CLEVELAND | Project Rundown [Archive] - Page 3

MayDay

Feb 12, 2007, 3:22 PM

^There are occasional concerts held at the stadium but not very often.

This was an interesting article from Crains Cleveland:

Next big thing?
Key Tower. 200 Public Square. Could the oversized needs of Eaton Corp. and law firm Baker Hostetler spawn another downtown Cleveland skyscraper?

By STAN BULLARD
6:00 am, February 12, 2007
Chances just got better for a new office building to climb skyward in downtown Cleveland, although it’s way too soon to count on seeing the city’s skyline change.

Another huge, marquee tenant unlikely to find many alternatives besides staying put or going into a new skyscraper has entered the fray. Eaton Corp., the big diversified manufacturer based at the namesake Eaton Center office building, 1111 Superior Ave., needs about 300,000 square feet of office space and is circulating a request for proposals among developers that are pondering downtown projects.

A tenant Eaton’s size is large enough to justify construction of a new tower, particularly if the same developer also bags the Baker Hostetler law firm as a 200,000-square-foot tenant. Insiders in realty circles say Baker was ready to sign a lease to take empty space at the 200 Public Square office building, but it recently has extended its search.

More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

This could be interesting :)

MayDay

Feb 13, 2007, 7:01 PM

Update February 13th, 2007 - Progress photos added to Battery Park, new rendering for Lighthouse Landing (proposed).

CTownsFinest216

Feb 15, 2007, 12:07 PM

i would actually rather have a bunch 400-500 ft buildings on the western side of the CBD than 1 tall skyscraper. i think that would make the skyline 10x better

hopefully eaton can get a skyscraper risin on one of those parking lots

im excited to see the avenue district take shape, and i like that new construction in battery park. this is the type of infill they need to build in the city in areas like central/hough....not suburban mcmansions or townhomes. these are dense and interact with the street and surroundin urban fabric.

MayDay

Mar 5, 2007, 4:28 PM

Updates March 3, 2007 - new photos for Stonebridge Plaza, Valleyview Estates, Gospel Press, Park Lane Villa and new additions - Tudor Arms and West 7th Townhomes.

More info about the Tudor Arms renovation from Crains Cleveland:
Monday March 5, 2007
Tudor Arms pulls MRN to Univ. Circle again
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/tudorarms.jpg

East Fourth Street developer sees area as next potential nightlife, housing hot spot.

By STAN BULLARD
Widening its push into University Circle, real estate developer MRN Ltd. of Cleveland has acquired the 11-story Tudor Arms, a landmark building at 10660 Carnegie Ave. that since 1971 has served as the Cleveland Job Corps Center.
MRN — best known for developing the East Fourth Street neighborhood of downtown apartments, restaurants and entertainment spots such as the House of Blues — is staking its next bet on Cleveland with a plan driven by the nonprofit group University Circle Inc. to enliven the cultural, educational and health care district with nightlife, shops and housing.

Ari Maron, an MRN partner, said the family-owned company bought the building Feb. 23 from Case Western Reserve University because it believes plans for the college’s Triangle area will “start to spill over into more energy for University Circle.” “The Tudor Arms becomes an interesting opportunity on that basis,” Mr. Maron said.

More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

MayDay

Mar 13, 2007, 3:18 PM

March 13th - Added One Charter Place project under proposals, article from Crains Cleveland Business:

Real estate brokers hope to bring $15M condominium complex to Detroit Avenue

By STAN BULLARD

6:00 am, March 12, 2007

Two former corporate real estate consultants who have carved a niche as investment property brokers want to add development to their profiles with a proposed, $15 million condominium project in Ohio City.

Dubbed One Charter Place, the project would consist of a six-story building and a connected four-story building at 3107 Detroit Ave. that would offer 50+ condominiums for sale. The project would exploit views of Lake Erie that existing low-rise commercial buildings on that stretch of Detroit leave untapped.

“Knowing the Shoreway will be calmed to improve pedestrian access to the lake is a huge part of our decision to develop here,” said Brian Cook, who is a partner in the proposed development with Brian Koch and a silent investor the two declined to identify. The city of Cleveland is studying a plan to transform the West Shoreway to a smaller four-lane boulevard with traffic lights allowing for more pedestrian access and lakefront development.

More at crainscleveland.com http://www.crainscleveland.com

MayDay

Mar 26, 2007, 5:54 PM

Updated March 26th - Terminal Tower restoration, Valley View Homes, and Steelyard Commons updated.

SJPhillyBoy

Mar 29, 2007, 6:42 PM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lebronshouse&prov=ap&type=lgns

The King's castle: theater, bowling alley, casino

March 27, 2007

AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James' 35,440-square-foot house under construction in nearby Bath Township is shaping up as a castle fit for a king -- with a theater, bowling alley, casino and barber shop.

The house in a suburban location 20 miles south of Cleveland is due to be finished next year. It is being built on 5.6 acres of land purchased, along with an 11-bedroom house, in 2003 for $2.1 million.

The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and Akron native, whose stated goal is to be the world's first billionaire athlete, razed the house to clear the way for the new one.

A first-floor master suite, which includes a two-story walk-in closet, will be about 40 feet wide and 56 feet long -- bigger than half the houses in Bath Township.

The house has a dining hall, roughly 27 feet by 27 feet, a "great room" at 34 feet by 37 feet and a bigger, two-story "grand room," according to the Akron Beacon Journal, which reported on the blueprints.

The "family foyer" off the six-car garage near the elevator will be dwarfed by a "grand foyer" inside the front entrance with a sweeping, divided staircase leading to four second-story bedrooms. An outer wall will feature a limestone sculpture -- a bas-relief of LeBron's head, wearing his trademark headband.

The property is an oddly shaped tract wedged among lots that average 2.3 acres and houses that average 3,209 square feet. His property is 300 feet wide at the street and 677 feet deep.

