September 11, 201212 yr ^ Oh wow! Those awnings NEED to return! I suspect they were removed for the exterior cleaning. Now that the cleaning is long since completed, I agree that they need to be brought back. They are still doing some restorative work on the outside of the building, especially the PS side. I think until that is completed they wont be back. Not sure if the Superior side is finished or not, but I don't think so. It looks like the awnings are finally back. Saw a couple already installed this morning and a couple more on the bed of a truck waiting to be installed.
September 12, 201212 yr The Ritz is getting a sprucing up: http://www.cleveland.com/casino/index.ssf/2012/09/ohio_casino_commission_oks_160.html
September 13, 201212 yr It looks like the awnings are finally back. Saw a couple already installed this morning and a couple more on the bed of a truck waiting to be installed. I forgot to mention seeing this yesterday when I hopped off the #55 on Superior, turned the corner at PS and came face to face with two guys carrying a curved, wire-reinforced awning in the opposite direction. :) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 13, 201212 yr ^were they walking to or away from the hotel? Around it, from the Public Square side to the Superior side. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 11, 201212 yr Embassy suites to close in December. http://www.19actionnews.com/story/19789806/the-days-of-booking-a-night-at-embassy-suites-are-ending
October 11, 201212 yr Embassy suites to close in December. http://www.19actionnews.com/story/19789806/the-days-of-booking-a-night-at-embassy-suites-are-ending Gotta love 19 Action News. They spelled both losing and loses wrong.
October 11, 201212 yr ^^That actually sounds like good news to me since the hotel will be absorbed quickly and turned into apartments. This also takes some beds off the market and potentially makes a new construction, convention-sized hotel more of a possibility??? Or am I way off base?
October 11, 201212 yr ^^ That whole article is a mess of misspellings, grammatical mistakes, awkward phrasing, sentence fragments, and strange terms ("economical sense"). The title alone, "The days of booking a night at Embassy Suites are ending," is a priceless piece of convoluted inanity, as if some time honored Cleveland tradition is ending. Let's not forget that they think that adding the new units to Reserve Square will make it into "one of the largest apartment buildings in downtown". It already is the largest apartment building Downtown. Basic research people! Then you won't have to be both imprecise and inaccurate! Seriously, these people are professional writers.
October 11, 201212 yr ^^ That whole article is a mess of misspellings, grammatical mistakes, awkward phrasing, sentence fragments, and strange terms ("economical sense"). The title alone, "The days of booking a night at Embassy Suites are ending," is a priceless piece of convoluted inanity, as if some time honored Cleveland tradition is ending. Let's not forget that they think that adding the new units to Reserve Square will make it into "one of the largest apartment buildings in downtown". It already is the largest apartment building Downtown. Basic research people! Then you won't have to be both imprecise and inaccurate! Seriously, these people are professional writers. And in the same building!
October 11, 201212 yr Aloft hotel set to break ground in Beachwood next week By STAN BULLARD 9:00 am, October 10, 2012 http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20121010/FREE/121019984 Construction of a 135-room Aloft hotel at Chagrin Highlands corporate center in Beachwood will begin soon. BGL Real Estate Advisors, a subsidiary of Brown Gibbons Lang & Co., and Beachwood hotel developer Scott Berkowitz announced in a news release that they will break ground for the hotel, the symbolic start of construction, on Monday, Oct. 15.
October 11, 201212 yr ^^ That whole article is a mess of misspellings, grammatical mistakes, awkward phrasing, sentence fragments, and strange terms ("economical sense"). The title alone, "The days of booking a night at Embassy Suites are ending," is a priceless piece of convoluted inanity, as if some time honored Cleveland tradition is ending. Let's not forget that they think that adding the new units to Reserve Square will make it into "one of the largest apartment buildings in downtown". It already is the largest apartment building Downtown. Basic research people! Then you won't have to be both imprecise and inaccurate! Seriously, these people are professional writers. Surprised to see this article wasn't posted yet. It's a much better article, more well written and more information. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/10/kd_group_will_close_embassy_su.html#incart_river
October 12, 201212 yr Yep, cuz it's not a hotel development. Now if an apartment building was being redeveloped INTO a hotel, then it would belong here. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 17, 201212 yr ^^ Maybe it's a hotel un-development. There is a big pile of dirt on the rectangle in front of Lifetime Fitness on Richmond near the new Eaton HQ. Presumably this is the start of site prep for the 135 room Beachwood Aloft Hotel.
