Smart Corner

I love the building! The staff is wonderful. The roof deck is absolutely gorgeous. I have checked out so many other properties downtown and this one was a top for me.
The neighborhood is up and coming and a vast improvement from a decade ago.

Smart Corner is an awesome place. My husband and I have been there as guests and my favorite part of each visit has been enjoying the rooftop with its amenities. There’s a wonderful and very clean jacuzzi with lounge chairs for sunning, several BBQ’s for entertaining or just making your own delicious meal to take back to your unit, and large tables and benches for parties or small intimate tables for an evening drink, I especially love the views of the Coronado Bridge, downtown and the ocean. Every time we visit, I always ask if we can go «up to the rooftop» to enjoy this special place.

I really disliked my experience here. Other reviews dance around the location attracting a certain demographic. .. yes, this in concordance with my loathing of this place. Normally, I am ambivalent to my surroundings, but this «certain demographic» made itself known and it was not pleasant.
Let me give you an example: Most of my neighbors were decent. However, for the first time in my adult life and after having lived in multiple states, cities, and even abroad: I encountered the inconsiderate prick of a neighbor. *Shuddering* I shared a wall with a card carrying All American Bro whom I’m certain had a steady diet of ecstacy. At least, I hope he did, because otherwise there was no excuse for his «Worst Hits of Ibiza» subwoofer dub-​step bass thumping nearly every weekend.
Now, this guy was purportedly a professional and owned his condo, but he was just an incompetent idiot that had no concept of responsibility. The price point here is very low, and as a result — can attract collegiate level crowd and mentality. Yes, in addition to numerous conversations, I ended up filing noise violation complaints with the HOA. There is a level of escalation and accountability and one forfeits certain rights when they live in a high rise. His rebuttal to this conversation was that he had a right to his music just like I had a right to my silence. Hmmm. Vainglorious attempt at relating, buddy — but you just let me know when I should turn my silence down a notch so that I’m not disrupting you.
Therein lies the quality of demographic, folks. Now, while I’m making an example of one resident, I heard other instances from other people on other floors. This leads me to conclude that the walls are extremely thin as well, and exacerbates the issue.
Further non-​negotiables:
*PLUMBING ISSUES. Nearly every week there were burst pipes on various floors. My bathtub and toilet collected residue, lather, and silt backup from other floors. After being professionally snaked by professional plumbers multiple times, the problem continued. Disgusting at worst, unhygenic at best.
*NOISY: I lived above an extremely popular bar on 6^th street previously, and the noise level was ambient compared to this place. Imagine a foghorn going off every minute — that would be the trolley. Respectfully to the trolley drivers, I’m sure the vagrants are in your way frequently, but are you laying on the horn or what? The frequency of this horn was the most unappealing and jarring horn I’ve ever heard.
*INDIGENT POPULATION: Transient/​opera singers: Why? What is the probability of this comorbidity, and why does it seem like all transients want to be opera singers? Stop bellowing, stop tremoring to hit the high shrill notes. You’re awful. You’re not going to get anyone’s pennies. Furthermore, you’re not fat enough, you’re on crack. There is a certain individual that enjoys performing at the top of his lungs in front of Jack In The Crack. I have physically gone down and told him to please be quiet.
I love the urban life as much as the next concrete jungle enthusiast, but this place doesn’t have the grit. It only has the grime.
TWO STARS AWARDED FOR:
One star for Amy Atencio, the HOA representative on site. She was great.
Half star for the rooftop view.
Half star for parking structure: Extremely secure, but a little windy and cumbersome. 2 levels of checkpoints and entry. The key card would sometimes be deactivated. One of the security guards took his job very seriously and when this would occur, he would announce: «You are in violation.». .. of what? Electronic malfunctioning? Fortunately, on the three occasions this happened, I wasn’t in a hurry to get anywhere, or else I would have shoved his official clipboard in which he neatly recorded my «violation» down his throat.
In conclusion, I was too old for this place. Post age 23, it’s a pain in the ass.

