Opening day

 

 

 

 

 

A few more. TT is looking pretty good...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen from Canal Rd in the Flats

 

 

 

May 8

 

 

 

May 5

 

Fencing came down this morning around the Welcome Ctr and awnings went up on the gift shop

 

 

 

 

It's really durty and dusty over there on Prospect...a street cleaner was there but some good rains should  take care of it. Then re-striping of street lanes and crosswalks will most likely take place. I was getting worried about the re-painting/re-striping, but over by the Higbee building and the Q that was also done this morning...

 

 

 

 

This is right near the main entrance on W. Prospect. There are a few of these. I would hope these are either removed or street lamps replaced

 

 

 

And...they were,

 

 

 

 

 

April 29

 

 

 

 

April 25

 

 

 

 

April 10, 11

 

 

 

 

 

Poles going up, this is part of the Prospect Ave side

 

 

 

Ontario St. side has about half of the poles up

 

 

 

 

Some exterior lighting is showing up on the PS side (as seen from Old Stone church)

 

 

 

 

April 7 evening

 

 

 

 

 

April 3, 4

 

Video board going up

 

 

 

Plastic replaced glass windows today on the Stanley. Tomorrow is some kind of court hearing

 

 

 

Nighttime, the exterior lighting is awesome. No longer a moribund zone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Deco Silver Grille level of Higbee Bldg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

↓ Saturday

working on the weekend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

↓ Friday

On Prospect (at E. 2nd St.) looking west

 

 

 

 

At Prospect & Ontario

 

 

Ontario St. looking at the long side of the Higbee Bldg

 

 

Ontario St. at Public Square

 

 

 

Around the Square and now back on Prospect (at W. 3rd St.) making my way back towards the Higbee Bldg. This portion of Prospect is technically called W. Prospect

 

 

The Ritz-Carlton, W. Prospect & W. 3rd St

 

 

:wave:

 

 

 

Tower City Valet on W. Prospect

 

 

On W. Prospect (at W. 2nd St.) looking east, Higbee Bldg on the left

 

 

 

 

Across the street, and on W. 2nd St

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turn to look back down W. Prospect at this nice vista

 

 

Approaching Ontario St. again with Higbee Bldg on the left

 

 

 

 

Looking out at the construction across the street where I started

 

 

"Re-pointing" ((I think it's called) of the brick and mortar on the Stanley

 

 

 

I don't know the name of this building at E. 2nd St. & High St. but I wish I had a magic wand to remove this 1960s/70s bastardization of the windows and return them to the originals which still exist at the top. If restored, this building is a 6 story version of the Columbia.

 

 

 

 

PHASE 2 proposed location

 

Just to close this circle, here are some pictures to get a sense for phase 2's location:

Standing on the level of Tower City Center's surface parking lot with W. Huron Rd and the Landmark office complex, old Ohio Bell building and The "Q" all sitting above

 

 

 

This is what's holding up W. Huron Rd.

Phase 2 would also be cantilvered hereabouts (so that its entrance would meet  Huron Rd at street level)

 

 

 

This is the remnants of the ramp that sloped down from W. Huron to this parking lot (I think the ramp was removed before Gilbert's 85 mill purchase)

 

 

 

Standing on Tower City's parking lot with Canal Rd. below and the Riverview parking lot beyond that

 

 

 

Canal Rd which would bisect the phase 2 Casino and whatever was built at the river's edge (likely continued parking)

 

 

 

Now standing on Canal Rd with a remnant of the ramp in the foreground

 

 

 

One more level down, standing in the Riverview parking lot looking up

 

 

 

At the river's edge. This is where the river-narrowing was proposed for (to "more easily" create extra Casino parking). Not going to happen

 

 

 

So that's below W. Huron and down to the Cuyahoga River. What about the relation to the phase I renovation and construction up above this area?

This is W. Huron and phase II would be behind the Hard Rock Guitar (I believe this Guitar would have to be placed elsewhere if this phase is built as proposed)

 

 

 

Up at the traffic light at Ontario St. I'm standing on the median island andOne can see the Stanley (small building in center). The structure on the right of the photo is the parking garage that Rock Ohio Casesars bought from the city of Cleveland (former Gateway Parking Garage). It will be used to park cars that use the, ahem, Welcome Center.

