Onyx on First

I’ve lived a lot of places, and a lot of apartment complexes, and this is certainly one of the best i’ve lived in. I like the apartments, I like the look, I like the feel, the concrete floors are a favorite of mine. This is one of the first places I’ve lived where I don’t hear my neighbors, I’ve never received any complaints from noise while playing my music loud, which is a huge plus for me. The complex is incredibly clean, pretty new and in an up-​and-​coming neighborhood.
All of that aside, I cannot say enough about the staff at this complex. They are so incredibly kind, flexible, supportive, they helped me out with changes that I needed to make with my lease, they were great during my renewal process and to me that kind of attitude and support is what makes living in a place like this worthwhile.
If this place is on your shortlist I highly recommend just going ahead and signing a lease here.

Best building in navy yard! Great place to live, staff are amazing at what they do. Arlene Brown is truly amazing and moves mountains for her residents.

Living at Onyx on First has been a truly amazing experience thus far, and has by far exceeded all expectations. This is more than just an apartment building, but a community that offers its residents superior customer service and top-​notch amenities.
The entire staff has been exceptional, including the leasing office, concierge staff, and maintenance. Everyone has just been extremely friendly, helpful, and welcoming; ultimately making the transition to the community effortless and stress-​free.
Key features that make Onyx a formidable alternative to any of the other apartments in the area:
1. The absolute best feature of the apartment is that I cannot hear my neighbors, the sound-​proofing is amazing;
2. The apartments have beautiful stained concrete floors, a washer and dryer in the unit, and updated kitchen appliances;
3. Onyx is only steps away from the metro;
4. The lobby and courtyard are beautiful;
5. There is a lounge with iMac computers for residents, there’s fresh coffee, and a nice seating area;
6. There is a very nice sized gym downstairs;
7. The rooftop is stunning with great 365 views;
8. 24-​hour concierge on duty;
9. Onyx is very close and accessible to the Smithsonian’s and the National Mall;
10. Harris Teeter and several really great restaurants are very close by (and Whole Foods is coming to the area in 2018); and
11. National Ballpark is just a couple of blocks away.
In addition, the area is very safe and relatively quiet, and is steadily growing. There is a lot of construction going on throughout the entire Capitol Riverfront area, which may be the only complaint I can possibly think of in my overall assessment of my new community; though this is certainly no reflection on Onyx. I actually do not mind the construction, as I plan to live here for quite some time and only view this as a plus. When construction is complete, this area will undoubtedly be one of the most desirable places to live in DC, though I think it a highly desirable area of the city already.

*For those interested in running and bike riding: Onyx is less than a mile from the Capitol, and if you run the entire National Mall and back its a little over 6 miles. This is obviously a very scenic run, as there is always something interesting to see. It also just feels really great running around the beautiful National Mall grounds, knowing that you live so close and are able to experience the best of DC whenever you want. The Anacostia River Trail is also very close by, and there are many connecting trails to meet all of your running and biking needs.
This really is DC living at its best!

The Onyx on First is a great place to live. It is walking distance from almost everything in DC. The staff are all very caring, nice, and are top-​notch. The staff is always putting on and scheduling events for the residents. It is pet friendly and very quiet. The residents all meet throughout various events and are all really nice and friendly. The Onyx on First also has secure parking and living. There are many great amenities such as: roof top pool, roof top garden, roof top patio furniture, roof top bbq grills, 24 hour gym, 24 hour lounge with a coffee and expresso machine, 24 hour Internet and computers, and 24 hour concierge service. I highly recommend living here and moving here if you are looking for a great place in the Washington DC area.
— (BJ) Roland

I have rented in DC for over 5 years and Onyx on First has been the best experience I have had by far! I had looked for about a month for a place to call home and there wasn’t anyplace that stood above Onyx on First! Arlene, the property manager, was extremely helpful and was able to put myself and my son into a GREAT 1 bedroom + den. The rest of the staff have been extremely professional and helpful during the move-​in process. If it weren’t for Arlene I would still be looking! Thanks again Arlene!

