And then of course there was the lady providing her negative view of the project at the Planning Commission meeting lamenting the lose of a parking lot, complaining that this skyscraper along with another planned apartment building was going to create huge traffic jams and that there were enough apartments in the area and they should build single family homes on the site (but it seemed her preference was to keep it a parking lot).  Thankfully she was ignored.

1 hour ago, urbanetics_ said:

This is much improved over the original motel-like design. I'm glad it at least has solid street frontage now along Larchmere.

 

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/east-4th-developer-seeks-to-bring-micro-units-to-larchmere

 

Also @KJP and NeoTrans get a nice shoutout and quote in the article!

This is so much better! I’d like to think this improvement is a result of design review. 

9 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

This is so much better! I’d like to think this improvement is a result of design review. 

I think it still has to go to design review.  It was on the agenda for a variance due to the placement of the drive.

3 hours ago, Htsguy said:

And then of course there was the lady providing her negative view of the project at the Planning Commission meeting lamenting the lose of a parking lot, complaining that this skyscraper along with another planned apartment building was going to create huge traffic jams and that there were enough apartments in the area and they should build single family homes on the site (but it seemed her preference was to keep it a parking lot).  Thankfully she was ignored.

 

Ouch. Glad that not all opinions were weighed equally.

On Friday's City Planning Commission mtg, they approved some new apartments on Larchmere in the "East Side" neighborhood (Lazy--even for cleveland.com). Anyway, I didn't see it posted here.  Here's the brief writeup. No idea how many units or where on Larchmere.  In the article its tucked in between the W. 73 bldg and the Viad(a)uct.

 

"A building of micro-units, or small apartments with elements that retract to make more space, that will occupy a site along Larchmere Boulevard in the East Side neighborhood. The project was developed by Rick Maron – who retired from MRN Ltd., the real estate development company he founded – and Russell Berusch."

 

https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2020/08/cleveland-planning-commission-gives-ok-to-new-apartment-buildings-as-vacancies-increase-downtown.html

 

 

1 hour ago, Pugu said:

On Friday's City Planning Commission mtg, they approved some new apartments on Larchmere in the "East Side" neighborhood (Lazy--even for cleveland.com). Anyway, I didn't see it posted here.  Here's the brief writeup. No idea how many units or where on Larchmere.  In the article its tucked in between the W. 73 bldg and the Viad(a)uct.

 

"A building of micro-units, or small apartments with elements that retract to make more space, that will occupy a site along Larchmere Boulevard in the East Side neighborhood. The project was developed by Rick Maron – who retired from MRN Ltd., the real estate development company he founded – and Russell Berusch."

 

https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2020/08/cleveland-planning-commission-gives-ok-to-new-apartment-buildings-as-vacancies-increase-downtown.html

 

 

That project has been discussed here quite a bit - the six posts prior to yours are all discussing this project (albeit more commentary on NIMBYs complaining about this project.)  I do like this different angle render that was in the article - posted below. 
 

Previous renders looked like a cheap motel (see the bottom of the previous page of this thread) so the good news on this project is that it is substantially improved. 

 

 

7 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

That project has been discussed here quite a bit - the six posts prior to yours are all discussing this project (albeit more commentary on NIMBYs complaining about this project.)  I do like this different angle render that was in the article - posted below. 
 

Previous renders looked like a cheap motel (see the bottom of the previous page of this thread) so the good news on this project is that it is substantially improved. 

 

 

TBH MRNs designs have gone down tremendously since Uptown. They really aren't trying design wise.

47 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said:

TBH MRNs designs have gone down tremendously since Uptown. They really aren't trying design wise.

On one hand their designs are pretty bad. On the other hand, they're definitely one of the most receptive and willing to change based on feedback they get, but the improvements often only do so much.

8 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

That project has been discussed here quite a bit - the six posts prior to yours are all discussing this project (albeit more commentary on NIMBYs complaining about this project.)  I do like this different angle render that was in the article - posted below. 
 

Previous renders looked like a cheap motel (see the bottom of the previous page of this thread) so the good news on this project is that it is substantially improved. 