 

 

 

Swinging around here is the beginning of the Landmark Offices

 

 

 

Swinging around more...there is the open space above Tower City surface parking that should have a Casino on it sometime in the future

 

 

 

Looking down from W. Huron to the Tower City parking lot, where I started.

 

 

 

 

 

That's it for now

 

 

 

Cleveland might just have the best urban casino in the country when it's all said and done, topping Greektown in Detroit.

For those of us not familiar with the Cleveland casino plans, could someone post some renderings or site plans?  I thought it was going into an existing building rather than new construction, but it looks like that might not be correct?

For those of us not familiar with the Cleveland casino plans, could someone post some renderings or site plans?  I thought it was going into an existing building rather than new construction, but it looks like that might not be correct?

 

"Phase one" will be going into the Higbee Building.

 

 

They demolished the columbia building in order to build the "welcome center" aka parking garage...

 

 

"Phase Two" which will be the new build will be built behind tower city here...

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=41.496324,-81.693842&ll=41.4972,-81.693317&spn=0.004211,0.009645&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&num=1&t=k&vpsrc=6&z=17

 

 

So...

 

Higbee(Phase 1)

 

Parking Garage... Welcome Center

 

Phase 2

Great pictures and breakdown!

 

Please no gerbil tube into the back of that beautiful building...(fingers crossed)

 

Yeah very thorough explanation CO.

For another point of reference for the phase II location... it is going on the other side of the tall brick wall:

 

 

 

 

I hope that some of the buildings like Higbee's and the nearby Landmark can get the exterior wash to rid them of the dirt channels... Anyone know if they will be washed? Once something brand new is down there, it may make the older buildings look very dirty.

 

 

These look like they will be pretty classy places. Hope some of the patrons actually remember to dress up a bit.  Sneakers and ripped jeans and ball caps don't seem to blend nicely with the scene.

I also hope this project gets finished up with a nice large bath for the exterior facade.

 

Added 4 shots at the top of the thread (taken Saturday afternoon)

are there any pics of what was demolished? seeing the welcome center crap its no surprise that the new construction is garbage.

 

higbees used to be such a nice department store. i especially loved being inside during the holidays. shame that a freakin casino goes in it.

 

nice shots

^

 

oh shit,  they demolished that building?!??! i didnt even realize when i was looking at the pics. they mustve just done it too

 

ridiculous. they couldnt put this stupid welcome center on one of the dozens of existing parking lots downtown?

lets not start this again.  The columbia discussion was a very bitter time around here.

^^Maybe you should read the pages and pages discussing and debating this on various threads rather than having us all re hash it again.

I hope that some of the buildings like Higbee's and the nearby Landmark can get the exterior wash to rid them of the dirt channels... Anyone know if they will be washed? Once something brand new is down there, it may make the older buildings look very dir

 

Ask Sherwin Williams....

I hope that some of the buildings like Higbee's and the nearby Landmark can get the exterior wash to rid them of the dirt channels... Anyone know if they will be washed? Once something brand new is down there, it may make the older buildings look very dirty. These look like they will be pretty classy places. Hope some of the patrons actually remember to dress up a bit.  Sneakers and ripped jeans and ball caps don't seem to blend nicely with the scene.

Exactly what I was thinking looking at the photos.

 

Yes, I miss Higbee's as well but she's been gone a long time and is not coming back. This is a great repurpose for this building; I for one can't wait to visit!

 

Thanks Clueless!

 

clueless, the building whose name you are looking for is the Penn-Illis Building. It is now essentially dead, I would put probability of its redevelopment around under 5%. It will now be completely encapsulated by parking garages and other structures.

 

Yes I am glad that the Higbee Bldg is getting a much-needed renovation. I know I've previously stated how I'm OK with the skywalk, but the more I look at that picture at the top of this thread the more I like that view the way it is. But I believe that a connection from the parking garage to the actual facility is a 'must' for the developers. And an overhead walkway seems like the only (feasible) option. Who knows? maybe there won;t be a conection.

