The Plaza

Pros

• The Plaza is described as having amazing apartments, excellent service, and friendly staff.
• The building's concrete construction helps minimize external noise.
• Elizabeth, Eddie, Jacqueline, and the rest of the staff are repeatedly praised as exceptional.
• Frederick is commended for proactive, enthusiastic maintenance and for solving issues quickly.
• Maintenance requests are handled promptly and efficiently.
• The ice maker and water system issues are resolved quickly with friendly staff.
• The community is welcoming, with neighbors described as friendly.
• The property is consistently clean, well-kept, and well maintained.
• The staff go above and beyond to care for residents, making The Plaza feel like home.
• The complex is dog-friendly and maintains cleanliness through its policies.
• New windows being installed and the concrete construction contribute to a quiet living environment.
• Long-time residents express love for the place and would highly recommend it.

Cons

• The replacement was of poorer quality than the original, and they were told no better option was available, leaving them to purchase and install it themselves.
• There was a no-show by painters on two days.
• An unresolved, ongoing maintenance problem with the toilet persisted for several years.
• The replacements for the long-time staff were sub-par and showed they did not care about tenants.
• There are no handicap-accessible doors, making entry difficult for wheelchair users.
• It was disappointing.

Review

The Plaza feels like a resort meets a condo community, a place where strong management, attentive service, and a quiet, well-kept building come together to create a consistently pleasant living experience. Residents repeatedly note the concrete construction as a major plus, giving the structure a solidity that helps keep external noise at bay. The atmosphere is described as welcoming and respectful, with friendly neighbors who contribute to a sense of community and belonging from day one.

A standout theme throughout the reviews is the exceptional team that keeps The Plaza running smoothly. Elizabeth, Eddie, and Jacqueline are repeatedly praised as the core of a dedicated, caring staff who go above and beyond to make residents feel valued. Comments like "Elizabeth is a jewel" and "Jacqueline and Eddie go out of their way to ensure this place and the residents are cared for" recur, underscoring a personnel group that many residents regard as the heart of their home. The praise expands to include Freddy (Frederick) and Eddy, whose proactive, enthusiastic approach has turned potential hiccups into opportunities for positive impressions - whether painting a door after a no-show by painters or guiding movers efficiently during a big move. This team's reliability is a recurring beacon in residents' stories, reinforcing a sense of trust and consistency in the building's leadership.

Maintenance and responsive service consistently emerge as a major strength. Multiple residents recount quick turnarounds on a range of needs - from plumbing and appliance issues to routine upkeep. A kitchen drains incident was resolved swiftly, a disposal problem was removed in minutes, and a refrigerator water filter was installed promptly to fix an ice-maker issue. The narrative of maintenance is one of efficiency and thoroughness: questions answered, problems solved, and the sense that staff will show up and stay committed until a solution is found. Even when a service item - such as a replacement that turned out not to be ideal - could not be replaced with the exact original, residents acknowledge efforts to address needs and communicate honestly about availability.

Beyond technical fixes, The Plaza's operational excellence extends to everyday conveniences and logistics. One resident moved in recently and appreciated how Frederick assisted movers by directing them to the most efficient delivery routes within the building, highlighting how thoughtful staff support can ease complex moves. The team's willingness to assist with less glamorous tasks - like helping with the disposal of a mountain of boxes and packing materials - further reinforces the sense that residents are cared for at every step of their living experience. This combination of practical help and personal warmth makes The Plaza feel less like a building and more like a well-managed home.

The living environment at The Plaza is also described as quiet, clean, and well-kept, with a clear emphasis on safety and comfort. Several reviews point to excellent housekeeping and a maintenance crew that maintains the property to a high standard. The staff's professionalism is contrasted with occasional, isolated concerns about other residents' behavior, underscoring that, while the building excels in service, the broader resident community can still present everyday challenges - yet the staff's responsive approach tends to mitigate these issues quickly.

