Royal Towers Apartments

Pros

• Mashair is described as welcoming, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful.
• Mashair goes above and beyond to show features and answer questions with patience.
• The tour experience is fantastic and the building and amenities are impressive.
• Pickwick Plaza is praised for its amazing amenities, especially the gym, sauna, hot tub, and indoor pool.
• The staff are courteous, on hand, and responsive, making residents feel cared for.
• The community hosts frequent events that help neighbors connect and feel included.
• The property is clean and well-maintained, with conveniences like a minimart and free yoga.
• The location is central, historic, and highly regarded.
• Reviewers would strongly recommend Pickwick Plaza to others.

Cons

• The upkeep is not the best or clean, with hair and dirt at the bottom of the pool and dirty pool chairs.
• The smells in the game room and on the 5th floor are off-putting, and the hallways and trash areas don't seem to be cleaned; exit signs hang from the ceiling.
• A promised gift card and transfer assistance went unanswered.
• The price paid does not feel fair for what is provided.
• The second elevator in both towers has been broken for the entire stay, with repeated false promises to fix.
• The pool has been condemned by the city with no update from leasing.
• A nightclub on the strip has brought constant weekend traffic.
• Hidden fees, strict buyout penalties, and a refusal to honor a 30-day notice clause make it unfavorable for healthcare travelers.
• The parking garage gate stops randomly, forcing residents to park elsewhere at times.
• There are no rooftop cameras and windows cannot be opened.
• Some reviewers feel there are better buildings in the area for the same price with better amenities.

Review

Pickwick Plaza Apartments in Kansas City presents a picture of both standout positives and stubborn challenges, giving residents a mixed but often hopeful experience. On the bright side, the building is widely praised for its robust set of amenities, central location, and a sense of community that many reviewers find hard to beat. The complex is described as historic and well-equipped, with features that genuinely stand out for city dwelling: an indoor heated pool, a well-appointed gym, a sauna and hot tub, an indoor dog park with weekly "Yappy Hours," a coffee bar, a mini-mart, and a lively calendar of social events and movie nights. Residents repeatedly mention how convenient it is to have so many amenities within the same property, and the gym in particular is singled out as offering an experience better than what you'd expect for a city apartment. The overall vibe for many is that the location plus the breadth of activities and services creates a lifestyle that's hard to match at a similar price point.

A recurring thread across reviews is the extraordinary impact of Mashair, the leasing specialist who often serves as the face of the community. Time and again, reviewers describe Mashair as welcoming, patient, and highly knowledgeable - someone who goes above and beyond to show prospective tenants the features of the property and answer questions with a positive, reassuring attitude. For many, Mashair makes a tour feel informative and reassuring, and several reviewers explicitly state that Pickwick Plaza would be lucky to keep such a gifted leasing professional on the team. Even when opinions diverge about the property itself, Mashair's tours are consistently cited as a high point and a reason to consider the community.

Yet the same reviews do not shy away from real and ongoing maintenance and management concerns. A number of residents allege that upkeep and cleanliness in certain common areas leave something to be desired. Specific complaints include a pool that sometimes looks unusable due to hair and dirt at the bottom, dirty pool chairs, and odors in the game room and on certain floors. Some hallways and trash areas are described as not being cleaned as often as residents would like, and there are mentions of an exit sign hanging from the ceiling that signals inconsistent maintenance attention. These remarks contribute to a broader sense that, while the property has excellent amenities, the day-to-day upkeep can lag behind residents' expectations.

Elevator reliability emerges as another persistent gripe for many long-term residents. Posts repeatedly describe two elevators serving the towers, with one having been out of service since move-in and the other being notably slow, sometimes taking several minutes to reach a floor. There are complaints about a garage gate that stops working intermittently and a perception that certain safety features - such as rooftop cameras - are lacking. Some reviewers note that these issues undermine the convenience and efficiency that the property otherwise promises, and a few updates indicate that the elevator situation has not been resolved, adding a layer of frustration for residents who rely on quick, predictable access to their units.

