Review of AffiniTel Communications

4 years ago

Pros:

Pros:
- The location is great; you can walk to work and most forms of public transportation. (They are building a homeless navigation center down the street where Beale meets the Embarcadero though, so that's something to consider.)
- The residents are diverse, from young working professionals, to retired folks, to low-income and handicapped residents (there are extra wide doors and ramps, although getting in and out via the lobby where this is a step is a hassle, so most people just enter/exit via the garage).
- The staff is GREAT! Professional, friendly, and on top of it. If you've lost a package or need a lightbulb changed, they'll fix it asap.

Cons:
- The building is old for the neighborhood and not as tall as the surrounding buildings, so most views look into other buildings. The cost is comparable to some of the newer buildings, though.
- The layout is a bit funky. Nobody uses the lobby because there's a step down to the exit (which just exists into the garage) and the lobby elevator only goes to the 5th floor, so most people enter/exit through the car garage entrance. It makes for an awkward invitation home everyday, but you get used to it.
- There are endless water/pipe issues. There have been probably 5 water shutoffs within the past year, stretching many hours (sometimes even a full day) each time.
- The water pressure is non-existent. Unless you enjoy showering under a trickle, then this apt is for you.
- There is no A/C, but there is global warming. Some of the heaters are also old-school contraptions that take forever to heat up.
- The elevators are constantly broken/under maintenance or reserved for moving. Guests/couriers can never figure out how to get to your unit, because the lobby elevator only goes to the 5th floor.
- Some part of the shared facilities is always under renovation. First, it was the deck/hot tub area. Then it was the BBQ area. Now it's the business lounge, which has been taped off for months with no opening date in sight.
- The 5th floor outdoor area is in a wind tunnel, which means it's ALWAYS cold to BBQ or sit outside underneath the seemingly nice cabana areas. There are fire pits though, but they always smell like leaking gas. (There is no rooftop deck or anything like that in this building.)
- The indoor lounge is always booked for some professional-looking/classlike event when you want to hang out and play pool. There is no other indoor lounge.
- The package lockers are sandwiched between the trash and recycling, which means if you have a lot of packages, you better be good at holding your breath.
- The 5th floor in the south tower also always smells like trash.
- People treat the loading dock/garage entrance like a large-item dumpster. There are always sofas/mattresses hanging out there, and oh, there was recently a bed bugs scare.
- There is always construction happening, so one day there's hammering, and the next day, there's drilling. They seem to be updating the units (as some have very old kitchen appliances and materials.)
- Beale St. and Folsom St. are always under construction. There is always drilling outside.