Avalon at Gallery Place

An ambitious lawyer working on behalf of Avalonbay Communities had me evicted from my apartment last year. I lost everything I ever owned, including two diplomas from Yale University, a library and a collection of European and Middle Eastern art and antiques I had assembled over the course of 17 years in the Middle East and Africa. I lost my wardrobe and every photograph of my family going back three generations. Unfortunately for Avalonbay Communities, I won in court after contesting the eviction. I was current in my rent.
I am depressed, almost to the point of suicide. I was hospitalized for over a month after the eviction. I can remember only several people on the sidewalk in front of the building, in a downpour, handing me back my Arabic-​English dictionary. I ran to the back of the building to the loading dock, but there was no sign of my possessions. Either the U.S. Marshals or Avalonbay Communities robbed me of any physical proof that I ever existed.
Believe me, it makes me wonder whether I would ever risk my life again doing humanitarian aid work overseas again. If fact, in the wake of the eviction I have lost my faith. I no longer feel safe in the U.S. I no longer believe that Americans have the capacity for kindness.
As others have noted, the concierges in the building were lovely. Otherwise, there is little to recommend this building. My apartment flooded twice. First, the hot water heater behind a locked metal door on the balcony gave way. The second time, the cause was a pipe in an apartment above me, although it was the floor of my bedroom that was soaked.
My advice is too move to another neighborhood in Washington, D.C., not a recently «gentrified» neighborhood like Chinatown. The noise at 770 5^th Street, N.W. was intolerable. Garbage trucks at 5:30 almost every morning. And then there are the young tenants, stacked up four high in a one-​bedroom apartment, with their boyfriends locked out of the apartment and pounding on the door in the early morning hours, or otherwise walking the length of the corridors yapping with their mothers on their cell phones, because they have no privacy in their apartments.

I was cheated and deceived into believing the rent was different than it actually was. Avalon not only failed to admit their mistake, but they charged me $ 325 for their failure and treated me like scum.
I first called Avalon because I know someone who works in corporate. I called Gallery Place on a Saturday in the morning and spoke with a woman who works at Avalon. I asked the woman what the price for a two month lease on a studio was. The woman stated that it was «$ 3,265 for the two month lease.» I asked if that was for the whole two months or per month. She repeated that it was «for the two month lease.» During my visit of Avalon I continued to ask about the price and was told that the price was «for the two month lease.» The woman also stated that the price was «comparable with other listed prices online.» If a one bedroom is $ 1800, it is reasonable to think that a studio is $ 1,600 per month. The agent did not blatantly lie, but she deceived me into thinking the price was $ 3,265 for the WHOLE two month lease and not per month. After finding out that I was deceived, I terminated the contract three days later (days that the office was closed anyhow) and was forced to pay $ 325 to Avalon for failing to move in. The money was a penalty for the place being removed from the listing. However, my wife checked the listing and noticed that it was never removed. Furthermore, Avalon was closed on the days that they allegedly removed the listing.
In short, Avalon deceived me and then proceeded to laugh at me when I called. I was treated not like a human being, but like an animal. They robbed me of $ 325, my time, and my dignity. Avalon offended my wife and I in a manner that is so egregious, I will never forget it. I will continue to spread the word of what Avalon did.

I lived at the Avalon for a little over one and a half years, the only reason I left was a job relocation. The property and staff were phenomenal. (Robert was the absolute best!!) I was required to pay 1.5 months rent upon breaking my lease, but that was because I declined the option to move to an Avalon in my new location. When I thought the movers packed my garage clicker, the property manager was considerate and helpful. Even after a year the staff continued to improve by hosting small events with food for residents. I appreciated the upgraded gym equipment and spin studio; and maintence was always quick and helpful. I haven’t dealt with any move out drama, although I am still waiting to hear back about my security deposite, but I don’t anticipate any problems. I highly recommend this apartment!

