downtowndreamer

Hey everyone...I'm thinking about moving downtown, and was thinking about WaterStreet Condos or Perry Payne Condos. Anyone have any I'm going to check them out, and I'll report back, but I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experiences.

I agree, I like the architecture. Besides, what developer/architect doesn't have a certain style. Look at City Architecture's design. All similar. Zaremba-they go with their Neo-Traditional Urban design. Pulte, Ryan, etc. They all have their own unquie style. Now, if they all looked the same and no architect/developer was different from one another, then, I think we'd be bored with the design in NE Ohio. Lastly, 27 Coltman and 11 River are in two different cities.

If anyone is on Facebook, there's a group that I started for Little Italy. Here's the link. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=60086506440 Feel free to join and add pictures on it if you like.

The developers are actually Little Italy Preservation Partners, LLC. Same as 27 Coltman. Andrew Brickman is the Principal

Here's a link for WCPN, where Rick Jackson conducts a short interview with the developers. Audio. Text below. http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/15708/ Condo Boom In Little Italy Posted Sunday, December 14, 2008 Topics: Economy, Other In the face of a collapsed housing market, new construction has almost come to a standstill in parts of Ohio. An exception emerged last week though, from Little Italy...a neighborhood that's part of Cleveland's "University Circle" area. Activity is planned in Little Italy, where new, high-dollar condos seem to be the choice of developers. ideastream®'s Rick Jackson reports. Llittle Italy is known for its galleries, shops, dining...and its history as home to the stone cutters and craftsmen who for decades built much of Cleveland’s most elegant buildings. now Little Italy appears to be on the verge of another building boom. Local developer Andrew Brickman is poised to break ground on a high-end condo development with a special look. BRICKMAN: “A lot of the influence comes from the products that are being done in the top cities in Europe and South America where you’ve got people are living in the cities, because the cities are older. Brickman’s project is attracting attention for another reason. it has secured a $5 million loan from cleveland’s Key bank. Key bank community lending manager Paul Ettorre says it makes sense depsite the long slide in the housing market. ETTORRE: “We are very bullish about the University Circle area. We believe it is a dynamic growing area of the city and we’re excited to continue to participate.” There are a number of incentives in play to lure buyers. The city of Cleveland will give tax abatements ....that translates into no city real estate tax for 15 years; Key Bank will make loans through a special urban loan program that provides reduced interest rates; and buyers who are employed by University Circle businesses can get home purchase grants of up to 15-thousand dollars. Many buyers will need the extra boost because these condos are expected to be priced at nearly one half million dollars. Building partner Justin Campbell is optimistic. CAMPBELL: “There is an audience out there that will respond to it; and Cleveland is a sophisticated city, and is looking for something like this. being located here in little italy with all the cultural institutions, the medical community - I think you’re going to have a captive audience that will respond to this.” It’s a bold move; in an uncertain economy. Rick Jackson, 90.3.

Looking over the list of restaurants that Stark plans to woo, I certainly hope that the chains not unique to Cleveland are not in the majority. If they are the same restaurants that you can get in Legacy, Crocker, or Eton, they will fail. Yes, the idea is to get more people to move downtown, but until that happens, no one is going to drive downtown to go to California Pizza Kitchen, when they can get it at Legacy. Peopl in the 'burbs need a reason to come downtown to eat. No need to pay to park to eat at CPK. And the tourists aren't going to come to Cleveland and think...hmmm, how about Maggiano's tonight? No, they're going to end up at places not in their city. XO, Metropolitan, etc.

I believe he does own that piece of land as well.

does anyone know what's going on with the Detroit-Superior Lofts?

gavster...no, you can't just dig and put in the sewers. During excavation, if they cut the power lines, imagine the problems that would create downtown for businesses. The lines have to be moved.

they have plenty of pre-sales...they can't not start excavation until the power line issues are resolved.

I believe the problem is the utility line that's running through the middle of E. 12th and St. Clair is taking longer than originally expected. Unfortunetely, it's out of Zaremba and Panzica's hands.

This is exciting news. Developers, Case sign memo for 'college town' Tuesday, December 12, 2006 Tom Breckenridge Plain Dealer Reporter Two developers making their mark in Cleveland's core are ready to tackle the much-anticipated "college town" development in University Circle. Developers Nathan Zaremba and MRN Ltd., in a joint venture, have signed a letter of intent with Case Western Reserve University to pursue the $120 million mix of arts, retail and dwellings. It's planned for about eight acres north and south of Euclid Avenue, east of the Ford Drive-Mayfield Road intersection. More at cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think it opens up the street, and allows for connectivity for both sides of the street. Widen the sidewalks, and the dynamic changes that much more.

Q104 and WTAM was promoting the groundbreaking this morning. I drove by and this huge tent was up. I can't to see this thing get started.

2 more days!

Nope, It's for Block #1(lofts). The townhomes were ago as of last week. both blocks will be going at the same time now.

No need to send your congrats to me. I just copied my e-mail. This is awesome news. Is anyone going to go? I know I will!

Date Selected for The Avenue District Groundbreaking Ceremony Dear Friends, I would like to personally invite all of you to The Avenue District Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday, September 29th, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. The event will be held at the corner of East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue, which marks the future site of 1211 St. Clair Avenue (building 1) in The Avenue District. As friends and supporters of The Avenue District, we would love to have each and every one of you there to celebrate with us. The groundbreaking ceremony not only signifies the beginning of construction for The Avenue District, but the birth of a new neighborhood in Downtown Cleveland. The Avenue District will become Downtown Cleveland's premier residential neighborhood and will include neighborhood amenities such as: restaurants, coffee shops , boutiques, and other service-oriented businesses. Ceremonial speakers will be Nathan Zaremba, Mayor Frank Jackson, Councilman Joe Cimperman, and various business leaders throughout Northeast Ohio. For more details, please call Frank Lalli, Sales Manager, at 216.589.8524. We will see you there! Sincerely, Don Picciano, Jr. Director of Sales and Marketing Zaremba.

does anyone have their construction hat ready?

I think the whole guinea pig statement from the Henry Gomez article was a figure of speech. I just think it means that Zaremba were the first ones out of the gate. I hardly think that Nathan Zaremba would do a $250+ project to be a test drive for Wolstein and Stark! I don't think anybody is that generous. He must believe that he can make it happen!

some of those are conversions, or could be wood frame based.

impossible to price quality new construction at that price.

I'm sure Zaremba and Wolstein are going as fast as they can. The housing market is terrible. For them to do what they've done in this short amount of time is impressive.

I think the city of Cleveland is supposed to start infrastructure today for the Townhome section. I haven't seen anything. I've been to The Avenue District sales offices and it looks like they have to put in some new streets.

A good listen from 90.3. http://www.wcpn.org/news/2006/07-09/0809housing2.html