I cannot overstate what an absolute horror show living in an apartment facing U Street is. The building does have very solid double-pane windows but they are no match for the gargantuan noise U Street produces. This must be the loudest block in all of DC. Here are some things you'll experience - mostly on weekends but they can happen any day or time (note: I live on the 7th floor, out of 8):
Motorcycles and dirtbikes excessively revving their engines
Dodge Chargers, Challengers and other
...muscle cars with extra loud modified exhaust systems rumbling by, also punching the gas for attention.
3-wheel motorcycles lit up with LEDs blasting external speakers - this especially cuts right through the windows
People parked on street below the playing their stereos with their doors open - hanging out after the bars close (so very late when you're trying to sleep)
Don't forget the public space at the Reeves Center (14th and U) which random people will set up giant speakers and create gatherings of all sorts. Same thing with the metro station at 13th and U.
Unfortunately, people come to U street to be flashy, loud and obnoxious and have no regard for anyone living here. You do NOT want to live in an apartment facing U Street. In my opinion, apartments facing U street shouldn't even be offered -they should be vacated and condemned - perhaps converted to storage units or some other purpose. You will me more miserable than you can imagine living above all that chaos.
At one point the building management offered to install window inserts to help with the street noise but then ignored
my follow up requests for months. I eventually just gave up on that.
Some other issues: At least once a month, a unit in the building needs it's hardwood floors repaired or replaced. Since this is an all concrete structure and concrete transmits noise in all directions, you will hear the hammering and drilling no matter where you are in the building. I'm on the 7th floor and could hear a floor repair as far away as on the 3rd floor - plus many other repairs going on closer-by. Usually you won't get any notice of the repairs happening, which would be nice in case you might want to go into your office or find some other place to work. On the few occasions I did get a notice, it was 2 hours after the repairs were already taking place.
Property Manager Responded