NorthernLiberties.org - A Community Bulletin Board - Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

Jazzbaby

IP: 66.200.105.183

Apr 2, 08 - 11:29 AM

Becker Building--opinions?

So, the Boyfriend and I are looking at moving into the Becker Building. Does anyone have any thoughts on what the building is like? We're looking at one of the units with a private entrance on the first floor...I searched around a bit but could only find information from when the building was new, so any recent or current tenants opinions would be much appreciated.
Also, every place we've looked at has placed a lot of emphasis on parking spots. We don't have a car--is this uncommon? Will we have trouble living in the neighborhood and just walking/biking everywhere? We're pretty fit and don't mind the exercise, but all this car chatter has got me nervous!
Thanks so much!
JazzBaby

jeffrey

IP: 146.145.96.178

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:52 AM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

You don't need a car. Everything is pretty close, either walkable or bikable. You can always use public transportation or Philly Carshare for when you have to do major shopping.

tenant

IP: 141.158.20.2

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:00 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

the walls are pretty thin so you can hear all the noise. for example, everytime our neighbor vacuums the hardwood floor it sounds like they are sanding the floor, their garbage disposal is loud as hell and the washer and dryer bang against our wall. if you walk around with high heels you can hear it.

lots of barking dogs, and recently there was a homeless man sleeping on the couch in the lobby.

it is a nice building and nice apartments but check your neighbors for noise before getting into anything.

Jordan

IP: 129.32.71.236

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:15 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

I've never dealt with Tower, but you might want to search through the threads already posted on this message board. They are interesting to say the least.

As for transportation, I live close to there and I have gotten by easily with a bike, my feet, phillycarshare, and some tokens. I do not miss payi8ng for gas and insurance.

Jazzbaby

IP: 66.200.105.183

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:53 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I thought the management company was Core, not Tower--I've heard enough horror stories. Did I get confused?

Tenant, I'm curious--after living in dorms, I don't anticipate the noise to be that much of an issue. Should I be more concerned?

Thanks again to everyone!

tenant

IP: 141.158.20.2

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 2:36 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

the building is managed by core realty not tower. i guess if you are moving from a dorm and dont mind the noise then it shouldnt be a problem.

AI

IP: 76.124.118.75

May 13th, 2008 - 6:14 PM

Re: Re: Becker Building--opinions?

I'm about to move in there in a month or so. Things look great inside. It has some horrible ratings on apartmentratings.com, but Tower's Boone Lofts does too and I loved it when I was there. There were some annoying minor issues that never got fixed but the major ones were fixed immediately.

Anyway, I wanted to write in and see if anyone else had opinions on the Becker Building. It seemed nice, quiet, and safe inside but has it had work done recently? Any new developments? Keep me posted.

Thanks!

Christina

IP: 63.250.179.198

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 4:44 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

I have lived there since September of last year. I agree with the noise issue - and sometimes outside it gets noisy at night. BUT overall I love the building. They just changed maintanence guys and the new guy is awesome. The cleaning guy for the common areas is very pleasant. Since they changed to a key on the front door not as many random people are in the building. Overall a nice place - I would say an even mix of college kids, young professionals, older people, and so on - not too much of one type. As for the car - you don't need one unless you need to drive to work or something - the subway is uber close but cabs are hard to come by so far north.

squeeks

IP: 96.227.41.25

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 10:16 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

I was one of the original tenants in becker and moved out last fall. Heat and AC is shotty and for some units their monthly charges were over $300. I had to have a AC unit to keep the temp below 80. In the winter my bedroom got down to 55 degrees...it was crazy! They couldn't or wouldn't fix it or make any attempt to find out the cause. Michael Samschick is the owner and the staff he hires are really poor and turnover is ridiculous. They've hired doormen (this is a stretch my any definition) who have stolen personal items from apartments or have shown up to work stoned. Not a classy joint by any means....watch where you step b/c you will find dog poop everywhere. You can find much better deals for a lot less.

jackie

IP: 68.81.24.207

Apr 2nd, 2008 - 10:42 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

my boyfriend lived there for almost two years (on the second floor), and I would have to agree with the previous posts regarding noise, heating, staff turnover etc. Building seemed overrun w. recent college grads every weekend, kind of like a dorm. depends on what you're looking for...private outside entrance is nice.

anthony

IP: 76.99.34.43

Apr 3rd, 2008 - 3:43 AM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

I've been here for a year now and would agree with SOME of the comments. We had a major issue in the beginning of the winter with our heat and had to call a number of times to get it working properly after about a week without it. I don't believe it was a lack of effort on the PM's end more than it was just a crappy technician.
The walls ARE thin! I really feel like the person in the next unit is in the other room sometimes. They apparently play basketball on our living room wall.

