I've lived in the Piano Factory for almost five years now - I started in a small studio on the first floor, and now am in a larger apartment on the fifth floor. In my time here, I've gotten to know the building, community, neighborhood, and management inside and out. The building is one of a kind. It has character rarely seen in such large complexes (exposed brick and beams, original floors), and they make an effort to respect that when modernizing the units. Amenities such as package service, grills, a pool, a gym, and a gorgeous private courtyard really make this everything you could want in a home. I also love that they let you paint and make it feel like your own. The community of people here is pretty special too. People are friends and get to know each other without being intrusive - I have genuine friends from this building, people I can call to come have a glass of wine or if I need a favor. That can be hard to find in a city. In terms of the neighborhood, I have read a lot of the reviews complain about the noise. This is fairly true - we are at the corner of Tremont and Mass Ave, so it can be noisy. But that's part of living in the city, isn't it? When I lived on the courtyard side, I almost never heard it, though I do more so now that I'm on the street side. That said, we are right in the middle of the South End, so I consider this a trade off. Finally, the management. They have been incredible since the first day I walked in: helpful, accommodating, kind, responsive. For example, after I had my baby and wanted to move into a bigger apartment, they worked tirelessly to get me the right unit, and then they remodeled the bathroom and installed a bathtub (rather than the usual standup shower) because we needed it. When something is broken, it is fixed immediately. They follow up when something is wrong. They've taken such great care of me all these years! I love living here, and cannot recommend it enough! read more

terrible management not supportive our helpful building is falling apart. Laundry room is a mess also it's honestly disgusting and there is so many mice. read more

The absolute worst place to live. It's unsafe,dirty and the management is rude. They never follow through with what they promise. Simba was rude to my daughter who lived there and clearly didn't feel safe. He never addressed or took any of our safety concerns. Her car was broken into as well as she saw somebody get stabbed right outside her apartment window. We moved her out immediately. Now she is in a wonderful, safe place. read more

Totally unprofessional. I sent them tons of e-mails and once I managed to schedule a self-guided tour and I was ready to start the application process no one answered me back. I called them and a very rude leasing employee told me my English was bad and that I couldn't apply without a US guarantor as the policy states. I couldn't find such policy anywhere. At least they could have told me this before I went for the self-guided tour. read more

Renter's beware! I lived at PCG with two roommates from February to December 2017 and it was one of the worst rental experiences I've ever had. TL;DR: inept management, constant smell of smoke, bed bugs, and loud aggressive neighbors. While I loved the South End location and 24/7 concierge this building is an unmitigated disaster as I'll explain below. Don't be fooled by the gated parking, indoor pool/gym, and trendy lobby. After you look past the nice amenities, most of which have unexpected caveats, the dysfunctional management office and poorly designed building will have you rethinking your choices. Jen and Simba may seem initially responsive but they are fully unequipped to get results when problems arise. During my time as a tenant in unit W114 we dealt with a neighbor in unit W112 who was loud, aggressive, and made us feel downright unsafe. The tenant, a Berkeley student, constantly made loud disruptive noise ranging from large parties at 3-4 am, constant (bad) singing to grotesque sexual encounters that could be clearly heard as I was trying to sleep. The walls at PCG are paper thin; thin enough you can hear someone putting away dishes or walking around their apartment. After dozens of conversations with building security, property management, Boston Police, and the tenant himself, PCG finally acknowledged the sound issue about 6 months after the first complaint was filed. Crazy! It got so bad that PCG even attempted to "re-insulate" the wall between our neighboring units failing to hold the tenant responsible. Further more when politely confronting our neighbor about his disturbances the tenant grabbed my arm, yelled expletives, and used racial slurs. When brought to the attention of management, it was left with little more than a shrug. Add to that constant sirens, pedestrians and loud arguments on Camden Street, and the smell of cigarette smoke and marijuana in the building this place was basically unlivable. On top of all that our unit had to be fumigated for bedbugs because the neighbors across had somehow tracked them into the building. While PCG maintains a rule that cars must not remain in the same space for more than five consecutive days, many of the tenants don't work typical day jobs (artists) and often leave their cars for extended periods resulting in a daily parking shortage. Street parking is few and far between. My time at PCG ended with legal action against PCG resulting in my moving our 2-3 months before the end of our lease. read more

Horrible place to live. When I lived there, there was a major mice problem. My car got scratched and basically almost totaled at one point in their parking lot. An absolutely terrible place to live. Concierge is in professional and usually high. Totally inappropriate. Don't live here. If you're moving to Boston I highly recommend the north end. read more

