I wonder why Forest City hasn't made some of the Tower City complex into apartments?  I would think a lot of people would be interested in being connected to all of that.  Plus, it could help their retail business.

I wonder why Forest City hasn't made some of the Tower City complex into apartments?  I would think a lot of people would be interested in being connected to all of that.  Plus, it could help their retail business.

 

Residential was apart of the original 2nd phase as shown in the picture provided by KJP.  However, today, you would think FC would build apartments/rehab an existing building near their crown jewel, but nooooooooooooooooooooo.

Yep, there was a strong residential component in FCE's expansion plans for TC... However, not to make excuses for them, but given the patterns of residential development at E. 4th & Gateway in general, and given the Phase I & II casino development plans, I don't think residential development where FCE originally placed it would work that well... Remember, at the time, in the late 80s/early 90s, the Gateway stadiums were only on paper, the Warehouse District was just a fledgling adaptive/reuse district with a few hundred "pioneers" living in the Hat Factory and a few other spots... and lower Euclid was a failing/declining retail hodgepodge of fast foods, rundown 5 and dimes (yesteryear's Dollar Stores, for the whippersnappers), ... and zero residents, aside from the couple hundred in the old (long gone) Hollenden Hotel around the corner at E.6th & Superior... bottom line: the current TC development makes sense; there's better areas, right now, for high-density residential development, which is being exploited... Maybe TC area residential building will fly down the road when, say, the Scranton Peninsula development gets off the ground... Right now, it's just rundown/industrial.

 

... that said, I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

^Scranton Pen. development gets off the ground?  Hmmm.

^Scranton Pen. development gets off the ground?  Hmmm.

 

 

Sounds like a tease :)

What does he know?  Rumor officially started.

My "hmmm" was not to indicate that ClvIndr was perhaps suggesting that something was in the works on the peninsula.  It was meant as "c'mon....are you nuts or something even thinking this is going to happen"

 

When I was a young pup, a partner in my firm had a client with an interest in the Scranton Penisula and was running around the office saying that big things were going to start and happen in the next two years.  That was 1984.  I am pretty sure that I will be using my nuclear powered walker the first time I step into the the hot new restaurant on the peninsula. 

They're definitely redoing the front of TC 

Definitely needed some new sidewalks on one of the city's most heavily used "front porches."

I was looking at this AMAZING collection of postcards from long ago:

 

http://flickeflu.com/set/72157627247961270

 

I saw this pictures of the original plans for the Union terminal.  While that ultimately didn't get built as it was drawn, what we have today is pretty close.  It appears though that there is a double entrance, one like we have now and then one below in the square at a lower elevation.  Was this going to be a direct entrance to the trains?  While I am glad we have Terminal Tower, I kinda wish we had that grand entrance in the drawings, with the huge columns and double entrances...  don't think it'd be possible anymore would it?  :-P :-P  I wonder if someone could tell me what an entrance like that sloping down under the lobby would lead to today?  Are the rapids still under that area?

 

The current design and even the ones proposed in the 3 possible plans for PS seem to block and cover the entrance when it should be highlighted as something grand.  I like the wide open view in the drawing.  IMHO

I was looking at this AMAZING collection of postcards from long ago:

 

http://flickeflu.com/set/72157627247961270

 

I saw this pictures of the original plans for the Union terminal.  While that ultimately didn't get built as it was drawn, what we have today is pretty close.  It appears though that there is a double entrance, one like we have now and then one below in the square at a lower elevation.  Was this going to be a direct entrance to the trains?  While I am glad we have Terminal Tower, I kinda wish we had that grand entrance in the drawings, with the huge columns and double entrances...  don't think it'd be possible anymore would it?  :P :P  I wonder if someone could tell me what an entrance like that sloping down under the lobby would lead to today?  Are the rapids still under that area?