Just moved in! I can say that after reading the other posts for SC I am pleasantly surprised by my experience!
The parking is going to depend on what unit you have, some have one, some have two… But bottom line I can appreciate that the parking is very secure, 3 badges to get in!
The elevators are quick. I’ve waited a minute at most.
The roof has the best view in dt. It’s often empty. I think people get caught up in their daily lives and forget what an awesome benefit they have at their disposal.
You cannot hear through the walls or hear people walking on top of you. I do hear the trolley and the people down stairs (can we call them people, please?! I know everyone likes the term bums, but they’re still people). However, if I slept with my windows closed I wouldn’t hear them… But it doesn’t bother me, so they’ll stay open.
The outside doesn’t smell like pee anymore. The area is up and coming and with the new developments it will only get better. Though I can imagine the initial concern.
The maintenance staff is really nice and helpful! The roof top BBQ’s are awesome and always clean better than any other community I’ve seen. The roof is always clean! Amy at the front desk is also a gem. Helpful and super warm. I haven’t encountered anyone who is awful or unpleasant. Overall, I like my experience here and would recommend it!
I’m here for at least a year and will update my review then! Chao!

I bought a condo here in Fall 2013. I’ve been here for 6 months now.
Con:
–The people outside. Lots of mental instability /​drug use.
Pro:
–The city is installing an upgraded bus transit center along 11^th, and with it will come 24 hour security. We also have a (very nice) private security guard in our lobby on Friday and Saturday nights.
Pro:
–The view is really fantastic from upper level units and the rooftop
Con:
–Celadon at 9^th and Broadway just went up and blocked a little bit of my west facing view
Con:
–There are recurring issues with my hot water line having air in it
Pro:
–Every time it has happened (3 times so far), I bring it to the on site attendant’s attention, it’s fixed within a DAY.
Con:
–People tend to be a little messy with the rooftop.
Pro:
–The next day you can’t tell. The cleaning staff is ON IT. The barbecues especially look brand new every time I use them. Oh yeah, there’s free WiFi on the roof.
Pro:
–The block on the other side of Park Blvd has a 6 story housing project approved, so in a year or two there’ll be one less block that looks bad. There’s also a rumor of a new high-​rise on the south side of Broadway.
Con:
–There are several other blocks nearby that still look bad
Pro:
–Access to the 163 and 5 freeways are only 3 synchronized stoplights away from the parking entrance/​exit.
Neutral:
–Parking is an issue, as it will be in most places downtown. Heck, have you tried finding a parking spot in university heights /​north park after 7pm?
Bottom line:
–I really like living here. The views are great, you can’t hear your neighbors, the staff is friendly and effective, issues with security are getting fixed, and the neighborhood is getting better with new construction.

Lived in Smart Corner for 4 years. It is a great building. The people are great the building amenities are great, the roof top is amazing and the location can’t be beat! It is close to everything convenient to getting on the freeway with no freeway noise. There are a lot of people around, but that is all part of living downtown. if you don’t like people, don’t live downtown. I have lived here with my wife and we have never felt unsafe. We take our dog out at all hours of the night and always feel safe. I’m not a big club person, but the ladies are always going out and the location is so great only a few blocks from Gaslamp and a block away from El Dorado. The location is perfect for a dog owner as the building is very pet friendly. There is a grass strip across the street and and huge grass area at the city college across as well. The area around us is only getting nicer with the new apartments expected to be built and the continued growth of the city college. Smart Corner is a great building and probably the best bang for you buck in downtown San Diego. I love living here

4 years ago I decided I wanted to buy a condo downtown. My ideal was in Little Italy, but then I visited a unit in Smart Corner and changed my mind. The unit had an amazing view of all of downtown, a view of the Coronado bridge from my bedroom and came with 2 parking spaces, while staying in my price range! I was a little skeptical of busy trolley stops and people hanging outside 7 – 11 waiting for the bus. I made myself sit outside in front of the building for at least 20 minutes every NIGHT amongst the people and city noises before deciding to buy a unit. Yes, there were some homeless people (they’re everywhere downtown), but there were also families with little kids, students going home from the college, and people commuting home from work. I made sure that I did feel SAFE before I moved in. I now love all the amenities the building has to offer and the conveniences of downtown. I can walk to the grocery store, run with my dog in Balboa Park and the embarcadero, enjoy Summer Pops concerts and views of fireworks galore (from the roof or my unit) during the Summer. I love being able to walk home from Happy Hour with my friends and now even my neighbors due to the fun social committees. My commute to work couldn’t be easier because as I leave the parking garage of the building I have incredibly easy access to two major freeways I-​5 and I-​163.. . taking the trolley to Old Town and the Charger Games is much preferred though. Overall I am so happy with my decision and my home in Smart Corner.

