Marquis at Hillcrest

The Marquis is a great living enviornment. The location is prime, as it’s close to everything (old shops, book stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, groceries, clothing stores, salons and more) it’s also about 15 – 20 min or less to get anywhere (downtown, pb, ib, mission valley, old town, and even when you go south to Chula Vista, national city, and to the border and all the places in between). This building is historic, it used to be a hotel and it has beautiful wood floors and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms are kind of awesome with the clawfoot tubs, and i just love the built-​ins. Yes, the building has new ownership, but I do believe that is the best thing that has happened to this place. They got right in and started working on cleaning up the place and updating everything. I know there were some complaints on the sounds and the work being done, but it is only for the best. When I first moved in, the old managers were there and I had a few things I needed help with, but it didn’t seem to be a priority for them. As soon as Linda came in, everything was taken care of in a timely manner. Renovations take time and I know they are going to get to everything and not just half-​ass it. New wood flooring is in (so yeah it may smell a little funny while they are working on it.) It’s a charming place and once it is all finished, I know it will be a hot spot. It’s right on the corner of University and Park, so what more could you ask for? Just call the place and ask for Linda and she’ll take care of you.

If you need a place to sleep and nothing else, well this is somewhat the place for you.
I’ve noticed other reviews state the obvious such as no parking and loud traffic. Cmon though, it’s pretty obvious before you move in that those would be a problem. They even disclose these issues to you during the walk through.
One major thing I’ve found very annoying, which you won’t know about before moving in, is maintenance. I’ve lived here for a few months now under the new ownership (little town reality), and having any help is horrible. My first maintenance issue took almost two months until they finally addressed it. This was after countless reminders. My other maintenence requests have disappeared into wonder land, literally. No other issues have been addressed though I’ve asked numerous times. I’ve come to realize they never will be.
Next is laundry… To use a machine you need a money card. To load that money card is a nice little «vtm» which takes credit card. Problem is, this machine has been broken almost two weeks. No one’s able to load their money cards so the laundry machines are useless, basically big bricks. Residents are having to take their laundry off site to do it, which is a huge pain in the a**; especially when there’s no parking… Imagine carrying loads of laundry down the block to your parked car. Actually no need to imagine, just drive over here and you’ll see residents doing it every few days. I’ve asked a few times what’s going on and the maintenance workers are unable to answer, only saying it’s being worked on.
Well as you can see, if you need a place to sleep awesome. Just hope nothing breaks because it won’t be fixed. The laundry issue is a perfect example of this. When I get a chance I’ll snap a pic of the nice little sign they put up saying out of order. Of course there’s no rush on my part because the reality is, it’ll be a while until it’s fixed so that sign isn’t going anywhere. I only put two stars because the location is great.

I currently live here and there has been a change in ownership.
The building itself is quite charming, as are the units, though they are small. The windows are constantly in need of repairs, as opening and closing them seems to cause problems. And you will be opening/​closing them often, as there is no A/​C in the building.
Being on University, the noise can be a bit much. Often, outside my window (overlooking an alley) you will see drug deals, people having sex, people peeing, etc.
Now my main concern is how complaints are handled.
For the past few months, work has been done on the floors and an intercom system is being installed. We were all notified that access to our units would be necessary over a one week period; This is something I find to be a non issue. However, their workers do not feel the need to knock before entering the units. As a girl in her 20’s, living alone, I find this to be incredibly disturbing. Getting ready for the day and then all of a sudden hearing someone try at your lock is rather terrifying.
I called the number listed on all of the LittleTown Realty documents and spoke with Linda. I was informed that this had apparently happened before and the worker was «scolded», not fired. And she would soon inform her husband on the matter and the worker in question would be talked to.
Not to mention, the worker was not alone. None of the other men with him corrected him or told him to knock before entering, so I feel more than just a «talking to» needs to take place. I also would advise them to install chain locks on their doors so we can have some feelings of security while living in these apartments.
I currently feel unsafe in my unit.

I lived here for a year and a half. Historic building located on the border of hillcrest, university heights and north park. The building is under new ownership and I have been very pleased with my overall experience while living here and the needed updates being taken care of. Attentive management, good lines of communication in place, pet friendly, military friendly, and an extremely walkable neighborhood less than a mile from Balboa Park. Two blocks from Hillcrest Farmers market. Only cons for me: noise from university ave because I lived in a front apartment and street parking only.

4 stars to building managers and their prompt attention to problems
3 star to location of this building and proximity to everything
2 star to the effort Blake and Jayden have taken in updating and this place
1 star to overall living experience:
* 1300/​month for a «loft» aka large studio
* street parking only
* small kitchen
*small bathroom w/​o ventilation and have mold problems
*ikea hallway furnishings and light fixtures = tacky
* clawfoot tub is beautiful but not user friendly and often floods the bathroom floor if not covered w shower curtain properly
Did I mention how parking is horrible? You wouldn’t believe the amount of parking tickets I received the 12 months I spent living here. Blake tricked us and said parking is never a problem. Honestly how the hell would he know when he and his husband aka co building manager holds 2 of the 3 saved parking spots in the back. Yeah, Blake, I see your BMW and Audi comfortably parked in the «garage.» Parking is hell especially when there are events in Hillcrest /​NP and Balboa Park which is pretty much every month
It is noisy as hell especially if your unit is facing university ave. During Pride, SD marathon, December nights, the noise is unbearable so dont even think about getting an full nights rest.
Oh, and the cherry on top: the building floods and leaks when it rains

Marquis Hillcrest had recently been bought out by Dr. Adele and Linda Eskander of Littletown Realty, and I was dismayed that I’d have to start from square one all over again with the apartment issues I had been dealing w under the previous management. Instead I was met with prompt attention, empathy for what I had been going through, professionalism, and a quick resolution to my issues. What i had battled for over 3 months, the new management took care of in 3 days. After all the baloney, someone swooping in and fixing the problem is worth a good review.