I've read a new hotel is to adjoin Univ. Hospital's new cancer center, but I don't see, with all the construction, where it is to be.  Is there a hotel going up or not? Is it still planned but construction has not begun?

^The only news about that hotel has been about its planning.  Pretty sure nothing concrete (timing, operator, etc.) has been announced.  The proposed site is across Cornell from the the cancer hospital.

Yes, I found out construction has not yet begun, unfortunately.

So what's going in in the City Blue storefront?  I see a Reebock poster and some athletic shoe imagery.  Usual thing - I asked a worker if he knows if this will be a Reebock store or a general athletic shoe store and he said he knows nothing....

Imagine if we had a whole NikeTown in downtown Cleveland!....

I'm thinking that storefront is going to be part of the Bodies Exhibit. 

it is.

It has always been a mystery to me why more independent speculative office projects have not sprouted up around the Clinic or in UC itself. I would think such a building would be very marketable to vendors and those who for one reason or another would like to take of advantage of being close to all the institutions. I could even see many of the large downtown law firms having small satalite offices in the area (for example...put some estate planning lawyers in that office to make it convienent for the doctors or people from the heights who would rather just pop down the hill rather than go all the way downtown). I could think of many more senarios. Unfortuantely I don't have a spare 75-100 mil to test my theory out.

 

I don't have any inside information but an observation.  When University Circle Research centers I and II were built off of E105 in the middle of all those streets in the 60 's and 70's with CWRU $ the area was considered to be a war zone.  Rumor had it that is why the buildings were built on pedestals with tapering sidewalls so the Barbarians could not penetrate the edifices.  Also, they were failures financially.  CWRU filled them with Chi corporation employees (essentially the University's data processing center) and the Ohio Lottery commission until the State Office building was built downtown.  It took a long time for incubator companies to move in.  Only recently did they become commercially viable.  Maybe this experience left a bad smell in the air for private developers. 

I don't have any inside information but an observation. When University Circle Research centers I and II were built off of E105 in the middle of all those streets in the 60 's and 70's with CWRU $ the area was considered to be a war zone. Rumor had it that is why the buildings were built on pedestals with tapering sidewalls so the Barbarians could not penetrate the edifices. Also, they were failures financially. CWRU filled them with Chi corporation employees (essentially the University's data processing center) and the Ohio Lottery commission until the State Office building was built downtown. It took a long time for incubator companies to move in. Only recently did they become commercially viable. Maybe this experience left a bad smell in the air for private developers.

 

Are you talking about the two buildings on either side of Cedar just west of MLK?  I had never really noticed those buildings before even though I'm in that area all the time, but I just Google street viewed them, and, man, are they awful!  Maybe I just try to block them out when I go by them.

What is that contruction going on in front of the May Company Building, to the right of Cadillac Lounge, please? Workmen and scaffolds have been there probably at least a month.

What is that contruction going on in front of the May Company Building, to the right of Cadillac Lounge, please? Workmen and scaffolds have been there probably at least a month.

 

I know i always see that but i have no clue what it is

^ http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16941.msg423116.html#msg423116

Thanks; I might have missed that.  Pretty good though I'd rather see an interesting shop there (and I mean shop, not restaurant). The Tri-C could be upstairs, instead. Oh well....

In regards to that, it looks like they're working on tohe exterior - I wonder what they'd want to do on the exterior resulting from a Tri-C facility moving in....

Here KSU is doing all this work with the former Cowell and Hubbard building, at 1305 Euclid, and there's no sign up now at all!  Tsk! Anyone not familiar with the project, such as all the out-of-towners or anyone else who doesn't do much around there and likes to complain about the appearance of long stretches of Euclid, would think of this storefront as just another boarded-up, ugly site along Euclid.

there is plenty of signage in the windows of the recently restored section.

 

 

also, there are threads for each of these projects.

Sure there's information, but nothing on the 1305 section which now has all its windows boarded up and no identification signs at all. They left the metalwork around the door frame a mess now for weeks.

I hear many who like to keep bemoaning about all the vacant lots and empty, boarded up buildings along the Corridor and I always respond there are many a project planned for these buildings and sites which just haven't begun yet.

Any information on the "Super Market" that is supposed to go into the 1900 Euclid building?  I just saw the signs this a.m.  Could be great!

Any information on the "Super Market" that is supposed to go into the 1900 Euclid building?  I just saw the signs this a.m.  Could be great!

 

This was discussed in the CSU thread.  This "market" appears to be a surprise to all of us!

Huh!

 

Huntington Building in downtown Cleveland sold to Florida's Optima International

By STAN BULLARD

 

11:09 am, June 23, 2010

 

The hulking Huntington Building in downtown Cleveland is in new hands with fresh plans for the structure after Optima International LLC of Miami Beach, Fla., bought the property June 14 from investor groups led by longtime Cleveland financier and real estate owner Carl Glickman.

 

...

 

Optima is considering putting a hotel in a portion of the 21-story building, which would embellish its mixed-use nature as it already features retail space on its lower levels. Retaining it primarily as an office building is an option, Mr. Schochet said, “but we'll have to see how that plays out.”