Prior to living in the Piano Craft Guild (a.k.a. the "Piano Factory"), I moved apartments each year, always seeking bigger and better. I moved into the Piano Factory in the mid 2000's, and stayed for almost ten years; only moving due to career-related factors. I wanted to put out there a narrative that comes from someone who can provide first-hand insights, as opposed to from a realtor who has a personal vested interest as to whether you move in. History: As the name might give away, this place was a factory for pianos, in the 1850's, and at one point held the title of being the second largest building in the country (the first largest being the capital building). In the 1970's in was converted to residential lofts. === Building & amenities: There's a laundry room and it was rare that I ever had to wait for an available washing machine or dryer. Residents' parking lot has around 50 spots, with dedicated parking for motorcycles and scooters. The courtyard in the middle of the building has grass, trees, park benches, lawn furniture, and charcoal grills. (To give a sense of scale, the building is a horseshoe that's a block wide and a block long - the courtyard is the middle of the horseshoe.) For me, this acted as a perfect place to set up my tents after camping trips in order to air them out, and I was also fond of throwing up a hammock and spending the occasional lazy Sunday afternoon reading my Kindle. Elevators were convenient when I would get back from grocery shopping and was bogged down with bags. The building community boasts a fair number of artists. Enough, in fact, that there's a tenant artists' gallery in the building, which is featured each year in the South End Open Studios tour. A "black box" theatre (i.e. a small, intimate theatre) is around the back of the building, with different performance runs every other month or so. (While the gallery is tenant run, the theatre is not. It's its own entity separate from the residential portion of building.) There's a community room that's available for tenants to use; sign the key out, and it's yours to do with what you please: band practice, yoga with friends, relieve stress with interpretive dance, etc... A cargo loading dock, freight elevator, and PCG rolling dollies, combined with wide hallways and large doors means that moving in/out couldn't be more easy. === The units themselves: When they divvied up the space and converted to lofts, it was the opposite of "cookie cutting". All units vary slightly in size and shape, and I'm pretty sure that no two are identical. Doors leading into the apartments are big (3' x 10'), the units have hardwood floors, and large windows. My ceilings were high enough that I was able to install a projector and a 100" screen, which acted as my TV. I believe there are other units with even taller ceilings (like 20' tall. Like you-could-install-a-trampoline tall*). I installed bike rack hooks and hung my bicycle from a beam, up, overhead, and out of the way. (*Though I've never checked, I suspect trampoline installation may be a no-no.) Exposed brick and beam is the norm. My kitchen had a dishwasher and garbage disposal, and water pressure was good. Water, electric, and heat were included in my rent. A wide and deep storage nook above my bathroom afforded me plenty of storage space. There are storage units available for rent if you've really got a ton of stuff to store. I didn't have noise issues w/neighbors. Sometimes the folks next to me would have get togethers, and yes, I could hear the fact that music was playing, but sound insulation was sufficient that I couldn't make out individual words, and said noise didn't prevent me from falling asleep, nor did it wake me up. === Cons ("First World Problems"): Laundry room is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm; is not open 24/day. The elevator is very convenient if you live on an upper floor (4th, 5th) and you have a packages to bring upstairs. However, it's not the fastest elevator in the world. === Management & staff: Management's office is in the building, they're on site during business hours, and their door was always open. From the evening until the next morning, there's a security guard on duty. This translates to having someone available 24/7 to assist with any issues that arise (like if you lock yourself out), and also means that there is always someone available to sign for your deliveries. (Much more convenient than having purchases delivered to the work place.) Any issues I had were resolved promptly. For example, I managed to clog my garbage disposal one night, and I called the next day from work on my lunch break to report it. When I got home that evening, it had been fixed. They organize an annual summer BBQ in the courtyard, with music/food/drink, which was always a great way to meet new neighbors and to reconnect with current ones. In conclusion: Bummed to be leaving. Would live here again if the opportunity presents itself. read more

I've lived at the PCG for the better part of this year, and I'm sorry to say that this place absolutely blows. My place was left in a shambles by the previous tenant. It had not been cleaned when I moved in; the kitchen was a dysfunctional assemblage of wonky drawers, holey cabinets, and outdated, dinged-up appliances; and the walls were straight ghetto, with spackle bits all over the place. After a bunch of lip service, nothing has changed, except that I now also have a mouse problem. The jokers who run the place have acres of smiles and excuses to match. Parking in the neighborhood sucks, and although there's a first-come-first-served lot associated with the building, there are often no spots available. What does this place do well? They're great at saying "no" and improvising rules. They had a pretty fun barbeque over the summer. The security people and live-in maintenance people are really helpful, and it's easy to get mail-ordered things delivered. But otherwise, I wouldn't pee on this place if it were on fire. Other people I know in the building have had more positive experiences, so your mileage may vary. Be extremely wary of the side of the building facing Northhampton--the street noise is damn near unbearable, especially with the construction currently underway. Do yourself a favor and avoid this poorly managed, loud-as-hell mess. read more

