I am surprised how well it is bridging the gap between the beaux-arts architecture of The Burnham Plan and contemporary interpretation.  At first I was against the design but seeing it come to life and it's glass reflecting the surroundings, I have come around to liking it.

I dunno. It looks like another boring box. I'm still upset that the left out the porch on the side facing the lake. I am waiting the final product, but for right now, I'm not impressed.

^ It's not a building that will go down in the architecture history books, but it's still a fine addition to the city. As far as I know, the Lakeside-facing porch is the only significant change from the original renderings, which is not bad at all for a design-build project. This building is replacing one of the lamest former buildings in the city with a glass tower (much needed in this city which is full of beige). I'm not going to complain too much about the small details on this one. Besides, the overhanging roof and steel pillars will make the podium part look a lot less boxy.

I don't think it's possible to overdo earth tones, but that's just me.  Downtown Cleveland has plenty of rectangular glass boxes already.  That being said, I like this building on this site because it does contrast nicely with the rest of the mall, and the renderings suggest it won't be another plain box.

The glass curtain wall along The West Mall Drive Podium is basically all installed with amazing speed!

Will they start installing the facade on the tower before it tops off?

Will they start installing the facade on the tower before it tops off?

 

Yes

I dunno. It looks like another boring box. I'm still upset that the left out the porch on the side facing the lake. I am waiting the final product, but for right now, I'm not impressed.

 

The real life version is looking rather impersonal when compared to the renderings...never fall in love with a rendering lol.

 

Glad to see some optimism on here that it will still end up looking pretty good.

IMO that pic shows great style and material harmony between the CC, MM and hotel.  Looks really good.

Does anyone know why certain panels that appear as silver have different tones?  They appear random.  These are along the balcony bands of glass on all 3 sides of the podium.

I dunno. It looks like another boring box. I'm still upset that the left out the porch on the side facing the lake. I am waiting the final product, but for right now, I'm not impressed.

 

The real life version is looking rather impersonal when compared to the renderings...never fall in love with a rendering lol.

 

Glad to see some optimism on here that it will still end up looking pretty good.

"impersonal"?  The building is under construction. As I've said before, people should reserve judgment until the project is complete.  Recent example, the Westin.  It turned out MUCH better than the renderings or while under reconstruction.

Jump!

Does anyone know why certain panels that appear as silver have different tones?  They appear random.  These are along the balcony bands of glass on all 3 sides of the podium.

Possibly it depends on what is being reflected?

Well that was a big jump!

^ I think it was another 80'. We'll have one more jump mid summer.

Yes, the crane is now visible from the Innerbelt bridge on the skyline! It would have been too dangerous to snap a pic while driving, but I'll try soon as a passenger.

It's also pretty visible now coming up I-77 northward into the city. :-)

From Today:

 

 

Is the crane now about the same height as the Justice Center (420 feet)? 

 

If so, then another jump of 80' would put it at 500 feet.  This seems rather high for a 380 foot building.  Hmm, maybe the building is going to be higher than expected?

^No, just guessing but I'd say it's probably a good 50' or more shorter than the Justice Center.

I think each one of those sections on the crane is 20 feet. I count 18 so that seems about right.

Is the crane now about the same height as the Justice Center (420 feet)? 

 

If so, then another jump of 80' would put it at 500 feet.  This seems rather high for a 380 foot building.  Hmm, maybe the building is going to be higher than expected?

 

Maybe they're finally going to take my advice and add 10 stories of condos on top of it! ;)

Is the crane now about the same height as the Justice Center (420 feet)? 

 

If so, then another jump of 80' would put it at 500 feet.  This seems rather high for a 380 foot building.  Hmm, maybe the building is going to be higher than expected?

 

Maybe they're finally going to take my advice and add 10 stories of condos on top of it! ;)

 

That would make "value engineering" a term of endearment.

Is the crane now about the same height as the Justice Center (420 feet)? 

 

If so, then another jump of 80' would put it at 500 feet.  This seems rather high for a 380 foot building.  Hmm, maybe the building is going to be higher than expected?

 

Possibly.  Read under DESIGN- "BIM coordination from Level 30 and below is substantially complete; and Levels 31 and above are progressing." 

 

http://www.cuyahogacounty.us/pdf_home/en-US/ConventionCenter/ProjectUpdates/Mar-Apr2015-HCDConstructionUpdate.pdf

From today.

^ Love that first pic! I'm so excited to see that view with the Justice Center completely blocked :)

Nice! I must've just missed you.

Took this view earlier this afternoon. They are starting the glass up the tower portion

 

I like the contrast in the color of the glass facade on the North and South sides of the tower part of the building.  The middle portion should have different shade of blue glass.  Maybe they will install it tomorrow, so we can get a better sense of how the different glass sections will fit together.

^ Love that first pic! I'm so excited to see that view with the Justice Center completely blocked :)

 

Now if we could just build three more similarly sized or larger buildings to the north, west, and south of the Justice Center, the world would be a better place....

From this evening

 

 

 

From where I was the tower glass seemed SUPER reflective... Might've just been the sun and reflection

Does anyone have confirmation that they will be adding more height to the building?

Does anyone have confirmation that they will be adding more height to the building?

 

They aren't.

I know this is probably a stupid question, but how does the crane operator get up into the control cab? I can't imagine the operator climbs all the way up. :wtf:

They sure do... http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/08/crane_operator_sways_high_abov.html

Not sure if this was posted elsewhere.

 

Cuyahoga County residents have a chance to be part of a crowdsourced art project at the under-construction Hilton Cleveland Downtown.

 

The $270 million, publicly funded hotel, scheduled to open in June 2016, is asking Cuyahoga County residents “to submit snapshots that will be used to create a unique art installation that will be on display at the new hotel when it officially opens,” according to a news release.

 

The snapshots should be taken in a place that is “authentically Cleveland,” the release stated. Photos can be uploaded here.

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20150521/NEWS/150529953/hilton-cleveland-asks-public-to-snap-photos-for-lobby-mosaic

 

H

From 5/21/15

Some crane spotting from over the weekend - the building itself won't be visible from these vantage points, though (Terminal Tower blocks the view in image 1, Key Tower in image 2)

 

 

Awesome shots MayDay.

 

Here's a little shot coming up 77. I think the building will have more of a impact when viewed from this angle. Sure does fill that gap!

How's this?

(hope you don't mind)

^ oops... Yes. I was standing on the highway lol

Construction progressing on @DowntownCLE 31-story Hilton Convention Ctr Hotel as seen from @GCRTA ClevelandStateLine.

 

Today from Voinovich Park.

 

 

This afternoon

The canopy has begun to be installed along the Lakeside Avenue facade!

Great photo's!  So are the elevator core towers about 22 stories up at this point? 

Steven Litt got a hard-hat tour

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2015/06/first_look_new_downtown_hilton.html

I believe in the article it says the cores are already up to floor 26

Photo #20 states "Where these workers carry construction materials will eventually be an outdoor patio for the Hilton Downtown Cleveland under construction, photographed on Friday, May 29, 2015.(Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)"

 

They appear to be on the roof of the podium.  Has the outdoor patio been mentioned before?

Photo #20 states "Where these workers carry construction materials will eventually be an outdoor patio for the Hilton Downtown Cleveland under construction, photographed on Friday, May 29, 2015.(Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)"

 

They appear to be on the roof of the podium.  Has the outdoor patio been mentioned before?

That photo is along West Mall Drive. It is slightly raised to the same level as The Global Center's highest base point.

Perspective from the Center Street Bridge.  This will fit nicely into the skyline.  Sorry for the huge size.