One Penrose Place in Lawrence, IN

Pros

• The apartment itself is beautiful with finishes like laminate hardwood floors, a carpeted bedroom, stainless kitchen appliances, and a full-size washer and dryer.
• The apartment manager, Susan, is wonderful to work with and very helpful.
• The building offers convenient amenities, including a small gym and an on-site office with computer access.
• The property is three levels with an elevator, adding accessibility and ease of use.
• There are engaging resident activities such as game nights, Bible study, and monthly birthday parties.
• Residents are friendly and welcoming to new residents.
• A daughter feels confident choosing this community for her mom, noting she is safe, comfortable, and welcomed.

Cons

• The residents feel mistreated at One Penrose Place.
• There is no regular maintenance staff, and the manager only comes to the office once a week by appointment, making access to management very difficult.
• The clubhouse vending machines have been out of order for years.
• The common-area bathroom has been closed for months.
• A house cleaning inspection in April 2025 had no published standards, yet residents were told they failed and were given two weeks to clean and be re-inspected; failure leads to a 7-day inspection for the next three months.
• Residents were told they would be evicted for failing three inspections in a year.
• In August 2025, inspections were announced as quarterly with no exceptions, and there were still no standards.
• Residents cannot pay rent by check or money order and must pay electronically, which is difficult for many senior citizens.
• Some residents suspect the vague inspections are used to push out long-term elderly or disabled occupants, possibly to raise rents or renovate, and at least one eviction occurred due to inspections; this pattern suggests discriminatory intent.
• Morale among residents is at an all-time low.
• A staff member named "Cindy or Sydney" was rude on the phone, talked over the caller, and showed a lack of professionalism; customer service training is needed.

Review

One Penrose Place in Lawrence is best suited for independent seniors who want a stylish, amenity-rich apartment community with a social heartbeat, solid security, and a welcoming resident culture. It works well for residents who are self-directed, enjoy organized activities, and do not require daily living assistance or on-site care. The apartments themselves are attractive and well equipped, with practical features that support comfortable living, and the building's social calendar and shared spaces offer real opportunities to engage with peers.

Those who should consider alternatives are seniors who rely on steady, predictable management and maintenance, or who need hands-on support on short notice. The pattern of access to leadership, maintenance responsiveness, and clear, consistent policies matters here: when a community's day-to-day operations feel opaque or inconsistent, the risk of unaddressed maintenance issues, policy confusion, or abrupt changes rises. Prospective residents with a preference for straightforward, resident-centered service should scrutinize whether a similar environment with stronger on-site staffing and clearer accountability can be found elsewhere. Also, households that require flexible rent payment options beyond electronic processing, or that prioritize problem-free common-area amenities, may want to explore other options.

The strongest positives center on the living experience inside the units and the social framework outside them. Apartments at One Penrose Place are described as beautiful, with modern kitchens and in-unit laundry, plus practical safety features like grab bars in baths. The building offers conveniences such as an on-site gym, an elevator, and a dedicated space for residents to access computers and other services. A genuine sense of community appears to thrive, with friendly residents and organized activities, including game nights, Bible study, and regular birthday observances. The security and overall feel of safety are repeatedly cited as important reasons residents feel comfortable and content.

However, the most consequential drawbacks offset those strengths and raise red flags for households weighing this option. Reports describe a lack of regular maintenance staff and limited access to management, with the manager's in-person availability restricted to one day a week by appointment. Practical annoyances - such as vending machines in the clubhouse that have remained out of service for years and a common bathroom that has been closed for months - significantly detract from daily quality of life. Inspections of residents' spaces were introduced with unclear standards, and failures apparently carried real consequences, including threats of eviction and imminent re-inspections that can feel punitive rather than corrective. The shift to quarterly inspections without published standards compounds that sense of administrative drift. Rude or rushed interactions during leasing conversations and a general perception of unresponsiveness further undermine confidence in long-term stability.

From a decision-making standpoint, these dynamics must be weighed against the positives. If independent living without meals or healthcare support is acceptable, and access to a vibrant social calendar plus solid apartment quality is valued highly, One Penrose Place can still deliver a satisfying living experience. Yet the combination of persistent maintenance gaps, opaque enforcement, and perceived management distance introduces real risk - especially for seniors who require predictable routines, clear policies, and reliable access to staff. Prospective residents should demand concrete assurances: written maintenance response timelines, a publicized management schedule, transparent inspection standards with an appeal process, and a plan for restoring the clubhouse amenities. Ensure payment options accommodate non-digital preferences or confirm practical support for electronic payments.

In sum, One Penrose Place offers a compelling independent-living environment with attractive apartments, social opportunities, and a sense of security. The decisive caveat is the management and operations climate: potential residents who can tolerate or work around irregular oversight, and who prize community life, may find this a good fit. Those who require consistent management accessibility, dependable maintenance, or daily living support should pursue options that demonstrate stronger daily operations, clearer policies, and a track record of responsive, resident-centered service. A careful visit, direct conversations with current residents, and a frank review of management practices are essential steps before making a commitment.

Located in Lawrence, Indiana, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With a range of dining options such as Phaya Thai Street Food and Culver's nearby, residents can enjoy convenient and delicious meals. The proximity of Ft Harrison State Park provides opportunities for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. Additionally, there are several medical facilities including Fall Creek Family Medicine and Community North Hospital, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. Places of worship such as Lawrence Apostolic Church and St Simon the Apostle Catholic Church offer spiritual support for those seeking a sense of community. Overall, this part of Lawrence offers a mix of conveniences and resources that make it an attractive option for senior living.

Restaurants

• Phaya Thai Street Food (0.2 miles)
• Culver's (0.3 miles)
• La Hacienda (0.3 miles)
• Bando Restaurant (1.8 miles)
• Super China Buffet (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Ft Harrison State Park (0.4 miles)
• Gray Road Park (7.2 miles)

Physicians

• Fall Creek Family Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Northeast Family Physicians (3.4 miles)
• Geist Family Medicine (4.1 miles)
• Community Health Pavilion (4.8 miles)
• Castleton Family Physicians (5.1 miles)
• Central Indiana Centers (5.4 miles)
• McCordsville Medical Office (5.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Lawrence Apostolic Church (2 miles)
• Castleton United Methodist School (2.6 miles)
• St Simon the Apostle Catholic Church (4.3 miles)
• New Beginnings Fellowship Church (4.6 miles)
• First Friends Church (5.6 miles)
• Cumberland First Baptist Church (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Community Rehabilitation Hospital North (3.2 miles)
• Community North Hospital (3.2 miles)
• Community (3.4 miles)
• Community Heart And Vascular Surgery ICU Waiting Room (3.6 miles)
• Methodist Medical Plazas (5.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Ua Galaxy - Indianapolis (4.7 miles)
• AMC Washington Square 12 (5.7 miles)