I lived here for two years and it was the best living experience I've had to date. Granted I currently live with roommates, who have a combined age of 172. As the name of the building suggests it was an old piano craft factory that was converted into apartments in the gentrified South End of Boston. Originally it housed musicians, artists, and afforded low income housing to individuals and families. However, the management company has lifted such restrictions and now rents many apartments out for fair market value. It's difficult to live here if you are a student, they have limits on the number of students they let into the building and put you through a rigorous credit check to discourage the Animal House lifestyle that accompanies college students, and remain close to its artistic roots. Despite the tedious application process, the living in this building was great. Residents have access to laundry in the building, an outdoor courtyard and a place to park a vehicle (on first come, first served basis). The utilities were included and the only thing we had to pay for was the cable and internet. The on-site security guards were great as well, always friendly and hardly the deterrent, they ensured I would receive all my packages that were sent to my apartment. The population of tenants is quite diverse and the great part is that your space is your space, as long as it returns to its original state upon moving out. It isn't uncommon to walk the halls to see people have painted their doors. I really couldn't beat the price of living here with everything included and it was extremely convenient to the Mass. Ave. T-stop, campus, liquor stores, bars, and other South End attractions. I can't say enough about the management team. Simba, Deneen and the maintenance crew were completely underrated. The duplex apartments are amazingly spacious (as I had friends on the bottom floors, but didn't make it to the top floor duplexes). I miss you W118. If I ever move back to Boston I know that I will at least look to live here. read more

We lived at the Piano Craft Guild for nearly 4 years (2017-2021) in apartment E001. We stayed for the location and beautiful courtyard, which is truly a fantastic benefit of the building, but we had problems from the beginning and the management is completely incompetent. Simba, the main contact in the building, is rude, defensive when being informed of problems, and inept at producing effective solutions. Our unit was previously a storage room, but was poorly converted into an apartment, leaving massive open gaps around beams, pipes and in closets. In our first year, we had a bug problem that only exacerbated summer after summer despite our repeated pleas to find a solution because the standard treatment from the exterminators clearly wasn't cutting it. We even sat down with Simba before reupping our lease one year and explained that the extermination efforts weren't working and something else had to be done, and offered to do whatever we could to facilitate those efforts. Only when there was a full-blown infestation on the ground floor did they take the next step to find the root of the problem. Mind you, we had been waking up to 20 some odd millipedes in our home every day. The last straw for us was the mice in our last year. After not having any rodent problems for the first 3 years, we had 4 mice in 4 months and the response was, again, completely inadequate. It was obvious that the management didn't take us seriously and had doubts that we had mice at all. We were thrilled to negotiate an early end to our lease and get out of there. These were our two major issues at Piano Craft, but we also experienced leaks from the ceiling in the middle of the night, repeated fire alarms in the middle of the night, a dispute over an illegitimate charge, and broken HVAC unit half the time. 1 star for the great courtyard, location, great concierge and maintenance staff, and neighbors. But the management is so horrendous, it's just not worth it. read more

We miss you W305! My fiance and I lived at the Piano Craft Guild for a year. A way too short year. We loved the place and can't say enough good about it. Due to our extensive traveling, we moved from our apartment into an RV full-time. But the Guild was a wonderful experience. Other reviewers must not have lived in cities before...cities are noisy and there are bad elements and parking difficulties everywhere. If you live in a large city, you have to be smart...it's that simple. You take precautions and live in safe places. Noise happens...you get used to it. = ) We never felt unsafe in the Guild...ever. There is 24 hour security, locks on the doors, and no one gets passed the awesome security guards. (We miss you, Boyd!) Packages get delivered to you whether you're home or not and all utilities (minus cable) are included. There's a first come-first served parking lot that is convenient and when you can't get in there, a simple resident parking sticker gets you street spaces. The neighborhood is on the upswing with rennovation projects and new businesses moving in (Miss you Parish Cafe!), so it's not the bad side of the some reviewers are making it out to be. The Guild building is amazing, dating back to 1823! The hardwood floors are amazing and well-kept. The exposed brick is charming and the space was perfect for our needs. It's mainly a community of artists, which was great for us since we're an author and photographer. We knew so many of our neighbors and felt like we were part of a community. They even let you decorate your front door any way you please. Ours certainly turned heads! LOL! Simba, Deneen and Jen were wonderful to work with -- always friendly and helpful and were very sad to see us leave. We were sad to leave them too and remember our time there very fondly. Considering it was a 1,200-ish sq ft apartment in downtown Boston (South End), the rent was extraordinary...all utilities, plus parking, security, mail, laundry (you have to pay, of course), events, a courtyard, the chance to garden, close to the Orange and Green lines, etc. We would move back there in an instant! If you're looking for that perfect city apartment experience...surrounded by nice people, look no further than the Guild. read more

