Excellent building, friendly staff, enjoyable events, fun neighbors We have lived here on a few occasions and never have been let down. The building is well maintained and the staff is friendly. Very convenient location to Tanner Springs park and the streetcar. Turtle Island Development really did a good job on this one. Jen and Harold in the office do a great job. One year they gave a rent refund as they lowered the rents and still gave a great community barbecue. They always seem to advocate for the local businesses in town and often have resident luncheons. Cons: Only one, the waiting list The waiting list is rather lengthy, first time it took two years and the second time two and a half years to get an apartment. Jeff, the maintenance supervisor and his continual optimism will be missed read more

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I have lived at the Sitka for six years and have been so grateful that I cleared the waitlist!! It is the best apartment complex in the Pearl as far as I am concerned. The two buildings face a very nice courtyard, we have three parks within 2 blocks (Jameson, Fields Park -with enclosed dog park- and Tanner Springs Park). The management try very hard to answer questions and requests, there are handymen on staff who will repair and/or install in the apartments and pre-Covid the management hosted celebrations off and on throughout the year (Christmas, 4th of July, etc.). The units are so well made (Leeds Platinum certified) so it is very quiet and comfortable during the cold winter months. I can't recommend this nice place highly enough..... Linda Miller read more

I recently moved into the Sitka a few months ago and have been very happy with the professionalism of the staff, condition of the unit at move-in, safe feel of the area, and of course the location! This building is right in the Heart of the Pearl and near parks, transit, and many good restaurants. At this price level (income restricted), it is hard to find a better value in this area than at the Sitka. I did have to sit on a waitlist for nearly two years, but the timing worked out and the wait was definately worth it. A six month lease is all that is required and then it goes to month-to-month. This is very helpful considering most other apartments require long lease signing and will not do month-to-month without charging a lot more. There is currently construction on both sides of the building where a 28 story condo and market-rate apartment complex are coming up. This has increased the daytime noise/dust level in the area. Fourtunately my interior apartment facing the courtyard provides some quiet relief. Room assignment is purely based on what they have available at the time so I think I just got lucky here! When the construction stops the outward facing apartments will be more desireable again. One suggestion for management is...please allow Rent to be paid online. Coming down to pay with a paper check is very "old school". read more

I recently moved away from The Sitka (into a house) but I still miss it! I lived in the West building for three years with my little dog, and never had any issues. And! I just got a fat deposit check back (always an unexpected yet awesome surprise in the rental game). Jen and Barb are super easy to work with, and have been there since before my time. The comment made on constantly changing staff is the one person up front, who has been rotated out three times, but is an assistant not the leasing agent. Repairs were always made promptly, notice was always given before entering the apartment, and they were kind enough to make a partial garage space available for my motorcycle at a super low price. My rent only went up about $5 per year, and utilities are wonderfully cheap (roughly $25/month for power and $10/month for water). We all use Yelp for bashing, but you should know there are those of us who loved living here! Mostly late 20s-30s singles and couples sans children (a few kids here and there, but none on my floor). SUPER dog friendly! read more

I have lived in numerous apartments for the past 12 years in Portland and in Atlanta. I moved to The Sitka during the pandemic about 4 months ago. I have had nothing but positive encounters with management. They have without exception been pleasant responsive and helpful. Thank you Sitka management. This is a very difficult time for all of us and a smile and pleasant disposition are especially noticed and appreciated. Thanks. GKeith read more

Don't plan on getting your deposit back at this facility. The manager claims that it costs nearly $200 to clean a 600 sq ft apartment. Keep in mind, the apartment was cleared, by the management, as having no damage and considered in normal condition. I'll let you decide as to what a fair price is for cleaning 3 small rooms, but if its $200, then I think we all need to change professions. To be fair, the move-out is way less critical than other aspects of the experience. However, this business is unequivocally gouging the very customers that support them. Having lived in other apartment buildings in Portland, my advice is to go somewhere else. read more

