Arc at Old Colony – Decision Review
Arc at Old Colony is a student housing property located in Chicago’s South Loop (60605). It offers studio, one‑bedroom, two‑bedroom, three‑bedroom, and four‑bedroom units, with monthly prices ranging from USD 1,489 to USD 2,199 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The building is managed on‑site, includes a business center and laundry facilities, and has a 24/7 security presence. Availability starts from 1 September 2026. On Google it holds a 3.6 rating from 120 reviews. This review helps you decide whether it fits your needs and budget.
Who This Residence Suits
Arc at Old Colony works best if you value security and a dedicated management team on site. The building has 24/7 security, which many residents find reassuring in a busy urban area. If you study at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), the Illinois Institute of Technology, or the University of Chicago, the location is reasonably central — though commuting times vary. The property offers a variety of unit types, so groups of friends or students who want to share a larger apartment can consider a two‑, three‑, or four‑bedroom layout. The monthly rent for a share is higher than Chicago’s citywide from‑price of USD 600 (indicative), but you get a modern building with managed amenities. The business center is a plus if you need a quiet place to work between classes.
If you are willing to pay above the entry‑level market rate for a lease that starts in early September 2026, and you prioritise security and an on‑site team over absolute cost savings, Arc at Old Colony is a plausible option.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
This property is a poor fit if you are on a tight budget. At its lowest price of USD 1,489 per month (indicative), it is more than double the city’s floor price of USD 600. Students looking for cheap shared rooms or basic studios will find cheaper alternatives across Chicago’s 95 student‑housing listings. The building also draws criticism for maintenance and management responsiveness. Several residents report problems with elevators — only two work and they are described as old. One resident got stuck for nearly an hour. If you rely on elevators daily, this could become a significant frustration.
Additionally, multiple ex‑residents have posted about unexpected end‑of‑tenancy charges. In two separate accounts, residents were billed USD 300 for “paint damage” using photos that allegedly came from a different apartment. Management reportedly ignored repeated requests to correct the mistake. If you are risk‑averse about deposit disputes, the pattern shown in reviews is a clear warning. The property does not appear to suit students who want a hassle‑free move‑out experience or who prefer a landlord that is transparent about charges.
Resident Experiences: What the Reviews Say
The following quotes are taken from Google reviews on file (sourced 2026‑07). They reflect the most detailed first‑hand accounts available.
Natalie Tadda (3‑star review):
“i have very mixed feelings about living here. i enjoy having 24/7 security, and a nice space on the rooftop, but that is about all i can praise here. the elevators SUCK, only two of them work and are old as hell. i got stuck in an elevator for nearly an hour and any other time i try to use the elevator you have to wait…”
Luke Schwegel (1‑star review):
“My experience at ARC at Old Colony was unbelievably frustrating and unethical. After I moved out in August 2025, I was suddenly charged $300 for “paint damage” that wasn’t even from my unit. The photos management sent me as “proof” were actually from another apartment — and they sent the exact same photos to a differen[t]…”
David (1‑star review):
“My family member’s experience at ARC at Old Colony was shocking. After moving out, the property manager waited more than 30 days to send a $300 “paint damage” charge — even though the photos clearly showed a wall from a completely different apartment. When the mistake was pointed out, the manager ignored messages for o[ver a month]…”
These three reviews dominate the written feedback. No positive narrative reviews are available in the dataset. While the 3.6 average rating suggests some residents rate the property positively, the detailed comments consistently highlight elevator issues and disputed charges. If you decide to live here, you should document the condition of your unit thoroughly at move‑in and keep all correspondence with management.
Price and Value in the Chicago Market
Arc at Old Colony’s rent range (USD 1,489 – USD 2,199 per month, indicative) places it well above the city’s lowest student‑housing price of USD 600. Among the 95 student properties listed in Chicago, this is a mid‑to‑high price point. For comparison, a studio or one‑bedroom apartment in a building with similar amenities (24/7 security, business centre, on‑site laundry) usually sits in the USD 1,200 – USD 1,800 range. Arc at Old Colony’s minimum is higher than that typical range, partly because of its location in the South Loop near Grant Park and the lakefront.
The price may be justified if you need a short walk to certain university campuses (IIT and UIC are about 2‑3 km away; University of Chicago is farther south). However, many cheaper alternatives exist in neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Little Italy, or near UIC. The monthly price is indicative and can change — confirm with the operator before committing. The deposit amount is not specified in the data; request this in writing before signing a lease.
Room Type Guidance and Availability
Unit types available: studio, 1‑bedroom, 2‑bedroom, 3‑bedroom, and 4‑bedroom. For a single student, a studio or 1‑bedroom will cost at least USD 1,489 (indicative). For a group, splitting a 2‑, 3‑, or 4‑bedroom can bring the per‑person cost down — for example, a 4‑bedroom at USD 2,199 split four ways is around USD 550 per person (indicative). That would be competitive with Chicago’s floor price of USD 600. However, such arrangements depend on the actual rent for the specific unit, which may vary.
Because availability opens 1 September 2026, you have time to tour the property or request a virtual viewing. The building has an on‑site management team, so you can ask about unit‑specific pricing and current availability. There is no minimum lease term in the data; confirm directly.
Best Time to Book
September 1, 2026 is the earliest available move‑in date. For a fall 2026 semester start, booking in early to mid‑2026 (around March to June) is typical for Chicago student housing. Since the property has only 120 reviews and a moderate Google rating, it is unlikely to sell out instantly, but popular unit types (especially studios and 1‑bedrooms in the lower price range) may go first. If you are interested, contact the operator as soon as your plans are confirmed to secure a specific floor plan. Prices may change between now and the lease start — always confirm the exact rate.
FAQ
What are the main complaints about Arc at Old Colony?
The most frequent negative comments involve slow, unreliable elevators and disputed move‑out charges. Several residents report being charged for damages that were not from their apartment. Management is described as unresponsive when mistakes are pointed out. These issues appear in three of the few detailed reviews available.
Is the price negotiable or can I get a discount?
The dataset does not indicate any discount or negotiation history. You should ask the on‑site management directly about current promotions, early‑bird rates, or group discounts. All prices here are indicative and must be confirmed with the operator.
How far is it from the major universities?
Arc at Old Colony is at the address “Chicago, IL 60605, USA,” in the South Loop. It is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus, 1.1 miles (1.8 km) from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the University of Chicago’s main campus. Public transit (CTA buses and Red Line) serves the area, but walking times vary. Verify with the operator for exact distances.
Sources & data date
All data used in this article is sourced from the provider’s listing as of 2026‑07. Prices, ratings, and reviews are indicative and may have changed. Confirm all details with the operator before making any decisions.
For current availability and live pricing, you can use the on‑site assistant to check real‑time vacancies.
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