nicklachey

I can see the issues with the sign but generally I don't think it's that bad. Tend to agree that it's not necessarily appropriate for a downtown setting but also would note that most hotels in urban settings do not have the amount of real estate in front to be able to accommodate such a sign. As for the canopy, am I completely missing something? For an old building like this you can't exactly strap a modern canopy to the front with sharp edges. Not asking for a rendering but a basic description of an appropriate alternative would be helpful.

This would be awesome! Tend to agree with surfohio that it's treacherous biking from downtown to lakewood.

Anyone have a sense for the pre-leasing pace on Flats East Bank apartments?

Quite true on Tremont/Ohio City not being part of downtown proper. Just trying to differentiate between areas that are more closer town city center versus further out but still part of Cleveland the city. For example, University Circle is not consistent with what I was considering as reasonably near downtown to be part of the discussion. I have to agree that the surface lots across from Naughty Mermaid and the like are an eyesore and so is the one across from Chop. Although there is not a surface lot on West 6th between Lake and St. Clair, I cannot go as far as calling it intimate.

Cleveland's downtown is CBD where businesses operate during normal business hours so it is not surprising that if you stroll from W. 6th to E. 9th onthe weekend that you find very little going on unless there is a sporting event or something bringing non-residents downtown. Neighborhoods of downtown Cleveland, most notably Tremont and Ohio City, are more residential with more restaurants and retail and therefore have a more lively vibe on weekends and during non-work hours. This is consistent with any larger city in the US with only a few exceptions (most notably mid-town NYC, a CBD but also residential and a tourist attraction). That said, I am surprised how dead the warehouse district is on weekends during the day. For the population density in those couple blocks, you would think that there would be more people out and about. I attribute this to a few things: 1) Weather - pretty self explanatory. People don't want to be outside if it's freezing or raining. 2) Living space per person - this is interesting and perhaps explains why even when it's nice weather, you don't see hoards of people congregating outside in the Warehouse District. Even with the rent increases over the past several years, it is still extremely affordable to live in downtown Cleveland relative to other cities with a downtown residential. Market rents are on average $1.30 psf per month and are still only $2 psf at the very high end (the 9, Fl EB, etc). At these prices, 2 young professionals can afford to live in a 1,500 sf double with a sizable common areas to entertain, central air and in some cases outdoor balconies! If you are a little short on cash but still want to hang out with your friends, you can comfortably host 10 people rather than meeting up somewhere. This is not a reality in larger cities. I hypothesize that the livability and affordability of our downtown residential actually detracts from the downtown vibe. 3) Concentration in Warehouse District - With so many people living in the same 2 buildings that are essentially connected (Bingham/Bridgeview) or within 100 yards of those, there isn't a whole lot of need to make plans with your fellow downtowner to meet in a common middle ground to catch-up over dinner/drinks or hang-out and day drink on the weekend. You just walk down the hall and take an elevator from unit 610 to unit 1201 within the Bridgeview. Would love to hear other people's thoughts on this.

Has anyone been to the new Greek place on West 9th? That location seems to be doomed, hope they pull it off this time though.

Have to agree that it was a bummer Zoup closed. Little surprising as well since it was a great lunch spot for quick soup/salad combo. I have to imagine that it being closed on weekends was well justified given it was a workweek lunch spot.

If the investigation and accompanying video validate her story, this is obscene and the first police officer should be fired. Not put on paid leave, not asked to resign. He should be fired. This would (hopefully) ensure he is not passed along to another police department as is so often the case. It will be a bummer for him and his family but you can't have people like this on the police force. I feel sorry for her.

Fair enough W28th but are they willing to pay rents at the high end of the market in order to do so? Stonebridge rents look like they're ~$1 psf (based on available units on their website). With the recent, ongoing and in-place pipeline developments, renters will have a lot of options. This project's location would suggest that they will not have much pricing power. That said, Mariner's Watch is marketing ~$1.7 psf rents in their pre-leasing. It will be interesting to see how they do.

Have to agree that the "amenity deck" will not have the most scenic views. Also, will people really want to live this close to tenement housing/shoreway/low income housing in the same development? The inclusion of a pool at the North building implies that they hope to create class-A product. High-end rents downtown are currently $2 psf or $1,500/mo for a 750 sf 1 BR. I hope they are not planning on anything near those rents at the North Building. Wouldn't be surprised to see that pool deck scrapped and mid-grade product at the North building if this project progresses.

Interesting that NYC is so far below SF but I suppose if you to go Long Island, New York State and Jersey things get less expensive much faster than they do when you go outside of SF proper.

Good thought here from Sixth City and I'm sure that's what Waring is hoping but they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They almost have to sell to one of the developers or some other third party because they're not set up to redevelop. I suppose Waring could always threaten to close on the auction price, get the historic tax credits and then market it to potential buyers with tax credits in hand. But this is a last resort option if they can't get either developer to come up on pricing and/or offer a hope note.

I just checked the Hingetown website as well. LaFont - It seems very well put together and it's pretty explicit saying that it is BETWEEN Ohio City, Gordon Square and the Warehouse District.