recall noise being a huge problem at night (sometimes early mornings, but again, that part seems to be over).
Pros:
— Great amenities, beautiful apartments (high ceilings, industrial, lots of windows), great view.
— You can reserve the rooftop space with only a refundable deposit (baring no issues).
— Fun community events (news filming from the rooftop, «Yappy Hour» (which I would love more of!), Seahawks pre-​season party, etc.)
— Quiet (you can hear things down the hallways, but not actually IN your apartment)
Cons:
— I do wish the ventilation was better, but at least my unit has A/​C.
— Yes, the stadium gets loud (you have to acknowledge this in your lease, so you know moving in — and really, you have to expect it) and you’re basically homebound during games or events, because of road closures and traffic (but again, you have to expect that).
— It’s almost unfair to include this, because the building has no control over it, but I wish I had known: If you’re moving here from out of town, I would do some research on the area first. It’s great during the day — excellent location, lots of things around it, close proximity to other areas and activities, walking distance to Pike Place/​Pier, etc. — but at night, Pioneer Square gets pretty dodgy (i.e. I never walk home alone, like I thought I would because of its location). I’m not saying you definitely shouldn’t live here because of this, but I wish I had gathered more information before choosing the area (but not the actual building).

Deafening construction. Poor ventilation. Bad experience with neighbor smoking cigarettes constantly. Nice staff.

It’s a great building, beautiful spaces, and management does a really solid job. I never hear anything through the walls, floors, etc. Very well built. When things are brought to management’s attention, they are managed professionally. It’s a great place to live.

I just had a meeting with the Property Manager, Megan, and the VP of Multifamily Operations, Diana (who responded to my original post). I am very optimistic that there can be a more positive atmosphere here again. I will definitely be making another update when more happens. We discussed the issues in my post, and while I can’t expect to be given everything, I was heard, and I felt that there’s an effort being made to involve the residents in future changes to policy.

I’ve moved into the Wave (right next to the Nolo) and thought I would briefly update the review to reflect current feelings towards not only the property but the management company (Pillar Properties) since the two properties are joined.
Since moving into the Wave I’ve had a great experience. I haven’t interacted too much with the staff, but when I do it’s always pleasant. As for noise, I experience none except once in a while from respectful neighbors. I’m on a high floor, north facing though. Watch out for the construction on the east side, not sure how it is over there. Building amenities are some of the best and widest ranging (yoga, fitness, theatre, game room) I’ve seen in Seattle, and everything is kept nice and clean. Lastly, there seems to be way less pets and babies in this building… if you care about that sort of thing.
Will update if anything major changes, but all is working out great so far.

DO NOT MOVE IN HERE!!! I JUST RECEIVED THIS EMAIL FROM MANAGEMENT TODAY! (Can you say 3^rd Reich???)
Dear Valued Resident and Pet Owner,
Our goal at The Nolo is to provide all of our residents and their pets a clean environment to call home. We understand recent frustrations of pet owners not picking up after pet waste in the doggy relief areas. Due to the on-​going complaints we have decided to utilize an outside vendor to conduct DNA testing. We hope upon roll out of this program we see an immediate reduction in pet waste not being picked up after and cleaner dog areas.
Our first step is to swab each pets mouth in the office. This will take approximately 5 minutes. Once received, the swab is mailed to BioPet Vet Labs. Your pet’s DNA is then analyzed and kept on file. We will reach out to pet owners, individually next week to set up appointments for DNA collection.
If you should have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to us at, 206−209−2200.
Thank you for making The Nolo your home,
Megan Vallor
Property Manager
The Nolo