 

Asked about potential residential uses for the building, Mr. Schochet said, “I don't think so.”

 

http://crainscleveland.com/article/20100623/FREE/100629946/1004/

Discussion of this may need to get merged, or maybe even a new thread. 

 

$18.5 million???  whoa that's cheap.

Dirt cheap. That hopefully kept more money available for redevelopment financing.

$18.5 million for the second largest building in downtown Cleveland... yeah that's pretty cheap.  A hotel at that intersection would probably do well. 

$18.5 million for the second largest building in downtown Cleveland... yeah that's pretty cheap.  A hotel at that intersection would probably do well. 

 

Looks like we may get two hotels at the intersection.... (Schofield and Huntington) 

Question, all the DT hotels gathered in protest to prevent Gilbert from adding a hotel to his casino because it would LOWER their already TOO LOW occupancy rates and would kill them off. If this is actually the case, how can the city support all these hotels in FEB, UC, and now on E.9th which to my count is at 5? Wont that oversaturate the market?

Seems like someone is anticipating a big tourism or otherwise increased hotel space demand boom.  Perhaps the developers know something the rest of us don't?

Seems like someone is anticipating a big tourism or otherwise increased hotel space demand boom.  Perhaps the developers know something the rest of us don't?

 

I bet the Casino has a lot to do with it.  Maybe even Convention Center/Med Mart, Aquarium, future large scale events (2012 Rock hall induction, 2012 Gay Games, 2013 Senior Games, Cavs and other sports Playoffs, medical conventions...and the prospects of getting more, especially with the Clinic and healthcare continuing to expand.)

^I'm still expecting one to be built on the lot owned by Jacobs- it makes TOO much sense to have a hotel there since Gilbert won't build one for 5 years. 

So the other good news from today's announcement is the 1836 Building on Euclid Avenue. 

This is also a big deal.  It sounds like they already have some things lined up for it!

 

Four Northeast Ohio projects, including new downtown Cleveland hotel, win state tax credits for historic preservation

Published: Friday, June 25, 2010, 12:45 PM    Updated: Friday, June 25, 2010, 1:40 PM

 

The state awarded nearly $3.3 million in credits to Liberty Development Co. of Westlake, which has a contract to buy the largely vacant property from developer Gordon Priemer. The property comprises two connected buildings, with eight stories to the north and six stories to the south. Liberty envisions an $18 million project, to update and restore the property for 71,000 square feet of offices, 6,000 square feet of retail and some indoor parking.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/06/four_northeast_ohio_projects_i.html

 

 

^Yes, a very pleasant surprise.  I didn't even know that it was in the running for the tax credits.  I've long wondered why this building hadn't become apartments, but office/retail is fine too, especially since they have a tenant.

Wow, Public Square through 9th, through Playhouse Square, through CSU, up to the innerbelt,  it will be a cohesive street.

 

Just think how it looked for Spider-man, or before House of Blues.

 

Now hotel groups are fighting for the best spots.  :)

There is an article in Crains about the Cleveland Athletic Club Building possibly moving forward...

 

It is a subscription article (which I no longer have), but here is the snippet:

 

Athletic club redo may get moving

Court filings signal the long-planned renovation of the former Cleveland Athletic Club Building may be starting to come together, albeit at the hands of a different investor than Eli Mann, who has owned the property since 2007 and secured state aid...

http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=TOC

 

 

I wish this place would get something done. As it is it looks really bad.

The article says that an investor wants to make it into a 160 room hotel with the fitness center being open to the public and hotel guests.  Apparently it had previously been planned for apartments.

Well I kindof wish this would just be apartements.  We need more of them!  With all the other possibilities on the drawing board this is one that should be able to be done without the reliance on a hotel.  Plus, Im happy some hotels are in the works (especially the Scofield) but we cant oversaturate too much with the hotels.....  We need more living areas.

Well I kindof wish this would just be apartements.  We need more of them!  With all the other possibilities on the drawing board this is one that should be able to be done without the reliance on a hotel.  Plus, Im happy some hotels are in the works (especially the Scofield) but we cant oversaturate too much with the hotels.....  We need more living areas.

 

Oversaturate?  We dont have any hotels that draw with brand power.  Although I agree this would be nice apartments (edit to add) or Condos.

 

 

Well I kindof wish this would just be apartements. We need more of them! With all the other possibilities on the drawing board this is one that should be able to be done without the reliance on a hotel. Plus, Im happy some hotels are in the works (especially the Scofield) but we cant oversaturate too much with the hotels..... We need more living areas.

 

I completely agree. I think this building would make great apartments and could be the new 668

I realize there are many lacking brands in the market, but Im thinking in terms of future projects that will likely need to rely on a hotel to make it a go (like Bruer and Huntington Bldg (as well as a hotel maybe being a necessary component in the WHD)), and that those would be better canditdates for a hotel component as opposed to this smaller project that could likely more easily become apts.