I stay here with my boyfriend almost everyday so I kinda live here:) there are some pros and cons but mostly cons in my opinion. First of all, smart corner is in a very filthy area. The sidewalks smell like urine, the streets are packed with homeless people and other strange people hanging out at the trolley station. Parking is horrible! my boyfriend only has one parking spot located in the parking structure on location, poor me needs to park on the streets every day… That’s if I find a spot. I cannot tell you how many parking tickets I’ve received over the last year of staying here! It’s ridiculous. The staff working here is horrible. They are super rude and seem to be in a horrible mood everyday so don’t bother saying ‘good morning’ cause they’ll just ignore you anyway. Also, they make announcements on the speakers located in your unit! It’s very loud and alarming! And it always happens when I’m taking a nap! LOL!
The view we have is great! And the rooftop is awesome too, great for entertaining guests because it includes BBQ grills, jacuzzi, tables and nice chairs.
Overall, smart corner is a good place to live if you lease or purchase on a high floor… I hear the lower levels are noisy. It’s not a good neighborhood so don’t expect to be able to take an afternoon stroll without being bothered by bums.

Very clean building with a great association that takes care of business. Parking is secured and top notch, managed by Ace San Diego. Rooftop is perhaps the best view in all San Diego and has two top quality BBQ’s that are great for cooking on a warm summer night.
About the homeless issue: It’s downtown and that is expected in any major urban city. It’s not just an issue at East Village, but in all of downtown San Diego (including Gas Lamp). It’s a small problem that is has gotten much better due to heavy developers dumping money in the area. So far, I have not witnessed any issues or problems from anyone.
Smart Corner is a viable place to live and offers good amenities and good night life for those who desire it.

The sounds of the city abound here; screaming homeless, electric choo choo’s, the ambulance and inevitable firetruck that has to be dispatched simultaneously for the ankle sprain of the aforementioned, police and more police, and lets not forget the inbound fights to Lindbergh that occur every 180 seconds or so. Lots of people might not care for this but for me it just wouldn’t be home without it.

I’m in the military and I have lived in a lot of places. Smart Corner is one of my favorite places that I have lived in. I’m on one of the upper floors facing east so I don’t have to listen to the trolley and have a great view. The area does have a lot of homeless people, but it’s close and convenient to everything. I feel safe outside my place. I would highly recommend this place because of the price, location, and view with roof top

Don’t you dare walk around this building at night unless you like seeing naked homeless people or you enjoy watching drug deals happen live! Other than that once you’re here just sit back and enjoy the views! (if you’re lucky enough to be visiting someone on the higher floors)

I have been spending most of my weekends in Smart Corner building as ‘vacation from the burbs’. I have a friend who owns a studio on the 16^th floor facing East and I have been able to enjoy the good and the few bad things of this building.
For starters, this is East Village, not Gaslamp, and the building (that looks to me like a giant ship) is very conveniently located even though attracts a certain demographics that somehow is not for everybody. If the vision of homelessness disturbs you, stay away. There are many homeless, especially at night and during the summer. Sometimes packed in the adjacent streets. However, they are usually polite and nice people trapped in a bad situation and they don’t bother anyone. That said, I found Smart Corner to be very safe and the tenants and owners very friendly in general. Also very eclectic crowd, from military folks working in Coronado, to gay couples, to retired grandpas to college kids… all with dogs. Because this is the most dog friendly building that I have ever seen. Sometimes too much, to the point that certain tenants would not clean after their pets and the entrance and elevator will be a mess.
If you don’t like dogs of all breeds, stay away, otherwise you will have to share elevator with them and their owners, and you don’t want to deal with an angry pitbull. The views are one of the best of San Diego, especially from the rooftop, very beautiful 360 panoramas. When inside the apartments, you don’t hear any noise, that is awesome considering the amount of people living there, is like a huge hotel or one those cruise ships. It is easy to make friends at the jacuzzi but there is no sense of community with that many people moving in and out.
Smartcorner is located just next to the freeway, so it is a perfect location and if you can deal with the ugly stuff, it offers one of the most economical ways to live in downtown area. The BBQ on the rooftop is pretty new and is never too crowded. Very pleasant. Parking lot is super safe and controlled.

