Lakeshore Towers Apartments

Pros

• The building's beauty and mystery captivates visitors daily.
• Residents loved living in Lakeshore Towers.
• The view is really nice.
• The retro atrium, terrazza flooring, and eight-foot ceilings give it a unique charm, with open floor plans and amazing vistas.
• The staff is amazing and maintenance responds quickly.
• The complex offers a big-city living feel in Gainesville, with 24/7 security and a doorman.
• Katie and Stephanie run the place well, including painting units to residents' preferred colors.

Cons

• One reviewer described the experience as horrible from the first call and noted the office was unavailable.
• They called the place the most disgusting in Gainesville and criticized the management's handling of deposits as malpractice.
• They claimed that Katie the secretary was writing reviews for this rathole.
• They cautioned potential tenants to stay away for a healthy and safe living.
• They described the overall handling as very unprofessional.

Review

There is a recurring thread of awe and longing in the voices describing this Gainesville complex. One reviewer puts it bluntly: her beauty and mystery captivate her daily, and she wants nothing more than to step foot inside. The sentiment is so strong that she even invites others to reach out if tours ever happen. It's a place that seems to cast a spell, a hidden gem that others mention with almost ceremonial fervor, as if the building itself holds a key to something larger than a typical apartment experience.

The nostalgia and personal history tied to Lakeshore Towers thread into the narrative as well. At least one resident loved living there, describing it as a home they cherished. The reason for moving is quietly poignant: she and her husband built a house before he passed away, and that life change pulled them away from Lakeshore Towers. It's a reminder that the place isn't just brick and glass; it's connected to real people and real-life moments - love, loss, and a home that once felt like the perfect fit.

Not every first impression is seamless, though. A single voice captures a negative early experience that can color expectations from the start: a first call so off-putting that it felt like stepping into the Twilight Zone, with the office listed as "unavailable." The blunt frustration of that initial contact contrasts sharply with the later, more glowing memories and hints at a broader consistency issue that some readers felt might be at odds with the otherwise appealing physical spaces.

When the conversation shifts to the physical space itself, the descriptions become almost cinematic. One commenter asks readers to imagine stepping back into the 1970s, pointing to a cool retro atrium, terrazzo flooring, and 8-foot ceilings. They call it one of Gainesville's most hidden condo complexes, a place defined by open floor plans and sweeping vistas. The sentiment is that the building exudes a mood, a certain "real-life big-city" vibe tucked away in Gainesville. The beauty of the views and the architecture is repeatedly foregrounded, making the complex feel like a well-kept secret worth discovering.

Beyond aesthetics, there's a thread that bonds many of the praises: a sense of intrigue paired with genuine admiration for the people who run and maintain the place. Several reviews lean into a Bond-like mystique, calling it a very polished Gainesville secret. It's a place where the staff aren't just following routines; they're part of the charm, contributing to a sense that the property is a cut above in character and care. The overall tone is one of appreciation for the mystery, the atmosphere, and the feeling that you're somewhere special.

The human side of the experience shines through in several glowing testimonials. A reviewer who loves living there emphasizes the people as much as the views. They describe the community as wonderful and the views as spectacular, with a sense that there's always someone around to help when needed. Stephanie in the leasing office is singled out as "the best," and while the writer notes they haven't needed maintenance often, they're quick to praise the responsiveness and friendliness of the maintenance staff. The grounds are lauded for being nice and quiet, with a convenient location that adds to the overall appeal.

Yet not every voice can reconcile those positives with some harsh criticisms. One reviewer labels the place the most disgusting in Gainesville, accusing the management and the deposit practices of malpractice and describing the situation as unprofessional. The claim even goes further, suggesting that Katie the secretary might be writing reviews for this "rathole." In short, there's a stark contrast between the glowing, almost wistful admiration in some accounts and a sharp, caustic accusation from another, painting a picture of a property that divides opinion.

In the final stretch of impressions, another enthusiastic note resets the tone with a robust endorsement. This reviewer frames the complex as amazing, almost city-like, but right in Gainesville. They highlight practical positives that complement the romance of the setting: 24-hour security, a doorman on the property after 5pm, and a level of cleanliness and modernity that makes leaving feel unthinkable. The maintenance person, Chris, is remembered for helping move furniture, underscoring a hands-on, can-do attitude. The claim that Katie and Stephanie run things well repeats, along with the detail that the staff even painted the resident's place to meet their preference. The closing message is unequivocal: don't go elsewhere, this is the place to live in Gainesville.

Restaurants

• La Tienda Latina (0.2 miles)
• Steak 'n Shake (0.5 miles)
• First Magnitude Brewing Company (1.2 miles)
• Moe's Southwest Grill (1.4 miles)
• Gator Corner Dining Center (1.4 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (0.9 miles)
• Epic Pharmacies (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Malcom Randall Va Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• OR Radiology Shands South Tower (0.6 miles)
• Uf Health Heart & Vascular And Neuromedicine Hospitals (0.7 miles)
• Shands PICU (0.7 miles)
• Shands Hospital (0.7 miles)
• Shands North Tower (0.8 miles)
• Select Specialty Hospital (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Opus Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Concord Coffee (1.6 miles)
• The Leaning Pig (1.8 miles)
• Peach Valley Cafe (1.8 miles)
• Metro Diner (1.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)

Physicians

• Uf Health Pediatrics After Hours (0.7 miles)
• Loving Care Physicians and Midwives (1.4 miles)
• Children's Oncology Group (1.9 miles)
• Fresenius Medical Care (2 miles)
• UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute (2 miles)
• Shands Rehab Center (2 miles)
• Bryan R Prine MD (2 miles)

Parks

• Depot Park (1.5 miles)
• A Nan Buddhist Statue Park (2.1 miles)
• Roper Park (2.1 miles)
• Albert “Ray” Massey Park (2.8 miles)
• Alfred A Ring Park (3 miles)

Transportation

• Rosa Parks Downtown Station (1.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church (2 miles)
• Mount Carmel Baptist Church (3.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Butler Town Center (2.2 miles)
• Regal Celebration Pointe & RPX (3.3 miles)