 

I havent ever heard the name Penn-Illis. Interesting.

In the last couple decades, if not longer,  there has aways been a restaurant/diner on the ground floor. It was Cleats til just a couple months ago. So the upper floors are empty?

Quick Stanley Block question:  even though it is going to be completely wrapped up in the new welcome center, it would seem that they have, by building around it, sort of grandfathered it in.  I would also imagine that to some degree this is good because it'll force D. Gilbert to recognize the importance of developing this property.  (I mean... otherwise it's a very ugly blemish on the side of his gleaming welcome center).

 

Who currently owns the building (remind me, please) and even though Gilbert couldn't buy this before building the Casino (otherwise it would have been toast) does anyone see it being sold in, say, 2-3 years once the Casino is running and its fate is secure? 

 

It seems as though this will be starring Gilbert in the face every day and would be something he'd like to take care of.  And, though i'm not certain, my guess is that once the W.C. is built, it would be unlikely that he would demolish it, if he bought it, and simply add more parking spaces to the original building. 

 

I added pictures near the end of the thread trying to get a sense on the location of phase 2.

 

Also, there has been a lot of discussion on the admittedly very dirty Landmark Office complex. When I was snapping pictures recently I see that some areas near the top of the buildings have a cleaner look. This is in one of the recessed areas facing W. 2nd St. This top band is like an off-white.

I don;t know if this is a cleaned area or not, but I bet this entire place would be gorgeous if spiffed up. Uhhh, 2017 World Congress on Art Deco anyone?

 

I'm still not overly sure what good a casino would do in downtown Cleveland, but it's already cost them one highrise historic building...

I'm still not overly sure what good a casino would do in downtown Cleveland, but it's already cost them one highrise historic building...

 

Well one positive is Cleveland isn't turning to just its casino for activity downtown like Detroit did when they built theirs.  This casino is just going to add to the already busy entertainment districts scattered throughout downtown from the Warehouse District, East 4th neighborhood, and Playhouse Square.

oh sh!t,  they demolished that building?!??! i didnt even realize when i was looking at the pics. they mustve just done it too

 

ridiculous. they couldnt put this stupid welcome center on one of the dozens of existing parking lots downtown?

 

Uhh.. YES! I think many feel exactly the same... I surely second the emotion.

 

Casino update, mostly night shots

Wow, the Higbee Building looks great!

The Higbee looks fabulous with the lighting!

WOW  :clap: the lights are amazing.  Maybe other surrounding building owners can take note of what a little cleaning and spot lighting can do for already amazing architecture?  :-P *cough* *cough* Landmark Office Towers!

My favorite picture from the updates.....

 

I will give kudos to Rock Gaming for an absolutely brilliant architectural lighting of The Higbee Building.

I will give kudos to Rock Gaming for an absolutely brilliant architectural lighting of The Higbee Building.

That how the building was lit in the past.

I shouldn't have looked at these pictures. It's a depressing reminder of what a thriving department store Higbee's was.

Great shots!  The Higbee looks GREAT lit up at night!

Out goes the old in comes the new....The Horseshoe Casino Cleveland is a perfect fit....I'm excited for the things to come...

My favorite picture from the updates.....

 

 

It's kinda amazing how many interesting shots you can get in that short block (W.2nd/Prospect/Huron).

 

Downtown department stores are a thing of the past, not just in Cleveland. I have great memories, but I moved on a long time ago. I'm excited about the reuse of this beauty. The lighting looks great and it's going to look even better when they hang the flags and totally finish the other features planned for the exterior.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

 

updated photos top of thread: Public Square side at night.

It's so nice to see this classic building as something to gravitate towards instead of something to steer clear of.

Beautiful shots Clueless

Downtown department stores are a thing of the past, not just in Cleveland.

 

Looking around at other cities that doesn't seem to be the case.  And the trend of people moving back in has really just begun.  I would venture that things look better for urban retail right now than at any point since the internet began.

 

Regarding the casino environs, that parking deck looks a whole lot better than I expected it to.  A very pleasant surprise. 