I wasn’t sure where on Unilocal to write a review so I just thought it would be easier to email you back. You can tell him from my experience here the last 4 months that this apartment complex is very secure and safe. I’m sure as you’re aware you have to scan into the building, on the elevator, and then the apartment doors automatically lock themselves when they close. Everyone in the apartments are also very friendly and helpful. The apartment is in a prime location with convenience to walking downtown and fast access to the interstate. You have also done a wonderful job with decorating and furnishing the apartment with anything anyone could possibly need. You have also been very communicative and easy to reach when we needed you. As for downtown San Diego, I have never felt threatened or put in a questionable situation in the four months I’ve been here. As long as you stay in the city and don’t roam the side streets at night alone then there shouldn’t be any problems. I have not witnessed any crime in San Diego since I’ve been here. Everyone here is very friendly and welcoming. There is also the community college across the street so there’s always people around and you never feel alone. I would definitely say I feel safe here and would recommend San Diego to anyone that gets the chance to live here. Hope this helps.
Written by a young woman who rented our Smart Corner condo for 4 months while working in San Diego, January-​May

I know they’re doing this big push to sell the rest of the units right now, so here’s just a few things to think about if you’re considering the building. I agree with other reviews and highly suggest you walk around the neighborhood after sunset.
Pro: Location downtown
Con: Across the street from a halfway house and marijuana dispensary. Maybe the homeless just like me, but they ARE vocal and sleep/​pee by the front door.
Pro: Nice, modern building
Con: Eternal stench of weed in the hallways.
Pro: 360 degree rooftop
Con: Rooftop always crowded, mostly with «bros» having parties and ignoring the «no glass» rule.
Pro: Cheap prices for downtown
Con: Incompetent staff. Just like a previous reviewer, I also received the wrong parking spot number. TWICE.
Pro: Popular bus and trolley stop
Con: Popular bus and trolley stop. Buses often block the one driveway into the garage and you definitely hear the noise from the bus drivers making announcements over the loudspeaker. Frequent drug deals in broad daylight.
–Keep in mind that things are likely to be quieter on the higher floors.
1. In addition to being given the wrong parking spot twice, they cut my move in window short because the maintenance man wanted to go home early. He was very concerned about having to stay until the end of his scheduled shift.
2. On the first night in the unit, there was a crazy leak. When I called the maintenance people the next day, I was told that because it was no longer an emergency, I would have to wait until Monday. Ohhhh but if I had called you at 11 pm last night you would have fixed it? Makes complete sense.
3. I had to fight like hell to get them to clean and dry the carpet after the leak. After a lengthy exchange, they only agreed because I told them there were possible health issues and that they had a legal duty. Why did you make me have to go there SC…
Overall, Smart Corner has some of the cheapest prices and HOA dues in downtown, but keep in mind that you will end up paying in other ways. I was thinking of buying here due to the very low prices, but couldn’t last 6 months in this place as a renter.

Horrible location. It’s next to impossible to get from the lobby to your car without some vagrant approaching and hassling you for money.
I’ve seen people pissing on the side of the building and drug deals in broad daylight. The trolley station is not convenient since it’s overrun by the homeless and crazy.
I’d avoid this place like the plague.

Ok… where to begin…
First off… my car was towed from the SC parking garage because they accidentally gave me the wrong parking number. Then (after i pay to get me car out of impound, which they would not reimburse me for) when they did give me the correct parking number, somebody else was already parked in the spot. And this was only the beginning.
The elevators in this building SUCK SUCK SUCK. They are so slow. there are so many people moving in and out of this ****hole that the elevators are always used up for reserved freight.
Terrible location as far as the homeless people/​meth addicts who sleep in the immediate area. Dont lose your key or there will be nobody to help you get in to your place. and even during business hours very hard to get any help from the inefficient building staff.
They should call this building the «Dumb Corner». You have to be dumb to move here.
The only good thing about living here is you live right next to Albert’s Taco Shop! One of the best taco shops in SD! Try their shrimp burrito!

I lived at Smart Corner for one year (March 2008 – 2009). When I first moved in, the building was great… albeit, half empty! After 6 months, not so much. Neighbors ringing our doorbell at 3am on a Tuesday night, then running off; idiots throwing rocks and bottles off of the top of the building; graffiti scratched into the elevator; people leaving socks in the hot tub; vomit in the elevator: loud parties; TERRIBLE location; and on and on!
After being in the unit for 2 days, and having half of my belongings unpacked, there was a leak in the wall from the toilet in the apartment above. For a month and a half, the drywall was torn out of my kitchen, and we had no access to the stove/​microwave. For one solid week, two LOUD (and I do mean LOUD!!!) air scrubbers/​compressors were running in the kitchen 24 hours a day! I almost lost my mind… I nearly hurled myself eight floors down onto the trolley tracks. Smart corner did NOT reimburse us for the electricity used during the repairs, and we did not get a rental credit for the inconvenience.
Management changed just as we moved out. Too little, too late!
There is no way in HELL I would recommend renting in Smart Corner, unless you are a 21 year old male that only wants to party!
Bleh!

