I have never written a yelp review before in my life... I actually joined yelp! just to pen this gem... I felt someone needed to speak up about some things addressed in prior reviews/going on at the Kens/the surrounding area. (and to note, I am not writing this for a $100 gift card, or Bruin's tickets - I'm a season ticket holder and have never stepped into a GNC in my life... I don't even know what GNC stands for.. I honestly believe most of the people living at the Kens like the staff enough to write genuinely positive reviews, as on a daily basis they go above and beyond for US... so, really, what's 10 minutes out of my day?) 1) Yes, we don't live in the greatest neighborhood downtown - but if you don't like it, you probably should have done some research before you moved to Boston. Anyone in the area could have told you we're not on Newbury Street, but I'm a 130lb female, and I feel relatively safe walking around the area at night... and our staff does a really REALLY good job at keeping the alley way and the front doorway safe. Other than that, it's not their job to clean up the neighborhood. It's just not. Also, if you have an issue trying to get somewhere, the door staff will LITERALLY walk you to your location so that you feel safe.. It's a trade off, mediocre block, for exceptional service. (Side note, the bouncers at the "clubs" next store are also really protective of the residents at the Kens, and if you make friends, they will look out for you) . 2) I've talked to A LOT of people in the building and no one I know has ever had issues with maintenance. In fact, we had a toilet bowl crack, and literally had a new toilet in like 2 hours. A BRAND NEW TOILET... If you're not getting prompt service, maybe consider being a little nicer... It's like being in a bar. If you snap at the bartender, they probably aren't going to service you. As far as construction, my parents who have worked in that industry for 30+ years came to look at the place before I moved in and gave the "okay" on all the fixtures, countertops, etc.. We had one issue with the faucet which was fixed in 10 minutes. - Sure they sped up to get the project done, there are going to be some issues... But that's with any building in Boston. The goal is to make money - welcome to the real world. 3) Disorganization. Sure - on New Year's eve we reserved the guest suite and they ended up double booking it. BUT, do you know what they did? - They cleaned and made up the model apartment and comped the stay of our guests. - I'd say they handled it relatively well. You don't just build a startup company and immediately go public. You take the time to test things, see what works and what doesn't... and improve as you go. I truly believe they will continue to do that. 4) Staff - The staff here is HANDS DOWN the best in the city. Char, Gary, Harrison, Roy, Naj, Jason, Drew, Mindy, Ali, Monica, Paul, Joe, etc... (even the occasional fill ins like Jovan/Nabil) know me, my dog, my friends, my family... If I asked one of them to go get me a sandwich, they probably would... They are so under appreciated, and some of the guests in and out of the building should really take the time to say hello, or just thank them for kicking ass everyday. 5) Finally, price. - Sure - it's pricey. You're living in a high rise, one-block from the Boston common in one of the most expensive cities on the east coast. But think about it - let's deduct your gym membership, pool membership, sell your car (if you're working downtown), subtract any of the deals you may have gotten upon move in, hire yourself a personal assistant who takes care of all your dry cleaning, mail, and packages, AND walks your dog for you... You're in a pretty good spot, I'd say. I have friends in Archstones and other buildings that pay the same if not more and pretty much get nothing. - I've already had 2 couples (friends) with dogs move into this building based on my recommendation from those other properties. All of that being said, is this building for everyone? No, absolutely not. - But to blast it because of things you can't control like the neighborhood is absurd... I would recommend to anyone looking for a place to live, doing a little research and checking it out. You're a block from the center of everything ...You've got a pool, a gym, a 24/7 someone that will pretty much do whatever you need.. and a common space that even impresses my friends (I have some pretty unenthusiastic friends) .. I'd say you've got gold. read more

