SKY 55 AT CENTRAL STATION

Pros

• The leasing agent exceeded expectations during the tour and was professional and knowledgeable.
• The staff were amazing and friendly, and there were no issues.
• Maria and Jaclina are great.
• The apartment is beautiful with great views and reasonable prices compared to surrounding buildings.
• The maintenance staff are very responsive.
• The facilities are clean and well maintained, including a gym, pool, game room, coffee, and working spaces.
• The front desk staff and property managers were welcoming and professional.
• The area is convenient with easy access to transportation, parks, and the lake.

Cons

• The elevators are unreliable and frequently break down.
• There is no hot water in January, indicating an inconsistent hot water supply.
• A persistent sewer gas smell lingers in the apartment.
• Appliances and fixtures are outdated and mismatched, making the living experience feel far from luxury.
• Ongoing maintenance issues include leaks, damaged outlets, and falling plaster/paint.
• The microwave/range hood was grease-caked and posed health and fire hazards before replacement.
• Windows have not been cleaned in over three years.
• Residents receive little to no communication about important updates like garage closures or power washing.
• Front desk staff are criticized as inattentive, with residents often reporting they are ignored.

Review

SKY55 in Chicago has drawn a mixed chorus from residents and visitors alike, with some praising the building as a resort-like home in a superb location, and others warning that the expectations set by upscale marketing don't always line up with daily realities inside. On the sunny side, many first impressions are genuinely positive. The leasing process is repeatedly described as smooth and professional, with the leasing agent "exceeding all my expectations" during tours. Multiple residents single out specific staff members - Maria and Jaclina in particular - as capable and responsive - and describe a friendly, helpful front desk and maintenance team. The building's amenities are noted as clean and the facilities well-kept, and the location is repeatedly cited as a strong selling point: convenient access to parks, the lake, and commuter lines, with impressive views and a resort-like feel inside the towers.

Yet the praise is tempered by a much heavier dose of cautionary notes drawn from a long list of maintenance and quality concerns. Within less than a year of moving in, a number of residents report ongoing system failures and quality issues that feel at odds with the claimed luxury. A resident recounts a washer that leaked "tremendous amounts of water" in December 2024, followed by no hot water in January 2025, then a persistent sewer gas problem in May 2025. Others detail a litany of problems: damaged outlets and falling plaster or paint chips (May 2025), a kitchen sink leak (July 2025), and a string of slow drains, a broken stove light, filter replacements, and a broken balcony door handle through 2025. The pattern for many is not just inconvenience but repeated, unresolved maintenance that demands escalation.

The problems extend beyond individual units to concerns that impact safety and daily living. Reviewers describe aging infrastructure and outdated, mismatched appliances that undermine the building's "luxury" branding. A thermostat that feels decades old and offers only two settings makes temperature control awkward and expensive, and the appliances' overall condition contrasts sharply with what would be expected in a modern high-rise. On a broader scale, several residents flag building-wide issues: unreliable elevators that frequently break, windows that have not been cleaned in years, and inconsistent communication about essential updates like garage closures or routine power washing that disrupt residents' routines. A health-safety incident is mentioned too - the microwave/range hood was clogged with grease and food debris, creating a hazard that took weeks to address despite photos and multiple follow-ups; it was only replaced after persistent insistence.

Pricing dynamics compound these strains. Several reviews note rent increases that feel misaligned with the actual performance and condition of the property. References to Brookfield Properties - owner and manager of SKY55 - hover in the background as a source of frustration for some residents, who criticize "dynamic pricing" that swings dramatically and for which they say local management has little control. Complaints about the parking garage (run by ABM) echo the broader theme of accessibility and responsiveness: the garage gates and elevators are not always dependable, and getting in touch with the right people for issues can be challenging. The broader atmosphere, including occasional weed smells on certain floors and a lack of a dog run, adds to an impression that SKY55's luxury veneer is unevenly realized in practice for many residents.

Amid the discord, there are also distinctly positive narratives that emphasize care, community, and value. One resident, who has lived in the building for years, highlights the allure of the area and the "beautiful apartment with great views" at prices considered reasonable for the market, especially compared with other downtown options. The maintenance staff receive praise for their responsiveness, and the facilities - gym, pool, game room, coffee, coffee shop areas, and workspaces - are repeatedly commended for cleanliness and upkeep. The location's proximity to the park, lake, and transit is championed as a major benefit, contributing to a sense that SKY55 can be a well-rounded home when things go smoothly.