The house already has begun to draw the curious.

"People who come to photograph it are disrespectful," said Tom Bader, one of nine immediate next-door neighbors. "They park their car in the middle of the street -- with their doors open! And you're sitting behind them! All I wanna do is go home after a hard day's work."

Sometimes Bader must wait to turn into his driveway because gawkers have driven up, hoping for a better view of James' place.

"As far as LeBron the man goes, I think he's an outstanding individual," said Bader, a graduate of James' alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron.

"He's great for Cleveland. I'm proud to have him. I have no issues with LeBron James at all. The problem is the baggage that he unintentionally carries with him."

Bader has discouraged his children's dream that James might have them over to shoot hoops.

"I said, `Honey, I don't think that's going to happen. Besides that, don't ever, ever invite LeBron over to our house to play ball because he's going to twist his ankle and I will have my house eternally egged.'"

While waiting for the home to be finished, James splits his time between a huge apartment in downtown Cleveland and a relatively modest four-bedroom house in Medina County west of Akron. He paid $580,000 for the house in 2005.

------

On the Net: http://www.bathtownship.org

MayDay

Apr 4, 2007, 2:12 PM

Update April 4, 2007: updated construction photos for Cleveland Museum of Art; Cleveland Institute of Music. New image for proposed Visual Arts Center at Cleveland State University.

alleystreetindustry

Apr 16, 2007, 2:03 PM

i think cleveland is neat.

MuRrAy HiLL

Apr 17, 2007, 1:38 AM

i think cleveland is neat.

oh yeah, Cleveland does Rock....have you ever been?

MayDay

Apr 25, 2007, 3:47 PM

Update April 25th: updated images for Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, and Steelyard Commons.

Seattle FTW

May 1, 2007, 8:38 PM

my old hometown, interesting to see whats going on there. some of those condo conversions would be cool...but houses are so cheap in cleveland so who would want to live in a condo anyway?

amazing to see such a large city receive so little new construction, yikes!! my bro told me the economy there was bad...

MayDay

May 1, 2007, 8:44 PM

"but houses are so cheap in cleveland so who would want to live in a condo anyway?"

The same people as anywhere else - those who don't want the hassle of yardwork, etc. The economy is bad depending on who you talk to - it's bad for those in some of the manufacturing fields, but for those in healthcare, law, or finance (and others), I don't hear them complaining.

the pope

May 1, 2007, 11:05 PM

hyperion1110

May 2, 2007, 3:24 AM

Healthcare isn't close to recession proof. The early to mid 1990s saw a massive recession in the field, where fear and uncertainty from proposed universal healthcare caused massive layoffs and highering freezes. My dad graduated from nursing school in 93...it took him 4 years to find a job in Pittsburgh, which has one of the largest healthcare systems in the world.

That Cleveland's healthcare sector is, well, healthy is a nod to the local industry.

I'm glad to see a another rustbelt city doing well. Way to go, Cleveland!

MayDay

May 7, 2007, 2:35 PM

Update May 7th - new photo for the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.

Plasticman

May 10, 2007, 3:35 PM

oh yeah, Cleveland does Rock....have you ever been?
I haven't been but Cleveland does rock. I mean....Drew Carey says so so I guess that's all we need.

MayDay

May 10, 2007, 7:25 PM

double post

MuRrAy HiLL

May 11, 2007, 9:04 PM

there's going to be some huge news about this soon, just trust me ;)

MayDay, what do you know that we don't??

zaceman

May 26, 2007, 12:23 AM

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9776/eastwestfw3.png

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/05/flats_developers_pitch_plans_f.html

Flats developers pitch plans for an East-West combo
Posted by Henry J. Gomez May 21, 2007 10:17AM
Categories: Breaking News, Economic development
In a booth on the floor of this year's International Council of Shopping Centers' spring convention in Las Vegas, east has met west, Cleveland-style.

"This is big," said developer Bob Corna, who with K&D Group Inc. of Willoughby is working on the West Bank's $700 million Stonebridge apartment and condo project. "The sum of the parts makes a much bigger whole. We're known nationwide as the Flats."

Corna and K&D Group will exhibit with the Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties LLC, partners on the $230 million Flats East Bank neighborhood.

A united front could help at a huge trade show such as this one, where East Bank and West Bank mean little to retailers that are more impressed by critical mass when deciding where to put new stores. In Cleveland, the combined effort could help eliminate the physical and psychological boundaries that exist between each side of town.

Together, Stonebridge and Flats East Bank plan to push the city to help with walkways that would better connect the two banks. A master plan on display at the show, which began Sunday and ends Wednesday, shows a proposed Main Avenue pedestrian bridge to link the Stonebridge's core with Old River Road across the Cuyahoga. (PDF of current plan: Download file)

"The Flats doesn't work with just an east bank or just a west bank," said Corna, who also envisions a link to Whiskey Island. "The West Bank died because the East Bank died."

Still, skeptics wonder if retail can work in neighborhoods just off downtown, where malls at Tower City Center and the Galleria have slumped mightily since the 1990s. That's why upscale housing has emerged as an anchor for both projects.

About 500 apartments and condos already have been completed at Stonebridge, which also includes some office space and a restaurant. Another 1,500 housing units are planned. Flats East Bank calls for more than 300 for-sale condos.

Scott Wolstein, who with his mother Iris is bankrolling the East Bank development, also wants to lure national retailers and restaurants. In an interview last week before leaving for Las Vegas, Wolstein said talks are progressing with a grocer, bookstore and theater.

"I think we'll probably have a lot of discussions with restaurants" and niche retailers such as Urban Outfitters at the convention, said Wolstein, who also is here to drum up business as chief executive of Beachwood's Developers Diversified Realty Corp. DDR, a publicly traded shopping center real estate investment trust, is not involved with the Flats project. Fairmount Properties is handling most development duties.

