14 West Elm Apartments

We've lived here for one year now and we've loved it. Our unit is beautiful - I gasped the first time we walked in and saw the high ceilings, white everything, and light pouring in the big windows. And since the building allows using nails (provided you fill them later), we've been able to make our space even more homey. We love having bike storage and a gym, and we LOVE our rooftop deck. Trash, recycling, and mail are made easy. Andrew in the office is a great guy and puts you at ease during the move-in process. Garcia from maintainance has been the bomb with the repairs we've needed - it's always been done the same day. We've only been able to hear our neighbors like twice. It's an old building, so you will have things like some chips in the paint or a noisy radiator, but for us it's been worth the charm. Biggest 3 drawbacks to us are they don't allow dogs, there's no on-site parking, and there's no storage in the basement or anything. But you also can't beat this location! Right down the street from Jewel and now Aldi, tons of restaurants, a quick walk to the Moody campus if you're a student there, and a very quick walk to the Mag Mile and Water Tower Place. Certainly shop around for the best option for you, but keep this one on the short list.

We just re-signed for our 3rd year! Awesome location in the heart of the Gold Coast within walking distance of the CTA Red Line, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, shopping— you name it! I moved here from Florida and didn’t know much about Chicago neighborhoods, but I LOVE this area! Although the building itself is a bit older, it is very well kept and always super clean. Renovations were recently done on the elevators and there have been virtually no problems since. Between the key fob operated front doors and doorman on duty every evening, the building always feels safe. Awesome rooftop area with lounge chairs, grills, and a beautiful view of the city and lake! Really nice fitness room in the basement with a great variety of equipment (even a new Peloton!). While I do wish there was in-unit laundry, there is a large laundry room in the basement as well. I love our 2 bedroom/2 bathroom unit; the perfect size, no maintenance problems, always nice and warm in the winter (again, Florida, so that’s a big deal!), and an amazing view of the city/John Hancock building outside our window. Everyone from the leasing office to the doorman to the maintenance staff to the cleaning team are super nice and always greet you with a smile. We definitely feel at home here :)

There were no unpleasant surprises when I moved in. If you live on a lower floor you can hear the bars next door, but that is to be expected when you live on a lower floor next to a bar. The heating system is older and knocks and there is no AC, but again I knew this before I moved in and those are the biggest issues. The location is awesome. You can easily walk along Michigan Ave, the beach front, the river walk and so many other places are in easy walking distance. It's also right next to a Jewel and a CVS, so it is easy to get groceries and other necessities. It's also close to the Clark and Division red line stop which makes commuting easy. The maintenance have quickly fixed all the issues that came up in my apartment and all the office staff and doorman are nice people. Overall if you are looking for a place in a great location with a nice staff, it's the place to be. Just know that there are nicer apartments in this area of the city, but they all cost a lot more.

Very helpful and friendly staff, nice units and common areas, prime location and a great value. No complaints after living here for a year.

As a first time apartment renter, I couldn’t have asked for a better place. The apartment itself (2 bed 1 bath) is spacious yet cozy, has a decent amount of storage space, and has character with an archway into the living area and an alcove in the wall to decorate. The staff are all SO friendly, very responsive, and helpful. The maintenance crew also has a great response rate and has always fixed any issues. The gym is a great amenity and the laundromat area is very clean. The location can not be beat!! Overall it’s been a great place to live.

I have lived in this building for the past 3 years and I have to say that this is one of my most favorite apartments that I have ever rented in Chicago. Located near the corner of the arterial roads of Division and State st, this building is in the perfect location of the city. Whether you are looking for nightlife, restaurants, bars, groceries, lakefront, or park, everything (from Streeterville to the Gold Coast to Lincoln Park) are within a 10min walking radius. The units themselves are very fantastic as well. My unit was a clean and classic one with a bay window and radiator and it was everything I could ask for and more. Maintenance was quick (1 day or less), the management office was very helpful and quick with responses, and the doormen were very friendly as well. Highly recommended!

In an amazing location with the ability to walk to the loop and lots of great restaurants/bars. Walking distance to Old Town as well as a Red Line CTA stop a few blocks away. Building management and maintenance are always responsive and friendly! Definitely recommend this building.

