Apartment Review for Onyx On First - Washington, DC

This building has really great apartments. The amenities are beautiful including front-loading washers and very high-quality appliances. There is complimentary juice, bagels, muffins, etc. on early weekday mornings and there is free gourmet coffee, tea, and cocoa 24/7. The roof deck is very nice (although sometimes certain parties get very noisy - even if just a few people - and annoy the other people trying to enjoy the roof deck.) The downside to the building seems to be some strange procedures and service that is a little off. For example, the building has shopping carts from grocery stores for residents to use to carry luggage or packages. I know this area used to be the ghetto, but maybe they should try to lose that reputation and not use (presumably stolen) grocery carts. Invest in some normal luggage carts! The "concierge" staff is very friendly, but isn't really qualified to act as a concierge. They are really just desk attendants. Questions about where things are in the city are usually answered with an "I'm not sure"...Can you look it up? "Oh, ok" followed by a slow computer search. Also, a key fob is required to get up the elevator. When guests come, they buzz up at the front door, you buzz them in, and then they normally try to just go up the elevator. At some point, the concierge shouts to them that they can't just go up. Then the concierge tells them they have to sign-in or have the resident come down to get them. Again, the concierge isn't that helpful. They should just ask for the residents name or apartment number, call up to verify, and allow the person to head up to the apartment they are visiting. Finally, don't move here if you are allergic to dogs! They are everywhere and they are allowed on the main elevators (instead of on freight elevators only like many other luxury buildings.) You're often in an elevator with 2 big dogs. Don't get me wrong, the apartments themselves are wonderful. If you ignore some of the service problems, the building is great.