“My only hesitation in writing this stellar review is that it could price out people who genuinely care about this community, in favor of those who can pay more but feel less connected to 885 as a home and Woodside Plaza-Redwood City as a hometown.
Redwood City has been our home for many years, and I attended the 885 Woodside open house around 2009, just before it was converted to rentals. The building has held up well. Built with real craftsmanship and designed for people who want a home, not a temporary stop.
885 also isn’t your Home Depot remodel, but quality that simply can’t be afforded these days, if you ask any contractor. High-end crown moldings, solid doors, brass door handles, upgraded double-pane windows, and real cabinetry. This is a solid building that I would feel safe in a storm or earthquake. You'd pay triple the cost today to upgrade a home to these standards. A huge plus is the central heating and air conditioning, which you can't get in most homes here, and it made a real difference during the apocalyptic CZU fires.
There are also practical reasons we appreciate about 885: secure garage parking, trash chutes so we’re not dragging cans out (especially on cold, stormy days), no gutter cleaning or landscape maintenance, and everything we need within walking distance, like local schools, friends, and our community. I’ve known many people in this building and throughout the neighborhood who genuinely love this place. Aesthetically, it fits the community, and the people who choose to live here are invested in it.
Management has been hit-or-miss over the years, but the current manager, David, has made a real difference in a short time. He’s a Redwood City native rooted in this community, and that care shows. Within his first month, he cleaned and organized the gym, power-washed the garage, trimmed trees, decorated the lobby for the holidays, and even set up a gift-wrapping station. David isn't just passing by; he is making things work because he has integrity and cares about this place. It is his home too.
Albeit nothing is perfect. Sometimes neighbors are weird, dogs bark, and not everyone follows the rules, but that’s part of community living, and we’d experience the same or worse anywhere. Redwood City has come a long way, and this building is a gem. Until you’ve lived in one of those cramped old homes or apartment buildings, or places where the landlord suddenly asks you to leave so they can renovate and sell, you don’t fully appreciate.”
“From the moment I arrived, Nobi, the manager, greeted me with a warm smile and goes above and beyond to ensure my time here is comfortable. Her helpful and kind nature truly has made a lasting impression.The Olympic-size pool, accompanied by a full gym and community center, is another remarkable highlight. It provides ample opportunities for fitness enthusiasts to stay active and enjoy a refreshing swim.For those seeking entertainment, the enormous television in the community center is a fantastic addition. Please note this is a first come first serve center unless reserved which there will be a note or a group of people to let you know it is reserved.Bair Island Marina also boasts several barbecue areas, perfect for hosting gatherings and enjoying delicious meals with friends, colleagues, people from this community or loved ones. The well-equipped stations and ample seating make it convenient to indulge in outdoor cooking while taking in the scenic beauty of the marina.The single-stall shower and two restroom areas on either side of the harbor are clean, well-maintained, and conveniently located. The facilities are spacious and provide a sense of privacy, ensuring a pleasant experience for all visitors long term or short.One noteworthy feature of Bair Island Marina is its strategic location, which provides a natural wind block for boats coming from the north end. This not only ensures the safety of the vessels but also enhances the overall tranquility of the marina. It is a testament to the attention to detail and thoughtful design of the facility. This location is also only a 5 minute drive or 25 minutes walk to grocery stores, gas stations, etc.In conclusion, Bair Island Marina is an absolute gem that offers a delightful experience for visitors long term or short. Nobi, the manager, sets the tone with her helpful and kind demeanor. The exquisite hot tub area, Olympic-size pool with a full gym, community center with a large television, barbecue areas, laundry facility and well-maintained restroom facilities all contribute to an exceptional stay whether it be temporary or full-time. The marina's strategic layout that shields boats from the wind is an additional bonus. I highly recommend Bair Island Marina to anyone seeking a memorable and enjoyable experience.”
“I’ve lived in many apartment buildings over the course of my life, and this is by far the best place! My partner and I have been happily living here for just over two years. It’s a 10 minute walk to downtown Redwood City — restaurants, movie theater, and the CalTrain station. It would be impossible to talk about how great it is to live at Brewster Place without mentioning Gwen and Sterling, the couple that runs our building. They are exceptionally responsive, always addressing issues promptly and with kindness. I genuinely can’t imagine living here without them!! For the duration of my time here, our building has always felt clean, safe, and cozy. From talking with other friends who live in apartments on the Peninsula, we know how lucky we are! If I could give more than 5 stars, I would!!”
“Great location! Conveniently located near Caltrain station, groceries and some awesome restaurants in the downtown area. Apartment plans are convenient with all latest amenities. The community is well maintained as well.Be mindful that their standard move out charges for cleaning, painting add up to more than the deposit so you’ll end paying additional fees after move out.”
“My move-in experience at Township Apartments was truly amazing. The entire team was so helpful and made everything feel easy and welcoming from the start.
Rajesh, the General Manager, was professional and kind. Haleigh from Specialist Housing was incredibly supportive and attentive throughout the process. Angie and Savannah from Community Relations were both friendly, responsive, and a pleasure to work with.
The maintenance team was also wonderful, quick, efficient, and very respectful.
The community is beautiful, peaceful, and overall amazing. I’m so happy with my experience and would highly recommend Township Apartments!”
“Rosio was so sweet, helpful, and patient. It seems that the new ownership is going to be a great improvement for the old buildings. The inside of the apartments were well maintained and spacious.”
“After living at Radius Apartments for three years, I reached a point where staying was no longer a given. I had outgrown my unit and was actively exploring other options, open to leaving if the right opportunity came along. However, when that opportunity surfaced at a sister Essex community, the way the Radius team handled the situation played a major role in my decision to remain an Essex resident.
From the beginning, Angie Schmidt made the process feel approachable rather than bureaucratic. I had a lot of questions about transferring between Essex properties, and she took the time to answer every one patiently and thoroughly, without ever making me feel like I was asking too much. That alone set a tone I genuinely appreciated.
As my situation became more nuanced, Lucinda Pham stepped in and made a real difference. She worked through my specific circumstances, advocated on my behalf, and moved quickly to make things happen. Her knowledge and responsiveness turned what could have been a stressful, drawn-out process into something that felt thoughtful and well-managed. When the right unit became available, the team acted fast, and they even honored a new-resident special, which made me feel valued as a long-term resident rather than taken for granted.
What ultimately gave me confidence that staying with Essex was the right call — not just in the moment, but long-term — was the consistency I’d already experienced with maintenance. Jonathan Smith and Francisco Gomez have been reliable, responsive, and thorough over time. Maintenance requests are handled quickly and, more importantly, fixed correctly. They follow through on what they say they’ll do, and that reliability isn’t limited to one-off interactions. Even after transferring into my new unit, they immediately addressed items I had raised, reinforcing that conversations here actually lead to action.
A property is only as good as the people who run it, and this group sets a standard for professional excellence that other communities should strive for.”
“I had a great experience living at Locale. Julie and Osvaldo truly go above and beyond to make the community feel like home. Maintenance requests get addressed swiftly. The complex is quiet, clean and very well maintained. The layout is optimal and the amenities (mailroom, gym, jacuzzi, rooftop) are top tier. Every couple of months (generally on holidays) there are community events (e.g. pizza night, taco night, sushi night) where you get to meet the neighbors.
Also love the location: a short walk from Caltrain (yet very well noise insulated) and downtown RWC (lots of restaurants).
Overall, 10/10 would recommend!”