Essex House

Pros

• The leasing manager was truly exceptional, friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful every step of the way.
• Ms. Janee is a compassionate and dedicated property manager who goes above and beyond to support tenants.
• Janee Robinson is hardworking, helpful, and caring, a blessing to the community.
• She never lets tenants give up, offering encouragement and belief in the process.
• Teresa is an amazing and professional person who provides patient, thorough assistance.
• The Brent Place team is praised for honesty, transparency, and a positive, life-changing community experience.
• Jana? is described as the best, taking great care of tenants and fostering strong community ideas.
• Mrs. Robinson's promotion is celebrated, highlighting hands-on, customer-service oriented leadership.

Cons

• One reviewer described the place as "sucks" and filthy with terrible treatment throughout the building.
• Several reviews criticized the management as rude, unprofessional, and unresponsive.
• Multiple comments referenced crime, drugs, pests (bugs and mice), and safety concerns inside the building.
• A reviewer stated the leasing office doors are often locked and staff lie about being busy, with little to no follow-up.
• Some reviewers advise against Brent Place due to safety concerns and violent incidents.
• The property is described as old with ongoing water problems and disruptive residents.
• A reviewer found the hand-offs of scooters and shopping carts near the dumpster to be disgusting.

Review

The collection of impressions about Brent Place Apartment Homes presents a wide spectrum of experiences, with a strong through-line of praise for the leasing office and, in particular, for the property manager who often anchors the narrative. Across multiple voices, the leasing office is repeatedly described as professional, responsive, and genuinely caring. Inquiries about the property were met with a level of attentiveness that some reviewers say surpassed their expectations, creating a sense of reassurance at the very start of the rental journey. Several readers emphasize that the leasing manager - consistently named as Jana? or Janee - stood out as exceptional: friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful at every step, making the application process feel smooth and supported.

A prominent thread in the reviews centers on Ms. Janee (the property manager) as a transformative presence. One writer highlights her as the heart of the building, describing words of encouragement that moved them to tears and expressing the belief that she genuinely cares about helping people start a new chapter in their lives. Other residents reinforce this sentiment, noting that Janee "never let me give up," offering unwavering belief in the process, and bringing a kind, caring, and inspiring approach to her role. The sense that she is a rare, God-fearing leader who invests deeply in tenant well-being is echoed in multiple testimonials, painting Janee as a cornerstone of a positive community experience at Brent Place.

Within the same tapestry of praise, several residents describe a blossoming sense of community and improved conditions under Janee's leadership. One five-star review casts Janee as a blessing who helped a family secure a home and provided consistent support throughout the journey. Others applaud the property for showing big improvements and credit Janee's leadership with creating a more welcoming atmosphere; they mention her as the best, noting her thorough communication, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure tenants have the best possible experience. Together, these narratives create a portrait of a property manager who not only manages units but also cultivates trust, encouragement, and a more hopeful living environment.

At the same time, the reviews do not present a single, uniform experience of Brent Place. Some readers express concerns about the day-to-day environment and the behavior of residents, including observations about shared spaces and cleanliness. One reviewer mentions seeing shopping carts and Lime scooters left near the dumpster and describes it as disconcerting, especially when there is a desire not to use those scooters or carts due to potential dirt or unsanitary conditions. This thread points to ongoing questions about maintenance and communal etiquette, reminding readers that even in a highly praised leadership environment, the physical environment and resident behavior can be a mix of orderly and problematic.

There are personal accounts of both quick, reassuring responsiveness and more challenging, negative episodes. A resident who moved in January into a two-bedroom notes the professionalism of Janee, with rapid email responses and a friendly, comfortable atmosphere that helped ease the transition. They also highlight that "great improvements" have occurred on the property and that Ms. Robinson (another name associated with the leadership team) has been wonderfully helpful. Yet, other voices describe experiences with management that range from bureaucratic delays and locked doors to unresponsiveness and a sense that tenants' concerns were not being prioritized. These contrasting anecdotes reflect the complex reality of managing a multi-unit community, where individual interactions and leadership strategies can lead to markedly different daily experiences for residents.