This is my third year at this apartment and I have greatly enjoyed my time here. The members of the office are tremendous to speak with and can help you with any questions you may have. The units are in great shape and they really do a nice job remodeling the units over time. The building is right in the middle of anywhere you want to go. A 5 minute walk to the beach or traveling down rush street for bars and restauraunts are right at your fingertips. If walking isn't your style, it's located only 3 minutes from the Red line to take you anywhere in the city! Come check out this building and all the area has to offer

I have been living here for a few weeks now and I really love the location and the building. The staff are super friendly and nice and the area is great. The apartments have great views and are well equipped and spacious! Would recommend!

I've been at this spot for almost two decades—and there are various reasons why I've chosen to stay here. The convenience (to nearby businesses and public transportation) is unmatched; facilities are always available; and the staff is very likable and attentive. Overall, it's a great place!

Amazing location- 5 min walk from the CTA red line, Jewel-Osco, Walgreens and CVS. Affordable pricing (one month free rent deal). The building also has a small fitness center and a lovely rooftop with an incredible view. Staff are extremely friendly and always happy to help.

looking for a one bedroom apartment, this building immediately caught my attention. While this is an older building, and it shows in some place, the staff has truly made the living experience great. Whenever I have a question, request, or something needs fixing, they are always super quick to assist and with a smile. The common areas (gym, laundry, etc.) are always very clean as well which is much appreciated. Some other reviews have spoken on the nose levels, being next to a popular late night bar and alley. I will say if my window is open I will hear any yelling or activities going on in the area. With a closed window and fan, it has never kept me up. However it does seem various garbage men come almost every day which has woken me up in the morning despite a closed window. All in all, I think this is a perfect starter type apartment. I would not see myself living here long term as I would prefer a new building, larger kitchen and other in-unit amenities. But for a 1 bedroom apartment in Gold Coast for one in their 20s, it is perfect and I highly recommend.

I've been living here for 2 years now. When I was apartment shopping, it felt like home in comparison to other apartments. The front desk staff are always friendly, welcoming, and truly care about your well being. It's the best price you can find in downtown Chicago. Love that there's a gym and that the building is pet friendly. The only criticism I have is that because it is an old building, the elevators are often breaking. Since there are only two elevators, this can lead to elevator traffic for a single elevator on busy mornings.

Perfect location! Can walk just about anywhere from here. Close to downtown, the beach, shops and groceries. Good price for the neighborhood and great views from the windows and rooftop!

I have lived at 14 W. Elm for a little over a year now and I don't see myself moving out any time soon. Since the day I moved in, my experience has been nothing but A+. I moved from out of state and the staff in the office, particularly Bianca and Andrew, were so accommodating helping me make the necessary arrangements. They helped me find the perfect unit, a beautifully renovated unit that is a great size with a view of the city, it was exactly what I was looking for. The amenities are excellent- laundry in the basement as well as a gym with lots of equipment, staff available around the clock including a nightly doorman and any time I've needed something repaired it's fixed that day. They also hold and sort all of your packages so you never worry about anything being stolen or misplaced. The location is excellent- probably one of my favorite things about the building! 1 minute from great restaurants and bars in every location. Plenty of grocery store options and a five minute walk to Michigan Ave or Lincoln Park. Not to mention only about two blocks from the lake/beach! It's also super safe. Between the nightly doorman and the well lit street I've always felt right at home. Overall, I can't recommend this building enough!

I would definitely go see the apartment before you decide to rent. My place looked nothing like the pictures provided online. It is also right next to a 5 AM bar, but that never actually bothered me and I was on the 5th floor. It can also be a bit difficult to get in touch with management. That said, it was a decent apartment for a relatively good price compared to neighboring complexes. The real seller for this place is its location. It's a 5 min walk from the lake, there is a huge Jewel/Walgreens/CVS all within a 10 min walk, there is a bookstore across the street and 3 coffee shops within one block. They also allow pets, which was great for us, and the rooftop has an amazing view. Ultimately, it was a safe area and a nice apartment!

Went through all the background checks and gave my deposit and then they said they found someone to pay more. Didn't return my deposit or return any phone calls or emails. Don't rent here.