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, tykaps said:

On one hand their designs are pretty bad. On the other hand, they're definitely one of the most receptive and willing to change based on feedback they get, but the improvements often only do so much.

I am only really familiar with their renovation projects.  Could you point me to some of their new construction work.  This is the only one I can think of but clearly their are others out there based on these posts.

2 hours ago, Htsguy said:

I am only really familiar with their renovation projects.  Could you point me to some of their new construction work.  This is the only one I can think of but clearly their are others out there based on these posts.

 

https://www.uptowncleveland.com

23 minutes ago, Mendo said:

 

https://www.uptowncleveland.com

Of course.  How soon I forgot.  Thanks

13 hours ago, Htsguy said:

 

I am only really familiar with their renovation projects.  Could you point me to some of their new construction work.  This is the only one I can think of but clearly their are others out there based on these posts.

 

Was running by the project at larchmere/ East 121 today.  

More progress at 121 Larchmere

Plant-based eatery SomethinGood To Eat to open in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood

Anne Nickoloff - Oct. 21, 2020

 

"One of those aspects -- dining -- is the focal point of SomethinGood To Eat, a new restaurant set to soft-open on Nov. 11 at 12210 Larchmere Boulevard. The owner, Andrew Taylor-Shaut, developed the brand and restaurant as a healthy plant-based option for clean eating. ... The restaurant will focus on whole food options, eliminating overly processed items standard to most fast-food spots."

 

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/plant-based-eatery-somethingood-to-eat-to-open-in-clevelands-larchmere-neighborhood.html

 

 

This is openeing in the former Baba Yaga's Greenhouse cafe location. They cloed back in May:

 

Baba Yaga’s Greenhouse Cafe in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood is closed

Anne Nickoloff - May 15, 2020

 

"Baba Yaga’s Greenhouse Cafe, a small vegan eatery and coffee shop in Cleveland’s Larchmere neighborhood, has closed for business due to financial strains associated with the coronavirus pandemic."

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/05/baba-yagas-greenhouse-cafe-in-clevelands-larchmere-neighborhood-is-closed.html

 

Got some pics of the progress on the Mikros Smart Suites on Larchmere.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

And here's a few for the 121 Larchmere project

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

18 hours ago, bikemail said:

And here's a few for the 121 Larchmere project

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
 

The difference between before the building arrived and after will be astounding. I love it.

I imagine those west facing upper units will have some amazing views of downtown!  

And across from 121 larchmere, donuts?

Some additional 121 Larchmere progress photos from today.

Article on the renovation of 2804 South Moreland Blvd:

https://www.thelandcle.org/stories/shakertown-apartment-building-makeover-starting-to-take-shape

121 Larchmere (3-17-21)

 

 

 

 

12607 Larchmere Blvd.

 

 

The cat’s out of the bag! City Architecture is moving to 121 Larchmere this summer.

 

See also:

http://www.cityarch.com/121-larchmere-we-are-moving
 

It’ll be exciting to be part of this great neighborhood on a daily basis! A very exciting new chapter for the firm.

121 and 12607 Larchmere this morning. 

9 hours ago, Ardoonave said:

121 and 12607 Larchmere this morning. 

Those have gone up quickly! Great additions to the neighborhood. 

Nothing huge from the Shaker Square Alliance meeting this morning, but Brandon Chrostowski reiterated that he has gathered a group of funders ready to purchase the square from the receiver, but is waiting on the judge and to hear what the price will be (though he indicates his group could afford just about any price). 

He was vague on details, but said they would make it a not-for-profit with a focus on social enterprise and community. He also called out the Van Aken District as being outrageously expensive per square foot and would strive to make properties affordable for tenants. 

"Larchmere Homes, Cleveland: CHN Housing Partners plans to build a development in the Buckeye and Larchmere neighborhoods for families at or below 60% of the area’s median income through a program that will offer residents a chance to lease and then buy. It will build 28 three-bedroom, two story homes, and two three-bedroom, one-story homes on sites currently in the city or Cuyahoga County Land Bank’s possession.

