Lawrence House

Pros

• Imani goes above and beyond to assist residents.
• Celeste greets guests with genuine kindness and makes everyone feel at home.
• The bartenders bring great energy and craft excellent drinks.
• Mohammed and Sedith provide amazing service together.
• Imani is courteous and responsive, going above and beyond to assist.
• Jim and Sedith did an amazing job fixing the freezer door.
• Imani is consistently helpful and positive, with a welcoming demeanor.
• Imani provides prompt assistance with lockouts.
• Amani makes a wonderful impression with a welcoming and kind demeanor, quickly helping residents and guests.
• Lanee responds promptly to leasing questions.
• The staff are friendly, responsible, and attentive to detail.
• Imani and Micah are great assets to the community.

Cons

• The gym has broken or not fully functioning equipment, with only a few machines truly usable.
• Management is described as a mess and unresponsive to issues unless residents push back repeatedly.
• The central heating and cooling are unreliable; the A/C runs continuously and heat won't turn on properly.
• Smoking inside and around the building is persistent, and management does nothing to address it.
• Maintenance is ineffective: issues aren't fixed, tickets are closed without resolution, and the emergency line is unresponsive.
• Front doors are often left unlocked and non-residents sit in the lobby at all hours, creating safety concerns.
• Move-in conditions were dirty with malfunctioning appliances (A/C, fridge, dryer), and problems persisted after moving in.
• Cockroaches have been reported on some floors, with tickets closed without inspection.

Review

The Lawrence House appears to be a place where the human element of living well really shines. Across the board, residents describe a neighborhood vibe that's warm, welcoming, and deeply human - the kind of atmosphere you feel as soon as you step through the lobby. The building is repeatedly praised for its cozy ambiance, consistent service, and the sense that you're among friends as you unwind after a long day. The bar at Larry's is highlighted as a favorite neighborhood spot precisely because the energy there is so inviting, with staff who seem genuinely invested in making guests feel at home.

A standout thread in many reviews is the tireless, friendly front desk presence, led by Imani. Time and again she's described as courteous, quick to respond, and effortlessly helpful - whether she's letting residents back into their units, assisting someone who's locked out, or simply greeting people with a welcoming smile. Several reviewers single her out as a key part of their positive experience, noting how she makes moving in, living in the building, or just stopping by feel seamless and pleasant. The sentiment isn't isolated to Imani alone; others mention a similar warmth and reliability from surrounding staff, but Imani's consistent presence and upbeat demeanor emerge as a defining feature of the Lawrence House experience.

Beyond Imani, numerous residents call out Celeste in particular for her genuine kindness and easygoing professionalism. She's described as a concierge who truly makes people feel at home from the moment they arrive, and she's praised for her ability to connect with guests and residents alike. Lanee also earns frequent praise for prompt, helpful responses to leasing questions and contract concerns, reinforcing a sense that management and on-site leadership are approachable and focused on clear communication. In addition to Celeste and Lanee, Mohammed is remembered positively for his assistance with move-ins, underscoring that the staff's willingness to go the extra mile is a common thread. This collaborative, customer-first culture - combining front-desk hospitality with proactive leasing support - creates a strong sense of belonging for many residents.

Maintenance teams also figure prominently in the lived experience at the Lawrence House. Several residents report timely, effective work from Jim and Sedith (sometimes rendered Sedith), who are credited with fixing issues like a troublesome freezer door and other maintenance tasks with care and competence. The praise isn't one-sided: some reviews explicitly call out "great maintenance service," suggesting a generally reliable response to problems when they arise. There's also appreciation for the team members who help with move-ins and ongoing resident needs, including Mohammed and the duo who handle repairs, reinforcing the idea that the on-site maintenance and operations crews are a well-regarded part of the building's daily life.

Yet not all feedback is uniformly glowing. One extended review reflects a strong, strongly negative perspective about the property's conditions and management. The reviewer describes multiple issues - gym equipment that's not fully functional, limited fully working cardio machines, and a top-floor room that can be locked from the inside by unknown persons without a reservation. They criticize management for not responding to issues, especially relating to central heating and cooling, and allege that the A/C runs relentlessly while heat fails to engage properly. The situation allegedly deteriorated to the point of involving Chicago government offices after repeated unresponsiveness, with additional complaints about persistent smoking within the building and a perceived inability of management to address these concerns. The review concludes with a harsh caution about breaking a lease given the conditions described at the time of writing. This perspective paints a very different picture from the otherwise glowing testimonials, highlighting areas where maintenance, security, and management responsiveness could impact resident satisfaction.

On balance, the community and staff at the Lawrence House appear to create a strong, positive core experience for many residents. Praise for Imani is a through-line, with others like Micah, Norma, and Amani also receiving positive notes for friendliness, helpfulness, and a welcoming attitude. Reviews repeatedly mention welcoming lobby vibes, a dog-friendly environment, and a sense that the building is well-maintained and visually appealing. The rooftop, gym, and overall amenities are acknowledged as attractive features that contribute to a sense of living in a vibrant, well-equipped community. The honest, personal touches - from a quick greeting to a well-timed bit of assistance - seem to play a central role in shaping how residents feel about daily life at the Lawrence House.

Overall, this collection of reviews suggests a building with a strong, service-oriented team and a community-oriented atmosphere that many residents value highly. The front desk and concierge staff - especially Imani, Celeste, and Lanee - are repeatedly celebrated for making residents feel welcome and well cared for. The maintenance crew - Jim, Sedith, and their colleagues - also earns commendations for responsiveness and effective problem-solving. However, as with any large property, there are legitimate concerns raised about ongoing maintenance reliability, environmental conditions, and management responsiveness in certain cases. Prospective residents should weigh the celebrated warmth and community spirit against the cautionary notes about building systems and management performance, and consider visiting to form a personal impression of how the Lawrence House feels on a daily basis.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers convenient access to public transportation with multiple CTA stations nearby. There are several pharmacies in the vicinity, making it easy to access medications and healthcare services. Additionally, numerous cafes and restaurants are available for dining options. The area also boasts several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical needs, there are reputable hospitals within a short distance. Cultural and entertainment options include theaters for movie enthusiasts. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with amenities that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Transportation

• Cta (0.2 miles)
• Cta (1.5 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (2 miles)
• CTA - Fullerton (3 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (3.3 miles)
• Cta (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Mariano's Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Little Beans Cafe (4.3 miles)

Restaurants

• SoFo Tap (0.6 miles)
• Little Bad Wolf (1.2 miles)
• Cell Block (1.4 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (1.4 miles)
• Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant (1.6 miles)
• Hydrate (1.7 miles)
• Roscoe's (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Horner Park (2.2 miles)
• Hamlin Park (2.6 miles)
• Warren Park (2.8 miles)
• Wrightwood Park (2.9 miles)
• Dubkin Park (3.4 miles)
• Independence Park (3.7 miles)
• Churchill Field Park (3.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (2.3 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (4.1 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (5.3 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (3.3 miles)

Physicians

• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (3.7 miles)