There are some caveats that appear among otherwise glowing testimonials. A few residents note gaps in certain services or capabilities, such as a reported ongoing toilet issue that remains unresolved for years or a request that took longer than preferred to address. There is also a mention of a replacement item being of poorer quality than the original, prompting residents to consider purchasing their own replacements when necessary. Accessibility concerns are raised as well, with a specific comment about the lack of handicap-accessible doors and the difficulty of entering the front door with a wheelchair. While these points contrast with the otherwise overwhelmingly positive sentiment, they also illustrate that the community's most vocal residents want The Plaza to continue improving in all areas.

Renovation and modernization efforts are part of the ongoing narrative as well. New windows are being installed, a change that residents associate with ongoing improvements and a continued commitment to maintaining a quiet, well-insulated living space. The building's reputation as a well-kept, thoughtfully managed place remains strong, with many residents reflecting on their long-term tenure with affection. Some have lived at The Plaza for eight years or more, and their testimony speaks to a stable, caring environment where the staff's kindness and responsiveness consistently elevate daily life. Others have made The Plaza their home for several years, noting the steps taken by the current management team to stabilize operations after periods of management turnover.

In the end, what shines through in these narratives is a clear, enduring appreciation for a team that treats residents like family. The Plaza is described as a place where maintenance issues are addressed promptly, where staff members take initiative and maintain a genuinely warm, professional demeanor, and where the building itself - concrete construction, clean environments, and ongoing upgrades - contributes to an overall sense of well-being. While no community is without occasional bumps, the prevailing tone is one of gratitude and satisfaction: a place that feels like a home, supported by a capable and caring staff, and where residents feel seen, heard, and valued every day.

This part of St. Paul, Minnesota, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors looking for a vibrant community to call home. With several parks nearby, such as Hidden Falls Park and Lake Hiawatha Park, residents can enjoy outdoor activities and stay active. There are also numerous healthcare options available, including Parkway Family Physicians and Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan, ensuring easy access to medical care. In terms of dining options, restaurants like Sea Salt Eatery and Brew Hall offer delicious meals in a relaxed setting. Additionally, the proximity to pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS provides convenience for medication needs. Transportation is easily accessible with the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport just a short distance away. Overall, this part of St. Paul provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking an engaging and convenient lifestyle.

Parks

• Hidden Falls Park (1.3 miles)
• Minnehaha Falls Dog Park (1.8 miles)
• Wabun Picnic Area (2.3 miles)
• Bossen Field (3.4 miles)
• Lake Hiawatha Park (3.9 miles)
• Longfellow Park (3.9 miles)
• Central Park (4.3 miles)

Physicians

• Parkway Family Physicians (1.3 miles)
• Dermatology Consultants P.A. (3.4 miles)
• Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan - Viking Lakes (3.8 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (4.3 miles)
• West Side Community Health Services (4.6 miles)
• Mngi Digestive Health - Eagan Endoscopy Center & Clinic (4.8 miles)
• HealthPartners Health Center for Women Clinic St Paul (5.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• WW Studio (1.3 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (2.9 miles)
• Cathedral of St Paul (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Pool and Yacht Club (1.4 miles)
• Twins Grill (2.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.5 miles)
• Sea Salt Eatery (2.6 miles)
• Stone Arch (2.7 miles)
• Brew Hall (3.7 miles)
• Taco Bell (4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)
• Prime Therapeutics (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• VA Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (3.9 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (4.5 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (5.1 miles)
• University of Minnesota Medical Center - East Bank Campus (5.9 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse A (2.3 miles)
• Concourse C (2.4 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (2.4 miles)
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) (2.5 miles)
• Concourse D (2.5 miles)
• Escape Lounge (2.6 miles)
• Terminal 1-Lindbergh (2.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.8 miles)
• Groundswell (4 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.6 miles)
• Roundtable Cof (4.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Inver Grove 16 (5.6 miles)