Luther Towers in Memphis, TN

Pros

• The Monarch is a great, quiet, and safe place to live.
• Ms. Taneka is the property's newest manager; she is professional, kind, and cares about the property and its residents; her maintenance team is great.
• Taneka is the BEST property manager anyone can have; she's sweet, understanding, and goes above and beyond in her role.
• New management is wonderful and professional; positive changes are evident; Ms. Taneka is an excellent manager.
• The Monarch's staff and maintenance are friendly; customer service is fast; management listens and responds to requests.
• The Monarch on Highland has turned the property around; the leasing office looks amazing; the apartments are good.
• The office staff are very helpful and patient; the property is well run.
• The staff are outstanding, helpful, and professional; the property is clean; a really good team.
• Ms. Linda was amazing; she was friendly, knowledgeable, and hands-on; she made the move-in process easier.
• Lanise Johnson and Dominique are fabulous; all of the staff are terrific; moving in was smooth.

Cons

• The Monarch on Highland is described as an absolute dump that has deteriorated over the years.
• Elevators are frequently down, and in a 13-story building, rarely are both functioning.
• The property has ongoing leaks, water damage, and pest infestations (gnats and roaches) and is described as dirty and unsafe.
• Management is described as unresponsive, unprofessional, rude, and difficult to contact, with frequent staff turnover.
• Rent and fees are considered overpriced, with amenities promised but not delivered or later removed.
• Security is inadequate, with frequent car break-ins and a lack of proper monitoring or gates.
• HVAC and hot water are unreliable, sometimes unavailable for extended periods, requiring temporary accommodations.
• The property is frequently described as unsafe and not worth the money, with warnings to avoid moving there.
• Some reviewers claim five-star reviews are manufactured by management and advise readers not to trust them.

Review

This community is best suited for: active seniors or older adults who want an urban, high-rise living environment with hands-on, resident-focused management and a willingness to tolerate ongoing renovations, occasional outages, and the ebb and flow of building life. The current leadership under Ms. Taneka has become a focal point for stability and service. Residents who prize a welcoming lobby, a sense of safety, and a managing team that actively engages with requests will feel the strongest pull toward Luther Towers, especially as renovations continue and the property moves toward a more polished, resident-first operation.

Those who should consider alternatives are seniors or families who cannot tolerate repeated reliability gaps. If uninterrupted heat or cooling, consistently functional elevators, reliable laundry services, stable pest control, and transparent, predictable fees are non-negotiable, this building can be a high-risk match. Prospective residents who require ironclad security, absolute consistency in maintenance response, or a completely quiet, disruption-free environment may find the ongoing construction, turnover in ownership, and episodic service variability too burdensome.

On the positive side, the best news centers on people and process. Several reviews highlight Taneka Lewis as an exceptionally capable manager - professional, approachable, and genuinely attentive to resident needs. The sense of a revitalized, more accountable management team translates into cleaner common areas, quicker response times, and a visible upgrade trajectory in the lobby and public spaces. A thread of 24/7 security, frequent praise for staff friendliness, and the perceived improvements from ongoing renovations convincingly offset some daily-life frictions for residents who value stability in management and a sense of security.

Yet the downsides are real and recurring. Elevators fail or operate inconsistently; climate control can swing between heat and cold in ways that frustrate daily living; leaks and mold rumors persist in some units; pests remain a frequent complaint; and parking, along with street security, can feel under pressure. Communications gaps, mixed experiences with past management teams, and a history of turnover contribute to residual skepticism among residents and their families. The takeaway is clear: the improvements are meaningful, but they do not erase structural and operational fragility in the near term.

The key is how the pros offset the cons in daily life. The presence of a proactive manager and a security-minded posture can create a measurable uplift in residents' sense of safety and responsiveness. Renovations and a refreshed common area contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere and a perception that the building is moving in the right direction. For families weighing options, these factors matter when evaluating risk tolerance: if a resident prioritizes human-scale service, visible accountability, and a community that feels cared for, Luther Towers can outperform where it counts. However, the ongoing mechanical and safety issues require vigilance, legitimate expectations around timely fixes, and a plan for contingencies when outages occur.

When making a decision, approach Luther Towers with a practical plan. Visit with questions focused on current elevator status, recent pest-control results, and the maintenance backlog. Request a detailed outline of the renovation timetable, anticipated disruptions, and how security will be maintained during construction. Confirm the current policy on heat and AC switching, hot water reliability, and any rent or amenity-fee changes tied to ongoing upgrades. Speak with multiple residents about response times and transparency in communications, and verify the availability of on-site amenities like laundry, dining, and transportation services. The right choice hinges on balancing the comfort of a responsive management team and a renewed building against the realities of ongoing infrastructure challenges.

In short, Luther Towers can be a strong fit for seniors who value a warm, engaged staff and are willing to live through a rebuilding phase with close oversight and improving safety features. It is not the right choice for those who demand absolute reliability across all systems, flawless security, and a turnover-free environment from day one. If the family prioritizes management-led accountability, a visible renovation path, and a community that feels increasingly well-run, Luther Towers earns careful consideration. If those nonnegotiables aren't negotiable, look to alternatives that offer steadier operations, fewer interruptions, and more predictable day-to-day living.

This area of Memphis, Tennessee offers a convenient and accessible location with a variety of amenities nearby. Within close proximity, you will find several pharmacies, restaurants, cafes, places of worship, parks, physicians offices, hospitals, and transportation options. The diverse selection of dining options caters to various tastes and preferences. The presence of multiple places of worship provides opportunities for spiritual engagement. Nearby parks offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Access to healthcare services is readily available with numerous physicians offices and hospitals in the vicinity. Transportation options include proximity to the airport and car rental services for easy travel arrangements. Overall, this area offers a well-rounded environment with essential services for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)

Restaurants

• El Porton Of Memphis (0.4 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.5 miles)
• Lucchesi's Beer Garden (0.5 miles)
• R P Tracks (0.5 miles)
• Wendy's (0.9 miles)
• Wiseacre Brewing Company (2.1 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Otherlands Coffee Bar & Exotic Gifts (2.6 miles)
• Kay Kafe (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Holy Trinity Community (0.8 miles)
• Lindenwood Christian Church (2.2 miles)
• White Station Church of Christ (2.9 miles)
• Grace-St Luke's Episcopal Church (3.4 miles)
• McLean Baptist Church (3.8 miles)
• St John's United Methodist Church (4.4 miles)
• Second Chance Fellowship (4.4 miles)

Parks

• Chickasaw Garden Park (1.1 miles)
• Audubon Park (1.4 miles)
• Overton Square (3.1 miles)
• Sea Isle Neighborhood (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Laurelwood Pediatrics (2.9 miles)
• Tristate Neurology (3 miles)
• JNT Natural Medicine (3.1 miles)
• Midtown Internal Medicine (3.8 miles)
• Women's Physicians Group (4 miles)
• The Endocrine Clinic PC (4.3 miles)
• Christ Community Family Medicine (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Methodist Healthcare Employee Assistance Program (3 miles)
• Lebonheur Outpatient Center-East (4.8 miles)
• Memphis VA Medical Center (4.8 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (4.9 miles)
• St Francis Hospital (5 miles)
• University Of TN Apha-Asp (5 miles)
• Regional One Health Main Campus (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Memphis Air Traffic Control Center (3.9 miles)
• FedEx AOC (4.1 miles)
• Wilson Air Center (4.9 miles)
• FedEx Hangar 26 (5 miles)
• Memphis International Airport Crew Room (5.5 miles)
• National Car Rental (5.7 miles)
• TSA Security Check Point (5.9 miles)