After reading some negative reviews I felt it was necessary to shine a positive light on The Sitka. Like most, I waited on a waitlist that lasted over 3 years. Once I was finally contacted by the complex unfortunately for me, the timing was off and I was in-between work and not in a place to accept an offer. I communicated my interest but that I wasn't in the best place financially to consider moving as I had made some major career changes and were pursuing new ventures. I won't get in to too much detail but my experiences has been a really positive one. Janai has been very pleasant to work with. She is great with communication and has been a lot of help with addressing any questions/concerns. While going through the application process I felt compassion to difficult situations I have been going through and at one point the manager named Sheri came out and introduced herself to me and was also very hospitable. She listened to concerns of mine and tried to come up with solutions which were and are greatly appreciated. Very grateful for the service that Janai and Sheri provide and only have positive things to say. read more

I have been touring many different places to live as I am moving from out of state mostly staying with friends. I was lured in by the claims of affordable living and sustainable design, all lies. A previous resident gave me a tour before they moved out a few months ago. It was shocking what I discovered really was inside. I was about to get on their waiting list but hesitated with good reason. Through my numerous calls to their office in my search for a new home, they just never picked up the phone. I emailed and tried to get an application without response for weeks. A few residents mentioned that they were seriously wondering if there is a legitimate waiting list at all or if they just give the apartments to the people that they like. The stairways and lobbies were littered with hypodermic needles and used condoms, the halls were dimly lit, and the smells were terrible. It felt like a haunted house. The fireplaces were off without any way of turning them on. It looked like there were lots of potential things to offer but no follow through. My friend mentioned that it wasn't always that way; just some years are better than others. We took a trip on one of the rickety elevators that were full of profane remarks and letters from the residents taped to the walls. Letters of people's complaints to the staff, asking people to email the management company Pinnacle begging for change. It was horrific to see this many upset tenants in just the elevator. In the middle of the sparkling pearl district it was as if you walked into a third world country. When we got to the apartment, it was clear that maintenance had not been in there in many months if not years; the problems with the place were terrible. Appliances were clearly broken, plumbing clearly didn't work, and the electricity was questionable. The resident mentioned that they had attempted numerous times to get the place fixed. It was shocking to see the truth inside. It was incredibly noisy, pounding and shaking, from near by construction. I don't know why anyone would want to call this their home when they live through an earthquake everyday. Then the neighbors seemed very agitated, shouting angry words echoing into the apartment. It felt like an insane asylum. The entire building seemed to be leaning; the foundation must be cracking or something. When you would open any door or cabinet, the sheer tilt of the apartment would make the door close by its self. For a new construction this seems a little disturbing. Not to mention all of the awful abusive messages and emails the landlord left when this person requested assistance. Talk about abusive and willful misconduct by the landlord. It is no wonder this person was leaving. When the person rented the apartment they were promised a 24 hour telephone line for service and lockouts. Many of the neighbors complained that this never actually happened and they were locked out all night in the cold. You know what they say, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I called on my own behalf to the "Pinnacle corporate office", what a story. They took my complaint as though I was just another numbered strip of paper of the thousands making the same complaints. I tried to go to the office to help my friend out and was met by brutal aggression by the staff. I am personable and friendly. They were rude and disrespectful unable to give me a glimpse of their attention. The hate they expressed is more than reasonable for an already difficult situation. All of the promises they make when you move in quickly turn to lies with time when you question them about their inadequacies. I hope that new management takes over soon or this place will be a sad rundown building for years to come. If you value the safety of your family, the sanity of your neighbors, or the wellbeing of yourself, this place might not be for you. It feels like transitional housing for refugees, lots of tents with meager food and water portions without any real sincerity. Renter Beware read more

