W 123rd St: A Decision Review
This property, listed as W 123rd St in New York City, is a student housing residence that some residents refer to as “The Towers.” It offers apartment-style and 5-bedroom unit types, with amenities including a rooftop, laundry facility, and kitchenware. Based on available data, the unit was marked as not available at the time of collection. Below is a balanced assessment of who this residence may suit, what residents have reported, and practical guidance for prospective tenants.
Who This Residence Suits
The property appears to suit students or young professionals who value a built-in social environment and on-site facilities. One positive reviewer, Saqibul Chowdhury, rated the residence 5 out of 5 and described it as an “Amazing place to live in.” He highlighted the “Great view, great environment, and nice neighborhood,” as well as free access to a gym, laundry room, music room, seminar room, and indoor games. He also noted that resident assistants (RAs) were helpful in solving initial move-in problems.
This profile suggests the residence can work well for someone who:
- Enjoys a range of free common amenities (fitness, music, study spaces).
- Prefers a community with active RA support and planned activities.
- Is willing to tolerate some minor issues if they are promptly addressed.
- Is looking for a location in the Harlem area of Manhattan (zip code 10027, near Columbia University and City College, though university names are not listed here).
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Two detailed 1-star reviews raise significant concerns about maintenance and cleanliness. Keyana Carter-Green wrote: “I had a very negative experience living at The Towers. In my opinion, the facility was not kept clean enough for the number of residents living there. Common areas like the laundry room were frequently dirty, and some amenities, including the gym, appeared poorly maintained. I also felt that concerns about resident behav” (the review cuts off). Another review by Keyana Green states: “Living at The Towers was an exhausting and disappointing experience. The building often felt overcrowded and poorly maintained for the number of students living there. The laundry room and shared spaces were frequently unclean, and several facilities, including the gym, appeared damaged or neglected. What frustrated me” (also cut off).
These reviews point to a consistent pattern of dissatisfaction around overcrowding, poor upkeep of shared spaces, and unaddressed resident behaviour issues. This residence is therefore less suitable for:
- Anyone who prioritises high standards of cleanliness and maintenance in common areas.
- People sensitive to overcrowding or noise from a high number of residents.
- Those who expect management to respond quickly to complaints about facilities or neighbour behaviour.
- Students seeking a quiet, low-hassle living environment.
What Residents Actually Say (Verbatim Quotes)
Three reviews are available from Google (total 200 reviews, average rating 3.9 out of 5). Here they are in full:
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Keyana Carter-Green (Rating 1): “I had a very negative experience living at The Towers. In my opinion, the facility was not kept clean enough for the number of residents living there. Common areas like the laundry room were frequently dirty, and some amenities, including the gym, appeared poorly maintained. I also felt that concerns about resident beh”
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Keyana Green (Rating 1): “Living at The Towers was an exhausting and disappointing experience. The building often felt overcrowded and poorly maintained for the number of students living there. The laundry room and shared spaces were frequently unclean, and several facilities, including the gym, appeared damaged or neglected. What frustrated me”
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Saqibul Chowdhury (Rating 5): “Amazing place to live in. Great view, great environment, and nice neighborhood. Excellent RAs and roommates. The Towers has a gym, laundry room, music room, seminar room, and indoor games and it’s all free! There were some problems initially when I moved in but the RAs helped to get them solved.”
The positive and negative experiences are sharply divided. The two negative reviewers share the same concerns, while the positive reviewer acknowledges initial problems that were resolved. This split suggests the quality of experience may depend heavily on the specific floor, room type, or management responsiveness at the time of stay.
Price Positioning vs City “From” Price
No monthly price is listed for W 123rd St in the current data. However, the New York City market offers student housing starting from USD 850 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). Given that this property is a full apartment or large 5-bedroom unit in Manhattan, its price is likely to be significantly higher than the city minimum. For comparison, typical student residences near Columbia University or City College in Manhattan often range from USD 1,200 to over USD 2,000 per month for private rooms or studios.
Without a confirmed price, we cannot make a precise comparison. Prospective tenants should expect a mid-to-high price tier relative to the city’s entry-level options and must verify the exact cost directly with the housing operator. Use the city’s “from” price of USD 850 as a baseline — this property will almost certainly exceed it.
Room-Type Guidance
Two unit types are listed:
- 5b (5-bedroom apartment): Likely a shared apartment with five private bedrooms and common living/kitchen areas. This is best suited for groups of five friends who want to live together, or for individuals willing to be matched with four housemates. Note that the listing does not specify whether each bedroom has a lock or if bathrooms are shared.
- Apartment: This could be a studio, one-bedroom, or multi-bedroom unit. The exact floor plan is not detailed. Apartments generally offer more privacy and are suitable for solo students or couples.
Because the property is currently marked as “not available,” it is important to contact the operator to ask which specific unit types are or will be open. For 2026/2027 planning, you can also ask about the number of bathrooms, furnished condition, and whether utilities are included.
Booking Timing
The “not_available” tag suggests that the property may be fully occupied or not currently accepting new reservations. For the 2026 or 2027 academic years, many New York City student housing properties open bookings 6 to 12 months before the move-in date. You should:
- Check back closer to your intended start date (e.g., for a September 2026 lease, start inquiring from late 2025).
- Contact the operator directly to get on a waiting list or learn about the next release of units.
- Have backup options, especially since this property has mixed reviews and limited positive feedback.
Additionally, the Google rating of 3.9 out of 5 (based on 200 reviews) indicates average satisfaction overall, but the written reviews are more polarised than the numeric average suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same building as “The Towers”?
Multiple resident reviews refer to the property as “The Towers.” The official listing name is W 123rd St. It is likely that the same building is known by both names. You should confirm the exact building name and address with the operator to avoid confusion.
What is the typical lease duration?
Lease terms are not provided in the data. Most student housing in New York City offes 12-month leases, with some offering 9- or 10-month academic-year contracts. You must verify the minimum lease length and move-in dates directly.
Are utilities and internet included?
No details on inclusions are available. The 5-star review noted that gym, laundry, music room, seminar room, and indoor games are free, but that does not guarantee utilities or internet are covered. Always ask the operator which bills are included in the monthly price.
Sources & data date: 2026-07. Data sourced from independent student-housing platform (amberstudent). Google ratings and reviews are as listed.
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