Central Towers Limited Partner

Pros

• Residents note the new manager brings a lot of experience and they hope she can do a lot of good.
• They appreciate discounted cable, free Wi?Fi, and the food shelves that come to them.
• Kirsten and her team took care of residents during the COVID pandemic, providing food, supplies, mental stimulation, emotional support, and on-site inoculations.
• The newly remodeled apartments and lobby are beautiful.
• The staff are friendly, and there are many outings and activities.
• The building is connected to the St. Paul skyway system and is right next to the Green Line light rail.
• Residents feel Central Towers is home and express ongoing happiness there.
• Some residents say it is the best living for senior citizens in town.

Cons

• Residents are treated as objects.
• There are do-not signs all over the place during tours.
• The building has hard-to-open doors that hinder wheelchair users from disposing of trash or doing laundry.
• There is a perceived need to lock common rooms despite extensive security measures (cameras, guards, and double doors).
• Smokers are effectively barred from living there.
• Walkers have to walk down the block and across the street in the dead of winter.
• Homeless individuals panhandle for cigarettes.
• Some residents continue smoking inside the building, exposing nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.

Review

Central Towers presents a portrait of a senior living community that is as hopeful as it is complicated. The new manager arrives with a wealth of experience, and many residents say that kind of leadership can bring a lot of good to the building and its culture. Yet alongside the praise for leadership and amenities, there is a clear drumbeat of warnings and reservations from prospective and current residents. Several voices urge anyone considering moving in to explore all options first, suggesting that the downsides can overshadow the positives if the fit isn't right.

On the less flattering side, there is a strong sense that not all residents are treated with the dignity they deserve. One reviewer urges future residents to take the tour as a first clue, noting "do not" signs and a feel that people in the building are sometimes seen more as objects than as neighbors. Accessibility can be a real hurdle for those in wheelchairs, who encounter door challenges and obstacles when trying to navigate to essential tasks like taking out the trash or doing laundry. A concern is raised about the emphasis on security - an apparent overabundance of cameras, guards, and double security doors - leading some to wonder whether security has become more of a barrier than a reassurance. The no-smoking policy sits alongside these concerns: while the building aims to be smoke-free, some residents continue to smoke indoors, exposing nonsmokers to secondhand smoke in elevators, hallways, and even through vents. Additional commentary highlights how some residents who need walkers must walk farther away from the building in winter, and there are mentions of panhandling by people who are homeless, which contributes to an uneasy atmosphere for daily life and tours. In short, for some, the building's safeguards and restrictions feel heavy-handed or intrusive.

Amid the criticisms, there are bright threads of humanity that run through the testimonials. One resident recounts a touching incident in which a neighbor who lives in the building found their missing cell phone and took the time to contact the owner's son to arrange a safe return. The gratitude is palpable: a simple act of community kindness that stands out as a bright moment in an otherwise mixed experience. The same resident later offers thanks for the support system in place, suggesting that the staff and services can make a meaningful difference in everyday life.

Another thread highlights sustained satisfaction over several years. A resident who has lived there for nearly four years speaks highly of Presbyterian Homes' assistance to those on limited income, noting tangible benefits like discounted cable, free Wi-Fi, and even food shelves that come to residents. The building is praised for its varied offerings - parties, activities of many kinds - and the promise of prompt maintenance, often available the same day. The reception staff and security personnel are acknowledged, along with the chapel, cafeteria, and available home care services. The remodeled apartments and lobby are described as beautiful, contributing to a sense of pride in the community. For this resident, Central Towers is "here to stay," underscoring a sense of belonging despite the rough edges that come with the broader picture.

Eight years into life at Central Towers, another resident emphasizes resilience and sustained satisfaction, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirsten and her team are singled out for extraordinary dedication: ensuring food and supplies, providing mental stimulation and emotional support, and even bringing COVID-19 inoculations to residents. The reviewers acknowledge that staff gave up personal time and days off to be present for residents, a testament to commitment and care. Even as prices rise and staffing challenges persist, the sentiment remains: the services have returned to normal, and the building continues to be a place where one can choose to stay, with a sense of security and community that endures beyond the crisis.

A separate perspective from seven years in reinforces a sense of home forged through relationships with staff and the surrounding convenience of location. This resident describes their move as a great fit not just because of the modern amenities or the friendly staff, but because the building's proximity to transit options - a bus line and a skyway - along with nearby shopping like Lunds, enhances daily life. The adage "home is where the heart is" resonates here, with the heart clearly aligned with Central Towers.

Amid the overall portrait of warmth and community, another reviewer returns to the matter of safety and environment. They reiterate the no-smoking policy as a foundational expectation, stating that the policy is enforced by management yet acknowledging that some residents continue to smoke indoors, leading to episodes of secondhand smoke exposure in common spaces. This tension between policy and practice highlights a persistent challenge for the building: balancing smoke-free goals with real-world behavior.

Despite the tensions and occasional sharp criticisms, the final notes are undeniably positive. The building is described as beautifully remodeled, with friendliest staff and engaging outings and activities. It is connected to the St. Paul public skyway system and sits right next to the green line light rail, a geographic convenience that significantly complements the lifestyle of senior residents. Taken together, the testimonials sketch a living environment that, while fraught with accessibility and behavioral challenges, also offers strong community support, ample programming, and a sense of belonging that many residents clearly value. For those who find their home at Central Towers, it is not merely a residence but a community where care, connection, and convenience intersect in meaningful ways. The overarching sentiment echoes one lasting conclusion: Central Towers represents the best living for many seniors in town, even as it continues to navigate the complexities of care, security, and policy in daily life.

This part of St. Paul, Minnesota, offers a wide range of amenities suitable for senior living. With several hospitals in close proximity, including St Joseph's Hospital and Regions Hospital Burn Center, residents have access to top-notch healthcare services. There are also numerous restaurants nearby, such as Citizen Supper Club and Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria, providing plenty of dining options. Public transportation is readily available at Union Depot, making it easy to get around the area. Additionally, there are places of worship like Cathedral of St Paul and St George Greek Orthodox Church for spiritual support. For outdoor activities, parks like Como Park and Hidden Falls Park offer scenic spaces for recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a diverse mix of resources that cater to the needs of older adults looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live.

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (0.1 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (0.5 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (0.8 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (6.2 miles)
• VA Medical Center (6.2 miles)
• St John's Hospital-Maplewood (6.3 miles)
• University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank Campus (6.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Citizen Supper Club (0.4 miles)
• The Bulldog Lowertown (0.4 miles)
• Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• Burger Time (2.4 miles)
• Karen Thai food (3 miles)
• Brew Hall (3.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (0.5 miles)
• Minnesota State Fair Transit Hub (4.5 miles)
• Concourse A (6.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul (0.6 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (2.5 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (3.4 miles)
• WW Studio (3.9 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• West Side Community Health Services (1.6 miles)
• Dermatology Consultants P.A. (3.4 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (3.5 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (3.7 miles)
• Parkway Family Physicians (4 miles)
• HealthPartners Clinic (4.8 miles)
• Retina Center (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Groundswell (3 miles)
• Roundtable Cof (5.1 miles)

Parks

• Como Park (3.4 miles)
• Flicek Park (4 miles)
• Central Park Playground (5.3 miles)
• Roosevelt Field (5.4 miles)
• Harvest Park (5.4 miles)
• Acorn Park (5.5 miles)
• Hidden Falls Park (5.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Rosedale 14 (5.7 miles)
• AMC Inver Grove 16 (5.9 miles)