Within these blended experiences, individual voices diverge on the strength of management. Some reviewers point to personal care from management, noting a sentiment that "you can get things done in person by going to the management office" and citing the presence of supportive, courteous staff during visits and tours. Others focus on more negative personal interactions at the front desk, with one account describing a staff member who seemed disengaged, absorbed in her phone or her own activities, and inattentive to residents' immediate needs. This contrast underscores a broader theme: even when the building offers strong amenities and a seemingly premium setup, the day-to-day experience can hinge on the demeanor and consistency of on-site staff.

A broader tour-based critique echoes a layered reality: SKY55 looks strong from the outside and during official visits, with diverse residents and a polished public-facing image. Yet several reviewers describe a vibe that feels inconsistent with a high-end, low-key premium experience. Some call out a lower-end feel in certain parts of the building, note sensory issues like smoke smells and stained carpeting on multiple floors, and stress that certain units - particularly the penthouses or those with dens - tend to be better maintained. The proximity to major events at Soldier Field is highlighted as a double-edged sword: convenient for some, disruptive for others who face congestion and access challenges during events. Taken together, the tour impressions reinforce a sense that SKY55's atmosphere and condition may depend heavily on the floor, unit, and management contact.

In closing, the confluence of praise and complaint creates a nuanced portrait of SKY55: a building that can deliver impressive comforts, spectacular views, and a favorable location when operations run smoothly, but that also reveals serious inconsistencies in maintenance reliability, appliance modernization, safety considerations, and communication. For prospective residents, the takeaway is clear: SKY55 can feel like a resort-like home in a prime Chicago corridor, but it requires careful vetting - inspecting specific units for readiness, confirming elevator reliability, probing on price stability and renewal terms, and having a plan to engage management in person when issues arise. The spectrum of experiences - from Christine's care and a generally welcoming staff to repeated maintenance headaches and perceived lapses in responsiveness - creates a balanced, if sometimes frustrating, reality for residents navigating life at SKY55.

This part of Chicago, Illinois, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, accessing necessary medications is made easy. Additionally, there are several parks nearby where seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and stay active. A variety of restaurants cater to different tastes and provide options for dining out. The availability of public transportation options like Metra and CTA stations make it convenient for seniors to travel around the city. Coffee shops and cafes offer a cozy atmosphere for socializing or enjoying a quiet moment. Lastly, there are reputable hospitals and physicians in the vicinity to provide quality healthcare services when needed. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of convenience, entertainment, and essential services that would appeal to seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)

Parks

• Coliseum Park (0.3 miles)
• Burnham Park (0.6 miles)
• Grant Park (0.7 miles)
• Ping Tom Memorial Park (0.8 miles)
• Chicago Lakefront (0.8 miles)
• Northerly Island (0.9 miles)
• Grant Park - Butler Field (1.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Lou Malnati's Pizzeria (0.4 miles)
• Portillo's (0.9 miles)
• Miller's Pub (1 miles)
• The Dearborn (1.3 miles)
• Columbia Yacht Club (1.4 miles)
• Emerald Loop Bar and Grill (1.4 miles)
• RPM Seafood (1.6 miles)

Transportation

• Metra - LaSalle Street (0.7 miles)
• Van Buren Street Metra & South Shore Trains (0.7 miles)
• CTA - Cermak-Chinatown (0.9 miles)
• Cta (1 miles)
• CTA - Clinton (1.1 miles)
• Jamba Union Station / Chicago (1.2 miles)
• Ogilvie Transportation Center (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Intelligentsia Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe (1.3 miles)
• Tiny Tapp & Cafe (1.4 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (1.9 miles)
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (2.1 miles)
• Rush University Medical Center (2.4 miles)
• University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System (2.4 miles)
• John H Stroger Jr Hospital (2.6 miles)

Physicians

• Illinois Eye Institute (2.1 miles)
• University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center: Near West Side (3 miles)
• Lincoln Park Dental Specialists (3.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Webster Place (4.4 miles)