My husband and I lived here for one year, and we were SOOOO happy the day we moved out. The apartment space is really unique, and we loved the hard-wood floors and new appliances. There were no bugs or mice, and we felt very safe with the security guard. Furthermore, parking was always easy between the lot behind the building and street parking. Utilities are included which was especially sweet during the summer months. The absolute downside is the NOISE!!! I cannot stress this enough. The floors provided absolutely NO barrier between apartments. We could hear our neighbors upstairs, even when they were being very considerate. Sound travels so well, we felt like we could easily take part in their conversations. At night, I would use a noise machine, which helped greatly. This, of course, meant that our neighbor downstairs could hear us as well. He was an extremely classy individual that would use a broom to violently pound on the ceiling any time he felt we were being too loud. Meaning, when our 12 lb cats would run in the apartment, or when some apples accidentally rolled out of the fridge, or when a 2 yr old niece was visiting on a Saturday afternoon and laughing. He would constantly call the security guard to complain, and when they would knock on our door and realize we weren't making any unavoidable noise, they would apologize. Management attempted to intervene, however, he continued to harass us throughout the year. Needless to say, it was quite stressful, and embarrassing whenever we had guests or family visiting. SO USE CAUTION if you're thinking about signing a lease. I suggest visiting during the evening, so you can get a feel for your neighbors. They are quite sneaky and only let us view the apartment during the daytime..... when everyone is out of the building at work. And hopefully you do not pick an apartment above a troll. read more

Ok after having lived here for a year, I think Jared G's review is, to put it kindly, nonsense. I think he must be embittered or have an axe to grind or something. Yes, sound travels. Otherwise, I've lived here 1 year and counting and have seen no hookers in the hallways, no bodies in the lobby, heard no gunshots, neither my purse or my car has been jacked, management has been completely transparent and helpful, security has been great. I've realized that it is a faster walk into the city than I initially realized, the natural light in my unit is fantastic, I love the parties management throws, I love the art gallery, I LOVE the community room. it's great. read more

Just stunning im amazed at what they did with the terrace and courtyard and the pool ,gym just gorgeous

Construction. All. Of. The. Time. Months of in-unit renovation work happening all around you non-stop with no end in sight. Worse with paper thin walls here. Looks nice, but between the massive rent hikes and the noise I'd avoid this place at all costs. Their sign-on package rate just isn't worth it. read more

Actual worst customer service I've experienced. Was trying to book a tour and the person i spoke with was incredibly rude and shut down every single question i asked and kept talking over me. Not interested in touring there anymore. Their loss. read more

One of the most ridiculous apartment experiences I've had. During the time I lived here ... It took them about 6-8 months to fix the main elevator and when they finally did ... someone defecated in it (seriously). The management can be rude and unhelpful. The walls are paper thin, so you can hear everything - even through the floors. There were problems with bugs and mice. The location is convenient, but can be a little sketchy. I was mugged about a block away and I witnessed someone shot on the sidewalk directly in front of the main entranceway (July, 4th 07). Not the safest place in the city. read more

We moved out after living at Piano Craft for two years. The majority of my 2 star review is a result of the noise, which they weren't transparent about before we signed our lease (and is consistent with nearly every other review). It was an issue for us from day one. Our apartment was on Tremont street, so you listen to a constant stream of sirens. When we weren't listening to sirens, we heard pretty much everything our neighbors next door were doing...including the more intimate moments of their day. When the child above us began walking we had enough and began looking for a new place. Due to the lack of insulation in between floors, a 20 lb. toddler sounded like a 400 pound man. I wish I was exaggerating. There are other issues to consider before you move in: NOISE: Again, extremely loud. Street noise (loudest in summer months), college kids running down the hallways at 1am drunk, neighbors walking / stomping, construction noise from the constant building projects just to name a few. If you live under a child, best of luck maintaining your sanity. Yes, community living means you'll hear your neighbors. However, you shouldn't feel like you're living with them. RODENTS: The last 3 months of our lease, multiple mice took up residence in between us and our next door neighbors and made their way into our ceiling and kitchen through a poorly insulated pipe opening in a wall. However, the bigger issue was the moths. Our closet turned out to be completely infested. By the time we realized it, we had to toss several wool pants, sweaters (apparently moths eat cashmere), and silk blouses all which had been eaten. SAFETY: During our residence, there were 2 murders within a one block radius (one on Columbus and Camden, the other on Tremont and Camden). We woke up to 20 gunshots at around 2am for the first. This building borders Roxbury and as a result the crime and unsavory activity definitely spills over until you reach Mass Ave. We never felt safe walking home after 11pm on any given night. Something to think about if you're a female especially. While the building is supposed to be secure, there were many instances where emergency exit doors were broken / didn't lock and cameras weren't working for weeks. Our car was broken into while in the lot prior to the gate being installed. This was a huge reason we moved out of the area. The pros are that the building is getting a major overhaul (however, there is a lot of noise that comes with that), they're adding amenities all the time and you won't find this type of open space anywhere else in Boston for the price. There is a laundry room, business center, game room and gym going in. Amenities are nice, however, I would encourage anyone considering this place to be honest with yourself about the type of experience you're looking for. If you are someone who likes a quiet, peaceful home...this is most definitely not the place for you. If an open, updated space is your priority, this may be your new home. read more