I had been a resident of Onyx on First for two years and was very pleased with my living experience there.
There are newer buildings that have populated in the southeast riverfront area since Onyx opened, yet none have the sense of community, unit quality, and the level of customer service that Onyx provides.
Management (Specifically Mrs. Brown) does a great job in managing and maintaining the property. The common areas are always clean and well maintained, and repairs, when needed, are made in a timely manner. Mike (Head of repairs) was always friendly, timely, and a person that you can count on to deliver great service. The concierge team is always delightful and Sandy was by far one the best there. It was always a pleasure to see here in the lobby.
The week I was initially moving in there was an unfortunate incident that caused a small fire in the unit above mine. Mrs. Brown was quick to relocate me to another unit and even upgraded me for the inconvenience to a unit that had floor to ceiling windows that looked right at the Capitol. It was a beautiful apartment and I loved it there so much. I unfortunately had to relocate for my job away from the DC area in the middle of my lease and Mrs. Brown was very accommodating in helping get the unit transferred over to a new lease holder.
If you are seeking a great community in the center of a beautiful area in DC that is drastically growing and where a short walk affords great dining, access to nightlife, Nationals Park, and the like, then Onyx is worth investigating.

Let’s start with the fact that I have a built in attitude about moving from Florida and I am not excited about the job relocation to Washington DC for my husband. With that being said we toured the DMV for 4 days looking at several properties. There were many options to choose from and we viewed about 30 properties… needless to say that the «ONYX» was the last place that we stopped before going to the airport… and I am so glad that we found this gem. The impression that Mrs. Brown left on me can not be explained in words it is such a «special feeling!» Mrs. Brown welcomed us as if we were her family and unlike other places she really cared what we were interested in obtaining even if she could not offer it to us at this time… but magically she checked all of the boxes and we were sold! Every night I look at the floor plans and imagine how I am going to arrange our furniture, I scour the internet to see if I have missed a picture of the «ONYX». I am now very excited to return and to live in this meticulously maintained building. Mrs. Brown and her staff made me feel welcomed and at home; I know when a person is genuine. I have not moved in yet so I can not review the building however I believe it was built initially as condos so the floors are concrete and there is extra drywall between the units which will hopefully filter the noise from other units. The layout of this building is attractive, metro is steps from the back door exit, 24 hour concierge, rooftop pool and outdoor lounging… make sure you do not miss this this property if you want to live in the district and have a super swanky place to live~

I lived at the Onyx for a year before completing my planned relocation. Great location, Navy Yard has a lot to offer. Apartment choices and finishes excellent. Neighbors/​residents all friendly. I also appreciated that property management and staff are professional, helpful and friendly. My dog Kemah and I will miss the Onyx.

I’m going on my sixth year here at the Onyx on First and I couldn’t be happier. Why buy when my experience here has been perfect? For me, it starts with dedicated, top-​notch property management with Arlene Brown of Bozzuto, facility maintenance with Mike and concierge sercives with Sandy, Jeremy and ends with quality neighbors. –Christy

I’ve moved ever 4 – 5 years my entire life, and I’ve never felt more at home anywhere other than Onyx. The apartments have great features, but what really makes this place home is the management/​concierge team. They’ve built a community by hosting social functions and connecting us to all the amenities the neighborhood has to offer. But most of all, the team just cares about their residents. They work hard to develop personal relationships and go the extra mile to meet your needs. Arlene, the manager, is a true gem who worked with me from day one to get me across the country and into an Onyx apartment sight unseen, and she supported me as I went through a really tough health issue. The same can be said about Sandy at the concierge desk. It just feels like family.