Across the narrative, the role of Ms. Robinson emerges as another pillar of positive engagement for many tenants. Several comments attribute a significant degree of care and hands-on leadership to Robinson, praising her for being "wonderful & very helpful," for taking an active role in improving the community, and for being a person who remains dedicated to residents' needs. In some testimonials, this same figure is celebrated for stepping into the community with a genuine, proactive approach that helps people feel supported and heard. The overall sentiment positions Robinson as a trusted, dependable presence in the leasing office, capable of contributing to a sense of stability and belonging within Brent Place.

Yet the discourse also includes sharp critiques of management and safety concerns that complicate the overall impression. A number of reviews describe persistent problems that have grown more serious over time: claims about a deteriorating living environment, a history of drug activity, pests, water issues, and a perception of unsafe conditions in certain parts of the building. Some writers specifically label the management as unprofessional or disengaged, citing locked office doors, unreturned calls, and a perception that staff prioritizes rent collection over tenant welfare. A few residents express fear and frustration about crime in the area, including references to shootings and other dangerous incidents, and advise prospective tenants to consider these risks carefully. Taken together, these accounts underscore the reality that a housing complex can oscillate between moments of supportive leadership and episodes of real concern about safety and maintenance.

In contrast to the louder warnings, there are also testimonials that emphasize the human touch, kindness, and genuine care that can color a resident's experience. One reviewer, emphasizing Teresa's professionalism, describes a patient, accommodating approach during an extensive tour of multiple properties and encourages others to seek her out specifically. This thread highlights that, even amid a broader landscape of mixed reviews, there are individuals who leave a lasting positive impression by providing thoughtful guidance, patience, and a willingness to help during what can be a stressful decision-making process.

Overall, Brent Place appears to be a place of significant contrasts: a community led by exceptionally dedicated and caring managers who can energize and inspire tenants, paired with ongoing concerns about management responsiveness, safety, and consistent maintenance. The recurring praise for Janee and Robinson suggests that strong leadership can profoundly shape the living experience, turning what could be a routine rental into a narrative of support, hope, and community. At the same time, the candid warnings about crime, cleanliness, and bureaucratic friction remind us that the day-to-day reality of living there can vary dramatically from one unit to another and from one moment to the next. For anyone considering Brent Place, these perspectives together tell a story of a property with remarkable leadership potential, tempered by real-world challenges that deserve careful consideration.

This part of Alexandria, Virginia, offers a convenient and bustling urban environment with a variety of amenities nearby. There are several restaurants such as McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, and Panera Bread within a short distance for dining options. Additionally, multiple pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens provide easy access to medications and healthcare essentials. Transportation options are readily available with Metro stations like Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Avenue nearby. For medical needs, there are physicians' offices like Telegraph Corner Family Medicine and Patient First in the vicinity. Parks such as Huntley Meadows Park and Lake Accotink Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The area also features theaters like AMC Hoffman Center 22 for entertainment. Overall, this location provides a mix of services and attractions that could be appealing for senior living.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.2 miles)
• Aslin Beer Compan (0.5 miles)
• Port City Brewing Company (1.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• Burger King (2.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.6 miles)
• For Five Coffee (3.8 miles)
• Junction Bakery & Bistro (4 miles)
• Mae's Market and Cafe (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.2 miles)

Transportation

• Van Dorn Street Metro Station (0.7 miles)
• Eisenhower Avenue Metro Station (3.2 miles)
• Franconia-Springfield Metro Station (3.6 miles)
• Amtrak (3.6 miles)
• King Street - Old Town Metro Station (3.7 miles)
• Braddock Road Metro Station (4.1 miles)
• Ballston-MU Metro Station (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Telegraph Corner Family Medicine (2.7 miles)
• Patient First - Alexandria (3.4 miles)
• Diagnostic Radiology (5.7 miles)

Parks

• Huntley Meadows Park (3.1 miles)
• Springfield Forest Park (3.1 miles)
• Glencarlyn Park (3.8 miles)
• Lake Accotink Park (4.7 miles)
• Bluemont Junction Trail (4.8 miles)
• Waterfront Park (4.9 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Hoffman Center 22 (3.2 miles)
• Regal Springfield Town Center (3.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Bernadette C (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (5.5 miles)
• Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Emergency Room (5.6 miles)