The convention comes as the East Bank project enters its third week as the subject of an eminent domain hearing in Cuyahoga County probate court. The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is suing to take control of nine properties Wolstein wants to advance development. A jury ultimately could decide the value of the land.

Tony George, one of the holdout property owners, is here this week to meet with restaurateurs. The Cleveland businessman, who feels Wolstein and the port have not negotiated fairly, said he would rather see the Flats reclaim its image as an entertainment district. He said his proposal would cost $30 million and create 1,500 jobs.

Wolstein previously settled with other property owners, and demolition of buildings on land he already controls has started. Between receptions Sunday night, Fishman conceded that signing and announcing a major tenant could help push their plans further.

"Ours is a momentum business," Fishman said.

More from the International Council of Shopping Centers' spring convention

Sunday evening, a wind down to the first official day of the show, is marked by scores of exclusive parties. Roetzel & Andress, an Akron and Cleveland law firm that has a real estate and finance group, kicked off the Northeast Ohio networking with a swanky reception at the Little Buddha sushi bar at the Palms Casino Resort.

One of the more chatty guests was East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer, making his first trip to the convention. Brewer said he is looking to breathe some retail life into his city.

Another first-timer was Warrensville Heights Mayor Marcia Fudge. Fudge said she's looking to spur development near the Chagrin Highlands area and along Northfield Road.

Also in the crowd was North Royalton Mayor Cathy Luks, here to find retail for her city's proposed Town Center. It is Luks' second trip to the convention. In 2004 she was here in search of a developer. The city chose the Coral Co. of University Heights.

On the developers' side, John Ferchill of Cleveland's Ferchill Group bounced between parties for Roetzel & Andress, Forest City Enterprises Inc. of Cleveland (Wynn) and Beachwood's Developers Diversified Realty Corp. (Bellagio). Ferchill said he is here to scout possible joint-venture opportunities on historic rehab projects in the Midwest.

On the brokerage side, David O'Neill, a partner at Cleveland's Colliers Ostendorf-Morris, held court at the Roetzel & Andress and DDR parties. The brother-and-sister team of Scott Wiles and Erin Wiles-Patton - retail specialists for the Independence office of Marcus & Millichap -- camped out at the Visconsi Cos. bash, also at the Bellagio.

One of the busiest folks of the evening was Cleveland publicist Nancy Lesic, juggling party-going clients such as Bob Glick, chief executive of Solon fashion retailer Dots LLC, as well as developers Adam Fishman, Mitchell Schneider and Scott Wolstein.

MayDay

Jun 5, 2007, 6:23 PM

Update June 5th: Updated photos for Stonebridge Plaza, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Art. New renderings for Flats East Bank (proposed) and Stonebridge future phases (proposed).

MayDay

Jun 15, 2007, 6:56 PM

I've added an updated photo to the Avenue District. Also, this was posted on cleveland.com today - great news for a crucial block:

Downtown Cleveland to get new hotel
Posted by Henry J. Gomez June 15, 2007 14:20PM
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/rockwellcondos.jpg

After a decade of scrapped plans and false starts, a hotel finally could open in an abandoned downtown Cleveland office building.

Staybridge Suites, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, plans to refashion historic property along Rockwell Avenue, between East Sixth and East Ninth Streets, into 126 suites. Developers have been eyeballing the land for condos or a hotel since the late 1990s.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

MayDay

Jun 18, 2007, 5:02 PM

There have been some changes made to the Detroit-Superior Lofts project:

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/detroitsuperiorlofts.jpg

From Progressive Urban Real Estate:
.........................
DETROIT SUPERIOR LOFTS PROJECT WILL BRING NEW FOR-SALE CONDOMINIUMS TO OHIO CITY

Condominiums Offer Stunning Lake and Downtown Views from Upper Floors

Cleveland, Ohio, June 14th, 2007 – Developers announced that a new seven-story condominium building will be built at the southwest corner of Detroit Avenue and West 28th St. This new structure will add to the revitalization of the Ohio City neighborhood, already a success story for residential redevelopment.

“We are excited about the Detroit Superior Lofts project, which will place 50+ condominiums at the gateway to Ohio City and downtown Cleveland,” said developer Tom Gillespie. “This project takes advantage of the momentum created by other condo developments in both downtown and Ohio City.”

The Detroit Superior Lofts project is a seven-story building being developed by Tom Gillespie of TEG Properties, Inc. The design is being completed by Lowenstein-Durante Architects. Progressive Urban Real Estate will handle sales and marketing coordination.

The development site is adjacent to the former Painters Union building, which is being redeveloped into market-rate apartments by Gillespie, as well as several nightclubs and refurbished apartment buildings. The site is close to the West Side Market and the Fries and Schuele Condominiums, and one block away from the Detroit-Superior Viaduct and the highly successful Stonebridge project.

“The Detroit Superior Lofts project fills a gap in the streetscape of Detroit Avenue, and also a gap in the marketplace,” said Keith Brown, President of Progressive Urban Real Estate. “There is a great deal of demand for loft-style condos in Ohio City, and not enough products to satisfy that demand. We are excited about this project – it will change the face of Detroit Avenue.”

Project amenities include one and two bedroom lofts, as well as two-story townhome units, with first-floor parking. The first level also contains a lobby and retail space that will complement existing neighborhood retail. Unit amenities include private balconies on every unit, a common, 10,000 square foot, green roof garden over the garage, steel and concrete construction, and modern finishes. Interior features include open floor plans, nine foot ceiling heights, hardwood floors, granite kitchen countertops, and wood cabinetry. Unit owners will also receive 15 year 100% tax abatement, and 1.5% reduced rate financing from Key Bank. Prices for the units start at $150,000 and extend into the mid $400’s.