I lived here for a year and a half and was an excellent renter. Rent was always on time, I was clean, quiet, never complained (even when I was inspected 4 times in my first year). Getting in was ridiculous - I literally had to go through six months of bank records and explain every insurance payment made and any money put into my account. It took two months of back and forth before I finally got the keys. But living there was good, no complaints. My issue right now is that I moved out and relocated to Nevada on May 19. I gave my notice and, as requested, provided them a forwarding address. I then received an email from the management company asking for my forwarding information, so again, I provided it. I called two weeks after leaving to inquire about how long it would take for the return of my security deposit, and I was told 30 days after move out. So I wait and the 25th comes and still no check, so I call around 2 pm and am told he'll get back to me tomorrow. He calls me today to tell me they sent my check to my old address (the address I just moved out of. THEIR ADDRESS. THEIRS!) even though I provided my new address TWICE. Apparently, they just assume you're going to forward your mail, so they don't bother looking at the forwarding address you provide them. I told him I never even changed my address, and have always just had my mail sent to my parents house. So now he has to track down my check and forward it to my address - which I had to give for a third time. I finally got my check (7/18) 60 freaking days after I moved out. I had to harass them into sending it to me. Turns out Oscar in the front office lied to me about having the first one cancelled and a new one sent. I had to practically harass Pinnacle (the management company for this place) into sending me a new check. When I did contact them, they told me the first check was still outstanding and was never cancelled and a new one had never been sent out. I got my check today and there is $273 taken out of it.. but absolutely zero explanation as to why. So I call the manager, Sheri, and I was charged $105 for cleaning and $75 for carpet cleaning. I told her my mom, who owned her own cleaning business for 15 years, cleaned the place for me, the only thing she forgot was the microwave. Of course, Sheri argued with me stating I had left the whole place a mess. I would NEVER leave an apartment a mess. She also tried to defend herself for sending the check to the wrong address, blaming me that she didn't have a forwarding address, even though I provided it before I moved. And not to mention, they have my phone number. I'm beyond disgusted with this place. They're just another sleazy apartment complex in Portland preying on their low income tenants. I'm considering suing them for the 29 day delay in the return of my deposit as well as not providing a written explanation as to where the money went - two things against Oregon law. read more

Great housing, love the atmosphere! We love the warm summer days and the cozy little apartments that they have. The neighborhood is busy with lots of activity. The wait list is a little longer than most. read more

I visited the property with a friend a few weeks ago. What atrocious service we received. We were treated with disrespect and the agents were very unfriendly. They gave another couple a tour but when we asked for a tour, they stated that they did not give tours. What a joke, discriminatory and degrading! Absolutely horrible service! Very unsatisfied! read more

Maybe I care too much about customer satisfaction or safety but this place is downright gross and disgusting. It looks nice from the outside. However once you sign away your life and give them all of your personal financial documents in a wildly confusing process, its downhill from there. When you actually need something, normally people go to the office or call the office. This business does not follow this practice. If you are lucky enough to go in the office when they are there, the office is closed random times of the day for no apparent reason. Any interaction with the office people is rotten; they always seem bothered by any questions or requests. I have had conversations with the top of their heads as they "message their friend real quick or just check Facebook." They will not respond or assist you in anyway, unless you are late on your rent, they will help you out the door quickly. I had my bicycle stolen from one of their secured bike rooms with video cameras. I went to ask them to get the video and they said they were too busy and had more important things to do. After 3 months of following up one of the girls told me that the camera was broken on that day. How convenient! I am now out 1500$ for my bike and they didn't bat an eyelash. The downright arrogance of the staff is absurd; they must feel that their low prices justify expendable tenants. If you can't live in a sleeping bag on the floor infested with mold, bed bugs, and small rats. They suggest you move some place else. A word of caution, don't move here, or as they would say, "move some place else and we will find someone else that will take your spot." read more

