The Renaissance

Pros

• The apartments are nice and have large rooms.
• It is described as a great place to live if you stay to yourself.
• One reviewer calls the place great.

Cons

• The apartments are infested with bedbugs.
• There is no real management at the facility.
• Whenever anyone visits, no one is available.
• The hallways have a musty smell.
• Since 1998, the property has been overrun with bedbugs, roaches, drugs, and bad management.
• They do not recommend living there.
• Renaissance has problems like everywhere else.

Review

The collection of impressions about Renaissance paints a picture of a place that can look inviting on paper but feels very different in daily life. Several reviewers point out that the apartments themselves are fairly spacious and offer large rooms, which is a practical plus for families or those who value extra space. Yet even this seemingly solid feature is dwarfed by a torrent of complaints about management, maintenance, and the overall living environment. A recurring theme is that the physical layout and size don't necessarily translate into a comfortable or well-cared-for home, especially for people who rely on responsive service and clean, pest-free surroundings.

There is a strong voice in these notes about respect and decency from those in charge. One speaker emphasizes that the way some people are treated - particularly seniors, people with disabilities, or anyone who is financially vulnerable - feels disrespectful and wrong. The message is loud and personal: money is being taken, services seem neglectful, and the dignity of long-time residents is at stake. The sentiment blends a moral appeal with a practical demand for better care, and it closes with a spiritual reminder to honor higher values and not to think that anything can be hidden from scrutiny. The tone is urgent and uncompromising, underscoring that a thriving living community should extend kindness and accountability to everyone who calls the place home.

Amid the strong rhetoric, there is also a straightforward acknowledgement that the complex isn't uniformly loved. One reviewer explicitly says that the apartments are nice and large, which suggests that the basic design and space can be appealing. This positive note sits in tension with far more negative observations about cleanliness, upkeep, and neighborly conditions, reminding readers that perceived quality can vary dramatically depending on which part of the experience one experiences and which staff members happen to be on duty.

A more specific critique centers on day-to-day conditions and management responsiveness. In 2014, a resident and their mother lived there, and the hallways left a sour impression due to a persistent bad smell. That smell becomes a symbol for broader issues - the sense that the building is not well-maintained and that common areas do not feel welcoming. The same account references "Renaissance has its problems like everywhere else," implying that the property isn't unique in facing challenges, but the stated severity of those challenges - tight budgets, slow fixes, or indifferent service - gives a sense that problems are chronic rather than episodic.

Bedbugs become a standout problem in several accounts, paired with other pests like roaches and a general mustiness in the halls. The repetition of pests isn't just about discomfort; it's linked to a perceived failure in property management. One reviewer notes that the apartments are "infested with bedbugs" and that there is no real management presence - "every time I go in, no one is available." The combination of pests and a lack of accessible staff paints a bleak picture: even clean rooms can feel contaminated by the surrounding environment when help isn't readily available, and this erodes trust in the facility's ability to provide a livable space.

There are hints of a more nuanced reality beneath the strongest criticisms. For some, the place can still function as a good home if you "stay to yourself." This line suggests that, for certain residents who prefer solitude or who don't rely on frequent assistance, the environment may be tolerable or even preferable. It highlights how individual circumstances - personality, lifestyle, and needs - can dramatically influence how one experiences the same building. The same thread of thought implies that the social fabric of the complex may not be supportive or well-organized, but it can still feel manageable for those who are less sociable or less affected by the surrounding turmoil.

Finally, a memory from the late 1990s contrasts sharply with the present tone. One speaker recalls that when they first arrived in 1998, the place was "really nice," but since then it has become overrun with bedbugs, roaches, drugs, and what is described as bad management. That retrospective arc suggests a patterns of decline over time, turning what might have been a solid rental into a location where fundamental expectations - cleanliness, safety, and reliable management - are not consistently met. The lament is not simply about individual incidents but about a perceived trajectory of deterioration that can leave residents feeling abandoned or undervalued.

Taken together, the reflections on Renaissance present a long, complex portrait. The apartments' size and potential are clear, but they are overshadowed by persistent pests, smells, and a sense that management is not reliably responsive. While some residents might find a workable niche within the building by limiting their needs or keeping to themselves, others describe a living environment that fails to meet basic expectations of upkeep, safety, and dignity. The overarching message is one of caution: for anyone considering this place, it's essential to weigh the appealing physical space against the likelihood of ongoing maintenance issues, pest problems, and the availability of supportive management. And beyond the practicalities, there's a persistent call to treat every resident with respect, especially seniors and those facing disabilities, as a reminder that a home should be a place of care, dignity, and community.

Physicians

• Bhatti Jawad Dr Virginia Pain Network And Clinics Richmond (0.7 miles)
• OrthoVirginia - Chippenham (1 miles)
• NorthStar Community (2.8 miles)
• Midlothian Medical Care (3.1 miles)
• Primary Health Group (3.2 miles)
• Surgical Specialists of Richmond (3.5 miles)
• Richmond Ear Nose & Throat Specialists (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Parks

• Forest Hill Park (2.1 miles)
• Barker Field Dog Park (2.2 miles)
• Dogwood Dell (2.2 miles)
• Byrd Park (3.6 miles)
• Lombardy Park Playground (3.7 miles)
• Monroe Park (3.9 miles)
• Brown's Island (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Cook Out (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Sticky Rice (3.3 miles)
• Joe's Inn (3.5 miles)
• Little Mexico (3.5 miles)
• Papa John's Pizza (3.6 miles)
• Stella's Grocery (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center (2.8 miles)
• VCU Medical Center Emergency Department (4.1 miles)
• Vcu Health System Authority (4.4 miles)
• St Marys South Building (4.5 miles)
• Hospital Hospitality House (4.6 miles)
• CJW Medical Center (4.6 miles)
• Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• Perk (3 miles)
• Lamplighter (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Blanchard’s Café (3.9 miles)
• Quench (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christadelphian Chapel (3.1 miles)
• Tikvat Israel Congregation (3.3 miles)
• Remnant Church (3.4 miles)
• St Edward's Church (4.5 miles)

Theaters

• Bow Tie Movieland at Boulevard Square (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• GRTC Pulse - Convention Center (4.4 miles)
• Main Street Station (4.7 miles)