Ascension Manor Inc

Pros

• Residents praise the management of buildings and grounds, as well as quick responses to repair requests.
• The facilities are clean, and staff routinely clean up trash from public sidewalks while remaining friendly and helpful.
• The property is described as great and quiet, with beautiful rooms, parking, and respectful staff.
• Bill and Steve are compassionate property managers who ensure the property is immaculately maintained.
• Maintenance is proactive, and residents are treated with respect.
• James maintains the building very well and is considered a great asset to the company.
• The senior housing is consistently nice and clean.
• The community is described as nice and safe and supportive for seniors.

Cons

• The elevators do not work at all, forcing residents to use the stairs.
• The building has a rodent infestation.
• The management and staff do not care for tenants' needs or the condition of the facility.
• The building is in bad need of repairs.
• The phone/buzzer/access systems are unreliable and often fail to grant entry.
• The floors look dirty.

Review

Residents at Ascension Manor share a broad range of experiences, but many consistently highlight a sense of care that comes from the management and the everyday upkeep of the property. Several long-time tenants describe the building and grounds as well maintained, with quick responses to repair requests and a noticeable commitment to cleanliness. One resident, speaking from more than three years of residence, emphasizes how staff promptly addresses repairs and even takes the initiative to clean up trash along nearby sidewalks, contributing to a tidy, welcoming environment. The overall tone from these voices is one of satisfaction with the level of service and the appearance of the grounds.

In addition to the state of the property, reviewers frequently commend the staff for their approachability and helpfulness. The complex is described as quiet and respectable, with well-kept rooms and convenient parking. Residents repeatedly note that staff speak to tenants with respect, and that the community feels safe and orderly. The sentiment across multiple entries is that the living environment is comfortable and pleasant, with friendly personnel who contribute to a positive daily experience for residents and visitors alike.

Despite the consistent praise for cleanliness and service, there are significant concerns tied to accessibility and safety that surface in several comments. A recurring issue is the elevator system, particularly in the AC1 building, where elevators have not been functioning properly for weeks. The situation has forced residents to climb stairs, even when mobility is an issue, which raises urgent safety and accessibility concerns for seniors and others who rely on the elevators. An update dated May 18, 2025 confirms that both elevators were out of service, underscoring the immediacy of these repairs and the impact on daily life for residents who live on higher floors.

These elevator problems are underscored by personal stories from caretakers and family members who visit the property frequently. One account mentions a grandparent living at the complex, where peace and quiet are valued but the elevator outage prevents easy access for daily care. The writer emphasizes the need for a quick resolution, noting that a few weeks of outage is already too long for a senior living environment where mobility can be limited. The update adds a sense of urgency to the overall narrative, highlighting that reliable access is a core requirement for independent living at Ascension Manor.

Beyond the maintenance and repairs, some residents share strong praise for specific staff members who have made a difference in day-to-day life at the property. Names like John, Robert, Kevin, James, Bill, and Steve appear in multiple positive notes as compassionate, proactive, and effective in managing the property. Comments describe a maintenance team that keeps the building immaculately maintained and responsive to issues before they escalate, helping residents feel secure and well cared for. The commendations suggest that when the management team is functioning at its best, Ascension Manor can offer a high-quality living environment for seniors and other tenants.

Not all feedback is uniformly positive, however. A few reviewers question the level of care or responsiveness, with one expressing concern that the facility's management and staff may not always attend sufficiently to tenant needs or to the overall condition of the property. The language used - such as references to a "gravy train" and a sense that effort is not always commensurate with pay - reflects frustration and skepticism about prioritization of tasks and resource allocation. Alongside these comments, a separate review points to a rodent infestation encountered during a visit, which is obviously troubling for prospective residents and families seeking a clean and healthy living environment.

Practical access and security concerns also surface in a few reviews. Street parking is noted as the common option, and access to the building can be gate-driven by a buzzer system that often fails. One person recounts that eight out of ten times the buzzer call to the apartment being visited does not work, and another notes that the phone system used to gain entry to the building is unreliable. These logistic and entry-system issues compound the challenges faced by residents, particularly those with mobility limitations or visitors trying to reach someone inside the building.

Taken together, the reviews paint Ascension Manor as a community with a strong core: cleanliness, quiet surroundings, and a staff that can be friendly and responsive, especially when well-supported by management. The most pressing opportunities for improvement lie in reliable elevator service for the senior population, effective pest control, and a consistently dependable entry system so residents and guests can access the building without frustration. The overall impression is that Ascension Manor has many strengths and a dedicated team, but there are concrete, high-priority issues - especially around accessibility and health concerns - that require prompt attention to realize the full potential of the property as a premier senior living option.

This part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offers a convenient and bustling urban environment with a variety of amenities within close proximity. With several pharmacies nearby, accessing necessary medications and healthcare services is easily manageable. Additionally, the area boasts numerous parks, restaurants, cafes, and theaters for leisurely activities and entertainment. Transportation options such as train stations are easily accessible for travel throughout the city. In terms of healthcare facilities, there are several hospitals and physicians offices nearby for any medical needs. Overall, this area provides a vibrant and diverse community with ample resources for senior living.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• Fishtown Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Piazza Dog Park (0.6 miles)
• Franklin Square (0.9 miles)
• Palmer Doggie Depot (1 miles)
• Palmer Park Farmers Market (1 miles)
• Race Street Pier (1.1 miles)
• Independence National Historical Park (1.3 miles)
• Penn's Landing (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Middle Child Clubhouse (0.7 miles)
• Lloyd Whiskey Bar (1.1 miles)
• Independence Beer Garden (1.2 miles)
• The Franklin Fountain (1.3 miles)
• U Bar (1.6 miles)
• Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar (1.6 miles)
• Memphis Taproom (1.6 miles)

Cafes

• La Colombe Coffee Roasters (0.8 miles)
• ReAnimator Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Elixr Coffee (1.6 miles)
• La Colombe Torrefaction (1.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Jefferson Station (1.3 miles)
• 30th Street Station (1.9 miles)
• SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (2.1 miles)
• Septa Wayne Junction Station (3.8 miles)

Theaters

• Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (1.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Episcopal Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Temple University Hospital (2.5 miles)
• Cooper University Hospital (2.6 miles)
• The Pavilion (2.6 miles)
• St Christopher's Hospital for Children (3 miles)
• Veterans Administration Community Living Center (3 miles)
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center (3 miles)

Physicians

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2.7 miles)
• CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (2.8 miles)
• Frankford Avenue Health Center (4.6 miles)
• Simms Hank Md Albert Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia (4.8 miles)