Russel Erskine

Pros

• The apartments are clean and nice, with helpful staff.
• The building is impressive and features its own ballroom.
• The management is caring and attentive to residents.
• The property retains historic charm as a repurposed hotel.
• HUD-subsidized housing is beneficial for seniors on fixed incomes.
• The surrounding area has grown with lots of downtown activities, making it a desirable location.

Cons

• The management is described as horrible, accused of telling residents they hadn't paid rent when they had and of pursuing back rent from years ago.
• It's claimed that half of the elderly residents lack air conditioning or heat.
• The building is reported to be infested with bugs.
• Elevators are inoperable for days, trapping residents with disabilities on upper floors.
• The property has crumbling walls and 20+ year old appliances, with German roaches running rampant.
• Towing practices are described as confusing and predatory, with visitors' cars towed and the towing company taking a cut.
• Common areas are not regularly cleaned due to the absence of a cleaning crew.
• Residents feel unable to speak up for fear of losing housing and accuse management of poor business practices.

Review

Downtown Huntsville's Russell Erskine Apartments elicit a wide range of impressions from residents and visitors alike. Some praise the building as an impressive, historic landmark that has been thoughtfully converted into modern sheltered housing for seniors. They point to visible signs of care: new appliances in the kitchen and bathroom, the sense of an upscale past preserved in the lobby, a ballroom, and the overall aura of a grand, bygone hotel that once drew people to its doors. One resident recalls living there for years and notes the unit's updates and the perceived warmth and helpfulness of the manager, her assistant, and other staff. The building is described by some as clean, well-kept, and in a prime downtown location that's close to the activities and amenities that make living in the heart of the city attractive. For these voices, the Russel Erskine Apts are a solid option for seniors who want a secure, centralized home with a touch of historic charm.

Yet a substantial thread of reviews tells another, more troubling story. A number of residents describe conditions that they label as unacceptable for an elderly or disabled population living on fixed incomes. The most persistent complaint is the absence or inconsistency of heat and air conditioning for residents who need it most. Reports claim that heat and AC have not been provided for the elderly and disabled for extended periods - some say more than a year and a half - despite promises and even after renovations in other parts of the building. In these accounts, the owner remains silent or unresponsive, and the management company does not engage publicly to address the problem. This has led some to characterize the building as neglectful during critical weather needs, undermining the health and comfort of residents who rely on climate control for their health and safety.

Elevator outages and general maintenance failings also appear repeatedly in the criticisms. One reviewer notes that at least one elevator is down "almost constantly," with repairs often short-lived. The resulting bottlenecks force elderly residents to contend with multiple flights of stairs, a real hazard for those with mobility challenges. Other maintenance gaps are described in terms of aging, crumbling walls, old and failing appliances, and outdated gym equipment. Some residents speak of a lack of regular cleaning in common areas such as entrances, lobbies, laundry rooms, libraries, and even garbage closets on each floor. The cumulative effect in these accounts is a sense that the building's upkeep lags behind the needs and expectations of its senior residents.

Business practices and the management culture are another source of contention. A portion of the feedback accuses the management team of being unresponsive, with some reviewers calling the leadership "poor," "unreliable," or "in need of replacement." There are also sharp accusations about towing practices: signage that confuses visitors and residents and a relationship with a towing company that allegedly benefits financially from towing vehicles, sometimes with little recourse for the residents. Several accounts mention a private parking lot that becomes full during the workweek because nonresidents park there, and there are complaints about the lack of a consistent cleaning crew to manage the shared spaces and parking area. The moral and ethical tone of some critiques is strong, with terms like "scummy" and even "inhumane" used to describe how the building is run, especially where subsidized housing for seniors intersects with basic needs and dignity.

Still, not every review lands on the same side of the aisle. There are voices that celebrate the property as a well-run, appealing place to live. A number of residents describe management as attentive and caring, noting that rules are enforced in a reasonable, down-to-earth way and that the staff works to keep the community safe and comfortable for residents who still want to socialize and visit in common areas. Several commenters highlight the building's historic charm, the maintained ballroom, and the overall impression of a prestigious past merged with a modern apartment setting. For these residents, the building's downsides are manageable or outweighed by the positives: security codes for entry, the sense of community among neighbors, and a location that keeps them connected to downtown Huntsville's offerings.

The stories also reflect a broader life cycle and a sense of change over time. Some reviewers describe a shift from a once-glamorous hotel heritage to a 65+ HUD-subsidized living environment. The building's transformation is treated with a mix of nostalgia and practical concern: history intact in the lobby and public spaces, but ongoing debates about how well the current residents' needs are being served day to day. There's mention of ownership activity - one account notes the building being sold for about 1.5 million for a 12-story historic block - in a context where development pressures and prime downtown real estate discussions influence how the property is managed and funded. In this sense, residents are not just evaluating a living space; they are weighing the realities that come with historic, income-based housing in a growing urban core.

Taken together, the collection of voices paints a portrait of a building that is as much about character and historic grandeur as it is about everyday challenges and governance. For some residents, Russell Erskine is a beloved home that delivers on comfort, security, and sociability, even as a few maintenance and administrative issues surface from time to time. For others, the experiences are far more frustrating: health and safety concerns for the elderly and disabled, inconsistent heat and cooling, unreliable elevators, and what they perceive as neglectful management practices. The dichotomy is striking and underscores the reality that living in a historic, subsidized, city-center building can be a mixed bag - rich in community and heritage for some, challenging in fundamental services for others.

This area of Huntsville, Alabama offers a variety of amenities and services that may be beneficial for seniors looking to reside in the area. With several cafes and restaurants within walking distance, there are plenty of options for dining out or enjoying a coffee with friends. Additionally, there are multiple places of worship nearby for those who value their faith community. The proximity to parks such as Big Spring Park provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Medical care is readily available with several physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity, offering peace of mind in case of any health concerns. Overall, this neighborhood offers a convenient and well-rounded living environment for seniors.

Cafes

• Honest Coffee Roasters (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Gold Sprint Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Blue Plate Cafe (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• The Poppy and Parliament (0.1 miles)
• Martin Bar & Bistro (0.1 miles)
• The Bottle (0.1 miles)
• Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint Huntsville (0.1 miles)
• Cotton Row Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Furniture Factory Bar & Grill (0.5 miles)
• Cajun Steamer (0.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Nativity Episcopal (0.2 miles)
• First Baptist Church (0.7 miles)

Parks

• Big Spring Park (0.2 miles)
• Mayfair Park (1.5 miles)
• Milton Frank Stadium (1.9 miles)
• Oak Park Playground (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• The Eye Center (0.3 miles)
• Retina Specialists of North Alabama (0.3 miles)
• Hearing & Speech Clinic (0.4 miles)
• Bioimaging MRI Center (0.4 miles)
• Bioimaging of Huntsville (0.4 miles)
• Pugh Brenda L - Rheumatology Associates-North Alabama (0.6 miles)
• Crown Comprehensive Headache Center (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Huntsville Hospital Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Propst Discount Drugs (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Hh Cvicu (0.7 miles)
• Uab Health Center Huntsville (0.8 miles)
• Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children (1 miles)
• Crestwood Medical Center (2.6 miles)