For more information about Progressive Urban Real Estate, Northeast Ohio’s premier sales company for contemporary urban living, as well as the Detroit-Superior Lofts project contact Genna Petrolla, Marketing Director at 216/619-9696 or gpetrolla@progressiveurban.com.

MayDay

Jun 26, 2007, 6:59 PM

An important component of Cleveland State University's development of a "College Town", and good news for downtown Cleveland in general:

From cleveland.com

Barnes & Noble to open college bookstore downtown
Posted by Zachary Lewis June 26, 2007 14:10PM

Barnes & Noble is about to set up shop downtown. The national bookstore chain is moving forward with plans to build a store at 2020 Euclid Avenue, near the campus of Cleveland State University, in time to open this fall.

Bill Beckenbach, director of the community development group the Quadrangle, Inc., said the store's arrival is "95 percent definite." Verbal agreements have been made, he said, between Barnes & Noble and Brothers Printing, owners of the property.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

jasonpopis

Jul 7, 2007, 1:56 AM

Thanks so much, MayDay, for setting this forum set up. I'm a former Clevelander currently living in NYC for the past 7 years, but I miss Cleveland so much. The NBA Finals gave me an exciting reminder of the city I miss and love. I'd love to move back someday.

These developments are exciting! Thanks again, MayDay, for putting them together! I love hearing about them; I've been keeping track of new developments in Cleveland pretty much ever since I moved to NYC.

Cleveland is a city to be proud of! It's great to see some people who are, instead of being weighed down in the negativity inherent in Cleveland's past. Let's let go of that already and continue moving forward! To the future!! :)

MayDay

Jul 16, 2007, 1:40 PM

They're using the phrase "high-rise" liberally but at 9, 9, 12, and 13 floors I won't complain too much :)

From crainscleveland.com:

264 more condos slated for Flats
Willoughby Hills developer hopes to break ground on first of four high rises in spring

By JAY MILLER

4:30 am, July 16, 2007

A development group led by Russell Berzin of Franklyn Development Co. is planning to replace a parking lot with a $50 million, 264-unit riverfront condominium complex in the Flats along Columbus Road south of the Carter Road bridge.

Mr. Berzin said the four high-rise buildings in the as-yet-unnamed complex will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units in prices tentatively set in a range comparable to those at the nearby Stonebridge development. Condominium units in Stonebridge Plaza, a just-completed condominium building, run from $153,000 to $529,000.

Cleveland City Council last week approved a rezoning of the property from general industry to downtown residential. Mr. Berzin said final engineering drawings will be completed shortly, and he hopes to break ground on the first building next spring.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

MayDay

Jul 31, 2007, 7:59 PM

July 31 - Updated photos for Avenue District and Euclid Corridor Project.

MayDay

Aug 10, 2007, 6:42 PM

August 10 - Updated photos for Avenue District, Terminal Tower restoration, and Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.

wrab

Aug 10, 2007, 9:07 PM

That teaser pic of Terminal Tower's restored crown has me excited...amazing how much crud these pups can accumulate over the years.

Preserve & Restore

Aug 19, 2007, 5:21 AM

[QUOTE=MayDay;2899412]I've added an updated photo to the Avenue District. Also, this was posted on cleveland.com today - great news for a crucial block:

Downtown Cleveland to get new hotel
Posted by Henry J. Gomez June 15, 2007 14:20PM
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/rockwellcondos.jpg

My Reply:
I'm THRILLED to see these historical buildings being SAVED! :) It means so much to me. I find these classic early 20th century buildings gorgeous and full of character. To me they are an absolute essence of our urban areas. Please save them!

MayDay

Aug 21, 2007, 2:28 PM

Update August 21st - new renderings for Stark Enterprises project

MayDay

Aug 27, 2007, 8:42 PM

Update August 27th - new photo for Avenue District (tower crane installation)

MayDay

Aug 29, 2007, 5:16 PM

Great news about the Flats East Bank project from newsnet5.com

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/flatseastbank0507.jpg

Final Piece Of Land Purchased For Flats Redevelopment

Demolition Continues For $400 Million Project

CLEVELAND -- The redevelopment of the Flats district is closer to reality this week. Local developer Scott Wolstein agreed to pay $2.9 million to buy the last piece of land he needs for his project. The final details are getting worked on this week.

Wolstein plans to build a $400 million neighborhood on the east bank, including housing and new businesses. Demolition of buildings will continue in the coming months.

Austinlee

Aug 29, 2007, 5:50 PM

^I have a good feeling about that project. A very comparative project built here in Pgh, The South Side Works, has been a tremendous success and seems to be of the size and scale that these mid-size cities can handle and make use of. If anyone wants to compare, this is it:
http://www.sofferorganization.com/ss_works.htm

MayDay

Aug 29, 2007, 8:35 PM

Yep, that'd be great if the Flats East Bank has the level of success of Southside Works. It's adjacent to the CBD, plus it has two Rapid stations on the site already.

Speaking of more good news - the massings for the Stark project in the Warehouse District have been released. The firm that handled the rendering bought one of my photos for this (and you can see the Flats East Bank area in the background):
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/starkmassing.jpg

West Side Sun News
Aug. 30, 2007

Stark setting in motion large downtown plan
By Ken Prendergast
Staff Writer

Developer Robert Stark said more pieces are coming together that will allow him to build the largest downtown real estate development in at least the past 15 years. Initially, Robert Stark Enterprises proposes building on 8 acres of mostly surface parking lots in the Warehouse District.

Stark said now is an ideal time for pursuing a significant real estate investment downtown, with up to 10 large and growing firms in the central business district facing the end of their leases by 2011. The downtown office market has improved to such an extent that existing buildings no longer have large enough contiguous vacancies to accommodate the firms’ growth without new construction.

Sometime in the first quarter of 2008, Stark will present a preliminary development plan to the city for building in the Warehouse District 1.2 million to 1.5 million square feet of office space, 1 million square feet of retail, 1 million square feet of residential and 1 million to 2 million square feet of structured parking.