CHN Housing Partners also plans to provide social services for the residents. The $8.5 million project will receive an $853,000 tax credit." - https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2021/05/affordable-housing-project-for-college-students-with-children-receives-state-tax-credit.html

 

Based on the proposal summary, looks like soon-to-be Larchmere residents City Architecture will be the architecture firm for the project

Edited May 20, 20214 yr by bikemail

First time strolling the east side in awhile today. Counted exactly ZERO vacant storefronts on the square, and only a smattered handful on Larchmere. Pretty damn promising coming out of the pandemic.

Update on two developments on Larchmere. First is 121 Larchmere.....

 

 

Next is Mikros on Larchmere

 

More progress is being made on 121 Larchmere. The first residential tenants have already moved in with more to come soon, in addition to City Architecture’s move here later this summer.

121 Larchmere (8-1-21)

 

 

 

12607 Larchmere Blvd.

 

 

 

 

^Nice, getting a local retail/market hub out of the hands of terrible owners. Wish he had enough sense to do it for the West Side Market.

Does the article explain how much of the 12 million would go towards the ownership transition and how much could goes towards renovations?

7 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

Does the article explain how much of the 12 million would go towards the ownership transition and how much could goes towards renovations?

 

Here's what should be a non-paywalled article from Cleveland.com. It sounds like almost all of the money would go towards paying off the mortgage. Then, they would transfer the property to Cleveland Neighborhood Progress’ development arm, New Village Corp.

Here's the relevant section on renovations:

Quote

Menesse and Johnson have talked a lot about making repairs and improvements to the property. The problem, they said, is they do not know exactly what needs to be done because the receiver did not allow them to properly assess the property.

Based on talking to tenants, though, their initial estimate is that they will need $4 million just to “stabilize” the complex. That money is not part of the federal stimulus money the Jackson administration is proposing to allocate. Menesse said she is in talks with Cuyahoga County to use some of its stimulus money for repairs, along with the Cleveland Foundation, Gund Foundation and St. Luke’s Foundation, among others

Any more substantial work would require additional fundraising, she said.

 

Discouraging that so much stimulus money is going to pay off a bank/lender due to a private owners mismanagement.  However, I guess that is a necessary evil and a first step towards fixing the mess.  Hopefully the county and foundations will step up so the basic stabilization can occur (sounds like they are already on board or I doubt the city would be wasting the stimulus money).  Still it is disappointing that any "grand plans" for the square are still just far away dreams.  Again, baby steps.

It's so confusing to me how Shaker Square is in such a bad position currently. It's within walking distance to Shaker Heights (which is a desirable area of course) and Larchmere just north of Shaker Square appears to be booming in development and has a lot of cool new businesses. It just makes no sense to me how Shaker Square, which sits right in the middle of these two, hasn't been able to take advantage of the demand in the surrounding area. It seems the demand is there and it has the opportunity to do something big to solidify itself as the center of that whole part of town. Especially with the streetcar access, any improvement to Shaker Square could even attract visitors from Shaker Heights taking the streetcar in.

The problem with the square is that it leans into car-centric planning rather than transit or pedestrians. Shaker Blvd cuts through the center of the square, disrupting traffic flow around the perimeter for cars and pedestrians.

 

The Blvd also breaks up the center of the square into 4 small grassy areas instead of 2 larger ones that you would have more flexibility to hold events. 

 

You add in the street parking on the square with all the lots at basically each corner of the square. You're right there is density nearby and the RTA stop so the square seems like a prime area for a shift away from cars.

 

If a garage was built on just one of the lots at any of the corners of square you could retain most of the parking capacity and develop the rest to add density of either residents or retail. 

Edited October 21, 20213 yr by Luke_S

I recently drove around the square and most all retail spaces were occupied. Well, aside from the Van Aken side, which seemingly has been vacant for decades.