My girlfriend and I have lived in the Nolo building for the past few months and it’s been a dream from day one.
Lots of what I love about living here is very specific to my situation and individual unit, so I’ll keep my feedback pertaining to shared services, maintenance, and management.
Management: Based on my experience, I was pretty surprised to read some of the more negative Unilocal reviews on here. The property managers have been incredibly helpful and continue to take care of everything we need. Communication is always prompt and clear, they quickly deal with any issues that pop up, and I’m always greeted with a smile when I get home. From the first tour to the lease review, execution, and move-​in everything has been seamless and transparent, which I always appreciate when large financial contracts are involved. Sydney and Carolina have been particular bright spots.
Maintenance: I’ve only had two small problems in my unit since moving in and both have been dealt with extremely professionally. The first, an issue with an automatic light, was knocked out within hours of my maintenance request so there’s not much to say. The second was a bit more involved and does merit some explanation. When I moved in we had poor water pressure, which is something I just can’t handle (I’d take a fire hose if it was possible), so I put in a request to have someone take a look. They sent up Giovanni who went above and beyond what I expected. Not only did he fix the clog in my shower head, but he tweaked the settings to make it even stronger right away. What really impressed me was that he took the time to measure the fixture and recommend a few new heads that could make my experience even better. After taking his advice I now shower daily in what feels like a tropical rain storm. In my experience with other buildings, it’s rare to find a staff that actually listens to your wants and delivers on ways to make them happen rather than just doing the minimum and crossing you off their list.
I’m aware my review has been outstandingly positive, but that’s because my experience really has been. To date, my only complaint is the inability to access floors other than the first through the stairs, but that minor issue barely deserves a mention.
If you’re in the market for a new place and you think Pioneer Square could work for you, I don’t think you should hesitate to give the Nolo a tour. I’m happy I didn’t.

My husband and I have really enjoyed living at the Nolo. We had been homeowners for 20 years and are relocating. We sold our home faster than expected and needed a place to stay while we search for a new home. Having not been renters for so long we weren’t sure what to expect.
When we first started searching for places to rent in the Seattle area we found so many that were poorly maintained, unclean & lacking in amenities. When we visited the Nolo it was a breath of fresh air. The day we toured Sydney and Megan were in the office. They were so friendly and helpful, and continue to be. Sydney was able to show us the actual room we rented and was able to answer our many questions. They were able to get us into a short-​term lease, which we had been struggling to find elsewhere. Since moving in we have gotten to know Carolina and Lauren in the office, who are amazing as well! They have recommended fun restaurants, helped us with packages, dry cleaning, you name it. The whole office staff is awesome and one of the big draws to the Nolo!
The amenities at the Nolo are pretty great as well. The view from the roof deck is beautiful and expansive. There is always plenty of room to enjoy it, even on game days. The fitness rooms are clean and big enough that there is never an issue finding a machine. We have thoroughly enjoyed our summer months here in the common areas!
We have had a maintenance request since renting and it was handled within an hour of submitting it. We were shocked with the speed and efficiency. After taking care of our request they contacted us to make sure it was handled to our satisfaction, which it was.
If you want to be in walking distance to dozens of restaurants, the stadiums, King Street Station, Pike Place Market, the waterfront and downtown, you should check out the NOLO! For us it has been a wonderful experience! It has made us feel in no rush to find our new home.

I have been in the NOLO for a little over a month now and I can’t say enough great things. Apparently there were issues in the past with construction noises (from the building of Quality Athletics downstairs) but I haven’t experienced any noise issues. In fact, this place must be lade of solid concrete because I never hear a thing through my walls and ceiling. The location is awesome, with lots to do in the area, both on the Pioneer Square and SoDo sides of the building. The amenities are unrivaled, with breathtaking views from the roof and podium decks. The gym and common areas are always spotless. The building (and sister building The Wave) seem like one community, and just about everyone says hello in the hallways or the elevator. I’ve even run into neighbors out and about and had them buy me a drink and invite me to hang out. I felt welcome from day one.
Most importantly, the staff is top notch. From day one, Sydney has taken a personal interest in getting me settled in my space, and Carolina is always quick to say hello and scratch my dog behind the ears. They are genuinely friendly people.
I fully recommend the Nolo as a place to call home.

