The Shay Apartments

My experience with Shay goes beyond 5 stars it was excellent and exceptional! Kai, April and Carla are an amazing team. What goes on behind the actual moving day, moving pieces and connecting, consideration and follow through assisted leading up to the actual day. Move in day. April assisted, reassured and was a calming influence down to each detail. Thank you. Kai, April and Carla!!!!

A couple of our friends live and speak so highly of the Shay that we decided to check it out ourselves. The Shay is a stylish apartment complex in the heart of Shaw, steps away from world-class restaurants and entertainment venues. The building impressed me with its modern finishes, desirable amenities and the panoramic rooftop views of the District. Carla, the Assistant Property Manager, is a very knowledgeable and warm-hearted individual who made us feel welcome and at ease right from the start. She kindly showed us a wide array of units, patiently helping us to narrow down our choices. What surprised me the most was how reasonably priced the rent was. The application process at the Shay was straightforward and quick (unlike the other buildings in DC!) and Carla guided us through every single step. Even though we ended up renting at another complex (closer to my partner’s work), I most definitely recommend the Shay. Its modern architecture paired with caring staff is what makes the Shay truly stand out.

I generally wait a month after writing reviews, and this is my review of the Shay. After touring over 15 properties in D.C., I ultimately chose the Shay Apartments for its balance of location, price, and space. Manager Carla was a standout—responsive, professional, and she and her team were attentive to any concerns I had, which made a big difference in my experience and ultimately led to my choice. Parking car garage was a must for me, and despite no assigned parking spots, there is plenty of space. The location in the U Street is a huge plus, with easy access to restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes, and the Metro (about an 8-minute walk). The nightlife can get loud on weekends, and street parking is limited for guests, but that comes with living in D.C. The building is a bit older; however, they are constantly making improvements and redecorating the place. Overall, the Shay offers a strong mix of convenience and service.

I’ve been living at The Shay for just over two years now, and it’s been a great experience. Kai, the property manager, has been fantastic to work with—especially recently as I’ve been in the process of transferring units. She’s been incredibly responsive, helpful, and professional throughout the entire process. Since BMC took over, I’ve noticed steady improvements around the community, which have made the living experience even better. It’s clear they’re committed to making positive changes. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and am looking forward to another year at The Shay. Huge thanks to Kai for all your support, you’ve made a big difference!

The staff at this building is truly what makes me happy here, and the main reason I’m giving this five-star review. Ms. April, the daytime concierge, is an absolute gem. Her warm greetings and friendly presence brighten my day every time I walk through the door. She is always helpful, professional, and genuinely kind—it’s rare to find someone who so clearly takes pride in creating a welcoming environment for residents. I would be remiss if I didn't mention a few others, too: Krystal, the evening concierge, and Candice, who works on weekends, are both courteous and attentive. They consistently provide service with a positive attitude. Along with Ms. Carla in the leasing office and Alvin in the maintenance dept—they’re responsive, thoughtful, and always ready to assist with any questions or concerns. While this building has its shortcomings, it’s the people who work here that set this place apart. I’m grateful for the hardworking and dedicated team—especially Ms. April—for making this a place I want to call 'home'.

⭐ 1-Star Review DO NOT LEASE HERE — Unprofessional, Unresponsive, and Unethical We leased an apartment for our daughter, a student at Howard University, and our experience with this property was nothing short of exhausting. We fulfilled every part of our lease agreement, paid rent early, and even paid additional fees due to their own poor communication — yet they’ve gone completely silent and are now withholding our daughter’s security deposit without explanation. Let me be specific: Our daughter’s lease ended June 11, 2025. Due to a minor miscommunication, her notice to vacate was submitted approximately 1WEEK shy of the 2mth notice requirement late(she submitted sometime in April), but we accepted full responsibility and paid their additional $800 fee to extend the lease until June 18. She vacated in May due to an out-of-state internship. We continued to pay full rent and utilities through June, including the final utility bill received in mid-June and a final water/sewer charge paid this July. We returned the apartment keys on May 6th and were told the deposit should be fine. Since then, we have received zero communication regarding her deposit. Our calls have been ignored, and the leasing agents we previously dealt with (Khaliliah and Carla) will no longer respond. Despite our transparency and full payment history, this company refuses to answer any of our calls, give a timeline, or explain why our deposit is being withheld. This property operates like a money trap and 360 contract. They do not try to work with students or families at all — they only nickel-and-dime renters and conveniently go silent when accountability is required. Save yourself the stress, especially if you’re a parent trying to support your child through school. Look elsewhere — this place is unprofessional, unresponsive, and unethical.

I had a chance to do a site tour at The Shay and it was absolutely brilliant. I met with Carla Wynn and she was absolutely brilliant with her site tour. She addressed all my queries and really made me feel welcome at the community. Ask for her if you want to have your tour guided well. The apartment complex is pretty good, located at a fabulous place on U st. There are ample of community spaces at the complex and the gym is very good. Consider this apartment if you want to have active social life and then relax back into a community conveniently located.

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Kai, and I truly can’t say enough good things. She helped us secure an apartment last minute, and throughout the entire process, was incredibly kind, patient, and attentive! You could tell from the start that she genuinely cared about helping us, not just getting a deal done. She was respectful, responsive, and went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. It’s rare to find someone in this industry who is not only professional but also warm-hearted and sincere—and that’s exactly who Kai is. We’re so grateful for her help and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend working with her if you get the chance!