 

Im also thinking of in terms of a future convention hotel that would hopefully go where the County building is on the mall.  Those are things I want to happen, but I think this building would rather be overkill in that regard. 

there is a race going on right now to fill the hotel need envisioned for the MMCC.  Not all of them are going to happen, but right now everyone is throwing it out there because there is a need, and because it will be easier to obtain financing with a signed on hotel lease. Once 2 or 3 come to fruition you will see all the hotel talk die down if not disapear.  The same thing happened when gateway was coming online.  After the hotels got settled everyone started looking to residential conversions.

Exactly.  I would just rather see the few that will likely happen, go with the pivital larger projects that will need to rely on a hotel to make it happen (for financing etc). 

Exactly.  I would just rather see the few that will likely happen, go with the pivital larger projects that will need to rely on a hotel to make it happen (for financing etc). 

 

Right we have several large conventions and we need the Hilton, Westin and Sheraton convention sized properties.

 

We cant even begin to be competitive with less thatn 10,000 rooms.  12-15k would work well.

I wish this place would get something done. As it is it looks really bad.

Completely agree.  BTW, when is "the", "a" Cleveland aquarium opening??

I wish this place would get something done. As it is it looks really bad.

Completely agree.  BTW, when is "the", "a" Cleveland aquarium opening??

 

OH GOD NO.  Can we PLEASE keep this on topic!  Might I suggest asking this question in the appropriate thread.

Here's the PD's take:

 

Cleveland Athletic Club building owner settles legal dispute, but renovation plans still need financing

Published: Monday, July 19, 2010, 4:49 PM    Updated: Monday, July 19, 2010, 5:02 PM

Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of investors still hopes to buy and renovate the Cleveland Athletic Club building in downtown Cleveland, but the end of litigation between the current owner and his lender does not mean a revival is imminent.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/07/cleveland_athletic_club_buildi.html

Well I kindof wish this would just be apartements. We need more of them! With all the other possibilities on the drawing board this is one that should be able to be done without the reliance on a hotel. Plus, Im happy some hotels are in the works (especially the Scofield) but we cant oversaturate too much with the hotels..... We need more living areas.

 

Oversaturate? We dont have any hotels that draw with brand power. Although I agree this would be nice apartments (edit to add) or Condos.

 

 

 

CLE is definietly NOT oversaturated with hotels.  It seems that most of the new (if not all) hotels properties coming on-line are boutique hotels.  Downtown need a couple of large, convention oriented hotels to compliment the MM/CC.  I think someone stated elsewhere that Jacobs Public Square parcel would be a good location for one

I have a question about the parking structure between 668 and the City Club building.  Since the garage is set back from both Euclid and Prosect, was the intent to use the surface lots for new development, or did they just not have the money to make an even larger garage?

^^Downtown needs maybe ONE large convention sized hotel.  More than that would definitely be jumping the gun at this point.

 

^That garage is not a new build.  The lot you are referring to is where the Hippodrome theatre was located (prior to demolition) and is privately and separately owned.  No development plans currently.

^^Downtown needs maybe ONE large convention sized hotel.  More than that would definitely be jumping the gun at this point.

 

^That garage is not a new build.  The lot you are referring to is where the Hippodrome theatre was located (prior to demolition) and is privately and separately owned.  No development plans currently.

 

I disagree as when looking for conference, that is a key sticking point.  Multiple convention properties within close proximity for overflow.

 

Right now we don't have the following

the right hotel brands

The right sized hotels

 

Because of that we cannot lure business travelers or conventions nor can we bring in leisure travelers who are brand loyal.

 

Example the 30-something couple from CH that wants to spend their weekend in the city at the W or Westin/Marriott Marquis or JW Marriot/Hilton or Waldorf=Astoria/The Park Hyatt or Andaz.

 

Nor do we have independents like Sofitel, Loews, Palamor, Omni, Swissotel - places that hip, young, fun 20/30/40-somethings want to hang out in as they tend to be in hip areas

 

I don't think we need more than 1 800 room property;  two, 700-800 properties and then various properties between 500-700 rooms.

I don't think high-end ritzy hotels really bring business travelers... I'm a businessman and I always prefer to stay in La Quitna's because of the free newspaper, dial-up Internet and low rates even with lots of amenities. after a long day of working n extremely important multi-hundred dollar contracts, business deals, etc. I need amentaties but also low rates. So I'd love to see one of those come to down town.

I don't think high-end ritzy hotels really bring business travelers... I'm a businessman and I always prefer to stay in La Quitna's because of the free newspaper, dial-up Internet and low rates even with lots of amenities. after a long day of working n extremely important multi-hundred dollar contracts, business deals, etc. I need amentaties but also low rates. So I'd love to see one of those come to down town.

 

PM me next time.  I hate to see you waste long days on a multi-hundred dollar contract.  I can pop one of those together on a napkin for ya in about 2 minutes ;)

Hey, some people hammer out multi-million dollar contracts and stay at the Ritz, some, multi-hundred dollar contracts and La Quinta.  At least the amentaties are there.