 

The current design and even the ones proposed in the 3 possible plans for PS seem to block and cover the entrance when it should be highlighted as something grand.  I like the wide open view in the drawing.  IMHO

without getting off topic, that rendering shows that quadrant of public square depressed.  I dont recall that design ever being built. 

 

The rapid isn't under Euclid/Public Square they are under Prospect, which is why you can see the western end of the old shaker terminal just west of the Renaissance hotel.  Stand at the intersection of Superior/W. 6th/Prospect and look down.

Fixing the entrance up at Tower City Center

 

So, not one "spin off" retail opening in the Avenue mall due to the casino?

What is the approximate vacancy rate there?

^Not yet at least inside Tower City. I would think that retailers would wait and see what the new clientelle to Tower city will be after the Casino opens before going all in and opening new stores.

 

Not sure what the vacancy rate is, but walking through I don't remember many empty storefront, though the calliber of some of the shops is lacking.

^Not yet at least inside Tower City. I would think that retailers would wait and see what the new clientelle to Tower city will be after the Casino opens before going all in and opening new stores.

 

Not sure what the vacancy rate is, but walking through I don't remember many empty storefront, though the calliber of some of the shops is lacking.

This is a little off topic but is there any talks of shopping being placed in the storefronts on Euclid etc.? I would think this would be at least considered before the casino opened. I feel like Tower City may be better off to be re-purposed for something else though and have the national chains moved into the storefronts on the street. Both parties would win downtown would have constant activity and Forest City would still make money off of whatever the avenue is turned into. (Brought it back on-topic) Just my opinion though

i think this may have been discussed upthread, but ultimately no one but those retailers and tower city and downtown storefront owners will decide where new stores (if any) will be located. If the retailers think the mall is better, they'll sign at the mall. If they think Prospect or (insert street name here) is better they'll sign there.

 

Is there even a large enough stretch of street level spaces near tower city that a significant amount of new retail could go? Maybe along Prospect, or maybe the Warehouse Lots West of Public Square could be developed.

Apparently Best Buy is scouting space for a Best Buy Mobile in TC I think it could work technology is hot right now and will continue to be hot and everyone has some sort of technology, tech need, or tech interest.

 

Link: http://www.city-data.com/forum/cleveland/1551396-downtown-new-restaurants-residential-but-no.html

 

Quote: "I don't know how true this is but I ran into a good friend of mine who works for Best Buy about a couple of weeks ago at Tower City. He told me they were scouting for a storefront space to open a Best Buy Mobile."

Idk how true this is but it could work out!

^Not yet at least inside Tower City. I would think that retailers would wait and see what the new clientelle to Tower city will be after the Casino opens before going all in and opening new stores.

 

Not sure what the vacancy rate is, but walking through I don't remember many empty storefront, though the calliber of some of the shops is lacking.

Incorrect, they should already know this information.  Considering the residency downtown, the residency within 3-5 miles of Tower City and the projected information from the casino itself.  Our casino is not a backwood rural thing, it's built to be integrated

into the fabric of the city. ie. Harraha's NoLa.

have you guy heard of this site before?

 

it has a treasure trove of old union terminal pictures.

 

Id love to see large version of those pics for free of course.

 

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=OH&city=Cleveland&id=27467

 

have you guy heard of this site before?

 

it has a treasure trove of old union terminal pictures.

 

Id love to see large version of those pics for free of course.

 

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=OH&city=Cleveland&id=27467

 

 

Yes.  I'm lucky I'm old enough to have seen Union Terminal in its original state.

have you guy heard of this site before?

 

it has a treasure trove of old union terminal pictures.

 

Id love to see large version of those pics for free of course.

 

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=OH&city=Cleveland&id=27467

 

 

Yes.  I'm lucky I'm old enough to have seen Union Terminal in its original state.

 

Oh you mean when they were building it..?  Yeah we know..

have you guy heard of this site before?

 

it has a treasure trove of old union terminal pictures.

 

Id love to see large version of those pics for free of course.

