Archstone Reviews

Pros

On-site management was wonderful! A true joy to work with!
You really felt a strong sence of pride to work for the property.

Cons

Upper managements disrespect towards seasoned employees. It seems loyalty doesn't matter.
High stress levels. Ongoing fear that you'd be 'written up' over a technicality. Unwilling to take on-the-job performance in to account when making decisions such as promotions or disciplinary actions.

Advice to Senior Management

Your loosing the back bone of Archstone. You will loose every good employee if your practices do not change! Go back to your roots!

Pros

Benefits are great including 401 k, and also it is very flexible if you are in school or have a second job. They also have a great training program.

Cons

Does not promote within very often, they would rather pick someone off the streets. If you have been with the company for a long time they should definately reward those people better than what they are.

Advice to Senior Management

Consider promoting within more. Also to invest more in retail space you get a better profit. Instead of buying and selling, try building more and more.

Pros

My local office was a total pleasure to work in. My boss was great; I learned alot from the other people in the office; and everyone was very accommodating whenever something came up that took me out of the office. I also had good experiences dealing with some of the lower-level and mid-level staff at regional offices across the country.

Cons

The decision-making process at the corporate level is a total disaster. Not only were decisions made that have led to the rapid and continuing shrinkage of the company, but there was essentially zero communication from senior management to staff (even senior-level staff) during the early and mid stages of the financial crisis -- when Archstone's parent company went bankrupt, there was more information in the newspapers and on TV than there was within the company. It is a travesty that the same people who made those disastrous decisions remain in place.

Advice to Senior Management

Look yourselves in the mirror and realize that your selfish and short-sighted decision to do the Lehman deal, which lined your pockets, had the result of MASSIVE job losses for employees who'd been loyal to you. There are lives in tatters all across this country as a result of your poor choices. And, if you try to justify it to yourselves by saying "No one could have seen the calamities coming", then you're lying to yourselves, pure and simple...

Pros

If you end up with a good staff, they can be a joy to work with.

Cons

Archstone has been devastated by its ill-conceived and disastrous partnerships with Lehman Brothers (out of business) and Bank of America (huge Federal government bail out). While other companies are expanding, building and acquiring properties and new buildings, Archstone is trying to sell off properties, which is causing poor morale within the company, especially those at buildings that have been on the market.

Management does not want to promise employees will be part of Archstone when the buildings are sold. If you want a future, work for a company that is expanding.

If you question the VERY questionable decisions made throughout every level of the company, you will quickly learn how little they want you to stay.

Worst of all, Archstone is committed to building a workforce that views itself as retail instead of professional. Those with a brain and a heart need not apply.

Advice to Senior Management

Truly make a commitment to GREAT as you claim you wish to. Stop driving away employees who remember when Archstone was a better company. Start listening to their concerns instead of forcing them out, and stop replacing them with people who do not have experience with our business and with people who are only willing to follow.

It's easier to lead those who never question, but you become a stronger company by answering the questions.

Pros

Company allows you to have a good work/life balance. The training is very good for every position.
There are negatives, of course, but overall great company. Pay levels are a bit sketchy.

Cons

It seems like some people are discounted as not valuable or not promotable or are overlooked for opportunites. Senior mgmt. should consider this when making promotion choices.

Advice to Senior Management

Pay people what they are worth to keep them from leaving.

Pros

-growth potential
-accessible management
-supports new ideas and approaches
-energetic co-workers and fun environment
-self starters and independent people thrive at Archstone

Cons

-many managers are new to their positions and sometime lack experience in designing positive experiences for employees
-sometimes org changes can happen too quickly or frequently

Advice to Senior Management

Make a stronger commitment to rewarding employees based on merit rather than tenure with the company.

Pros

It is a well know company in the real estate industry. If you are lucky enough to meet the right people in the company, you will progress far in the company.

Cons

The pay is not up to standard. The amount of work and abuse you take from the residents and upper management is fustrating. Community Managers & Upper managment are afraid to handle esaculated problems from the residents. They have associates doing managment work, and refuse to promote great employees.. The OM's are lazy,and just like to send emails delegating and they don't have a clue on what is going on at the property.

Advice to Senior Management

All of the money that is put into training the employees during GREAT training is a hoax. The training should start with management. Stop hiring imcompetent managers that like to push work all of their work on the associates.

Pros

Great training. Lots of classes. Fun events for employees. I never lived at any of the properties, but I hear the discounts are very good. Properties are beautifully located. 24 hour service requests. great commission bonuses.

Cons

They say you need a 4 yr BA to advance to any upper management positions, 2 years property management and leasing experience. That's not the case. It's if your manager likes you enough to approve your interview. Other leasing consultants steal your leases. If you speak up about anything, then you will either get written up, terminated or forced to quit. If you are a follower, then Archstone is a great place for you.

Advice to Senior Management

Some properties have great leaders, but the majority do not. It's all about who you know. Which is very surprising since the process to get into Archstone is so extensive, sometimes 3-5 interviews. Some managers should not be managers. They do not even meet the criteria.

Pros

They offer a competitive high energy work place that will make or break you. Archstone is a leading property management company that you can go far in, if you want to. Competitive compensation packages and an overall flexibility with your schedule.

Cons

You will most likely work weekends and holidays, this is mostly spread out so you won't work every holiday. The pay is somewhat lacking but if you put your time in their is room to move up.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep doing what you are doing, I think its GREAT

Pros

The pay is good and I was sold what sounded like my dream job. They were quick to interview and hire. The benefits are comprable to other companies of their size. They're also conveniently located in the Denver Tech Center, near a light rail station.

Cons

Higher management has no backbone and they think of themselves as above the rest As an average employee, you're not treated with respect . Management does not support or compliment employees and is generally backstabbing and egocentric. Knowledge is hoarded and others faults are readily pointed out. If you take a stand to this, they will make your job a nightmare!

Advice to Senior Management

Do some annonymous feedback surveys from your employees and listen to what they have to say. Ensure that each team is living the "GREAT" motto within the company, as well as without.