October 18, 201212 yr Does anyone have an inside scoop as to what this reinvestment in the Ritz Carlton will include? Is it just lobby renovations, or is there more. I was just thinking how great it would be if they could reopen the Century space... that bar would be a very popular spot for happy hour! ;) ;) ;)
October 19, 201212 yr Does anyone have an inside scoop as to what this reinvestment in the Ritz Carlton will include? Is it just lobby renovations, or is there more. I was just thinking how great it would be if they could reopen the Century space... that bar would be a very popular spot for happy hour! http://www.cleveland.com/casino/index.ssf/2012/09/ohio_casino_commission_oks_160.html The new financing package includes $10 million that will be used to renovate two lobbies and a fitness area, said Jennifer Kulczycki, spokeswoman for Rock Gaming. Hopefully this will include a thermostat for the lower lobby. I don't think they ever have the AC on there.
October 20, 201212 yr Really reminds me of another hotel i might have seen going up in a city by a lake... nothing very unique with the design. the roof does add a tad bit of contrast to all of the other "big box, default hotel" designs in the immediate area though. Ground broken for new Beachwood hotel, construction underway Brittney Edelman, Sun News http://www.cleveland.com/beachwood/index.ssf/2012/10/ground_broken_for_new_beachwoo.html#incart_river_default BEACHWOOD - Next year there will be 135 more hotel rooms for travelers visiting the city. Construction of an Aloft Hotel, a brand of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, began Oct. 15 at the northwest corner of Richmond Road and Eaton Boulevard in Chagrin Highlands. The four-story hotel will have 135 loft-inspired rooms, including four suites. It offers a loyalty program called Starwood Preferred Guest. More stays earn more points toward future benefits at any Starwood hotel. Room rates range from $130 to $150, depending on market conditions. It is a select service hotel, which means there is not a full restaurant and Aloft will not provide room service. However, it does have a full-service bar called XYZ, a pool, exercise center, available food items and meeting space.
October 20, 201212 yr Really reminds me of another hotel i might have seen going up in a city by a lake... nothing very unique with the design. the roof does add a tad bit of contrast to all of the other "big box, default hotel" designs in the immediate area though. Ground broken for new Beachwood hotel, construction underway Brittney Edelman, Sun News http://www.cleveland.com/beachwood/index.ssf/2012/10/ground_broken_for_new_beachwoo.html#incart_river_default BEACHWOOD - Next year there will be 135 more hotel rooms for travelers visiting the city. Construction of an Aloft Hotel, a brand of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, began Oct. 15 at the northwest corner of Richmond Road and Eaton Boulevard in Chagrin Highlands. The four-story hotel will have 135 loft-inspired rooms, including four suites. It offers a loyalty program called Starwood Preferred Guest. More stays earn more points toward future benefits at any Starwood hotel. Room rates range from $130 to $150, depending on market conditions. It is a select service hotel, which means there is not a full restaurant and Aloft will not provide room service. However, it does have a full-service bar called XYZ, a pool, exercise center, available food items and meeting space. Is this a standard design for Aloft because this looks like the Flats East Bank version
October 21, 201212 yr The roof is a brand signature, I think the structures underneath tend to vary a little.
October 21, 201212 yr The roof is a brand signature, I think the structures underneath tend to vary a little. For suburban and some new builds. When in historical structures and adjacent to other buildings you just see the logo.
October 21, 201212 yr Looking at the design more I prefer this over the FEB version, it has more color
October 22, 201212 yr Good news, I think. Downtown Cle Alliance just tweeted a pic of the view from the soon to be Westin and said they were given a construction tour. So I guess it's still going. I walk by/look at it every day and havnt seen ANYTHING happen for months so I was so happy to hear something! Hopefully well see activity soon.
October 22, 201212 yr Good to hear. Hope activity resumes soon. the work stoppage on this is the biggest disappointment this year downtown development-wise, at least for me,
October 22, 201212 yr Good news, I think. Downtown Cle Alliance just tweeted a pic of the view from the soon to be Westin and said they were given a construction tour. So I guess it's still going. I walk by/look at it every day and havnt seen ANYTHING happen for months so I was so happy to hear something! Hopefully well see activity soon. I drive by every morning on my way to work and occasionally see vehicles/people in the parking garage. This morning I didn't see anything, though. This is good news, as we REALLY REALLY this project to happen.