My husband and I loved living here for a year--the character of the building, laundry, and the parking lot in the back were my personal favorites. A parking spot is not guaranteed, but we don't drive often so our we usually were able to leave it back there. We also loved being close to the orange line. We would have renewed our lease, but we felt the rent was a little more than it should be. We had a duplex, which was more space than we needed, and the rent was being raised to about $2900/month. Utilities are included, but it was still more than we wanted to pay. Management is great. I do wish they would have used an email system to send out information and notices instead of all the paper flyers. They were always very accommodating and responded to our emails whenever we had questions. We love Chris, the security guard. He would get our packages when he saw us coming and was always so friendly. We'll miss him! The annual summer party was really fun--Cookie Monstah and burger food trucks, band, photo booth. Great time. We didn't have any bug/mice/roach problems at all, as mentioned in previous posts. Dislikes: 1) The elevator!! It is unbearably slow and for a building of the size of PCG, one elevator is not enough (excluding the freight elevators, used for moving) and I think it should be first priority to fix the speed of it. 2) The shady people who come out at night. We always felt safe in our building (need a fob to get in, security 5p-8a, being on the 5th floor), but it's definitely not a great area at night. We usually took cabs home if we were going to be out late (rather than the T, which is about two blocks away). 3) Inconsiderate neighbors. The walls are VERY thin, which should be very apparent to everyone, so it's frustrating living next to those who aren't as courteous. We quickly figured out that the neighbor next to us is a single father because his kids would wake us up with their playing and screaming at 7-730a every other Saturday. Ridiculous. The other neighbors, who just moved in, sing loudly throughout the day (and felt it was appropriate to hammer at 130a the day they moved in). So, if you move here, be respectful. Seems pretty obvious though. read more

We had a great 1.5 yrs living in this unique and fun place. The apartments: Clean, beautiful, spacious, all new appliances. Soundproof, well built, and our apt (E405) had beautiful views and more sunlight than we knew what to do with. The value: all utilities included, reasonable rent. The location: walking distance to the green & orange lines, steps from cafes and restaurants of the South End The building: we never took advantage of the art & theater stuff as we should have. The courtyard is awesome and we BBQ'd there every weekend in summer. We parked our car and motorcycle in the parking lot with no problems ever (street parking as option as well). The management: Always very friendly, very responsive. Maintenance super-timely. Ever vigilant security guards to watch over us, haha. Best part, go talk to the mgt directly, see the model apartment, and skip all the brokers and brokers fees. Best $$$ value ever. read more

We had a great 2 years living at the Piano Craft Guild. Sure, it has its quirks which mostly boils down to living around other quirky people, but in all it was a great place to live. Maintenance was always very responsive, and polite, and even helped change a flat tire on our car for my wife when I was out of town. Security was gracious and polite, even helpful when we were trying to figure out who was smoking copious amounts of weed that would filter through the old walls into our toddler's bedroom. It took some time but the smoke eventually stopped. Management was always cool and understanding. We never had any issue with them even when it would have been easy for them to have an issue with us for one reason or another (noisy toddler in the house!). They were always open to dialogue, which we appreciated. At one point we had VERY noisy upstairs neighbors, which we just had to get used to, but we knew what we were in for when we moved into such a large building: Living in close proximity to all types of people. You hear them, you smell them, and sometimes you see them, but in all we have very few issues with neighbors on our floor or around us and when we did, management and security were more than happy to help. Great location, parking lot (first come first serve), loading dock (amazing for move-in-move-out day), huge courtyard park in the center of the building (very child friendly), and a laundry room on the basement level. Storage is available for $50 a month. We quite miss the location, and the familiar faces. After a solid month of looking for a place for our family to live, I'm glad we ended up at the PCG. read more