^ What cities? There are about 20 major US cities that still have existing stores. There used to be hundreds.

I think if there is a market for them then they can thrive. If downtown had a larger residential population and drew more people from all over down on a daily basis I think a department store could work. You look at all the cities that do have downtown department stores still: NYC, Chicago, SF while all much larger than Cleveland they all also have a large population to support them and are enough of a destination that there is a big enough  transient population that could add additional support.

Downtown department stores are a thing of the past, not just in Cleveland.

 

Looking around at other cities that doesn't seem to be the case.  And the trend of people moving back in has really just begun.  I would venture that things look better for urban retail right now than at any point since the internet began.

 

Regarding the casino environs, that parking deck looks a whole lot better than I expected it to.  A very pleasant surprise. 

 

Folks we're forgetting several things.

• Department stores business model changed.  No longer could they sell everything under the roof for Home and Garden.
  
• Downtown "Department store" shopping changed in the 70's.  EVERYWHERE.  The model was follow people to the new shiny malls in the burbs.
  
• Specialty stores came online.  Department stores first eliminated, electronics, then major appliances, housewares, etc. except at Sears, to only sell clothing.
  
• Design Houses realized they could build their own brick and mortar stores in the 1980's.
  
• Many department stores needed public subsidies to remain in the Central (and sometime historic) locations.  Even in San Fran & Los Angeles couldn't support fabulous I Magnin department stores. (I magnin was the equivalent to Halle's, Neiman's & Bergdorf)
  

With high profile projects nearing completion, I hope commercial real estate marketers are pushing for more everyday, middle of the rood and high end retail.  I would be satisfied with that before wanting and luxury store to open.

 

 

^You're right. You can't buy a stove in Macy's anymore, but they still sell furniture. Again, comparing large stores in NY to other cities is a little unfair, but I don't know why some of those stores couldn't have just downsized their downtown locations a bit and a focused on clothing, etc. instead of closing down for good. I suspect the problem goes deeper since a lot of those chains that local people were so loyal to and proud of (that ultimately only had stores in "shiny malls in the burbs") were eventually swallowed up by bigger retailers. Even in Toronto (and maybe the Canadian retail scene doesn't exactly parallel ours), a huge, still growing urban area (I remember when Cleveland and Toronto were roughly the same size!), the two large stores that were downtown, Eaton's and Simpsons (sort of equivalent to Macy's and onetime chief rival Gimbels), folded ages ago (though the big Eaton Centre still is a big draw). And come to think of it, I believe the Simpsons building is now the Bay. I think :wtf: (some regular Toronto-goer would know)

The lighting effects on the details of the Higbee building at night are outstanding. Awesome pics!

Actually 327 you are completely wrong about other cities and downtown department stores (for the reasons outlined by MTS).  There are very few cities (except for the really large ones) with more than one downtown department store (at least the traditional ones as we knew Higbees and Halles, not department speciality stores like Saks or Niemans) and in a large number of downtown cities, just like Cleveland, there are none.  Detroit, Columbus, Denver and Baltimore just to name a few.  There a many more in the same boat.

 

I hope this is not getting too off topic.

 

update at top of thread

Your photos rock, clueless.  I am totally obsessed how good the backlit orange curtains look.  I am just so, so eager to see this thing open out of shear curiosity now.

 

^Thanks!

 

There was talk about where the main entrance would be. THis is the portion on the back of Higbee's with access to Prospect Ave. For those old enough to remember, these are the Prospect Ave doors that you'd take the staircase up from the main floor of Higbee's fabulous first floor. I'm thinking it makes sense that this would be the main entrance (besides, of course, the PS side) since it is nearest most of the parking.

Like the PS side, it has 1 large flag above its doors...

 

This work was taking place today

 

 

 

 

 

I found it disappointing that they repainted right over the spalling concrete.  Maybe they think it gives the spot more character.

 

 

 

Thanks! It a shame the Stanley Block is in such bad shape.

I think they could do something really cool with the Tilted Kilt parking garage to add life to the "building."  I don't really have any ideas but just by painting some abstract subtle design on it or something.