We have always been happy with our choice to move here. The staff goes over and beyond what you would expect, plus, it's a lot of fun. Looking back at a year's worth of amazing parties hosted by the building, the times I enjoyed sitting by the pool and patio last summer, to the many business meetings that I held in one of the two Kensington conference rooms, it must have been that long, but it's gone fast. It feels like a warm, welcoming community here, not just for us, but for our dog, who is adored by all, and who enjoys his showers in the dog grooming room. When returning after a dog walk, we are greeted with dog treats, fresh fruit and a big welcome by the concierges, who are all both helpful and congenial. This doesn't even approach what occasionally goes on in the lobby at various times with free shoeshines, hand massages or manicures! Everything you need is here; a gym, a pool, a lovely common area for parties and meeting your friends as well as a beautiful "unplugged" room where you are guaranteed a quiet place to work or read. Our apartment has ample closet space and built-in cupboards in the bathrooms for towels and linens. There is pretty much a place for everything, plus what we don't use much, we store in our included storage locker. Although our dog doesn't use it, there is a doggie relief room (I wish he would use it on cold days) but I know that it is appreciated by the other dog owners. We love the light in our apartment which is a corner unit overlooking the Common and downtown as well as enjoying incredible sunsets. We can see Cambridge and the Charles River as well as little bits of Boston Harbor. I can see everything going on at the Common, including New Years Eve fireworks directly out of our window and the Patriot's Super Bowl Parade as it turned onto Tremont Street. In the rare times that we've needed something fixed, the issues were resolved almost immediately. We love the location since we are in the middle of everything in a walkable city. It is convenient to the T, theater, Chinatown, shopping, and walkable to the North End, Seaport, South Boston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and the Esplanade. We walk just three blocks to the grocery and have the food delivered...it's so easy. There's also a fascinating Asian market across the street. On Mondays, we buy top-notch produce from a farmer's market in our lobby. We also enjoy the indoor parking and the fact that we are close to Route 93 and the Mass Pike for out of the city outings. It's a young building and we are older than most, but I've never felt out of place or excluded. What can I say? We feel like we are truly being taken care of beyond what is usually provided in even a luxury building, and The Kensington a great place to live. read more

We are in our second year at the Kensington and could not be happier. This place is unique and stands out because of the amazing staff, the great amenities, and the comfortable living space. I have never lived anywhere with such great customer service. From the moment you enter the building you are greeted by the concierge who always have a smile on their face and happy to help with whatever we need. They know us and our dog by name and when we have visitors are friendly to them as well. A few months ago on a Sunday we had shelving in our closet break. Likely we had too much weight on the shelve for it to hold. I called the office and told them what had happened. Within 20 minutes we had a member from the maintenance team, Adam, in our apartment. He looked at the shelving and said he would be back the next day to replace it with new shelving. Within 24 hours he was back and replaced the shelve. I was shocked at his promptness at fixing the problem and we were not charged. The closet shelf broke a few days later and this time special shelving was ordered for our closet that to this day is still up and working! This is just one example of all of the great service we get here. All of the staff are great and stride to make sure the residents are happy and pleased with living at the Kensington. The amenities are also amazing. We use the pool and grill daily in the summer. The gym is top notch with lots of new equipment and space. We have a dog and use the groom room on a regular basis. If you have a dog I would say you cannot find anywhere that does a better job welcoming them. There are frequently events such as Yappy Hour and Barkfast that are fun events organized by Drew in the office for the resident's pups. Lastly, the shared space in the building is always clean. We never hear loud noises from the street or our neighbors. I work night shift and sleep often during the day and do not hear any noises. The appliances are up to date. I love having a washer and dryer in our apartment. If you need a more heavy duty washer there is a shared one on the 6th floor that is free of charge to use. If you are thinking about moving here I would say DO IT! We love it here and are loving our second year at the Kensington! read more

I've lived at the Kensington for three years now and can't imagine calling anywhere else "home." Since it's difficult to truly evaluate a space until you've had the benefit of time, I thought a review from a long-time resident might be helpful to someone in the middle of the apartment hunt. I had looked at a number of other luxury apartment buildings in the city before I ultimately chose to live at the Kensington. The facilities were impeccably well kept, the location was unbeatable (within steps from both the orange and the green line and a 10 minute walk to South Station), and it's one of the few apartment buildings in the city with a roof deck pool. Above these amenities, the Kensington community is what makes the Kensington stand out far above the other luxury apartment buildings in Boston. Each member of the concierge team and staff makes it a point to get to know the building's residents, and they consistently go the extra mile to make living here wonderful. My fiance and I experience this everyday, and especially this year when they single-highhandedly saved our engagement party. To celebrate our engagement this year, we had reserved a function space at a local hotel to host a party for 40 of our friends. When the function space decided to cancel our event on two day's notice, and every other space we called could not accommodate, we we didn't know where to turn. We finally decided that we'd need to hold the event at our home, and called the leading office to ask if the building's communal space was available that night. They were miracle workers! They sprung to action after hearing our story, and worked their magic - calling a nearby steakhouse and booking a fantastic room for us that would fit all of our guests. Without an even an ask, they saved our night and made it a memorable time for us and our friends. The Kensington staff goes above and beyond like this consistently. They are truly extraordinary at what they do and strengthens the community within the building. The first three years here have been spectacular, and I'm looking forward to renewing for a fourth! read more