He declined to identify potential office and retail tenants he has signed or with whom he is in negotiations. However, he said he feels pretty good about hitting his pre-lease targets by January or February — 60-70 percent office space and 80 percent retail has been pre-leased.

Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman, Ward 13, said he is aware of six companies whose leases are due to expire in the coming years — KeyBank’s System Accounting Division, now in the old May Co.; law firm Baker Hostetler; Eaton Corp.; Huntington Bank; law firm Squire, Sanders & Dempsey; and financial services firm Ernst & Young. He didn’t remember the names of the other four firms.

Competing with Stark to sign those firms to leases are developers Scott Wolstein and the Richard E. Jacobs Group. Wolstein seeks to fill up to 1 million square feet of office space scattered among several proposed buildings in his Flats East Bank Neighborhood that also would have large retail and residential components.

Jacobs is proposing a skyscraper on land he owns between Public Square and Stark’s development, Jacobs Group spokesman William Fullington recently said.

Based on marketing and leasing progress made by his company, Stark said he expects to be ready by March to submit detailed construction plans to the city for one or two blocks in the Warehouse District. Those would be submitted at the same time as the preliminary development plan for the rest of the properties he and his partnership control in the Warehouse District.

One of the two blocks for which construction plans may be submitted is bounded by Superior, West Third, West Sixth and Frankfort Street, he said. The other block is bounded by Frankfort, West Third, West Sixth and St. Clair. Later phases would include residential, primarily west of West Sixth and north of St. Clair.

The offices, in buildings roughly 15-20 stories high along Superior and West Third, would be built over street-level retail with parking sandwiched between the offices and retail. He said such a design will help enhance downtown’s vibrancy.

Too often, Stark said, office workers don’t leave their buildings or even their floors for lunch or shopping. Buildings often don’t have ground-floor features like a variety of major retailers that allow buildings to play off of each other. More than 100,000 people work in downtown Cleveland.

“We haven’t gotten the spin-off benefits from these office towers because they’re too insular,” Stark said. “Companies can’t attract or retain employees in a setting like that.”

He said the demand for new office building construction downtown is a chance to correct that.

“That is the great opportunity of this moment,” he added. “It would be irresponsible of this community not to use those lease holes for creating more mixed use downtown.”

Stark proposes the “Soho of the Midwest” in the Warehouse District, referring to the eclectic neighborhood in New York City. One of the features he looks forward to developing is to turn Frankfort Street into a European-style “close,” an narrow alley paved with cobblestones and lined with shops.

“I can’t wait to walk down that street,” he said. “It would be an unmatched place for corporate headquarters.”

He also said he expects to have a signed purchase agreement in a matter of days for the acquisition of a critical piece of real estate for his Warehouse District development.

The real estate Stark is acquiring is at the corner of Superior and West Sixth. It hosts a 1960-built parking deck surrounding a check-cashing business in a small building dating from the 1830s. Both will be demolished.

The check-cashing property is owned by Ed Kowitt of Kersdale Limited Partnership, while the parking deck is owned by a number of partners, including Kowitt and a family trust. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but appraisers at the Cuyahoga County Auditor’s office said the combined value of the two properties is $3 million.

Once the purchase is finalized, Stark and development partner Tony Asher will control every property bounded by Superior, West Sixth, St. Clair and West Third. Asher’s Weston Property Investments Inc. owns other properties in the Warehouse District that also are eyed for development by Stark.

MayDay

Aug 31, 2007, 12:46 AM

The "two decades" bit is inaccurate but otherwise it's a good article. :)

From cleveland.com

New office buildings could tower over Cleveland
Posted by Henry J. Gomez August 30, 2007 17:29PM

For the first time in almost two decades, one or more new office buildings could rise above downtown Cleveland.

At least five big companies with leases soon to expire, including accounting giant Ernst & Young and global manufacturer Eaton Corp., are shopping for new digs. With the central business district's highest-quality buildings short on space, each of these major employers are exploring the possibility of new construction with real estate developers.

Others in the market include Huntington National Bank, which has a 200-employee regional base here, and the large law firms of Baker Hostetler and Squire, Sanders & Dempsey.

Competition among developers to land one or more of these marquee tenants is fierce. Scott Wolstein and Bob Stark each covets a big name for his mixed-use project - Wolstein's on the east bank of the Flats, Stark's in the Warehouse District. Also in the mix are John Ferchill, Forest City Enterprises Inc. and Richard E. Jacobs Group, all major players during Cleveland's last construction boom.

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007/08/new_office_buildings_could_tow.html

Atlantan

Sep 17, 2007, 9:49 PM

New crane I saw in downtown Cleveland..... just wondering what was getting built there?

case_architect

Sep 18, 2007, 4:36 PM

New crane I saw in downtown Cleveland..... just wondering what was getting built there?

http://www.theavenuedistrict.com/newlayout/

Atlantan

Sep 18, 2007, 11:16 PM

Thank you.... I like the live development video they provide. Nice development going on there. Only will spark more development for the downtown.

MayDay

Sep 25, 2007, 6:01 PM

Update Sept. 25th - new photos for Avenue District, Stonebridge Plaza, Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Park Lane Villa.

Atlantan

Sep 27, 2007, 1:38 PM

Its amazing how fast the Avenue Project is going up.

MayDay

Oct 2, 2007, 3:34 PM

Update October 2, 2007 - updated development video; added rendering for Flats East Bank project.

Austinlee

Oct 2, 2007, 5:13 PM

When will the renovations/scaffolding be finished and removed from the Terminal Tower?