I'm not sure you would have much of the same issues though with your own entrance on Cambridge. I have seen one of those units have parties throughout the summer and it gets pretty loud sometimes. Maybe you're moving in to their place!

I think for the most part it's actually a steal for NoLibs. The building is clean, there IS garage parking available, the units are a decent size and at least initially every one seems to love the deck. My bedroom window is right next to it so I hear the realtors giving the tour and everyone is impressed - not many use it though.

There are a ton of places in walking distance and after a year I'm still finding new places and none of the familiar ones are getting old. If I just had a bike I could do some food shopping at the RT Market more frequently. Standard grocery shopping may be difficult with just a bike but you could do the car share deal once or twice a month and stock up.

Kent

IP: 166.20.24.144

Apr 3rd, 2008 - 11:16 AM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

You can get groceries delivered for like $10 from Acme or Genardi's.

Jazzbaby

IP: 66.200.105.183

Apr 4th, 2008 - 11:56 AM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

Thank you all so much for the responses. We decided to take the apartment--too good a deal to pass up.

anthony, we aren't moving into the party people's unit, but the manager did say that those people are out July 1. I suppose we'll take the money we saved on rent and invest in earplugs for the time we'll spend as their neighbors.

Thanks again!
Jazzbaby

anthony

IP: 76.99.34.43

Apr 25th, 2008 - 5:02 AM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

so, how was it last night?

Christina

IP: 63.250.179.198

Apr 25th, 2008 - 3:24 PM

Re: Becker Building--opinions?

Huh? What the heck happened last night?

	NorthernLiberties.org - A Community Bulletin Board - Northern Liberties, Philadelphia
Return to Website