October 24, 201212 yr I prefer the flats east one by far Why by far? yeah i dont get the by far either. this is the standard aloft design as seen all over. it was my complaint about the flats aloft, its off the shelf and looks just like this and most of the other alofts. fine for beachwood, but i was hoping the flats would have gotten something more unique or maybe a tower like downtown brooklyn recently did. i like aloft, but its just another example of accepting less, if a somewhat minor one.
October 24, 201212 yr Author Flats East Bank Beachwood I prefer the brick. I also like how the flats east bank building has more architectural details, and is not just a plain box like the beachwood one. The roof feature blends nicely with the flats one, while it looks awkward and out of place on the beachwood one. And the retail spaces are also a plus. Im not saying im in love with the flats one, but while you prefer the beachwood one, I prefer the flats one. For me it blows away the beachwood one.
October 24, 201212 yr Is the FEB construction currently limited to Ernst & Young building or has construction started on the Aloft Hotel Building? I never see any pictures of the Aloft construction. I am under the impression they are supposed to open next summer.
October 24, 201212 yr It's there you just have to look down. You can find this photo from MayDay and those from others just a page or so back on the FEB thread. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1823.4410.html
October 24, 201212 yr Does anyone have a wide view picture of the downtown skyline with the new Ernst and Young Tower included in it?
October 24, 201212 yr Is the FEB construction currently limited to Ernst & Young building or has construction started on the Aloft Hotel Building? I never see any pictures of the Aloft construction. I am under the impression they are supposed to open next summer. REALLY? Have you looked in the Flats East Bank thread? There are numerous construction photos of the hotel and much discussion about the construction. The exterior of the hotel is almost completed.
October 24, 201212 yr Does anyone have a wide view picture of the downtown skyline with the new Ernst and Young Tower included in it? The Hazecam's pretty clear today. http://www.clevelandhazecam.net/hazecam_big
October 26, 201212 yr Is the FEB construction currently limited to Ernst & Young building or has construction started on the Aloft Hotel Building? I never see any pictures of the Aloft construction. I am under the impression they are supposed to open next summer. Here's a pic from today of the E&Y / Aloft construct on from the FEB webcam. http://www.flatseast.com/webcam.htm Also from a few days ago, they've been working on the roads thru down thru the Phase II area.
October 26, 201212 yr Was talking with some FCE people getting their take on the prospects for a new convention sized hotel. The guy I was talking with said that when the convention center open we're going to find that we don't have enough hotel rooms. The question then becomes is the demand strong enough to build a large hotel where event planners can house all their guest? He mentioned the Westin they own in Pittsburgh. Said that Pittsburgh has a stronger business community and has more people downtown consistently with ppl in town for things like Steeler's games. He also mentioned that Pittsburgh has had stronger political leadership than Cleveland has had at the county level until recently. For me the conversation highlighted the recurring theme that Cleveland is about 10 years behind Pittsburgh, but headed in the right direction.
October 26, 201212 yr Westin, Kimpton, Aloft, possibly Le Meridien... That's 4 hotels we will hopefully have soon. I really wonder if a very large convention sized hotel would even consider Cleveland right now, or if they would wait and see how the other new brands fare. Does anyone know approx. how many rooms those four would contain all together?
October 26, 201212 yr Got it... Kimpton : 161 Aloft : 150 Westin : 472 Le Meridien (maybe) : I'd guess around 150 ? Total is 933 new rooms The Westin Pittsburgh has 616, which from what we've discussed is actually pretty small for a Convention Center hotel. Some larger ones have 1,000-2,000 rooms. Just some interesting stats. If we're getting 1000 new rooms already, adding an additional 1000 or so in one hotel more seems unlikely at the moment.
October 26, 201212 yr ^You also need to consider that the Westin are really replacement rooms from the Crowne Plaza so no real gains there. We are also losing 252 rooms at the Embassy Suites. So that total gains from these four projects is minimized slightly.