Let me preface my review by saying that I’ve only been living at the Gallery Place Avalon for 2.5 months. Having read some of the comments about the move-​out experience, I’ll have to report back. I really hope Avalon corporate doesn’t gouge us.
Now, there are many great things about this property. The best of all are the attentive concierges who look after you. From the day we moved in, we have been impressed by how welcoming and helpful they are. Then there’s the free coffee. It’s not the world’s best, but it’s a nice little touch.
They also are doing renovations that will he done in October 2014 that will update an already luxurious and inviting interior.
My only wish is that they would keep the business center. When the renovations are complete, the old computer and fax center will become a spin room.
There is a beautiful, spacious rooftop that has a great view on fireworks holidays, the Capitol, and the Wash Monument.
Lastly, the apartments are comfortable and spacious for the area. The bedrooms are definitely not small. We never have any worry that, if a maintenance issue arises, the problem will be left unattended. Average response time is under 12 hours, and the staff is great. Also, having a washer and dryer in the unit is great. This is it for now.

I’m giving the company 1-​star, not necessarily the Gallery Place. We loved living at Gallery Place for a year and a half — the concierge were friendly and great — they loved us and our dog Oliver, but I will never recommend ANY Avalon property again because of the corporate office and management. We had a number of issues with them during our time there, but the biggest issue is when we moved out. They get you in with a low security deposit and then will make your moving out experience a frustrating and expensive one. After charging us a month and half rent to move out to break the lease early to move into our own condo (it’s a good thing it wasn’t during the winter, they would have charged 2 months), they then charged us almost $ 600 to replace the carpet. Apparently, having carpet all throughout the apartment does not constitute high-​traffic area, even though the only area that would be considered «high-​traffic area» is the entrance to the apartment and that is wood floor. So, any stains or discoloring to that carpet throughout the apartment will lead them to replacing it and charging you. The $ 350 «refundable» security deposit clearly doesn’t cover all of it and the $ 500 pet fee we paid was only to allow our dog on to the premises. I never experienced anything like this living in NYC for 10 years! All in all, I had to pay a total of almost $ 4000 just to be done with this company.
To anyone looking at apartments to rent, NEVER NEVER NEVER rent from the Avalon Communities.

I took a tour of this apartment while trying to find a one-​bedroom. I found it in the Apartment Showcase, and while that book does list the rental prices of the units, it does not offer much help with extra fees. Be warned that Avalon at Gallery Place charges a lot of extra annual fees on top of your rent, like many other apartment complexes in the area.
As of ⁵⁄₁₅:
One bedrooms started around 1845−1990/month. This in itself could be affordable for some, but this price is misleading. The complex also charges a $ 600 *annual* amenity charge for your first year, and $ 300 a year every year thereafter. This is different from many places that only charge a one-​time amenity fee.
Parking listed was $ 190/​month per spot. Only cats were allowed, with a $ 500 non-​refundable deposit, and an extra $ 50/​month charge on top of that. So those are the objective facts.
What I will say positive about this building is that the woman at the concierge desk was very helpful to us and was pretty friendly to residents too. We waited in the lobby for a few moments, and I gathered that the residents were mostly young, upbeat professionals. Seemed to be a friendly community, at least. Apartments are built in the luxury style. Also, if I recall correctly, the amenity areas (rooftop terrace for one) are open 24 hours, which isn’t the case at all complexes.
The downside is that the apartments are small and that the neighborhood itself is, well, Chinatown. Upon leaving the building we were approached by some random guy about a «business venture.» I guess I could be hassled anywhere, but I’d prefer it not to be within 20 feet of my building entrance.
If you’re interested in seeing the place, it’s not a bad idea to make an appointment in advance since the leasing office doesn’t seem to be well-​staffed on weekends.

I visited a friend, who is on detail in DC for a year and he is staying here. Very convenient to the Metro Station, Gallery/​Chinatown, around a ½ block away down 5^th. Also near a shopping center with restaurants and Chinatown.
There is a concierge in the lobby, a business center with computers, printers and faxes, small work out facility and a social living room with a dining table, couches, large screen TV’s and a coffee/​tea room.
No convenient parking. Then again, there isn’t much convenient parking in DC.