Senate Plaza

Being a veteran of the building for the last decade, I can say that I've seen A LOT of positive changes over the last few months with new management at the helm. The cosmetic brick work has gone according to plan on the east side of the building and is now complete with the focus on the west side for the next few months. Improvements to the common areas and general upkeep are certainly a positive once again. I've noticed a few new courtesy officers who make me feel even safer than before as well. The location, essentially being on campus across from the new USC Law Center, makes it easy for me to get where I need to go, oftentimes without needing a car. To address concerns some reviewers have noted about climate control: My apartment has three climate control units, one in the large living room and one in each of the two bedrooms. I have never had an issue with any of them or their thermostats. They are independently controlled (each room can be set at a different temperature), which is actually really convenient. I haven't seen this feature in other apartments around campus. As for the twice a year switch over from heat-to-AC and vice versa, my unit has three-speed ceiling fans and the new commercial style windows as most other units do. I've never had a problem remaining comfortable nor have any of my roommates in the past. I use the ceiling fans as needed or slightly crack one of the energy efficient windows, and within minutes I'm comfortable. Overall, for the location, amenities, and size of the units I'm really happy with Senate Plaza and can't imagine where I could get the same value elsewhere on campus!

Unbelievably old and poorly maintained building. Construction noise 24-7 shakes the building all day. AC is controlled by the building, the water pressure is so irregular you are either pinned up against your shower wall and clinging to your shower curtain and rod so you aren't knocked over, or it literally trickles out like a garden hose. It is unbelievable how much the residents of this place have to put up with, and I cannot wait for my lease to be up.

The most recent review posted here was very clearly written by the property manager, not a resident, of this building. This old building is not well-maintained and it is not worth your money. First, this building is NOT a non-smoking building--the hallways, stairwells, and common areas reek of smoke, and it often infiltrates neighboring units. Repulsive. As the employee below mentioned (yet curiously failed to account for when awarding 5-stars to this place), the AC and heat are entirely controlled by the building--like a dorm room or public school classroom. This year, the AC was off from the first week of November until April 19th. This is South Carolina, where we had probably 60 days of 75-85 degree weather during that time. My apartment was uninhabitable, yet my rent the exact same price. In February, there was no hot water in the entire building for 3 days. If it's not one thing, it's another with this place, and the management office couldn't be less bothered by any of it. The current property manager is "retiring" and is being replaced by her daughter, so I imagine it will be more of the same. The proximity of this building to the new law school, the rest of USC's campus, and the state house is not worth the amount of money you will spend, the amount of second-hand smoke you will inhale, and the amount of perspiration you will excrete on hot days and nights without AC and while at the mercy of the building.

Senate Plaza is an older apartment building, but is very well-maintained. I have always found the apartment building to be very quiet being halfway up the building away from traffic noise. The main negative is that the heat and air is centrally controlled so that individual units cannot control their own temperature. I would say that the positives far outweigh this negative, especially the location and the excellent security of the building. One has walking access to so much of interest and convenience in the city. I have never felt insecure in or around the building any time, day or night, and find the staff to be far above average and graciously willing to go the extra mile. One very important aspect for us especially is the close proximity to the State House and the fact that the beautiful, new USC School of Law is literally right across the street. Overall, our experience with Senate Plaza for the last five years has been very positive!

Unfortunately I had a new awful experience while living at Senate. As an international student I did not felt respected by management. It was also a lot more expensive than most places. I knew it was expensive, but I expected to have a service accordingly.