Rude and lazy property manager. I qualify for low income housing and know the waiting lists for decent places can be very long. I filled out a physical application and dropped it off in person to the property/office manager and we had a brief conversation regarding the wait list. I was told to call every month and that will keep my name active/current and at the top of the list, but of course behind those that were already in front of me. I called about a month later and it was as if this interaction has never happened. The PM claimed to not have my name on the list or have my physical paperwork, he also wasn't very concerned about it and I had to explain to him that this was the office's mistake that you can not penalize someone else for that. He attempted to take down my information but couldn't even spell my name or number right after I told him repeatedly. I called back a few days later and he reluctantly added me back to the list, still not knowing where my application was. A month later the SAME situation ensued except I got an attitude from him instead of apathy, not sure which is worse. When I told him that was the second time this has happened he literally said 'don't start with me little girl'. What an asshole, I would never trust these people with my home or money. read more

I went apartment hunting per the recommendation of my case-worker coming from a DA situation. The Sitka is one of the buildings that takes section 8. I wanted to get more information about the rooms available, floor plans, utilities, details. The lady that helped me was unconscionably rude to me. I was shocked at how belittled I could feel by mentioning my disability at a housing project. The lady made me feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome in the office. I tried to ask questions but her responses were very vague. I felt that they wanted me to leave so they could get on gossiping about me behind my back. I went home to cry and feel very discouraged by this establishment. I heard very positive things but did not see them. read more

Full time construction site, loud noise at all hours, paper thin walls, inconsiderate office people, feels like we live at a zoo. Moving as soon as our lease is up. read more

This is an excellent building, great staff and maintenance is outstanding. They are always replacing or improving things in the building, so it never looks run down or dumpy like other low-income buildings. Residents are considerate and normal people. Before you accept a unit, ask which side of the building you will be on. We are having huge construction projects on the east and north side of the buildings (condos). You WILL be driven crazy by the 7am wakeup call of cement trucks beeping and running the engines, plus power saws and hammers. Earplugs don't work. Sometimes they start at 6am. This carries on thruout the day in all weather (Saturdays too! 7am every Sat.), and they will finish the construction in summer 2016. You'll want a Sitka unit on the courtyard facing sides of either building during construction. These will cost more in rent btw. Don't take a unit facing the streets until construction is finished, unless you're gone during the day. If you're at work all day, you won't be bothered by it. If you like to sleep in or do night shift or work from home, you've been warned. read more

Maybe my expectations are too high because I run a small business where service means a lot. I feel that although the apartments are nice and the area is also nice, the experience is also based on interactions with the landlord. Maybe it was my car getting vandalized in their "secured" parking garage and Sitka had the guy holding my stuff on their cameras and chose to do nothing about it. Maybe it was that they forced me to clean up my own broken glass after said incident...or when I got my bicycle stolen from under their cameras with similar follow-up. Perhaps it was the fact that any time I called to the front to have something solved or to get a question answered I never got a return call from the management. Not once. I had to pester them to bat an eye at me anytime I needed anything which mind you was not much. As a low maintenance, paying tenant I figured I'd have a bit more significance to them. And in all of this I really don't know know who's responsible because their staff had changed almost every time I walked in the office. This place has potential but there needs to be more responsibility at the front office. There are other specifics but I'll keep it general, this place has a huge waiting list of people waiting to take your spot. I think maybe it's gotten to their heads. If you want friendly landlords I'll guess you'd probably have to look somewhere not in the city....I know. But still...there were times I was left with a pretty bad taste. I'll miss living at the Sitka because it is a beautiful building and in a beautiful area but that's the extent that I'll miss. read more

I stayed at the Sitka for a few nights for a reasonable fee of 145$ a night through AirBnB.com. The property manager was nonchalant and able to aid me in my stay. I was able to drop off the payment and pick up the keys on my arrival. Very simple! Much easier experience than some of the other AirBnB rentals out there. The community was a little noisy but otherwise a good value. The Sitka is a favorable spot instead of a hostel. Highly recommended for tourists!!! read more

Even after living 7 years at this apartment building, it cost me $600+ in lost deposits. I had 3 friends that all took their names off the wait list after I shared my experience with the management and their practices of doing business. They want you to think that they are working for the public good because there are several income restricted units in the building. Management will nickle & dine you to death with charges for water, sewage, parking, storage, etc. I've been burned so have no intention of EVER returning. read more