Other operational concerns touch a broader management theme. One reviewer highlights a troubling contrast between marketing promises and actual practice for a specific travel-stay arrangement. They describe hidden fees, strict buyout penalties, and a failure to honor a 30-day notice clause critical for healthcare workers whose contracts can end unexpectedly. This account serves as a cautionary note for medical travelers and others relying on flexible terms, underscoring the importance of getting all details in writing and reading the fine print carefully before committing.

Despite these appreciable drawbacks, there is no shortage of residents who sing the praises of the community's atmosphere and value. Some reviews emphasize that apartment pricing feels fair given what is included, and several residents remark that the overall package - amenities, central location, and responsive staff - has helped them feel that they're getting a good deal for the money. A few long-term residents recall a period of strong satisfaction, praising the staff like Corey and Austin for their professionalism and noting that the amenities remain a decisive factor in their decision to renew leases. The presence of weekly social events, the friendly neighborly atmosphere, and the convenience of a built-in mini-market and free in-building offerings contribute to a sense of belonging that many tenants value highly.

In sum, Pickwick Plaza Apartments appears to be a building with a standout set of advantages that attract residents seeking a comprehensive, amenity-rich urban experience. The property's strongest selling points are the breadth of amenities, the historic and central location, and the consistently highlighted hospitality of Mashair during tours. However, there are persistent concerns about maintenance and cleanliness in common areas, ongoing elevator and infrastructure issues, and certain management practices that prospective tenants, particularly healthcare travelers, will want to scrutinize closely. For those who prize lifestyle perks, community events, and a welcoming leasing experience, Pickwick Plaza remains an attractive option. For others who prioritize flawless upkeep and faultless accessibility, it may require patience and a clear-eyed assessment of current conditions and future repair timelines.

This part of Kansas City, Missouri offers a convenient and vibrant urban lifestyle with easy access to essential services and amenities. The area is dotted with pharmacies such as CVS, Costco, and Walgreens, making it easy to access medication and healthcare supplies. There are also a variety of restaurants offering diverse dining options, as well as cafes for leisurely coffee breaks. For spiritual nourishment, there are several places of worship nearby. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable hospitals and physicians' practices in close proximity for any medical needs. Additionally, the area boasts several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment suited for senior living, with a mix of conveniences and leisure activities.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Costco 0375 (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Sun Fresh (3.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Johnny's Tavern (0.3 miles)
• John's Big Deck (0.3 miles)
• Quaff Bar & Grill (0.5 miles)
• RecordBar (0.5 miles)
• Garozzo's Ristorante (0.6 miles)
• Casual Animal Brewing Company (0.7 miles)
• Taps on Main (0.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Resurrection Downtown (0.6 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (2.7 miles)
• Central United Methodist Church (4.8 miles)
• North Cross United Methodist Church (5.4 miles)

Cafes

• Messenger Coffee Co. (0.6 miles)
• Mildred's (0.9 miles)
• Blip Roasters (1.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (1.3 miles)
• Filling Station (2.1 miles)
• Billie's Grocery (2.4 miles)
• Broadway Cafe (3.5 miles)

Parks

• Bar K Dog Bar (0.8 miles)
• Washington Square Park (1.2 miles)
• Central Park (3 miles)
• Budd Park (3.2 miles)
• Historic Hyde Park (3.5 miles)
• Loose Park (4.8 miles)
• Swope Park (6.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Children's Mercy Research Institute (1.2 miles)
• Truman Medical Center (1.3 miles)
• Cambridge A Pre/Post (3.4 miles)
• North Kansas City Hospital (3.6 miles)
• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (3.8 miles)
• Kansas City VA Medical Center : Midwest Biomedical Research (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak Kansas City - Union Station (1.2 miles)
• KC Streetcar (1.2 miles)

Physicians

• KC CARE Health Center (2.8 miles)
• Orthopedic Health of Kansas City formerly Drisko, Fee & Parkins ( DFP ) - North Kansas City (3.2 miles)
• Vibrant Health - Wyandotte Neighborhood Clinics (3.2 miles)
• John D. Eatman, MD (3.5 miles)
• Graham Bruce D (3.6 miles)
• Cerner Healthe Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Mill Creek Park (3.9 miles)