MayDay

Oct 3, 2007, 6:49 PM

Not for another couple of years - it's a long slooooow process - there's a lot of rebuilding and repairing going on up there. The metal cupola at the very top was completely reconstructed; the decorative elements are being removed and re-cast, replaced with a resin-based microcotta which is much more durable than the existing material; and all brick/mortar is being tuck pointed, etc. (Images from Coon Restoration):
http://www.coonrestoration.com/features/tt/large/100_1554.JPG

http://www.coonrestoration.com/features/tt/large/100_1245.jpg

http://www.coonrestoration.com/features/tt/large/100_1496.JPG

Also, the base of the tower is much larger than what you see from a distance in the skyline, and the entire cornice is being replaced/recast:
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/terminaltowerfromstokes.jpg

That's why in almost two years, it's only gone from this:
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/terminalscaffolding3.jpg

To this:
http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/termtowerrestoration1007.jpg

It's taking a long time but from what's visible, they're doing an amazing job.

Atlantan

Oct 3, 2007, 9:37 PM

The Terminal Tower looks great from the previous photo a couple of years ago I take when it was taken.

Austinlee

Oct 7, 2007, 1:15 AM

Ok; Thanks for the explanation Mayday. That looks like a huuge job... I'm sure that I am only one of many people who eagerly await the finished product!

Atlantan

Oct 10, 2007, 11:44 PM

I heard that there are some proposals for some new highrises on Public Square. Do you happen to have any articles about this?

the pope

Oct 11, 2007, 12:15 AM

I heard that there are some proposals for some new highrises on Public Square. Do you happen to have any articles about this?

rumor mill

read: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=14285.0

MayDay

Oct 16, 2007, 1:19 PM

Not in the city proper, but a cool project in one of my favorite inner-ring 'burbs:

Lakewood riverfront project allowed to proceed

http://members.cox.net/neotrans2/LakewoodCliffss.jpg

Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Molly Kavanaugh
Plain Dealer Reporter
Lakewood- An upscale riverfront development announced more than a year ago has the green light to proceed.

The Cliffs on Rocky River needed land and money for an access road, and both issues have now been resolved. The city will provide $250,000, the county is donating 0.4 of an acre and Cleveland Metroparks signed a memo of understanding agreeing to grant an easement.

"I can't say enough about the city and county. They have been very solidly in support of the project," said Rick Foran with Foran Montlack Development LLC.

The buying public has been supportive, too, he said. Originally, Foran was going to build 46 condominiums on the bedrock rising from the former Krumreig Marina, but now he may construct as many as 60 units. Six people have already put deposits down and another four dozen are interested in reserving a condominium, he said.

"This is such a unique location, we have found that people are interested," he said.

More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

Atlantan

Oct 17, 2007, 8:05 PM

Great news!

Atlantan

Nov 3, 2007, 11:23 PM

The Avenue District is coming along nicely. Up to 5 stories now.

Austinlee

Nov 3, 2007, 11:48 PM

The Cliffs is an awesome project. I am jealous.

MayDay

Nov 7, 2007, 1:27 AM

It reminded me of this building in Pittsburgh, but built down at the river's edge:

http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/pitt/pitt11.jpg

Floods7

Dec 2, 2007, 4:59 PM

It seems no one has any updates on Cleveland or anything happening around there. I am down there everyday, and I see alot of progress. I have a question though on the Euclid corrdor project. The busses began to run late last week. I thought that the busses they would be using were long monarail style busses. Instead its just regualr busses. Is this just because there just testing it out, or are they not going to have those 2 car style busses?

MayDay

Dec 6, 2007, 8:19 PM

Sorry - I've been too busy lately but I added some quick updates: Avenue District, Terminal Tower restoration, Tremont Pointe (Valleyview), and Gospel Press building.

The regular busses are being used for the Euclid Corridor project to get drivers (bus AND car) used to the new traffic patterns. They'll eventually have the sleeker articulated buses when it's fully operational.

Michi

Dec 7, 2007, 12:53 AM

Holy crap! That "after" photo of T.Tower looks amazing! I can't wait to see what the finished work will reveal. :D

SJPhillyBoy

Dec 7, 2007, 1:13 AM

Wow. Twerminal Tower is looking fantastic in the post-renovation pics. Nice that it is being re-done.
Even without the renovation, it is a beautiful building.

MayDay

Jan 4, 2008, 3:22 AM

Just a quick update with new pics for the Avenue District and Terminal Tower restoration.

case_architect

Jan 11, 2008, 1:25 AM

i grabbed a couple shots this week

cim getting close
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/7082/cimsp5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cma starting to take shape
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9059/cmaqe6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

csu marshall law new exterior
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1245/csumarshallzc2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

battery park
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/4645/batteryparkbd6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

flats east bank not doing much since property acquisition
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6481/flatseastbankac2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

stonebridge finishing up
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9717/stonebridgerk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the pope

Jan 11, 2008, 10:48 PM

case has an architecture program?

pangelo

Jan 14, 2008, 5:29 PM

the pope

Jan 14, 2008, 8:04 PM

Atlantan

Jan 16, 2008, 10:24 PM

Terminal Tower is looking very nice, and The Avenue District is really rising up there. How tall is it going to be 11 stories?

MayDay

Jan 17, 2008, 9:37 PM

First time posting so I am not sure if I am doing this correctly. Anyways, does anyone have any idea on how long the renovation of the Gospel Press building in Tremont will take? Also, anyone know what type of housing it will be?

Not sure of the timeline, but it will be rental units initially - that's a requirement of any project using historic restoration tax credits. If you're familiar with the Water Street, Pointe at Gateway, or Fries and Scheule condos in Cleveland, they all started as rentals.

Atlantan, the Avenue District (specifically the 1211 St. Clair building) is going to be 10 stories high. The project involves several other phases on adjacent sites, including townhomes currently under construction.

zerokarma

Jan 21, 2008, 4:03 PM

good pics

Echo Park

Feb 1, 2008, 9:51 PM

andrwe go fix the server on netphoria

MayDay

Feb 10, 2008, 3:15 PM

^:shrug:

Updated February 10th: updated photo for 1211 St. Clair (Avenue District), new image for Euclid Corridor Project, new proposal for Euclid Avenue.