 

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=OH&city=Cleveland&id=27467

 

 

Yes.  I'm lucky I'm old enough to have seen Union Terminal in its original state.

 

Oh you mean when they were building it..?  Yeah we know..

 

 

What I meant is I was able to experience Union Terminal, prior to it converting to "Tower City".  Heifer!

^Yeah, I'm old enough to remember the old Union Terminal concourse as well, with the slick station-level entrance into Higbee's where there was a soda fountain bar and the boys/mens dept; and then those cool old wooden escalators up to the main floor (where Horseshoe's slots will now be)...  I'll bet MTS was one of those kids who ran (in his sneakers) from TT's beautiful (Public Sq. entrance) portico and slid down those long ramps into the train station area... (p.s.  I know I did).

^Yeah, I'm old enough to remember the old Union Terminal concourse as well, with the slick station-level entrance into Higbee's where there was a soda fountain bar and the boys/mens dept; and then those cool old wooden escalators up to the main floor (where Horseshoe's slots will now be)...  I'll bet MTS was one of those kids who ran (in his sneakers) from TT's beautiful (Public Sq. entrance) portico and slid down those long ramps into the train station area... (p.s.  I know I did).

 

No I didn't.  We always came up the Shaker Rapid concourse.  We rarely used the PS entrance.  We always went from UT directly into Higbee's.

Woa, whats this!  :-o

Woa, whats this!  :-o

 

That is the Oak Room.  It is still used for events.  For example, the Canadian Consulate hosted an event there during the Film Festival last month.

Oh thanks. I never have seen the inside, didn't know it was that elaborate!

Man I wish they did tours of Terminal Tower in its entirety... The English Oak Room, Silver Grille, Greenbriar, etc. I'd definitely pay for that!!

Did not get to see the Oak Room, but the Silver Grill and especially the Greenbriar Suite was awesome to see.

Us Film fest Staff had a lunch there on breakdown day.

What I would love to see is the Van Sweringen brothers space.... but I have heard from some people I'm not sure I believe that Forest City has demoed most of what remains.

 

Anyone know?

 

 

have you guy heard of this site before?

 

it has a treasure trove of old union terminal pictures.

 

Id love to see large version of those pics for free of course.

 

http://www.historicmapworks.com/Buildings/index.php?state=OH&city=Cleveland&id=27467

 

 

Yes.  I'm lucky I'm old enough to have seen Union Terminal in its original state.

 

I was 10 when they began converting it to TC.

 

I am trying to remember where things used to be for a project I am doing.

 

:wtf: hmmm... did anyone see this?

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/04/hard_rock_northfield_park_unve.html

 

From the article about the Northfield "Racino"

 

"Allen said the Hard Rock Cafe will offer live entertainment for 1,000 to 3,000 people and interactive displays of rock memorabilia from the chain's extensive collection. He has said the company would continue to operate a "previous generation" Hard Rock at Tower City in downtown Cleveland but could eventually reverse that decision."

That would suck if the Hard Rock Cafe left TowerCity...I would be pissed OFF

^I guess I would be to if the space were to sit vacant after HR left. Obviously it woudln't matter as much if another retailer or restaurant moved in right after... as long as its not Mc Donald's. On the other hand a 24 Hour fast food spot would fit in this newly 24-hour neighborhood.

I don't feel HRC is much of an asset, so I personally wouldn't be upset if it left.  That is a prime spot, and with the casino Phase I and eventually Phase II, it will be replaced by something great.

 

(remember, it used to be a Barney's New York...I just said that to give MTS a flinch of pain  :) )

 

That's the old Barney's space?! Hmmm well like everyone said if it was to be replaced with something better then go for it but if it was to sit that would be very bad for TC because regardless of what you think of HRC it's a tourist draw

I don't feel HRC is much of an asset, so I personally wouldn't be upset if it left.  That is a prime spot, and with the casino Phase I and eventually Phase II, it will be replaced by something great.

