Elsie Mason Manor

Pros

• Residents describe Elsie Mason Manor as having a beautiful view, clean facilities, and a safe environment with great staff across maintenance, management, service workers, and the front desk.
• The community is friendly and well maintained, with residents feeling very safe.
• A downtown skywalk entrance is a convenient perk for running errands in cold weather.
• Richelle, the leasing manager, is described as personable and the backbone of Elsie Mason Manor.
• The apartments are affordable, and residents appreciate staff who help with various needs.
• The complex offers activities and an excellent gym, with staff who are consistently friendly; families can visit.
• Maintenance is prompt and courteous, and management is helpful and friendly.
• The management team provides assistance with benefits and forms and keeps amenities within easy reach - banks, groceries, pharmacies, a gym, doctors, and a library are nearby.
• The building is secure with security staff and cameras and is viewed as a good place for seniors.
• Sherry at the desk is praised for outstanding customer service and a welcoming lobby experience.

Cons

• The property manager Mia harassed the reviewer's mother and eviction notices were issued at least four times a year.
• The reviewer was banned from the property after an argument with an ex-boyfriend, and visits by family were prevented for over a year.
• There were multiple tenants with disabilities who did not receive the assistance they needed.
• There was an absolute lack of privacy because staff wanted to enter residents' apartments all the time.
• The management staff do not really care about the residents.
• There was bed bug infestation, and staff blamed the tenant, harassed her, and eviction notices were served.
• There were incidents of assault and bullying by other tenants with no resolution.

Review

Residents paint a picture of a downtown apartment community that many people adore, while a few offer stark warnings. Overall, the sentiment centers on a place that can feel like a real home - friendly staff, well-kept common areas, and a sense of safety and community - yet with real caveats about privacy, parking, and a troubled history with management in at least one case. For couples and families as well as older adults, the property seems to provide a combination of convenience, supportive services, and approachable management that makes everyday life smoother.

A standout theme across the majority of notes is the quality of life inside the building. Many reviewers highlight a beautiful, unobtrusively clean environment with reliable maintenance and a front-desk team that feels welcoming. The staff - from maintenance to management and service workers - receive frequent praise for being responsive, polite, and dependable. Several residents specifically mention the value of a firsthand, personable leasing manager named Richelle, calling her the backbone of Elsie Mason Manor and noting she's easy to get along with. Sherry at the desk consistently earns compliments for her excellent customer service and the positive impression she leaves as soon as someone enters the lobby.

Safety and security are recurrent themes, and not just in terms of the physical building. Reviewers emphasize a strong sense of safety that makes living there feel comfortable, particularly for single residents and seniors. A number of comments point to outdoor security measures, a well-run perimeter, and, in some cases, the presence of security cameras. One note even touts the building as an alternative to a nursing home, underscoring HUD guidelines and the idea that the community can provide stable, supervised living with access to social workers and other supports. The downtown location is singled out for practical benefits as well - having a skywalk entrance helps during cold weather and makes errands more convenient.

Community life is another positive thread. Several residents mention organized activities, holidays, bingo, and lots of opportunities to connect with neighbors. The building is described as being well suited for a range of residents - from seniors to families with grandchildren - who can take advantage of social workers' assistance, easy access to essential services (banking, grocery stores, pharmacy, gym, library, doctor's offices), and even benefit programs like extra food assistance or discounted transit passes. For families and visitors, the ability to host great-grandchildren or relatives for overnights is noted as a particularly nice perk, alongside the gym with well-regarded equipment.

Yet the reviews also reveal serious concerns that deserve attention. A critical account describes a long-running bed bug issue that the author associates with harassment and punitive actions by a property manager, culminating in eviction notices and a ban on the reviewer's family member. The narrator laments that their mother, a longtime resident, faced repeated eviction-like notices, harassment, and even assaults by other tenants, with little resolution or support. This account casts doubt on the claim of a uniformly safe, well-run community and raises important questions about how disputes are handled, how disabled residents receive assistance, and how families can be supported when conflicts arise.

Another set of comments centers on privacy and intrusion. One reviewer describes an "absolute lack of privacy" due to staff attempting to enter apartments frequently, while others simultaneously acknowledge a secure building with cameras outside and a staff that knows HUD requirements and compliance. The conflicting notes here suggest that experiences may vary by unit, management approach, or personal expectations about entry rights, with some residents feeling over-policed and others feeling protected.

Management quality, in particular, emerges as a mixed bag. While many praise Richelle and her peers for being responsive, patient, and helpful, others recount a more troubling experience with the management team - an instance where a husband was barred from the building after an argument, leaving a disabled resident without needed support for a long period. That account emphasizes that for some residents, the sense of safety and fairness is undermined by management decisions, and it highlights the risk of personal disputes escalating into long-term access issues for loved ones who need assistance.

In sum, Elsie Mason Manor appears to be a place of real appeal for many: a comfortable, friendly environment with a strong sense of community, attentive staff, great maintenance responsiveness, and convenient access to services and amenities. The positive experiences often center on staff like Richelle and Sherry, the safety and security that enable peace of mind, and the practical benefits of living in a downtown home with plentiful social and health resources. However, the darker notes remind potential residents to weigh privacy concerns, the quality and consistency of management, and the handling of conflicts or disputes with care. For some, the strengths strongly outweigh the drawbacks; for others, particularly those with vulnerable family members or a history of disputes, the risks highlighted in the negative accounts warrant careful consideration and due diligence.

Located in the heart of Des Moines, Iowa, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a convenient and vibrant community. With a range of dining options such as Fongs Pizza, Royal Mile, and Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company just a short distance away, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. In terms of healthcare, there are several hospitals nearby including UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Mercy River Hills Surgery Center, ensuring easy access to medical care when needed. Additionally, pharmacies like Walgreens and Osco Pharmacy are conveniently located for medication needs. For outdoor recreation, seniors can explore the beautiful parks in the area such as Stone Park and Gray's Lake Park, providing opportunities for leisurely walks and enjoying nature. Overall, this neighborhood is a fantastic choice for senior living with its convenient location and array of amenities.

Restaurants

• Fongs Pizza (0.2 miles)
• Royal Mile (0.2 miles)
• Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company (0.2 miles)
• Hessen Haus (0.3 miles)
• Fresko (0.3 miles)
• High Life Lounge (0.4 miles)
• El Bait Shop (0.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.2 miles)
• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Caribou Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.2 miles)

Hospitals

• UnityPoint Health - Iowa Methodist Medical Center - Emergency Department (0.5 miles)
• Methodist Hospital North 6 (0.5 miles)
• North 3 - IMMC (0.5 miles)
• Blank Children's Hospital NICU (0.5 miles)
• Methodist Outpatient Surgery (0.5 miles)
• Mercy River Hills Surgery Center (0.6 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital-Des Moines (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• The Iowa Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat Department (0.6 miles)
• MercyOne Pediatrics Specialty Clinic (0.6 miles)
• Women's Health Specialists (0.6 miles)
• Mercy Family Medicine Center/Family Medicine Residency Program (0.7 miles)
• Surgical Affiliates (0.7 miles)
• Diabetes Center (0.7 miles)
• Samuel M Maurice, MD (0.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Dahl's Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Osco Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Parks

• Stone Park (1.6 miles)
• Gray's Lake Park (1.8 miles)
• Sayers Park (2.9 miles)
• Water Works Park (3.2 miles)