There's also an interesting article about the impact of the Euclid Corridor project at cleveland.com:
http://www.cleveland.com/news/index.ssf/2008/02/euclid_corridor_project_helps.html

MayDay

Feb 11, 2008, 9:12 PM

And some more good news, posted at cleveland.com

Law firm will move to planned Flats office building
Posted by Michelle Jarboe February 11, 2008 14:21PM
Categories: Breaking News, Real estate
Law firm Tucker Ellis & West LLP will be an anchor tenant in what could be downtown's first new top-shelf office building in more than a decade.

The Cleveland-based law firm confirmed Monday that it will move its downtown offices from the Huntington building to a new office tower in developer Scott Wolstein's project along the east bank of the Flats. The move will take place in 2011.

Five-year-old Tucker Ellis is the first major office tenant to publicly commit to Wolstein's project. Global manufacturer Eaton Corp. and accounting firm Ernst & Young also are looking at sites in the $500 million mixed-use development. Eaton is in talks with Port of Cleveland officials about leaving the Eaton Center downtown and building a corporate campus in the loop made by the Regional Transit Authority's waterfront line.

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/02/law_firm_will_move_to_planned.html

the pope

Feb 11, 2008, 11:34 PM

huzah!

this will help out financing nicely.

MayDay

Mar 4, 2008, 7:38 PM

Update March 4th: updated photo for Avenue District condo tower; new listing for University Hospitals Cancer Center, new proposal for Mayfield Lofts.

MayDay

Mar 13, 2008, 3:52 PM

Cuyahoga County reaches deal on Med Mart

Posted by Sarah Hollander March 13, 2008 11:09AM
Categories: Breaking News

Cuyahoga County commissioners have reached a deal with the Chicago-based company to bring a Medical Mart to Cleveland.

Commissioners expect to have the terms of the agreement in writing next week. Basically, it calls for a downtown convention center, and puts MMPI's investment at $20 million.

No details were provided this morning on the county's obligations, but they will be known and capped, said attorney Fred Nance, who's negotiating the deal on Cuyahoga County's behalf.

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/cuyahoga_county_reaches_deal_o.html

Atlantan

Mar 15, 2008, 5:32 PM

So I guess this means Cleveland's new convention center is becoming more of a reality?

And great news about Cleveland becoming more of a leader in the health care field. It is exploding in Cleveland.

MayDay

Mar 15, 2008, 6:58 PM

^Pretty much - there are two sites being considered (Lakefront and Tower City Center), each with pros/cons and then there are the ancillary structures being considered. It's been made clear that the goal is to also build an "appropriate" hotel that could directly serve a new convention center. By "appropriate", they mean a hotel with more rooms than any current hotel in Cleveland and the largest hotel in Cleveland has just under 500 rooms. Cleveland's been in a construction drought for a while so this and the Flats East Bank project are welcome news.

MayDay

Mar 28, 2008, 4:46 PM

Updated massing model for Flats East Bank (and she's a doozy!), March 28th.

MayDay

Mar 28, 2008, 5:07 PM

Oops - forgot the corresponding article from cleveland.com:

Flats project grows; new plans show final layout, scope

Posted by Michelle Jarboe March 28, 2008 11:32AM
Categories: Impact, Real estate

Most of a $500-million redevelopment along the east bank of the Flats could be finished by late 2010. That would include a 150-room hotel, more than 430 residences, a public park and about 975,000 square feet of offices. While the final design of buildings has not been released, the image shows relative size and location of planned buildings.

What was once a $230-million project now could cost more than $522 million. The planned redevelopment of the east bank of the Flats has grown dramatically during the past three years, spurred by interest from companies seeking new offices and from hotels and other businesses looking for a unique niche in downtown Cleveland.

Updated plans from The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties, who hope to transform the former nightlife center into a neighborhood by late 2010, show changes to the layout and scope of the development.

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/03/flats_project_grows_new_plans.html

the pope

Mar 29, 2008, 1:01 AM

i like doozies.

Dralcoffin

Mar 29, 2008, 1:46 PM

What is the office vacancy rate in downtown Cleveland?

MayDay

Mar 30, 2008, 1:08 PM

Overall it's at about 20%, which might make you wonder why there are so many large scale proposals; the key is that Class A office vacancy is around 12% and there are *several* companies looking to expand. Only one existing building in downtown Cleveland can accomodate the floorspace that *one* of those companies need.

Info from:
http://www.grubb-ellis.com/pdf/metro_off_mkttrnd/cleveland.pdf

case_architect

Apr 11, 2008, 1:26 AM

a couple shots i grabbed yesterday with the phone

cma inching along
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4022/cma2jl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

cim just about there
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9391/cim2eg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the avenue topped out (also about a dozen townhouses near completion across 13th)
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6839/avenue2pv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

new development on 54th off of cass (next to shoreway) a few more foundations started also
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1788/townhousejv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Austinlee

Apr 11, 2008, 2:00 AM

new development on 54th off of cass (next to shoreway) a few more foundations started also
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/1788/townhousejv1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Is this a personal residence? It looks pretty cool :tup:

cyclovert

Apr 12, 2008, 7:22 PM

thanks for putting this forum together, mayday. i check it all the time.

this is my first time posting, but it seems like the best place to find answers to two questions:

1. does anyone have any news about this commuter rail project called ohio hub? i look at their website sometimes and though it seems like a reasonable proposal, i feel like it wouldn't actually be built for several decades.