My husband and I have lived at The Nolo since April… and I can honestly say it’s been the best living environment we’ve ever experienced. And I’ve been renting for over 10 years now. This does not mean it’s perfect, of course, but for my lifestyle and what we knew moving into a new building under construction (duh, in April there were empty retail spaces on the entire bottom floor, so we ALL new there was major construction happening) all of my expectations have been met.
Let me start with the PROS:
— The amenities are some of the best in Seattle. The rooftop area is a place we’ve spent a lot of time. And while sometimes things have broken (grills — due to residents not knowing how to use a grill properly) and fire pits… they always seemed to be fixed as quickly as possible. The view and the amount of seating is incomparable to anywhere. WE LOVE IT!
— The management team are nice and friendly and responsive. I’ve NEVER had an issue getting a response, and they are always available to chat in person about issues or questions I have. They are GREAT!
— The maintenance team is really fast, clean, and nice. Giovanni specifically has been great, but everyone has been fantastic. We had a couple minor things that needed to be fixed… and it all happened within hours of submitting a request.
— The people are awesome. I’ve met so many great, friendly people here and there really is a community feeling that I’ve never felt anywhere else. It’s easy to chat with others, make friends, and MOST people are very respectful of this place and the common areas, and their neighbors.
— Despite other reviews… I’ve never had noise issues. I live above Occidental Avenue and even when the Sounders people are marching to the game, it’s not that loud. I work from home and am here pretty much all day and night, and I’ve never had an issues with sports fans or anything being too loud… EVER. I also have had very little issues with the construction noises, and when it was a little loud — we were warned so we could plan accordingly. This is just part of living in a growing neighborhood (and moving into a building with empty retail space).
I’ve NEVER lived somewhere with NO noises coming from neighbors above or from the sides. I swear it’s the quietest place I’ve ever lived. So I have no idea what others are experiencing, but I certainly am not.
— Everything is new and clean and works really well. The appliances are nice, and they’ve already done external window cleaning (my old apartment in Belltown never once did that in my 13 months there). The hallway carpet is regularly cleaned and so are the common areas.
— I like the 3^rd party security… and despite the roof having to close after 11pm. they dont’ enforce it if you aren’t being loud and rowdy. Which makes sense. Just be considerate and respectful and it won’t be an issue.
CONS
— If I were to have any cons… it would mostly be changes in the «rules» of the building without notice. I think a little better of communication would go a LONG way. I’d personally rather an email letting me know about specific rules, etc. than a note on my door the day of something. But that’s just me.
— The other con, which isn’t THAT big of a deal but the fact that we can’t buzz up friends or delivery people is a hassle. It’s a big inconvenience and really eliminates the purpose of having a buzzer. I don’t know what happened for them to have to add this unexpectedly — and it was something I really liked when I moved in. I do know some buildings that can allow buzzers at the elevator to buzz people up to just that floor… I would recommend that being looked into for the convenience of residents.
All in all — we are extremely happy here and would recommend it to anyone. We love the Nolo! :)

The move in the middle of August went smoothly. This is a well-​designed apartment with top of the line appliances. Management handles things expeditiously and takes the time to respond to questions whether speaking with Sydney, Megan, Lauren, Carolina, etc. Giovannie has handled maintenance issues promptly and with the utmost consideration. Sounds from the adjacent apartments are minimal compared to my prior high-​rise residence. I knew when moving in that construction noise would be taking place. The stadium noise is fun since most folks are enjoying the day or evening. The other sounds are just what take place in a city.

The pros–
The floor plan was nice
The kitchen was amazing and spacious.
Air conditioned
The Cons–
Management– They can’t get it together. There are so many things wrong with how this place is managed. It took the property manger 9 days to respond to a complaint we had about construction and moving out. And apparently fair housing rules don’t apply. How can you offer other people our of their lease with the same complaints, but we have to repeatedly have to email and call with no response and get told we can’t have the same terms as others in the building. (Finally after a battle we got out a month early)
Beware that construction has been starting around 7 am, and it vibrates your entire apartment. Maybe not so bad if you’re a morning person, its throughout the day to where you can’t hear anything else.
Another issue we had, maintenance a couple times, has just walked right in our apartment without any notice or knocking.
The noise you get from the stadiums, and concerts afterward can get pretty loud as well.
When we moved out, our apartment was spotless, I mean SPOTLESS. Apparently they were still going to charge us a cleaning fee. After arguing, they dropped it. All of our neighbors are moving out too due to similar issues being had.
Needless to say, we are glad to be out and somewhere else. The management at our new place is amazing and its so much more quite.

Overall, my fiancé’s and my experience at The Nolo has been fantastic!
From day one, Megan and the team have taken care of anything we needed; and all in a timely manner.
It also doesn’t hurt that the apartments themselves are well built and designed, but the amenities are also fantastic! Sweeping views of downtown and our majestic Seattle sunsets, ample outdoor rooftop space to entertain, a well stocked gym for all of the fitness one could want to do, and a fabulous central location to access the few things that aren’t readily available in the building.
We can’t wait to spend the rest of the year (and possibly other years) here!