Facts: *18 floors with 10 apartments per floor *2 elevators, 1 stairwell, 1 fire escape accessed from hallway for emergencies only *Laundry room in basement with 10 washers, and 10 dryers. All washers and dryers take credit cards, no coins. *Fitness room in basement with 1 treadmill, 1 elliptical and 1 multipurpose strength training machine. *Bike room in basement *Rooftop patio with 2 gas grills, 2 picnic tables and 6 lounge chairs *Building has 2 entrances which both require electronic key access. Residents can also buzz in guests through the main entrance using their cell phone. *Doorman on duty from about 5PM until about midnight Monday through Thursday and from about 5PM until about 4 AM Friday and Saturday nights. Pros *Location, location, location. I had a nice long paragraph here bragging about my new neighborhood but there’s a character limit on these reviews so just look at the area on google maps. It’s awesome. *The view. Will vary a lot depending on your apartment but we all have access to the rooftop, which has a great view of the lake and city. *Management. They are kind and responsive. They were even willing to drop our rent a little since we were willing to sign a lease immediately after viewing the apartment. Just ask. *Maintenance. Enter maintenance requests online and they are usually taken care of the next day. Staff is very nice. *Our apartment was newly renovated with all new appliances (small but get the job done) and fixtures. New fridge, sink, dishwasher, oven/stove, granite counters, toilet and ceiling fans. Cons *It’s an old building. The elevators are small, slow, and break down regularly. You can fit a queen size mattress in them but no more. Don’t bring a big couch unless you plan on carrying it up the narrow stairs. *There is no central a/c. You can pay $200 per year to rent and have them install a window unit which we find keeps the bedroom cool enough at night, though the rest of the apartment does get a bit warm during the day. It’s $100 per year if you have your own unit. *The floor of our apartment was dirty from all of the renovations when we arrived. I told management and they were quick to apologize and offer us free a/c installation next year as compensation. *Again, it’s an old building and it shows. The hard wood floors are pretty beat up. Paint is cracking in a few places. Heat is via radiator, but it’s free. Wish it was taken care of a bit better, but overall, a fantastic first apartment.

I love this neighborhood. Its the right amount of casual and crazy.

My boyfriend and I moved into this apartment building about one year ago. I will start with the positives then filter into what I think are the draw backs. The location is great! You are right next to the lake, and restaurants, and night life. We had tons of fun exploring Chicago's Gold Coast. Next, the space is decent. My boyfriend and I lived in a studio with our two cats and lived pretty comfortably. We had room for our bed, a sofa, a recliner, TV console, and coffee table. I also really liked the natural light, it makes the apartment feel bigger and brighter. Now for the negatives...Right when we walked into our new apartment we realized it was dirty! We had to sweep up piles of the previous owners hair, mop up multiple spill marks, and throw away used toothbrushes. I don't know if maybe our apartment got passed over when it came to cleaning or if this is normal practices...but it was awful. The next thing wrong is the water pressure in the bathroom sink. It barely drips out and makes it impossible to brush your teeth, wash your face, or really do anything. The next issue I have with this place is the bugs. I understand that Chicago is dirty and bugs are a normal part of life...but not that many. We have cats so thankfully the bugs stopped coming, but they are definitely present in the common areas. Finally my biggest problem with this building are there elevators. There is no freight elevator, so don't even think about getting your couches in there. Second of all, they are ALWAYS broken. Once again, I understand it is an old building, but the amount of rent paid should cover the cost of remedying the elevator problem. One thing I will say is that the apartment shares a building with the bar, The Hangup and the street behind the apartment is lined with bars as well. This does bring a noisier crowd, but honestly it wasn't an issue for us. In the winter when the windows are closed, you can't hear anything. Then in the summer with the windows open, you will hear people, but it isn't that big of an issue.

Pros: *Great location *Has laundry in building *rooftop with grills *fitness room *dishwasher *package receiving *free cooking gas *a/c *...also management is friendly and for the most part communicative. When bugs were an issue they took care of it, when an appliance broke it was taken care of the next day. Cons: *In my opinion, rent isn't worth the space anymore, been here for a few years and rent goes up every year- too pricy for vintage space *ALWAYS COLD IN WINTER-temperature was between 60-65°, needed a space heater and blankets to keep warm. Their only solution was to check the heater which was working. *Mold that was "taken care of " but in reality was just painted over *if you need anything between June-September forget about it. I understand it's prime moving season but something that would take 15 minutes to fix is not a priority. *a/c is bt $100-$200 per year *elevator always breakdown