I’ve lived here for several years, and I absolutely love it. From the upscale, modern apartments to the amazing staff who manages them — it truly doesn’t get better. When I first moved to DC and began looking for an apartment, Onyx stood out in several different ways: the building was beautiful — nicer than any of the other buildings around, the apartments were modern with an ‘industrial loft’ feel, the floor-​to-​ceiling windows revealed breath-​taking views, and most importantly, the staff were friendly and genuine. After having lived here for three years, I’ve found a few more reasons to love it.
THE NATS: There really isn’t anything like it when you’re chilling on your balcony during a Nats game and all of the sudden you hear the crowd roar… it’s electric. Even better? Walking across the street and watching the game in person.
THE LOCATION: Right off the green line — it’s so accessible that I sold my car because I wasn’t driving it. There are also several bus lines, including the Circulator, which takes you to Eastern Market and Union Station in just a few minutes. It’s also right off 395, so anybody commuting to Virginia or Maryland for work will be set.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Navy Yard is a vibrant community with lots to do year-​round. Several bars, restaurants, a few gyms, a Harris Teeter, Starbucks, parks on all sides (including three dog parks), food trucks… there is a lot. But summers at Yards Park are the best. Free concerts, movies on the lawn, dance parties, yoga, Truckaroo… Yards Park will quickly become one of your favorite places.
THE PEOPLE: Every single member of staff and management is amazing at what they do. Sandy’s concierge team is always friendly and resourceful (I’ve called them many a time to help get me out of tight spot), Mike & Co. are always lightning-​fast with any and all maintenance needs, and Arlene is the magician who makes it all happen. This woman is incredible — she could run the government. You’ll see what I mean when you move in.
No doubt about it, Onyx is one of the best places I’ve ever lived, and I will miss it very much when I leave. If you’re on the fence about this place, I challenge you to schedule a tour and then walk over to Willie’s BBQ after; you’ll be hooked.

I have been living in Washington for over 8 years now. The Onyx on First is by far the best building I have been lucky enough to call home. A few reasons why — amazing staff members, pet friendly, warm and welcoming community, well-​priced bright and open units, several nearby parks, modern appliances, fabulous rooftop (with grills!), covered parking spots, rooftop pool, fitness center, metro accessible and situated in the heart of Navy Yard, one of the city’s most up and coming neighborhoods. Would highly recommend this building to anyone!

Moving to the DC area from out of town, I was excited when I saw that Onyx had what I was looking for — right size, right price, right neighborhood. Then I submitted my application. After hearing no word from the Company after 2 weeks, I called only to get the voicemail. Another few days went by, no emails and no calls. I call and leave another voicemail. By the third week, I had made a decision to move elsewhere since the chances of getting this apartment looked slim, but I called anyways. This time I was put through to a person instead of my call going straight to voicemail. She told me that my application had been approved and so would have the manager call me back to discuss further. Now, another 2 weeks later, I have still received no call.
Typically someone new to a community gets the star treatment, so if this is any evidence of how they treat their residents, I wouldn’t recommend living hear.

Great place to live, good location, lots of social events and a good sense of community. Rooftop is amazing also. Only downside is the lack of closet space.

Great place to live and call home! I have lived here for six months and plan to stay. Very nice complex and great staff. Great environment and lots to do in the area.

I’ve been living at the Onyx for nearly a year now and I must say I’m very happy to call this place home. I moved from Dallas to DC and only knew one person so having a home where I could meet new people was a must! Onyx continuously has happy hour events (even for dogs) and they share a pretty loaded calendar of events via email and in the elevator.
I live on the ground floor and have an extended patio apartment and it’s great for BBQ’s and get-together’s! Everyone on the ground floor has a dog and we all socialize with one another quite a bit. I have to admit, during the spring and fall, there is nothing better than sitting on that patio and having a cold drink in my hand talking to people on their way to either a Nat’s game or a DC event.
The management staff are a great group to work with too. I wouldn’t have moved here if it wasn’t for the manager, Arlene Brown. She has the ability to get things done in a matter of a second and can truly manage the building, which is something you don’t get in most properties owned by corporations.
I can’t say enough good things about the concierge desk. They will greet you daily anytime you walk in and out of the building. With Jeremy working by day, and Sandy working by night you’re set. One time my flight was delayed coming home and my dog was going to stay inside all night by himself without any food or a chance to go to the bathroom. I called and Jeremy was able to walk him and feed him and he followed up with an email once he got back to the desk. Where else can something like that happen? It meant the world to me to know he wasn’t trapped in my apartment all night and not at least relieve himself.
The maintenance team is great too, and they have an app for your phone that will let you put in any maintenance requests, see if you have any packages, and leave any instructions for the front desk.
You cant beat the location, the rate, the nice look of the apartment, and the people inside it. You will love living here.