2. does anyone know what will become of those two amazing buildings on the corner of E 55th and euclid?

thanks for your help.

the pope

Apr 13, 2008, 6:12 PM

thanks for putting this forum together, mayday. i check it all the time.

this is my first time posting, but it seems like the best place to find answers to two questions:

1. does anyone have any news about this commuter rail project called ohio hub? i look at their website sometimes and though it seems like a reasonable proposal, i feel like it wouldn't actually be built for several decades.

probably any question you think could be answered here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1414.0.html

MayDay

May 8, 2008, 5:53 PM

Update May 8th, 2008 - new photo for 1211 St. Clair/Avenue District; new renderings for Flats East Bank; removed proposals originally planned for Flats East Bank site.

MayDay

May 20, 2008, 2:31 PM

Update May 20th - added new rendering to Stark/Warehouse District (Proposals).

MayDay

May 28, 2008, 5:36 PM

This is potentially fantastic news:

Jacobs, Hines to build 21-story office tower on Public Square

From cleveland.com:

Posted by mjarboe May 28, 2008 11:39AM

Click here for rendering:
http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/05/small_tower.jpg

Richard E. Jacobs GroupThe Richard E. Jacobs group has formed a joint venture with international real estate developer Hines to build a 21-story office tower on Public Square. The Richard E. Jacobs Group will partner with international developer Hines to build a 21-story office tower on Public Square in downtown Cleveland.

The tower, aimed at major downtown tenants considering new office space, could cost about $180 million to build. Construction could start next year, with a possible opening date in late 2011, officials with the Jacobs Group told The Plain Dealer this morning.

"As we all know, there are a number of key players in the marketplace right now who are looking for space," said Douglas Miller, vice president of office operations and leasing for Jacobs. "That's probably been the prime determinant in why you're seeing not only ours, but a number of other proposed developments at this time."

More at http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/05/jacobs_hines_to_build_21story.html

BelievelandD

Jul 22, 2008, 4:06 PM

Lets get this forum going again. Anyone have any pictures? 2 months of being idle is a long time for all of the projects going on downtown. We can get some discussion going. Anyone have any news on the new building in public square? medical mart?

MayDay

Jul 22, 2008, 5:13 PM

I'll be doing some updates some time this week - mostly the Avenue District, Flats East Bank, and the Uptown project near University Circle. You're welcome to contribute to the thread as well :)

cyclovert

Jul 22, 2008, 10:48 PM

i am a clevelander stuck in NYC and i obsessively check this page. i asked about a building on E55th and Euclid a while ago and never got any feedback. can anyone tell me great news?

thank you to everyone who posts pictures on this site; you keep my spirits high.

Atlantan

Jul 23, 2008, 1:13 AM

So uptown is underway then? That is also the same developer as the Avenue District right? And is anyone else having problems with getting the AD's webcam to load?

BelievelandD

Jul 23, 2008, 12:43 PM

I am around the Detroit-shoreway area often, and have watching the progress over there. Once I get my camera working, I will take some pictures there. I know they are working on that powerhouse, and continue to build homes and have even put in a nice sand volleyball pit overlooking lake erie. Very nice. I am unsure what is going on on E.55 and Euclid...what did you hear? I am drive by there often. I know there is alot going on on Euclid to try and make it an acceptable corridor. And yes, Zaremba is building uptown, he has another project in mind there, which is nice, but personally i think they need more square footage and units if they are targeting the Clinic and UH workers. Although it will still be good for that historical area.

MayDay

Jul 23, 2008, 1:28 PM

The buildings at East 55th and Euclid are currently unused, but plans are to restore them for future use. Before the Euclid Corridor Project (aka the Healthline, Cleveland's soon-to-open BRT line), there was little chance of restoration, but it seems like there are quite a few pockets of investment springing up. There were some less ornate buildings across Euclid (on the south side) - those were demolished.

Atlantan, the Uptown project is just in the proposal stage but if there's one area of Cleveland where things have a great chance of happening, it's University Circle. And yes, the Avenue District webcam is on the fritz, so I'll try to have regular photo updates here as a backup (though not realtime).

Atlantan

Jul 23, 2008, 11:08 PM

BelievelandD

Jul 24, 2008, 10:41 AM

THey have been completely mum on the public square project, I dont know what that is about because Jacobs is usually pretty reliable and on-time with this projects. This will get done, because some of the office space in downtown is filling up. They just announced that "Cleveland Cliffs" is going to lease two floors in teh BP building. There are also plans of biotech companies that are beginning to lease. This tells me that they will need this office space. The flats offices will be ernst and young and a law firm so far. THey could really use eaton.

MayDay

Jul 24, 2008, 1:41 PM

^The biotech companies are definitely expanding in Cleveland, but they tend to gravitate toward the medical centers in and around University Circle. They also don't use a whole lot of office space - that's not to say they're not part of the building boom, but they're generally not the typical tenants of downtown office towers, especially new construction. As you said, Eaton Corporation is looking to expand (bursting at the seams, actually) and according to some sources - the CEO is looking to make a "legacy" project for Cleveland. Here's hoping that doesn't translate into "corporate campus in Brecksville" :haha:

Atlantan, the Public Square tower is a joint proposal from Jacobs Group and Hines (one of the largest developer/management firms in the world). Currently it's a glassy 21-story design from Gensler. As you can imagine, some armchair critics want a "supertall or nothing" on that site but in this market and economy, a 21-story tower is much more viable. There's not a whole lot of information forthcoming, as you can imagine.

As far as the Flats East Bank, the entire site has been demo'd and they're moving into site prep. The most activity is over at West 9th and Main Avenue (just north of the Main Avenue Bridge), where a 20-story office tower is planned. I might be wrong, but it could be as much as 23-24 stories because there's a parking garage base. They have a crane set up for sheet piling which will delineate the footprint of the building. Here's the rendering from the website, which really doesn't reveal much:
http://www.flatseast.com/images/bg/projectcomponents-office.jpg

After that, there's are two to three residential midrises (15-18 stories) - one of which will be incorporated with a 150-room hotel. They've signed 1 Hotel to operate that.