CleveFan

Talk about urban design activating at street level! A very inviting space. And I'm sure the comment, "it looks very New York" is overused - but, it really does! Hope the place is packed on a regular basis!

Shameful treatment for a public square named just outside the top 10 in America by experts in the field - such as the editor of “Public Square: CNU Journal”, which focuses on best practices in urbanism. I mostly try to post positively, - but, in this case, I feel a familiar sense that City officials sometimes fail to fully appreciate the city’s own potential jewels - and the importance of meticulously maintaining if not improving public spaces.

I would’ve like the resident infusion of the larger sized project, but I actually think the 12 unit version is the better looking one and will “fit” into the neighborhood very effectively.

Well that 2nd rumor would be the story of the decade if true.

Ok, I gratefully stand corrected on parking - is there a pedastel under each Tower? I’d like to see a more specific rendering of how the parking and access around the buildings works. I’m not worried about filling such attractive new residential towers if they’re built. It doesn’t change my opinion of the land bridge - unless the residential towers are guaranteed in the package - then I could be persuaded 😏

Wanted to weigh in on this rendering. By far the most impressive aspect of it are the four new Coastal-looking towers now overlooking the lakefront - Yeah- I want that! But look at the land bridge and evaluate it independently and what do you have? Another large lawn/mall that is essentially an open mall that looks nice on a sunny summer but just creates a lot more mall. Imagine it during 5 - 6 months of problematic weather. Do you envision a lot of people using an open grass mall? I understand why the Hazlams would support a wide land bridge that leads to their stadium but the bigger problem of bringing the city to the lakefront is still unsolved. The highway still effectively separates the city from the lakefront. if a bridge is the only solution possible, let it be a NY style High Line, designed for year-round walkers and bikers that will frequent an attractive “trail” that connects back to the Towpath and possibly to new attractions north of FES and a boardwalk along the lakefront. A “Land bridge” sounds impressive but maybe it’s not actually the smart solution. At the end of the day, I’m with the camp that wants to remove or relocate a section of the shore way and truly bring the city down to the lakefront. . It’s a “big problem” requiring a big expensive solution - but we’ve not acted for decades - hope we can get it get it right for future generations and the city’s future in the second half of the century and beyond.

Those drone shots really underscore just how strategic INTRO’s location is and how transformative It is to the West Side Market corridor and Ohio City in general. There’s going to be a lot of awesome views of a downtown skyline bulked up by the addition of a new SW Tower. Loving it!

One of my favorite threads! The Scene article is a kind of cool clearinghouse, listing a lot of the projects we've been hearing about in one place. I didn't get the graphic about Cleveland State's expansion plans which showed at least a dozen new residential towers. If only!!! The crazy thing about the "Will change" category is that a few big definite projects aren't even mentioned, such as Circle Square, BridgeWater, City Club and I'll include the Justice Center. In the "could" category - it would've been neat for them to mention some "possibles", such as The Viaduct Tower, The Magellan Project, Lumen 2 and a possible new Browns stadium and redevelopment on the site of FES. And I'm probably forgetting more stuff! I know it's all speculative in that category, but if you're gonna do that article - hey, go for it!!

^ And that's the thing that makes it so frustrating - knowing the potential of the lakefront (ok, we probably will never match what Chicago has done) But the majority of us realize what we could build here in Cleveland. Why is it that it can happen in other places, but not here? That's a fair question, isn't it? @cadmenis onto something when he says, "We just don't know how to design and develop a lakefront here - we need to see what works and what doesn't and how to build it." (And it's more that 30-40 years that we've talking about it, on some level, already) There's something in the dynamics and circumstances locally that has become the accepted culture here - at some level, we're willing to let the conversation go round and round and round - year after year, decade after decade. I don't know the details of how Chicago did what they did - but of one thing I'm certain - they didn't accomplish it without a concerted effort by a cross section of major stakeholders in their city. Somehow, we have to bring our key players together, from state and local business, the real estate power-brokers, the key players (e.g. the Hazlams). government leaders and the movers/shakers who love the city and can make things happen. There's got to be a more of a sense of urgency in Cleveland - coupled with a real commitment by the powers-that-be to transform this waterfront and how the city can reach it and interact with it. If we really commit, as a city and a metropolitan region - to achieving this transformative change - well, Chicago is an exemplar of what could actually be done. We have to make up our mind that we want and deserve a world-class waterfront. Maybe a lot of us don't really believe it. Until we believe it, we definitely won't be able to do it. I feel like there's more energy and drive in the city in many years - a young group of professionals dedicated to building this city for future generations to enjoy. I know it's going to be anything but easy -any decisions that get made in the next few years won't be fully realized for decades to come - but based on a new generation of Clevelanders and their creativity and sense of entrepreneurship - I think we might have a better chance than maybe we've ever had before to start making the transformation on the waterfront.

The fact that there’s been no move forward on development north of FES suggests that there is real “talk” by the powers-that-be about the future location of the stadium. The failure of Cleveland leadership to develop and implement a plan for the downtown lakefront over the last half-century is beyond negligence. Having said that, I really think there’s a system-wide realization about what lakefront development can do to elevate Cleveland beyond competitive cities in the Midwest. The city needs to bring all stakeholders together, finally develop a consensus plan and move things beyond endless planning stages - which has been a kick the can down the road avoidance game. Why not have two world-class attractions instead of one? As @StapHangersaid, the stadium will fill up 10-12 times a year irrespective of its location. The lakefront, obviously is its own powerful draw. One is currently inhibiting the other. Move the stadium -solve the shore way problem and connect the city to the waterfront. Then, let’s watch Cleveland become its greatest version yet!