Edited October 21, 20213 yr by marty15

21 hours ago, Dblcut3 said:

It's so confusing to me how Shaker Square is in such a bad position currently. It's within walking distance to Shaker Heights (which is a desirable area of course) and Larchmere just north of Shaker Square appears to be booming in development and has a lot of cool new businesses. It just makes no sense to me how Shaker Square, which sits right in the middle of these two, hasn't been able to take advantage of the demand in the surrounding area. It seems the demand is there and it has the opportunity to do something big to solidify itself as the center of that whole part of town. Especially with the streetcar access, any improvement to Shaker Square could even attract visitors from Shaker Heights taking the streetcar in.

As a resident, who has slept in  my bed only once, in damn near two years.  Shaker Sq. has been a destination for Western Shaker and CH.  It was Shaker Squares "reach" which helped to jump start development along Larchmere.

 

Shaker Square has been in constant flux since Halle's closed.  It's a dining destination, but without a better retail mix, it wont be what it was pre Halle's closing.  The residential population is here along with it's varying degree's of income.  

21 hours ago, marty15 said:

I recently drove around the square and most all retail spaces were occupied. Well, aside from the Van Aken side, which seemingly has been vacant for decades.

 

Decades?  No, baby, no.

@MyTwoSensecan't show up here after being M.I.A. for years, stirring the pot and downvoting posts. Mods do something! 😁

On 10/22/2021 at 2:54 PM, MyTwoSense said:

As a resident, who has slept in  my bed only once, in damn near two years.  Shaker Sq. has been a destination for Western Shaker and CH.  It was Shaker Squares "reach" which helped to jump start development along Larchmere.

 

Shaker Square has been in constant flux since Halle's closed.  It's a dining destination, but without a better retail mix, it wont be what it was pre Halle's closing.  The residential population is here along with it's varying degree's of income.  

I’ve always wondered what’s going on with Shaker Square. There’s absolutely no reason why it can’t be competitive with the Van Aken District and the others over there. I feel like Shaker Square should be OUR Van Aken District, OUR Eton Chagrin, etc. It would really lift the entire area. You said it needs a better retail mix. What kind of stores do you think it’s missing? Since you’re a resident of the area, you’d know

"The city correctly understood that Shaker Square is the anchor for the southeast side of Cleveland..." --  Cleveland Neighborhood Progress CEO Tania Menesse.

 

Talk about taking condescendingly about someone giving you $10M.

 

This article has good details on the process. CNP will seek additional funds beyond the $10M and then sell it to a new owner once brought up to snuff.

 

https://wcpn.ideastream.org/news/cleveland-proposes-paying-off-shaker-square-debts-transferring-ownership

On 10/23/2021 at 8:51 AM, Mov2Ohio said:

@MyTwoSensecan't show up here after being M.I.A. for years, stirring the pot and downvoting posts. Mods do something! 😁

 

6 hours ago, inlovewithCLE said:

I’ve always wondered what’s going on with Shaker Square. There’s absolutely no reason why it can’t be competitive with the Van Aken District and the others over there. I feel like Shaker Square should be OUR Van Aken District, OUR Eton Chagrin, etc. It would really lift the entire area. You said it needs a better retail mix. What kind of stores do you think it’s missing? Since you’re a resident of the area, you’d know

 

You're missing a HUGE point.  Shaker Square was the predecessor and blue print to the strip malls you've mentioned.  I'm old enough to remember when Van Aken wasn't 💩

 

As a resident, I would love to see a square full of high end retail, but that isn't realistic - just a selfish pipe dream.  Yeah you would get shoppers from Hough, CH and SH, but there needs to be a good mix of stores, that offer varying price points, to attract buyers of all ages.

 

A Target, BR, GAP, Zara, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Lulu, Athetica, a "paint-n-sip" type venue, a tapas bar, a gym, a tech store, like apple or samsung, timbuck2, Bed, Bath, Beyond in the Woolworths space, a Crocs or birkenstock store, a mens beauty store, a day spa, A Fresh Store, Ultima Beauty, a bakery, Candle store, a thai restaurant, a bike store, and a 24 hour diner.  I would also add local stores that compliment national retailers.

Is is every construction thread here devolving into a retail trends debate?

4 hours ago, KJP said:

Is is every construction thread here devolving into a retail trends debate?

 

There is discussion of history of the Square.  And development / what people would like to see.