I have been happy here. I came here 3 years ago on a blizzard day. Mindy Fiesler from the Kensington office showed me as many apartments as I could see, explained the price difference, the maps, and everything about the building, and offered a promotion as well. I signed the lease in 24 hours and I've been here since then. I know it is stressful to choose a new place, so I am going to just share what I like about Kensington and why I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a friendly and safe environment. The management team and the office team really do care about the tenants. They listen, they reply to all our emails and they make the changes and modifications the tenants ask for. The concierge team are like family to us. They make sure the moment we step in, we are happy, and comfortable. I have seen them many times standing outside the building when it is crowded outside, or during snow days to make sure we come in safely. The building is very well-maintained. There is an absolutely amazing gym, which is my favorite thing about Kensington, the lounge is wonderfully nice and comfortable, and there is friendliness and privacy at the same time for everybody. I like it that all tenants are being treated with respect. As we're still on the maintenance, if there is ever anything that needs repair, you just drop an email or inform the concierge, and it is taken care of and you will be notified via email. There are many events every month which create excellent opportunities to get to know other tenants and form friendships. Mail delivery is very accurate and easy. Moving in is very easy as well. That is something you can cross off your concerns list. Again, if you are looking for an apartment, I recommend you come in, take a tour and see how you're going to love it. read more

I rented my apartment, sight unseen. I moved in July 2014, and wow, I could NOT be happier with the place I now call home! I have lived in the Kensington for 5 months. My one bedroom apartment is well designed and beautifully constructed with hard wood floors throughout, modern kitchen, in-unit washer and dryer, floor to ceiling windows in every room, and more... The building is everything I could wish for in luxury apartment living in Boston. The outside is grand and very conveniently located. I can walk to the North End, South End, West End, Back Bay, the Commons, and everywhere in between, in mere minutes. The interior decor of the building is modern, chic, and always impeccably clean. The amenities are top rated, from the gym to the pool and pool deck, to the outdoor grill and large screen TV and plush outdoor seating, to the conference room and designated 'quiet areas', as well as the "Club" common areas meant for relaxation and fun with friends and neighbors. This is true luxury living here at the Kensington! Not least of all, the staff at the Kensington is extraordinary. The management staff, the concierge personnel and the maintenance crew are always available and eager to make your home the best it can be. I love the regular events including "Breakfast on the Run" at least once monthly with complimentary breakfast and coffee to go, and the "Wine Down Wednesdays" evening social events where neighbors and guests can mingle over free drinks and eats. Life at the Kensington is easy, fun, and luxurious, and there is no place else like the Kensington to call home in Boston! read more

My company moved me into the Kensington when I relocated to the city for a project. Holy Crow - it's the niceest place I've ever lived and probably will ever live for a long time! The building is brand new and everything is top of the line. The location is primo as well. It's cool being just on the corner of Chinatown while also sitting on the corner of the park and in the theater district- you get to have a foot in all worlds- it's really vibrant. I was afraid that the new apartment would feel "cookie cutter" and devoid of character but they've finished everything out with both style and care. I have a corner unit with floor to ceiling windows on two walls of living space - which is beautiful! Additionally, all (and I mean all) of the staff is super accomodating and welcoming and have made me feel really cared for in a city where I don't know anyone else. Our gym is first class, the pool is beautiful, and the building has an entire (beautiful) floor dedidicated as living/social space with meeting rooms, quiet rooms, a sun room and a full kitchen for more sizable get togethers. Lots of different kinds of people live here (except undergrads, sorry!) and I've been really pleased to meet young professionals as well as families in my hall and on the elevator (lots of nurses, investors, consultants, and graduate students.) Additionally, the building accepts pets (non-aggressive breeds of dogs) and while I don't have a dog - it's nice to see them coming in and out of the building. Oh also- it seems the insulation/sound proofing is really good- I never hear the neighbors. read more