Author	Comment
Jazzbaby IP: 66.200.105.183 Apr 2, 08 - 11:29 AM	Becker Building--opinions? So, the Boyfriend and I are looking at moving into the Becker Building. Does anyone have any thoughts on what the building is like? We're looking at one of the units with a private entrance on the first floor...I searched around a bit but could only find information from when the building was new, so any recent or current tenants opinions would be much appreciated. Also, every place we've looked at has placed a lot of emphasis on parking spots. We don't have a car--is this uncommon? Will we have trouble living in the neighborhood and just walking/biking everywhere? We're pretty fit and don't mind the exercise, but all this car chatter has got me nervous! Thanks so much! JazzBaby Email: beccah@art-snob.com
jeffrey IP: 146.145.96.178 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 11:52 AM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? You don't need a car. Everything is pretty close, either walkable or bikable. You can always use public transportation or Philly Carshare for when you have to do major shopping.
tenant IP: 141.158.20.2 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:00 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? the walls are pretty thin so you can hear all the noise. for example, everytime our neighbor vacuums the hardwood floor it sounds like they are sanding the floor, their garbage disposal is loud as hell and the washer and dryer bang against our wall. if you walk around with high heels you can hear it. lots of barking dogs, and recently there was a homeless man sleeping on the couch in the lobby. it is a nice building and nice apartments but check your neighbors for noise before getting into anything.
Jordan IP: 129.32.71.236 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:15 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? I've never dealt with Tower, but you might want to search through the threads already posted on this message board. They are interesting to say the least. As for transportation, I live close to there and I have gotten by easily with a bike, my feet, phillycarshare, and some tokens. I do not miss payi8ng for gas and insurance.
Jazzbaby IP: 66.200.105.183 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 1:53 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? Thanks for the thoughts so far. I thought the management company was Core, not Tower--I've heard enough horror stories. Did I get confused? Tenant, I'm curious--after living in dorms, I don't anticipate the noise to be that much of an issue. Should I be more concerned? Thanks again to everyone! Email: beccah@art-snob.com
tenant IP: 141.158.20.2 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 2:36 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? the building is managed by core realty not tower. i guess if you are moving from a dorm and dont mind the noise then it shouldnt be a problem.
AI IP: 76.124.118.75 May 13th, 2008 - 6:14 PM	Re: Re: Becker Building--opinions? I'm about to move in there in a month or so. Things look great inside. It has some horrible ratings on apartmentratings.com, but Tower's Boone Lofts does too and I loved it when I was there. There were some annoying minor issues that never got fixed but the major ones were fixed immediately. Anyway, I wanted to write in and see if anyone else had opinions on the Becker Building. It seemed nice, quiet, and safe inside but has it had work done recently? Any new developments? Keep me posted. Thanks! Email: aaronsjunk@mac.com
Christina IP: 63.250.179.198 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 4:44 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? I have lived there since September of last year. I agree with the noise issue - and sometimes outside it gets noisy at night. BUT overall I love the building. They just changed maintanence guys and the new guy is awesome. The cleaning guy for the common areas is very pleasant. Since they changed to a key on the front door not as many random people are in the building. Overall a nice place - I would say an even mix of college kids, young professionals, older people, and so on - not too much of one type. As for the car - you don't need one unless you need to drive to work or something - the subway is uber close but cabs are hard to come by so far north.
squeeks IP: 96.227.41.25 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 10:16 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? I was one of the original tenants in becker and moved out last fall. Heat and AC is shotty and for some units their monthly charges were over $300. I had to have a AC unit to keep the temp below 80. In the winter my bedroom got down to 55 degrees...it was crazy! They couldn't or wouldn't fix it or make any attempt to find out the cause. Michael Samschick is the owner and the staff he hires are really poor and turnover is ridiculous. They've hired doormen (this is a stretch my any definition) who have stolen personal items from apartments or have shown up to work stoned. Not a classy joint by any means....watch where you step b/c you will find dog poop everywhere. You can find much better deals for a lot less. Email: kariney@msn.com
jackie IP: 68.81.24.207 Apr 2nd, 2008 - 10:42 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? my boyfriend lived there for almost two years (on the second floor), and I would have to agree with the previous posts regarding noise, heating, staff turnover etc. Building seemed overrun w. recent college grads every weekend, kind of like a dorm. depends on what you're looking for...private outside entrance is nice.
anthony IP: 76.99.34.43 Apr 3rd, 2008 - 3:43 AM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? I've been here for a year now and would agree with SOME of the comments. We had a major issue in the beginning of the winter with our heat and had to call a number of times to get it working properly after about a week without it. I don't believe it was a lack of effort on the PM's end more than it was just a crappy technician. The walls ARE thin! I really feel like the person in the next unit is in the other room sometimes. They apparently play basketball on our living room wall. I'm not sure you would have much of the same issues though with your own entrance on Cambridge. I have seen one of those units have parties throughout the summer and it gets pretty loud sometimes. Maybe you're moving in to their place! I think for the most part it's actually a steal for NoLibs. The building is clean, there IS garage parking available, the units are a decent size and at least initially every one seems to love the deck. My bedroom window is right next to it so I hear the realtors giving the tour and everyone is impressed - not many use it though. There are a ton of places in walking distance and after a year I'm still finding new places and none of the familiar ones are getting old. If I just had a bike I could do some food shopping at the RT Market more frequently. Standard grocery shopping may be difficult with just a bike but you could do the car share deal once or twice a month and stock up.
Kent IP: 166.20.24.144 Apr 3rd, 2008 - 11:16 AM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? You can get groceries delivered for like $10 from Acme or Genardi's. Email: kdurham@nyx.net
Jazzbaby IP: 66.200.105.183 Apr 4th, 2008 - 11:56 AM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? Thank you all so much for the responses. We decided to take the apartment--too good a deal to pass up. anthony, we aren't moving into the party people's unit, but the manager did say that those people are out July 1. I suppose we'll take the money we saved on rent and invest in earplugs for the time we'll spend as their neighbors. Thanks again! Jazzbaby
anthony IP: 76.99.34.43 Apr 25th, 2008 - 5:02 AM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? so, how was it last night?
Christina IP: 63.250.179.198 Apr 25th, 2008 - 3:24 PM	Re: Becker Building--opinions? Huh? What the heck happened last night?