Apartment tour, stop one.
This was only our first stop because Doug, our San Diego friend and host lives here. This is his second address in the city, and he loves it.
He’s a big fan of the floorplans, the price, the location, and the neighbors. And his favorite spot in the building, the roof. It was the first night in San Diego and we were taken to the roof along with a cocktail… Doug turned to us and said, «this here is the best view in all of San Diego.»
And he might be right!
Sarah and I have been to five other buildings and complexes and none have yet to show us the view that SmartCorner has. Great amenities, and a great spot.
The only real downside are the bums. While I don’t feel unsafe in the area, I certainly don’t feel at home, at ease.
Today, while walking from this area over to meet Doug and some others, Sarah quickly dropped behind me and swung around to my left. I wasn’t sure why the maneuver was so sudden and well executed… until she later told me that the bum to our right was walking along, with his dick whipped out and pissing along the sidewalk. WTF?!
I haven’t seen that kind of antic since Central Park in ’05… and that was a GREAT STORY…
Suffice it to say, the area has it’s own charm… and even so, SmartCorner is high on our list of possible homes. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to be so close to Pokez, now would it?

I loved Smart Corner at first. Beautiful building, upscale amenities within the condos, lovely windows and views, super secure underground parking, amazingly easy access to the 163, and neighbors that cannot be heard through the concrete ceilings.
Another pro is reasonable rent that includes water, trash, parking, internet, cable, and phone. I pay $ 1575/​month for a 712 sq foot studio.
But after 3 months of living here, the drawbacks are now clear.
1. BAD neighborhood — It is ‘no joke’ scary! I have walked out the doors a total of a half dozen times and have either been accosted by toothless homeless men asking for money, watched by men who stare and start to follow me, or have skirted groups of teenagers openly smoking pot (twice)!
The HOA calls them «undesireables». I call them riff raff and thugs! There is a trolley stop and two bus stops right outside the building and around the corner. All kinds of people «hang out», leaning against the walls, sitting on the sidewalk, perched in alcoves and hiding out in the parking garage entrance.
Across the street from Smart Corner is a youth home. Right next to it is a broken down building with smashed windows and a rotting roof of which I have a lovely view from my balcony on the 8^th floor. A block over on 11^th st, is an abandoned Goodyear building, also with smashed windows and fading paint. A block over on Park Blvd is an Adult Rehabilitation center and the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
I’ve only had one friend visit me and she was scared to walk from her car to the building! This was supposed to be a convenient location to ‘walk’ downtown. Hell no, not from Smart Corner.
This is just NOT a good neighborhood and certainly not a safe one.
2. NO Guest parking — the parking garage is owned by a company other than Smart Corner. Though the first two levels are open to the public, it’s closed on the weekends. This is exactly when my friends are most likely to visit me. The only other option is to park down the street and pay $ 4 every 9 hours (let’s not even go into how inconvenient this is when you have an overnight guest). They must leave their cars on the street during the night in a neighborhood I would never leave mine! This also means my friends have to walk through the riff raff to and from my place. For my guests, this just sucks.
3. The only condos for rent are studios, from small to large, which have almost NO STORAGE. They are called «ones» and «twos» but that’s a reference to square footage. They do not lease any of the true one or two bedrooms as they want to sell them. The studios come only with kitchen storage and NOTHING else. No cabinet under the bathroom sink, no linen closet, no clothes closet, nothing.
4. The included cable has no scrollable menu. It’s a channel you have to go to and watch as the channels ever-​so-​slowly scroll past. There is no way to select Menu, then skip around the channels or get a description other than a title of what’s playing. If I have to upgrade to get any kind of usable cable, then the included utilities start to look like a waste of time.
I’m done with Smart Corner. The neighborhood is unsafe and full of the homeless and low life. My friends can’t park in the secure underground garage. The novelty of living in a studio with absolutely no storage has quickly waned. And the cable that’s ‘included’ in my rent sucks so bad, I’d pay to have more features. Time to look around for something better.