I’m a new resident to Onyx as of mid August. I moved in with a roommate to one of the two bedrooms. Soon after moving in I had a problem with my roommate paying rent. I became concerned that I would be held accountable for someone who wasn’t holding up their end of the bargain. Arlene, Olivia, and staff were incredibly helpful. Not only did they listen to my concerns but they provided real and attainable solutions. I am now in a studio in the building and I can’t believe how incredible my DC life has become. The entire concierge staff is fantastic — but a special shout out goes to Sandy who is just a ray of sunshine. I’m not kidding… you could be leaving for work at 4AM, see Sandy and immediately be having a good day. Onyx isn’t cheap… but having lived in DC for over 6 years… trying to live on a budget rent lifestyle that afforded me more «dinners out» or «happy hours»…I can honestly say that the better choice is a home that you want to spend time in.
Looking forward to a year (plus) in this community
PS: The tenants here are incredibly friendly too. I’m already forging some solid friendships

First of all, I want to preface this review with the fact that I was a renter for ten years and lived in a total of six different apartment complexes. Onyx on First was far and away the BEST place I ever lived. I lived in a one bedroom + den for a year and the only reason I’m moving out is because I bought a place with my fiancée. The two of us lived in this space with no problems although I wish the kitchen was a little bigger at times. We cook a lot and didn’t have too many issues. I don’t understand people who criticized the layout of the apartments because you [normally] preview an apartment before moving in and know exactly what you’re getting (at least as far as looks/​feel). Anyhow, let me lay out why Onyx on First is the best apartment building and will only get better as more and more comes to Navy Yard (which is also an amazing neighborhood).
1. Staff: They’re so friendly and helpful. The concierges Sandy and Jeremy specifically are AWESOME. They go out of their way to help you and help put on the best resident events. I lived in a building in Arlington for two years and the front desk was cold and unhelpful. Not the case here and my friends always joked that our building was more secure than an FBI building (because it was hard for them to get up to our apartment at times). I liked that though, very secure building. I honestly feel like you could leave your apartment unlocked (don’t try it though) and nothing would be taken. The maintenance staff is also incredibly responsive.
2. Location/​Apartment: You’re right on top of metro, walk to Nats Park, Truckeroo, Yards Park, Justin’s, Blue Jacket, and more as the neighborhood grows. If you’re a runner it’s also so nice to run along the water. You can also walk down to the Ballpark Boathouse and rent a paddle boat! There is so much to do in the neighborhood. I loved the floor to ceiling windows in the apartment and saw lots of great sunsets from our living room. The appliances and finishes were all high-​end and functional as well. Our bathroom is huge – the laundry closet is also in there, but still plenty of room.
3. Resident Events: I’ve lived in other apartment buildings that offer resident events, but not like the Onyx on First. They’re frequent and almost always offer alcohol plus free food! What’s not to love? There was a Martini night, pizza tasting contest, Scandal Viewing Party, Rooftop party, and more.
4. Quiet: I am a light sleeper and I was worried that with the bedroom at the front of the apartment I would hear a lot of noise from the hall. This wasn’t the case at all and found the apartment and building to be very quiet in general. Most of the people in the apartment are young professionals, but there are families, and older residents too so it’s a nice mix.
5. Amenities: The gym is small yes, but I work out 4 – 5 times a week and most days I am the only person in there! The busiest it gets is 4 people at a time. The roof top pool is really great and so is the roof top in general. Go down to Maine Street fish market and get some crabs, grab a beer and head up to the rooftop! The courtyard is beautiful as well and we just rented out the clubroom for my birthday, which was nice.
I will really miss living here!

Great place to call home! After almost 5 wonderful years we had to leave, we moved to a house. Yay!!! Since October of 2009 we have been living at the Onyx on First. The building and the staff is above what you expect. Arlene, the property manager made sure that we always felt safe and that the living conditions were above expectations. Friendly staff and courteous (Jeremy is the best front desk guy!)
Our experience at the Onyx was the best. If you are in the market to rent an apartment go visit them!

Nice building, very good location, and great staff! 4+ years here with no issues.