I've lived in the PCG for about 5 years. After I got used to certain elements, I've found it a very good place to live for a number of reasons. The apartments are generally fantastic, no two the same, with enormous windows, high ceilings (unless you're in a 5th floor unit, which sometimes have a loft which effectively lowers the ceilings), brick walls, wood floors. Kitchen and bathrooms are meh----usually no bathtub or small ones, crappy fake marble and corian countertops with the cheapest veneer cabs, insufficient storage for all but the most minimal kitchen setup. The places do not have closets of any kind, so they provide you with these large rolling ikea wardrobes, but you will have to invest in many large ikea products if you're a normal human with a life and possessions. It's very near where I work, so I can walk. On the way, I walk by CVS, Whole Foods, a liquor store and a hardware store. It's also up the street from many great restaurants on Tremont Street and Washington, and a half block from the Orange Line. I have a piano, and most places in Boston are too small to accommodate a grand, either on the elevators/stairs or in the apartments. So for me it's been very convenient. The pros: * really nice large living spaces with high ceilings for what seemed like exorbitant rents, until I started looking at other places in the neighborhood---welcome to Boston! * utilities included, which saves another $150/month * parking lot without extra charge. no, there aren't enough spaces, but just get a neighborhood parking sticker, look for a space and stop whining. you've got a car and you live in a major city, this is a first world problem * 24-hour concierge; I think they're all lovely, not sure about the rudeness reported by other reviewers. I appreciate that they don't let anyone wander in off the street. * health club including a gorgeous pool * nice shared spaces and art gallery---the theater is gone * elevator building *central grassy area with bocce court and gas BBQ units that anyone can use to grill * no central air but AC units cost $150 for the whole summer * I have lived here for a long time and never had anything bad happen on the street. I walk home every night, through a small park, sometimes at 9/10 PM. * tight ship on management in terms of pests, inspections, etc. maybe that makes them "nazis", but I appreciate it * I like that everyone can paint their door to their specs, it makes it unique, even though it comes off kind of "dorm"-y *you can rent storage unit The cons: * insane street noise, especially on Tremont---it's like a howling shrieking monster most days. I actually changed apartments to get a bedroom on a side street. Get an apartment on the inside if you can't deal with sirens, etc. * insane noise from neighbors. you can hear every word from people upstairs, downstairs and next door. TV, fights, screwing, violin practicing, men talking really loud while women murmur----it's all right there, all the time. earplugs and noise machines help. * the two slowest elevators IN THE WORLD. I wish they'd updated this in their recent remodel, but they went for the sparkly stuff * Overpriced laundry room with the usual messed up machines * I've had two situations with mice, always dealt with immediately, as are all other maintenance problems. No bugs that I've encountered. * halls and shared spaces can be gross. there are a lot of college kids, and a fair number of spoiled rich kids living here, and they seem shocked to have to clean up after themselves, or curtail their noise. They leave piles of recycling in stairwells, because they're too lazy to take it downstairs to the dedicated recycling rooms, etc. There are some pretty weird older people too, though, gotta say. But I like that they give reduced rents to the geriatric artists and musicians living here. Generally, just a typical slice of urban city life, if a bit on the loud and weird side. I got used to it, and most people do. Hope this review helps you find a place you love to live. read more

I have been a resident at Piano Craft Apartment for 5 years from 2003 to present and I never seen anyone get shot in or around the building nor have I or my girlfriend felt unsafe. What the hell is Jared is talking about? I have never heard any negative about this building. I'm cool with my neighbors; Management has always been great!! Yeh, the wall are not thick sometimes I hear my neighbors and they hear me, it's a trade-off. What prostitutes?? I never saw or heard of any ladies of the night in my building. Infested with mice, dude seriously?! Like no other place has mice and if you had a serious problem with bugs and mice then you might want to check yourself !! I wouldn't live here if it were a dive like in Jared's crazy review. read more