October 26, 201212 yr ^You also need to consider that the Westin are really replacement rooms from the Crowne Plaza so no real gains there. We are also losing 252 rooms at the Embassy Suites. So that total gains from these four projects is minimized slightly. Crowne Plaza was not operating anywhere near full structural capacity, so there is actually quite a bit of net gain whenever that comes on line.
October 26, 201212 yr Would a realistic temporary solution to having an actual convention hotel be to get Positively Cleveland to jointly market the Marriott and Westin as such? Each is across the street from the convention center and with a combined room count of almost 900 rooms, and substantial meeting rooms/ballrooms between them, they could essentially operate as our convention hotel, at least until demand supports a new hotel. My guess is convention planners like convention hotels over dealing with several smaller properties because they don't want to have to talk with different event planning staffs/reservation systems etc., but maybe this is where Positively Cleveland can step in, be one point of contact for room blocks, reservations, meeting space, etc...coordinating with the Marriott and Westin to meet their needs and make it easy. What made me think of this was a convention I attended in Cincinnati in August. Some meetings/events were at the convention center, while trainings were spread out between the Hilton, Hyatt and Millennium. It seemed to work well.
October 26, 201212 yr That is a good idea, and one hopes they're on it. One hopes they've been on it since the early stages of MM/CC planning.
October 26, 201212 yr Would a realistic temporary solution to having an actual convention hotel be to get Positively Cleveland to jointly market the Marriott and Westin as such? Each is across the street from the convention center and with a combined room count of almost 900 rooms, and substantial meeting rooms/ballrooms between them, they could essentially operate as our convention hotel, at least until demand supports a new hotel. My guess is convention planners like convention hotels over dealing with several smaller properties because they don't want to have to talk with different event planning staffs/reservation systems etc., but maybe this is where Positively Cleveland can step in, be one point of contact for room blocks, reservations, meeting space, etc...coordinating with the Marriott and Westin to meet their needs and make it easy. What made me think of this was a convention I attended in Cincinnati in August. Some meetings/events were at the convention center, while trainings were spread out between the Hilton, Hyatt and Millennium. It seemed to work well. You're right. There is a huge difference between have a number of rooms and having a convention hotel. The main purpose is to have ONE property that is designed and catering to large groups, association meetings/functions, trade shows trade shows and corporate events which can be hosted under ONE roof. We need a property that has than 600 guest rooms and has function/meeting/banquet, conference and display facilities. This property should be in close proximity to the convention center (or display venue) preferably connected. As I've said before, the city/county should have made it a requirement to build a convention oriented hotel in conjunction with the MM/CC
October 29, 201212 yr OK!!! Finally some updates from the Downtown Cleveland Market Update (DCA) The long awaited Westin will be complete in the first quarter of 2014, obviously it's been pushed back somewhat but at least we have a date. There will be 481 rooms. Most importantly, the Kimpton Hotel in the Schofield Building... According to the report construction will start quarter one of 2013 with 120 hotel rooms. Lets pray this is true!!! In total there are 741 new rooms that will become available in the next 18 months
October 29, 201212 yr Most importantly, the Kimpton Hotel in the Schofield Building... According to the report construction will start quarter one of 2013 with 120 hotel rooms. Lets pray this is true!!! I hope so! I'm bummed we have a totally vacant building next door. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 29, 201212 yr They're still slowly plugging away at the building that is rumored to house Le Meridien also...of course no announcements still though. It will be nice to walk along that stretch to get chinese or go to the market at Reserve Square with a little more life injected into the street.
October 29, 201212 yr They're still slowly plugging away at the building that is rumored to house Le Meridien also...of course no announcements still though. It will be nice to walk along that stretch to get chinese or go to the market at Reserve Square with a little more life injected into the street. Good to know, I hadn't noticed much lately. I think a lot of people don't walk between playhouse square and the public square area, especially at night, because of that huge dead zone. These projects are going to make such a big difference
October 29, 201212 yr ^^Yes, but this is still the enviro remediation part funded through state grants, no? I don't think the actual redevelopment project has been financed yet.
October 29, 201212 yr They're still slowly plugging away at the building that is rumored to house Le Meridien also...of course no announcements still though. It will be nice to walk along that stretch to get chinese or go to the market at Reserve Square with a little more life injected into the street. Wait which building is rumored to house Le Meridien. And is that an upscale hotel?
Create an account or sign in to comment