My partner chose the building when we moved from out of state, having visited colleagues who lived here for short or long periods of time for their work and been impressed with it. He also likes to live close to work which is applicable to many of the residents, being between the Seaport/Financial District and Tufts Medical (very close) and close to Mass General Hospital. I have benefited by being close to, or having an easy time getting to everything. I was able to go carless for the first time in my life even though I travel a lot for my work- AND they have an agreement with a rental car company with a car in the building's garage available for sign up. The things we enjoy the most DAILY are: 1) Outstanding staff. Truly, they brighten our day, work hard to maintain quality service and most importantly always stay positive. We are kind of humbled/in awe of they do it if I'm being honest! 2) Comfortable - It's a really amazing place to come home to or work from home from. 3) An entire floor with a variety of comfortable places to work or entertain from, some more socially oriented and others like the two resident conference rooms and 'unplugged' which is a quiet reading/work room, more private. 4) The rooftop pool which typically melts our cares when we are loving each other even when hating each other. 5) A dog-pawsitive community. One more perk to consider 6) They keep four apartments furnished for residents to check out for guests when relatives are in town *potentially marriage preserving* (think of the savings!) read more

The Kensington is the best rental property in Boston. Where do I start? Every time you walk in, you're greeted by a friendly concierge team that does everything from delivering packages, booking common rooms, and managing drycleaning to laying out fresh fruit each morning and manning food/drink stations during building events. The amenities spaces are luxurious to say the least with a pool table, state-of-the-art gym, tech center, pool, grilling area, kitchen, quiet study space, TVs, and much more. The apartments themselves are brand new with the newest appliances and thoughtfully designed layouts. The kitchen island is our favorite part! Maintenance requests for anything are addressed within a few hours at most. The management team is always engaging the residents in a wide variety of events ranging from fitness and cooking classes to pool parties and movie nights. More importantly, the management team is always eager to make the resident experience better for everyone in the building and routinely asks for input on how they can improve their service. The location is as central as possible in Boston. On the border of Chinatown and the Theater District, you're walking distance to the North End, Financial District, Seaport, South Boston, South End, and the Back Bay. The red, orange, and green lines (and South Station) are within minutes of the building, which means you can not only get anywhere within the city without a car easily, but also most parts of Greater Boston. read more

I lived in Kensington for 2 years and 3 months. I moved out before due to work and moved back. And I just moved out yesterday again because I had to leave Boston, if I am moving back, I would no doubt still choose Kensington again. I want to let everyone know that you won't find any apartment and management team like this anywhere else. Every stuff member in Kensington are so friendly and professional, and they treat the residents' any request at highest priority. Every time we request to fix something using the Kensington's app, someone would show up usually within an hour if you choose the priority as high and fix our problem free of charge. Even if you choose the priority as low, it'll still get fixed within same day or next day. Yesterday, my mover lost our luggage during our move, I called in Kensington for help and they were working on it immediately helping us to searching for our lost luggage using the camera and they kept it safe for us to retrieve it. We just felt so safe and knowing someone is always there helping you watching your back is so soothing and comforting. I immediately could tell the difference of other apartments after I moved out, i couldn't stand the unprofessionalism of my new apartment's management team now after I moved out of Kensington. I am missing Kensington so much and I wish everyone would check this apartment out if you are looking for the ideal place to live. Thanks again to everyone at Kensington for everything! read more

