Walnut Park Plaza Apartments

Pros

• The building is very well kept and unusually intact for a historic place.
• The building has lovely bones.
• It is a wonderful place.
• It is a great place to be.
• The security entrance makes it a good place to live.
• The tenants are helpful.
• The building is convenient for residents.
• The senior living option offers reasonable rates and is clean and comfortable for living.

Cons

• The elevators are small and outdated, and the building needs to be updated.
• This place is a friggin dump, with rude staff and unresponsive management.
• Management is unresponsive to concerns and has credited residents' rent payments to the wrong accounts on multiple occasions.
• The office staff are rude and disrespectful and unprofessional, with no management to report them to.
• Everything is old in the building and keeps breaking down.
• The building is raggedy despite government funding.
• The place is the worst, and the staff is very rude.
• Better security is needed; security at night is insufficient.
• The building feels like a prison - confining with no activities.
• There are no good contacts with residents; the front office needs training.

Review

The property in question sits at the intersection of history and modern needs, a large senior living complex that's clearly divided opinion among its residents. Built in 1921, the building has a venerable, almost architectural presence, with some people praising its enduring feel and others lamenting its aging bones. What unites many comments is a lived-in sense of place: for some, it is a cherished home; for others, it feels more like a work in progress that never quite kept pace with its inhabitants' needs.

Among the people who sing its praises, you hear a soft, steady affection. "I like it here I never had anything to complain about I'm not planning to move," one resident says, framing a sentiment that recurs: for some, the decision to stay is rooted in familiarity, a sense of community, and a belief that the basics - security, reasonable pricing for seniors, and a place to call home - are present. Another describes the place as "home? literally," and a few note that it's "well kept. Unusually intact for such a historical place that is still functionally operating." There are also practical appreciation points: the building's security entrance is viewed as a plus, and several residents highlight a comfortable, stable living environment for older adults, with mentions of reasonable rates and a generally safe feeling inside the building.

Yet a different chorus voices frustration with the management and administrative side of things. Several reviews describe rude or unprofessional office staff, with a common refrain that there's little to report to beyond a sole office line and that management can feel unresponsive. "Management is unresponsive to any concerns you may have," one person notes, adding that rent payments have been credited to the wrong accounts on multiple occasions and that residents are often asked to supply proof to fix errors. The sentiment "If you consider this place you may be better off somewhere else" captures a worry that the upsides of living there can be overshadowed by these recurring administrative hiccups.

A thread running through many comments is the sense that the building's infrastructure has not kept up with the needs of its residents. The property's age shows in the most tangible ways: "elevators are small and outdated and the building needs to be updated," and "everything is old in there and keeps breaking down." People call for concrete improvements - "New Kitchen & floor full refrigerator that can hold food," "Update bathroom & floor," "Cover for those old ugly radiators," "New hallway carpet & lighting," and "A new laundry room with updated machines." The call is clear and practical: if this is a place for seniors, the facilities should reflect today's standards of safety, ease of use, and comfort. Some residents see the infusion of government funds as an opportunity that hasn't fully translated into visible upgrades, asking, somewhat pointedly, "Y'all getting all this government money why this building so raggedy?"

Sound levels and comfort, too, appear in the critiques. The building is described as old and noisy, with a sense of confinement that some residents associate with a lack of activities and limited opportunities to socialize beyond the everyday routines. There are references to "confining, like a prison" feeling and "no activities," which emphasize a desire for more programming, better public spaces, and more engagement opportunities for residents who already have limited mobility or social circles. Some residents acknowledge the social benefits that do exist - helpful tenants and a few people they know who live there - but the impact of a dreary atmosphere and a lack of meaningful activities weighs heavily in others' assessments.

Security and safety emerge as a mixed bag. On the positive side, several residents point to secure entrances as a reason to stay, appreciating a sense of controlled access that makes the building feel safer for seniors. Others, however, call for more sustained attention to nighttime security and general safety - "better security at night, lots of traffic at night" - along with a broader sense that management should do more to address residents' concerns about privacy, noise, and safety in common areas and entrances. The tension between a secure entry and the broader, day-to-day experience of living in an older building underscores a core dilemma: security is appreciated, but it isn't a substitute for responsive management and updated facilities.

Community dynamics reflect both warmth and frustration. For every resident who describes the complex as "home" and "great," there are voices about rude staff, outdated infrastructure, and an overall sense that the building's leadership could do more to listen and respond. There's a sense of residents' solidarity in helping one another, particularly with mobility needs and carrying groceries or bags to apartments. Still, the overall mood swings between gratitude and fatigue, with some residents feeling that the building is not living up to its potential as a supportive, well-managed home for seniors.

In sum, this senior living property embodies a paradox: it remains a deeply meaningful home for many, anchored by a safety-oriented design, a historic charm, and a community of residents who look out for one another. At the same time, persistent complaints about management responsiveness, financial missteps, and an aging, under-maintained physical plant create a narrative of unrealized potential. Some residents see the building as a wonderful place worth preserving and investing in; others view it as a place with too many unresolved issues to be the best choice for long-term living. The common thread is a call for balance - honoring the building's history and the people who live there, while modernizing the facilities, improving administrative reliability, and expanding programming to turn the sense of home into an experience that matches the building's enduring spirit.

This area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers convenient access to various amenities and services essential for senior living. With multiple pharmacies such as Rite Aid and CVS nearby, residents have easy access to medication and healthcare needs. Transportation options like SEPTA and National Car Rental provide easy travel around the city. The proximity to hospitals like Lankenau Medical Center and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center ensures quick medical attention in case of emergencies. There are also numerous dining options ranging from fast-food chains like McDonald's to more upscale restaurants like K'Far and Jack McShea's. Additionally, cafes such as Starbucks and Panera Bread offer cozy spots for socializing or enjoying a cup of coffee. The neighborhood is surrounded by several parks like Fairmount Park and Schuylkill River Park, providing ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area of Philadelphia combines convenience with a vibrant community atmosphere, making it an ideal location for seniors looking to enjoy their golden years.

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• SEPTA: 101/102 Lansdowne Avenue Station (2 miles)
• Darby Transportation Center (2.9 miles)
• SEPTA: MFL/TRL 30th Street Station (3.4 miles)
• 30th Street Station (3.4 miles)
• Jefferson Station (4.7 miles)
• National Car Rental (5.4 miles)
• Terminal F (5.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Lankenau Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center (2.6 miles)
• Veterans Administration Community Living Center (2.7 miles)
• The Pavilion (3 miles)

Physicians

• Dr Madonna's Family Practice (2.2 miles)
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2.9 miles)
• CHOP Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care - Raymond G. Perelman Campus (2.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Larry's Steaks (2.6 miles)
• Pizza Hut (3.1 miles)
• Rosy's Taco Bar (3.7 miles)
• McDonald's (3.9 miles)
• Wendy's (3.9 miles)
• K'Far (4 miles)
• Jack McShea's (4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.9 miles)
• La Colombe Torrefaction (4 miles)
• Elixr Coffee (4.3 miles)
• The Landing Kitchen (4.3 miles)

Parks

• Fairmount Park (2.7 miles)
• Schuylkill River Park (3.6 miles)
• Ellson Glen Park (3.8 miles)
• Rittenhouse Square (4 miles)
• Christopher Columbus Park Dog Run (4.7 miles)
• Franklin Square (5.1 miles)
• Independence National Historical Park (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• Landmark Theatres - Ritz Five (5.4 miles)