 

(remember, it used to be a Barney's New York...I just said that to give MTS a flinch of pain  :) )

 

 

I strongly disagree and actually like the HRC and would hate for it to leave.  It's a better quality HRC than most cities and, obviously, it fits nicely with the theme of downtown Cleveland.  Of course, I'm always up for improvement, but I would really be down if HRC left the space withouth something significantly better going in.

The Rock Hall needs a rock themed restaurant. Or any place that serves actual food. I wouldn't care as much that the HRC leaves an awesome rock themed restaurant opened in the HOF.

I don't feel HRC is much of an asset, so I personally wouldn't be upset if it left.  That is a prime spot, and with the casino Phase I and eventually Phase II, it will be replaced by something great.

 

(remember, it used to be a Barney's New York...I just said that to give MTS a flinch of pain  :) )

 

 

 

 

Question:  Since Brooks Brothers is right on the way into the Casino I expect their business to pick up quite a bit.  Since its such a beautiful Flagship (is it?) location, and one of the last of the nicer stores of TC, shouldn't it be highlighted more?  I feel like Tower City is buried inside the building and if you weren't familiar with the City, you wouldn't even know what in there.  Since Brooks Brothers is right near the front doors, why can't they have outdoor signage?  Im not sure if its possible but I just had that thought.  It would bring a more street-level feel to the store, even though its inside. 

Question:  Since Brooks Brothers is right on the way into the Casino I expect their business to pick up quite a bit.  Since its such a beautiful Flagship (is it?) location, and one of the last of the nicer stores of TC, shouldn't it be highlighted more?  I feel like Tower City is buried inside the building and if you weren't familiar with the City, you wouldn't even know what in there.  Since Brooks Brothers is right near the front doors, why can't they have outdoor signage?  Im not sure if its possible but I just had that thought.  It would bring a more street-level feel to the store, even though its inside. 

No store has outside signage, with the exception of the (at the time) Higbees and the stores in the skylight concourse that had/have direct access entry's/exits.

I find the BB store quite repulsive.  They need to take the carpet out of that store.  I don't know how people even walk in there...ick

I guess I'm usually looking at the wonderful Art Deco chandelier in Brooks Brothers, that I haven't paid attention to the carpet.  The space used to be a branch of the Union Commerce Bank.

Forest City had Sherwin Williams workers in the building doing final touch ups (painting) Also people were buffing the brass railings adding touch ups to make it look nice and hung banners for the casino in the main entrance

Forest City had Sherwin Williams workers in the building doing final touch ups (painting) Also people were buffing the brass railings adding touch ups to make it look nice and hung banners for the casino in the main entrance

 

I wonder what brand of paint they were using :-P

 

There is a helluva lot of activity going on around TT/ Tower City in general...understatement.

Last week the 'Tower 230' awning came down and I took a pic of these gorgeous revolving doors at Tower City's W. Prospect  side. Today, there's a new awning and the arrival of a new bar.

I love the investment taking place...

 

 

The space used to be a branch of the Union Commerce Bank.

 

I did not know that!!

Has anyone checked out this new Lincoln Tap House?  In my foggy memory, its predecessors have been pretty mundane bars that would have seemed at home in a suburban chain hotel.  Something a little niftier would be much appreciated.  The interweb is surprisingly devoid of info about this new place.

 

And as for Brooks Brothers: I love that space. I haven't been inside it in two years, and have never noticed any carpet issues, but the fixtures, walls and ceilings are gorgeous. I would definitely be OK if that store had some signage visible from Public Square; it's a little different from the rest of the mall spaces.

1. LOVE those doors... didn't know about Tower 230 changing.  here is the FB:

 

http://www.facebook.com/LincolnTapHouseCLE

 

Those food pictures look pretty yummy  :-P

 

2. KJP: This plaque is on the wall near Brooks Brothers:

 

 

2. KJP: This plaque is on the wall near Brooks Brothers:

 

 

Aw, you know current and former reporters can't read...