My wife and I lived at PCG from June 2008 through November 2012. Our experience there was so thoroughly positive that it deserves a detailed review. The building has the most character of any apartment complex we've seen. It used to be a factory, and still features a lot of original hardwood floor (lovingly maintained) and exposed brick walls. There's a lush courtyard in the middle of the complex, and a first-come, first-served parking lot in the back. There are less parking spaces than tenants, so a little luck helps - but hey, it's off-street parking in Boston, and it's included in the rent, as are utilities. There's an art gallery on the first floor which hosts monthly exhibitions, and a theater around back, plus sundry small businesses catering to the local artistic community. Altogether the building has personality in spades, and we hope it never changes. Building management is pleasant, professional and responsive. PCG is a big place, and we think management deserves a lot of credit for working with a wide variety of tenants and keeping them happy. In our dealings with management, we found them not just professional, but also kind, understanding and flexible - on everything from little stuff like me needing the freight elevator on short notice, to rent negotiations and when we had to break the lease. Building maintenance is likewise pleasant and professional, and in our experience responded to maintenance requests within 24 hours. They seem to be around the place more or less full-time, which gave us confidence that any issues we had would be taken care of. As a tenant, that's a nice feeling to have. Security is a particular plus point at PCG, mainly because the head of security is an institution, knows all the tenants by name, and basically helps keep the place running smoothly. The security office also accepts packages, which you can pick up any time day or night. One minor quibble is that PCG has its fair share of fire alarms - once every few months or so. You can tell who recently moved into the building by who goes outside when the bells go off. After the first couple of false alarms, people get the message and start ignoring them, which is fine so long as a real fire never happens. The location of PCG is outstanding. It's within two blocks of the Orange, Green and Silver lines, each of which gets you downtown in minutes. The South End, the Prudential Center, Copley Square, Boylston and Newbury streets, the river, and the city parks are all within easy walking distance, and with a bike it's not even sporting. You can walk to grocery stores, bars, restaurants, live music, a shopping mall and whatever else within minutes. Basically the walkability score of this place is off the charts. We never used a car except for the airport and road trips. It's an urban progressive's dream. In sum, we loved every day of our 4+ years at PCG, and if we ever move back to Boston it's the first place we'll look. We recommend PCG without qualification to anybody looking for good value, great quality of life and something different from the usual cookie-cutter living quarters. read more

My partner and I lived in Piano Craft for one year and the truth is, I might never again find such a wonderful, creative and just plain cool building as this home was. My apartment was a beautiful space surrounded with an inspiring artistic atmosphere full of energy I had only dreamed of in my writing. I know, I know, this sounds too good, but after years of wanting to move back to Boston, I just never imagined finding such a haven in the middle of the city. I mean, where else can you stroll down the hallway and admire the art on apartment doors? Or sit in a community park in the center of the buildings and have a daily mini-getaway? Did I mention parking, in-building laundry and so close to, honestly, everything? I didn't have enough time to truly appreciate the gallery or the theater that also reside in the building (!), but we have the fondest memories living there. Fortunately, I got into Masters program. Unfortunately, it wasn't in Boston. So we had to move, but we still talk about this wonderful experience and I certainly urge anyone and everyone to at least go take a look at the place...you'll most definitely live there soon after. read more

This place reminds of a college dorm....a VERY expensive...loud...dorm! 1. College parties that goes on late at night 2. The smell of smoke and pot in the hall ways 3. If you are unlucky, you will hear your neighbors next door having sex, talk or really LOUD footsteps above your head (VERY poor insulation) 4. Management is rude and very unhelpful 5. For rent that average $2,000, last thing you'd expect is mouse in your unit. If you are going to pay a lot of money to live in the city, this is not a good investment for you. It was just a really bad experience and a huge waste of money altogether. read more

I lived here for 6 years in the 80's. Probably the best place I've ever lived because of the courtyard, laundry facilities, parking (at least there's a lot), security, loading dock, gallery and community room. The individual apartments are unique and very nice. Wood floors and exposed brick. On the bad side, there is definitely a mice and roach problem. I thought the mgmt team had favorites in the building during the tie I lived there. All in all, as an artist residence, it was really great! read more

I VERY MUCH regret moving into this sh*thole. It looks like a 90s dorm in the halls. It smells like a bar - every single night I smell my neighbors smoking coming through the vent. It sounds like a brothel since the paper thin walls don't block out much. Plus I'm pretty sure the upstairs neighbor lives in stilettos. Management is unresponsive and occasionally just rude. Do not live here. Oh and the "free tenant parking lot" spot to Tenant ratio is like 1:100 ... don't plan on getting a spot. read more

I think it is a charming place, just avoid the units facing Northampton Street. The gas station gets deliveries via truck very late at night and it leaves through Northampton Street rather then heading out on Tremont. That is noisy and very difficult to get used too. read more

A friend of mine lives here And I visited occasionally and EVERY SINGLE TIME the doormen were inexcusably rude. Often interregating when I would come in to visit...I know my friend hates it there too. He describes the management as toxic and fascist. read more

Great place to live. Well maintained, well thought through amenities, some really great spaces to live in (although quality varies quite a lot). read more

