Who this residence suits
W 136th St in New York City is a shared apartment-style housing option aimed primarily at students and young professionals who want to live in Harlem, close to Columbia University and the City College of New York. The property offers rooms in 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom units, plus standalone apartments. The minimum lease is six months, making it suitable for those who need a medium-term commitment rather than a full academic year or a short summer stay.
This residence works well for someone who values social living and is comfortable in a larger household. The unit types (4b and 5b) mean you will share common areas – kitchen, living room, bathrooms – with several other residents. If you enjoy meeting new people and don’t mind some noise and activity, the setup can be a positive experience. The building includes amenities such as laundry facilities, kitchenware provided, and WiFi, which are all included in the monthly rent.
The price range for a room is USD 1,250–1,550 per month (indicative – confirm with the operator). This is slightly above the city’s from-price of USD 850 for student housing, but New York City’s market varies enormously by neighbourhood and building quality. In Harlem, this price is in line with many shared apartments in the area. The property is located at W 136th St, which is within walking distance of the 125th Street subway station (A, B, C, D lines) and several bus routes, giving easy access to Midtown and downtown Manhattan.
Residents who are proactive about reporting maintenance issues may find the building responsive. One reviewer mentioned that “the RAs helped to get them solved” when there were initial problems. The property has a high staff rating (4.8) and social rating (4.8) in the data, indicating that management is generally seen as helpful and the community atmosphere is strong.
Who should look elsewhere
This residence may not suit people who expect a high level of cleanliness in common areas, unless they are willing to take responsibility themselves or accept occasional mess. Two negative reviews on Google specifically mention that the laundry room and shared spaces were “frequently dirty” and that some amenities like the gym appeared “poorly maintained”. The amenities dimension rating is only 3.5, the lowest among all rating categories. If your priority is pristine facilities and well-maintained gym equipment, you might want to consider properties that invest more in upkeep.
The building also received complaints about overcrowding. One reviewer wrote that “the building often felt overcrowded and poorly maintained for the number of students living there.” If you prefer a quieter, more spacious environment with fewer roommates, a smaller apartment or a single-occupancy unit may be a better fit. The maximum 5-bedroom unit means potentially five people sharing one kitchen and living area, which can be challenging for privacy and storage.
Furthermore, the overall Google rating is 3.9 based on 200 reviews, which is decent but not outstanding. The two negative reviews (both rating 1) suggest that some residents had a consistently poor experience. While the positive review is glowing (rating 5), the mix indicates that experiences vary widely. If you are risk-averse, you may want to read more recent feedback or ask the operator about current management and cleaning schedules.
People who need a short-term lease (less than six months) will not be eligible here. The minimum lease is six months, so if you only need housing for a semester or a summer internship, this property may not work.
What residents actually say
The Google reviews provide a mixed picture. Here are the verbatim quotes from the data:
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”
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”
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.”
Note that the two negative reviews appear to be from the same person (Keyana Carter-Green / Keyana Green) – possibly a duplicate entry or a user with two accounts. The positive review is from a different resident. So the sample is small: one person had a thoroughly disappointing stay, while another had a great experience with responsive staff. The data shows high ratings for staff (4.8), social (4.8), location (4.8), and value for money (4.8), but lower for amenities (3.5). This aligns with the negative comments about maintenance.
Price positioning vs city from-price
New York City’s student housing from-price is USD 850 per month (indicative). W 136th St starts at USD 1,250 per month (indicative – confirm with the operator), which is about 47% higher than the city baseline. However, the city baseline likely includes cheaper options in less central areas or with fewer amenities. Within Harlem, USD 1,250–1,550 for a room in a shared apartment is typical. The property’s own internal ratings show value for money at 4.8, suggesting that many residents feel the price is fair for what they get.
To contextualise: the 212 student housing properties in New York City listed on the platform range from USD 850 upwards. W 136th St sits in the mid-range for shared units. If you are on a tight budget, you may find cheaper rooms elsewhere, possibly with longer commutes or fewer included amenities. Conversely, luxury student residences in Manhattan or near NYU can go above USD 2,500 per month. This property occupies a moderate price point for the Harlem area.
Room-type guidance
The available unit types are: 4-bedroom, 5-bedroom, and apartment. Note that “apartment” here likely means a studio or one-bedroom unit, though the data does not specify. If you want more privacy, ask the operator about the standalone apartment option – it may cost more but give you your own kitchen and bathroom. For most residents, the shared 4b or 5b units are the default.
Given the negative reviews about cleanliness and overcrowding, consider choosing a 4-bedroom over a 5-bedroom to reduce the number of roommates. Also, because the building has a gym, music room, and seminar room (mentioned in the positive review), the shared spaces beyond your unit may be busy. If you value quiet study spaces, inquire about availability of the seminar room and whether it can be booked.
Booking timing
The property does not have an “available from” date in the data, so availability is likely rolling. The minimum lease of six months means you can move in at various points during the year, but peak student arrival (August/September and January) will have highest demand. For the 2026–2027 academic year, it is advisable to start looking at least 3–4 months before your intended move-in date. The 200 reviews on Google suggest the property is popular, so rooms may fill up early.
Given the mixed reviews, also consider booking a tour or virtual viewing to assess current conditions. Ask the operator about the cleaning schedule, maintenance response times, and whether the gym and other amenities have been repaired or upgraded since the negative reviews were posted (those reviews are from some time ago – the data does not include dates). The favourable staff rating suggests that management is responsive, so raising concerns before signing a contract may help.
FAQ
Is W 136th St the same as “The Towers” mentioned in reviews?
The review references to “The Towers” likely refer to the same building. The property name in the data is W 136th St, and the address is in New York. It appears that the building was previously known as The Towers. When contacting the operator, confirm the current building name and any recent renovations.
What deposit is required?
The data does not include a deposit amount. In New York City, many student housing operators require a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. You must confirm this directly with the operator when booking.
Can I get a private bathroom?
The data does not specify bathroom configuration. In 4-bedroom and 5-bedroom units, bathrooms are typically shared. Some units may have two bathrooms. Ask the operator for the exact layout. If a private bathroom is essential, request the standalone apartment option.
Sources & data date: July 2026
The information above is based on platform data and public reviews. For live availability, current pricing, and specific unit details, please use the on-site assistant to connect with the property operator.
See also: listing details · browse more