Great to see this potentially elegant mixed use format for a unique building that may have its greatest years ahead of it. The curvature and height reminds me of the famous Watergate complex in Washington DC and with those large floor plates and room for a large atrium, perhaps it could’ve been a great hotel space. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about what’s to come very soon. The conversion there will be another extremely positive piece in downtown’s renaissance.

It’s a sharp looking project and a great example of a positive domino effect - a project, like Metrohealth at one end, and Intro at the other, can create a corridor for spin-off projects as developers begin looking at an area not for what it has been but what it can become. Great to see the big Mo happening in Ohio City!

On another note- just wanted to say that the skyline looked great on the national draft telecast despite the bad weather. The Hilton and its lighting makes a really big impact from that lakefront perspective. The Beacon even showed up in some shots. 200 Public is at its best from that angle too. I was fantasizing about the SW HQ Tower being there soon, too. it’s great to see a lot of activity down on the lakefront and I hope I get to see more than the stadium, science museum and rock hall as attractions there in my lifetime. Move the stadium and build something great down there. We shouldn’t have to wait for a draft or a convention to see a lot of energy along the lakefront.

A bunch of calls to Ohio’s legislators couldn’t hurt. If the Bill doesn’t get done, people need to be unelected.

Thanks @Luke_S& @mtnbikefan I had the impression that the addition provided more a “performance space” with a band shell for the plaza area as opposed to a true venue for larger scale events.

Thanks for sharing that tweet, @Ineffable_Matt I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wondered why there’s no significant venue for concerts and events next to the Rock Hall. This might be drifting slightly off topic, but the Rock Hall should feature more than “small” events in their atrium or on the plaza in front of the building. I’ve always thought it should do more to shatter the concept of the Rock Hall as a museum in the traditional sense. The other thought - the idea that it takes an “outside” event and perspective to show Clevelanders how cool their lakefront could be. Geez.

Great shot @marty15! Love the Hilton, Key and 200 the way you shot it! The Justice Center looks as good as it can, lol. I hope the weather is nice for the visiting media and NFL draft folk.

If you weren’t already all pumped up for this project and you somehow missed @Geowizical’s latest offering in the “Random Visualizations” thread - well, that rendering will do it - I loved the view looking past City Club west towards the Terminal Tower. This building really helps create that canyon effect on Euclid where (other than The Lumen) most of the height is on the north side of the street. Great work on those renderings, @Geowizical. I’ve been a fan of this design from the jump but only more so now.

Love that website! Of course, I know all about the cancelled Ameritrust and Progressive Towers but I never knew about the Erie Grand and One Lakeview - both spectacular looking big city towers. Imagine our skyline if those had all been built - wow! Hopefully, we’ll be able to add SW and a pumped up Nucleus shortly.

He didn’t really say no....

Great to see these old and often great buildings in CLE being repurposed - knowing that the Rockefeller will be filled with new people and energy in the near future is a great feeling. Those big windows offer a great start for a reimagining of the building. Exciting news about the new large parcel that will be available by the demo of the garage - @KJPcould the city have the new Justice Center Tower in mind for that spot?

Does this new proposed apartment tower in Nashville remind you just slightly of anything? Actually, I guess there will be two new towers side by side in Nashville, as shown. (These are coming from developer Tony Giarratana - who is single-handedly transforming the Nashville skyline. He already brought home the 550 foot 505 condos, completed in 2018 and revealed details on a new 600' high curving glass - "Sobro Tower" - just two days ago - it was mentioned and shown in the SW HQ thread today) Obviously, Tony's heart is in Nashville - where he's definitely getting it done. Let's hope Mr. Stark's is still in Cleveland with respect to a TMUD- enhanced Nucleus.

Maybe I'm in the minority - but I don't have urgency for a lakefront transportation hub. I may just not know enough about the issue - so I apologize to the more knowledgeable. But point being, I'm super excited about Amtrak's interest in a Tower City hub. Increasing Cleveland's connectivity to other major cities has to be a key goal for the area's long term future. Having more folks arriving at Tower City - even for purposes of travel to other cities- but especially for those coming downtown for business or entertainment - and being on the front step of Public Square - how can that not be a total win for the city? When you think of the infrastructure possibilities for the not-too-distant future, like an Ohio hub connecting Cincy, Columbus and Cleveland -or a bullet train that takes passengers between Chicago and Cleveland in 30 minutes - Tower City as a hub is going "Back to the Future" when Cleveland's Union Terminal was a vital stop between the East Coast and Chicago. Years ago, a P.R. campaign called Cleveland the "best location in the nation." But that was a phrase with a decidedly mid-20th century perspective. Our notion of where one has "to be" has changed so much in recent years thanks to Zoom meetings and the new post-pandemic mentality. Still, cities that are easily accessible and connected to one another have a major evolutionary advantage going forward even as a high tech world continues shrinking. Redeveloping the Tower City location as a national transportation hub should be a key target for Cleveland leadership effective now.

It’s a good thing Cleveland’s had a number of big events of national interest in the past few years so that stuff like broken windows gets fixed.

We need a little “Mission Impossible” theme music to go with that screen grab from KJP.