This is the worst facade of a legitimate building. I say that knowing that yes, there are a lot of spaces that are worse, but for the presentation that the management company gives, this is definitely not what it seems to be at first glance. It's loud- you can hear everything around you at all times. Not only if your unit is sharing a side with a street (I hear plenty of trucks, people, cars, rumblings, whatever) but I hear things that go on two floors above me. I hear people outside of my unit in the hallway. I can feel them walking, even. It's thin walls, and thin floors. Further, I can smell everything that my neighbors cook to speak to the thin walls complaint. Currently the people two floors above me are imitating elephants with what seems like a home improvement project on their hands. It's ridiculous. Oh,and about the smells? In a lot of hallways on most days it smells like pot, but the security guards don't really do anything. The weekend security guard probably doesn't act because he smells like pot, and spends most of the day with watery red eyes, in a very confused state talking on his phone. I don't like the way that you receive packages here. Instead of just picking them up, you get a cute little slip of paper and you come down to a booth during certain hours to receive it. It's inconvenient that when I want my things, I have to wait to get it, in a way that resembles summer camp or a dorm. The laundry room closes at 11 p.m. because apparently that's past our curfew. The management company is a joke. For people that are only the middle men -not the owners, not the rentor, they hold themselves in high esteem. And when they further the image that they are professionals, what they really mean is that they mastered khakis, hard soled shoes, and answering phones. But when they do pick up the phone you get more attitude than you deserve. Or even should receive period. Professionals in an industry where they haven't invested money like an owner, or a rentor, should be better about customer service. Their money isn't at stake, but you would swear that you're wasting their time by living here and funneling in money that supports their paychecks. The maintenance staff literally has no ability. The only time something has gotten done is when they've had to call someone else in. And the security guards are a joke. The ones there during weekdays are old, and the ones available on weekends, besides the one that's always high, could possibly provide protection but they aren't around enough. So all in all, ineffective. They guard packages if nothing else. The neighborhood is alright. Kind of sketchy sometimes, but that could happen anywhere I suppose. It's not at the heart of the South End. It's more like Mission Hill. I hate that the company furthers a false image. If they didn't, I wouldn't have anything to complain about. Coming into it, you know that you get what you pay for. This is a place that puts up a false front. I know that a lot of people really like it here, and that their standards have been met, but I am personally meticulous, and I can see the wear and tear and the issues that aren't addressed. If you really notice detail, you can do better. If you're generally fine with whatever's tossed your way, then I'm sure you'll be fine. Oh, and my real estate agent told me that they discriminate against leasing to people in certain legal professions because they don't want to be called on code violations. So that should speak volumes, no? read more

If you're looking for an industrial modern loft apartment, with access to public transportation, downtown Boston, a free tenant-only parking lot (!), and the South End cuisine scene, than the Piano Craft Guild is a fantastic option. The staff was always professional and courteous, and we always felt safe (an important feature since we have two small kids). read more

My son lived there for two years, we have had a very good experience. The lofty apts are great,lots of natural light.There is a beautiful garden to have a cookout, walking distance to most everything. On-site management team that were very nice and helpful.Boston is not a cheap town but for what you got it was a good deal. read more

I have nothing nice to say about these apartments. Hopefully this will alert potential renters that they may want to consider ALL other options before resorting to this experience. There is an incredible amount of hidden damage due to prior floods, mold and mildew problems, and pests. Last winter we listened to rats scurry through the walls each night. This summer, all we smell is mold coming through the windows from the moldy concrete below. Since I've been here, the worst of what has happened to me (personally, not hearsay): 3am break-in in which security refused to call police, car vandalized in parking lot, property damage from laundry room(BLEACH poured into a load), theft from deck, leaks that rival rainfall, held at gunpoint at gas station next door, and my favorite, management specifically approving wood-burning grills when asked by residents, then sending a letter around a week later (after they'd all been purchased and used) saying they're illegal. Please reconsider if you are looking here. Check the price and see what you can do elsewhere. And if all else fails and you do check out an apartment here, remember that a "one"- or "two" bedroom listing only describes sq,ft, and not actual rooms, industrial carpeting instead of hardwoods and damaged sheetrock walls are NOT unique here, the lighting in each unit is flourescent tubes, like school or work, and the vacancy rate climbs as the units fall apart and rent continues to increase by 11% annually. read more

I agree with the negative reviews. Lived here for a year and it was an entirely unpleasant experience. The building has a huge mouse problem and management is unresponsive to it. Being on the "other" side of Mass Ave there are plenty of undesirables loitering around and there were several car break-ins and arrests on Camden St while I lived here. There's also always a lot of police activity in the area. Parking is a nightmare. Management is all smiles and very little else. Had a broken fixture when I moved in, reported it to them and when I moved out it was still broken. Do yourself a favor and either pay for a better place in the South End or move to a nicer neighborhood further out (Brookline, JP, etc). Not worth the money. Wish I had kept my previous apartment a few blocks away and not moved here. read more