I first checked out the Kensington because a friend recommended Bozzuto to me. She had lived in another one of their properties and absolutely loved it. I have lived at the Kensington for almost two months now, and my time here has been absolutely fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect when I moved in, but I am so glad I decided to live here. First of all, the location is great--right in the middle of Boston, close to the green, orange, and red lines, plenty of good restaurants around. Most noticeable of all though is the people...everyone I have met, whether with the management company or the folks who work at the front desk, are so genuinely friendly and attentive. Every morning when I leave for work, the doorman and concierge greet me by name. The same happens every night when I return. I can't tell you how many small questions I have asked them, and they either have the answer or know who does. The leasing office is right in the building, so it's been really nice to be able to pop in and ask questions...or to enjoy a cup of coffee! And the amenities are without compare...washers and dryers in unit, bigger washers and dryers in the common area for big loads, tvs everywhere, a full service gym, the pool, computers and a printer in the common area. You can tell they thought of almost every convenience. I can't believe how I lived in other Boston apartments before this! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a place to live in Boston. read more

The recent COVID-related one star review is laughable..everyone dealt with the same across the US...For the other less than 4 star reviews with the nitpicky comments about appliances/coffee machine (seriously?)/elevator security (there are 2-3 front desk staff who recognize tenants and 2 key fob entries before you even get to the elevator...)/etc, you clearly have not experienced the atrocious quality of living in a similar building in CA... We left Boston a year ago for CA, and honestly we still talk about how nice our experience in the Kensington was (and we have lived a number of buildings across NY/Philly/Boston/SF, including the Avalon at Prudential). What defined the great experience was the amazing team. There are constantly 2-3 people at front desk opening doors/greeting you, working hard putting away packages, etc (and they actually recognize you!) - nicest guys we have ever interacted with. The maintenance staff and leasing office are second to none. For example, we were displaced a week during our time because our neighbor had a cooking fire and they had us back in our apt within a week with constant communication of status to keep us updated. The building was otherwise fantastic with its apt layout, security, location, amenities, community events, etc. I assume rental prices have declined some due to COVID so I would say it is a no-brainer to live here. read more

It's only been a month since I moved into The Kensington but it feels like much longer. After living in two other full-service buildings in the Fort Point and Financial District I am regretful that I didn't make this move sooner! The staff, community and amenities available at The Kensington are unparalleled. The concierge team is fantastic - warm, welcoming and always helpful. The move-in process was stress free and keys were waiting me on move in day along with a bag of goodies and some bubbly compliments of building management. Loading dock access was arranged well ahead of time and the leasing office provided me with a checklist of items that needed to be completed prior to move-in. The most impressive part of move-in day was how clean my unit was just walking through the door. This was the first time I did not need to hire a cleaning company upon move-in - the place was immaculate, including the inside of the refrigerator, oven and cabinets. Kudos, guys! Also, the building location is key for commuters as it's a 2 minute walk to the MBTA Orange line which is just two stops from Back Bay Station. Also, the building is a 4-5 minute walk to South Station where you can access the Red/Silver lines as well as Amtrak and commuter rail trains. I can't say enough good things about The Kensington! Looking forward to the year ahead. read more

The Kensington is a great place to live. From the staff, to the amenities, to the apartments themselves. All around amazing! I just recently moved in to The Kensington and from the first time I visited to possibly rent, I knew I could call this place home. The staff were extremely helpful in assisting us in making a decision, showing us many different options of styles, etc. After deciding on our perfect apartment style, many different management staff helped us whenever we wanted to come look at the apartment, show our family and friends and they answered all and every question through phone call, email, etc. After moving in, the staff has helping in any and every way possible. If we have any questions at all, they make sure to help. The move in process I thought would be unbearable, but they have a loading dock that helped immensely. We were given a move-in packet with all necessary information about everything surrounding the building, including restaurants, theaters, grocery stores, entertainment spots, etc. The amenities are unbelievable. From the rooftop pool, the brand new gym, dog grooming room, pool table, everything really makes you feel at home. I am so lucky to be able to live in this amazing place. I look forward to going home each day and enjoy all The Kensington has to offer me each day. read more

The Kensington is by far the best place I've ever lived, and it is unlikely to be surpassed. The concierge and staff are so friendly and helpful, the people working in the leasing office are amazing, and the maintenance guys fix any issues within hours. There are the awesome amenities (24 hour gym, groom room for dogs, outdoor pool and barbecue grills, beautiful shared space on the 6th floor, parking attached to the building, package delivery) but then there are all of the extras. Need a Christmas tree? You can order one through the lobby. Need to wrap gifts? They have a gift wrapping station during the holidays. Need to host a party? You can host it on the 6th floor. Need to exercise? There are free gym classes offered twice a week. Need a drink? There are open bar parties at least once a month, usually more. The events put on and community feeling that come along with the dedicated team here is hard to describe. It's no wonder they're rated number one in resident satisfaction! It's not the cheapest place to live, and there are sometimes less than desirable lingerers in the alleys nearby, but the area is gentrifying and the cost is comparable to other luxury apartment buildings in the city, so if you have the means to live in a full service building, you can't beat the Kensington. Highly recommend!! read more

I moved from Chicago where I lived in a luxury building, so my expectations for service and comfort are pretty high. After quite a bit of search, I moved into the Kensington in 2014. Nothing but happy and pleasant memories in the building, I just signed my third year lease. The walkability and location of the building just can't be beat. The units are very nicely done with modern fixtures and top notch appliances. Bay windows allow for plenty of light. The amenity floor is spacious and clean with pool table, fitness center, conference rooms, kitchen and a patio with grill and tables. There is a business center with computers and printers. The leasing office staff are incredible. Rebecca, Drew and Dan are ever helpful and very friendly. Concierge staff (Mike/Jermaine) and maintenance staff (Paul/Felix) are super nice and welcoming. Any maintenance requests are handled promptly with nice hand written notes left after service. They have apples/pears/bananas at the concierge desk for residents in the morning. Packages are delivered to the apartment (Mou). They have many events with free food and free drinks - wine down wednesdays, holiday parties, pool parties in the summer. If you are looking for an apartment in Boston, you should definitely consider Kensington. read more

After a very hectic move from the West Coast to Boston due to my husband's job relocation, it was all worth it living at the Kensington! The location was perfect, near many good restaurants and walking distance to Boston Common and many historical sites. The ambiance, contemporary decor, fresh fragrant, basket of fruits, many nooks and inviting seating areas to sit and work or just chill, and friendly staff greeting us at the door as we arrived felt like a five star hotel. We loved that it has a rooftop pool, EMV charger for our Tesla and many amenities and network services to make our lives easier. We especially love the pet friendly environment with a pet grooming room with towels, the best smelling dog shampoo ever, complimentary supplies & pet treats for our dog. Even he gets pampered here! Oh and did I mentioned that every week there are free gym classes and monthly hosting activities such as wine/alcohol tasting, comedy, food tasting, succulent classes, art, live music and so much more. We really appreciate the hard work and wonderful services that the concierge, maintenance, leasing and activities staff provides. We are so glad that we chose to live at the Kensington. It feels like a vacation every day! read more

I've also only lived here for a few weeks now, and they have been the most incredible first weeks! The staff is so welcoming and always happy to answer any of my questions or concerns. They always greet me and smile when I come home. The apartments themselves are beautiful! Great views, and the appliances are awesome. The gym is great--has everything I could ever need. The pool area will be a great hangout place when it finally gets warm. Until then, I have a great view of it from my apartment. The Club area has been great for late-night work (open 24hrs). The conference rooms on the Club level have been great meeting locations for work and conference calls. The apartments are very accessbile and can get to almost anywhere using taxi, the shared car service (somewhat like Zip Cars) offered by the apartments, the T, etc. Also easy to walk almost anywhere. Incredible food just minutes away. I am looking forward to the coming months and enjoying living here at the Kensington! Local construction is apparently ending very soon, which will help with the noise level, but otherwise, it has been a great first weeks. read more

I am a student in Chinatown and love living at the Kensington. I live a stone's throw away from school and love the accessibility for restaurants, bars, nightlife, the park, and tons of other up-and-coming stores. Located on Washington Street, you have your selection of high end dining and luxury buildings, along with your 2am Chinese take-out joint. Water bottles, printing, fresh fruit, gym, Club Kensington, the pool etc. are among the many other luxuries the Kensington has to offer. Most importantly, above the perks that the Kensington so graciously offers, the staff is unmatched and the sense of community is heartwarming. I look forward to coming home each night after a long day of class, knowing I have a clean, upbeat, warm community welcoming me back each day. I am on a first name basis with each individual working within the building and feel extremely comfortable. I have made maintenance requests that have been resolved the same day, and personal requests that are addressed immediately. I definitely feel at home here with the other young professionals and families. read more