12 minutes ago, KJP said:

I friggin' hate getting scooped! Especially when I've been working on this article since Friday!!! Arrrgh! 😤

 

I'll publish it anyway, probably around noonish.

Good...I would sure like to know who the developer is as of course cannot access the article.

1 minute ago, Htsguy said:

Good...I would sure like to know who the developer is as of course cannot access the article.

 

We're usually first and always free. Today we're not first... 😢

3 hours ago, Clefan98 said:

It's proposed to be 7 stories containing 185 units

 

Mixed-use building 43 The Pearl coming to Ohio City area

 

The development coincides with other multi-use projects in the area, including the Waterford Bluffs, The Fairmount Creamery, Electric Gardens, Carriage Works, and The Abbey Avenue Apartments, which just got an approval from the City Planning Commission last Friday.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2021/12/06/mixed-use-builiding-pearl-ohio-city.html

Somebody should let Kevin Smith, apparently a star reporter, know that Abbey Avenue Apartments did not get approval from the PC last Friday.  In fact the approval they got was going backwards rather than forward.  They were seeking schematic approval and PC, feeling that the project needed a lot of work, that they was still much community engagement to complete and the project  would admittedly change a great deal in the future as a result only gave conceptual approval.

Edited December 7, 20213 yr by Htsguy

Could someone please show the location of 43 the Pearl on a map?  I cannot find where Columbus intersects Brevier, for some reason. 

11 minutes ago, gruver said:

Could someone please show the location of 43 the Pearl on a map?  I cannot find where Columbus intersects Brevier, for some reason. 

I believe it's the lot on the east side of Columbus that is vacant where Columbus meets West 25th. In this case I believe Brevier is a paper street. 

The driveway off Columbus at the north end of the site is technically Brevier.  Looks like the street doesn't exist anymore, but the ROW still does.

 

Latest project may extend West 25th’s density
By Ken Prendergast / December 7, 2021

 

A frantic pace of development continues in and near Cleveland’s Duck Island enclave, where Tremont meets Ohio City, especially along West 25th Street south of the Market District. The latest entry is Independence-based Realife Real Estate Group’s The Pearl, a seven-story apartment building over parking and a retail space.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2021/12/07/latest-project-may-extend-west-25ths-density/

Apologies for the artistic quality (I’m an engineer for a reason) but this intersection makes me irrationally angry. Good as time as ever to fix it.

Just now, Enginerd said:

Apologies for the artistic quality (I’m an engineer for a reason) but this intersection makes me irrationally angry. Good as time as ever to fix it.

 

 

Me too! Love to see some architectural concepts for this that can accommodate the vehicular access to the proposed development.

@KJP...any thoughts or opinions as to whether Realife has the ability and resources to pull something like this off?  Have they ever developed something from scratch this major?  Seems like they are more into acquisition. 

19 hours ago, Htsguy said:

@KJP...any thoughts or opinions as to whether Realife has the ability and resources to pull something like this off?  Have they ever developed something from scratch this major?  Seems like they are more into acquisition. 

 

It's the largest development for them so far. James Asimes and another Realife exec Tommy Hasson have joined forces to has pulled off smaller developments including Harbor 44 but under the name Local Development Partners, as noted at the end of the article. They  He appears to have the resources based on Asimes' comment that they don't intend to apply the windfall from the sale of 1350 West 3rd to this project.

 

I'm very interested to hear how this project will be received at the block club meeting tonight. This was considered a development site in the Duck Island Masterplan of 2014 -- which development-wise is a long time ago. So much has changed since then. Here's what it showed in terms of development here and a realignment of the intersection....

Edited December 8, 20213 yr by KJP
Asimes wanted me to note that, after Harbor 44, Hasson has had no involvement with Local Development Partners and that Hasson is not involved with Realife.

On 11/24/2021 at 5:57 PM, gg707 said:

Oh, I was thinking the one further south on Fulton (2222) also was rejected.   The one you are talking about at Woodbine still annoys me.  

I'm still confused, is the Horton Harper design on Fulton south of Lorain struck down? I own/live two houses from there and gave my approval to BoZA, my block club also echoed my comments. AFAIK it was approved unless a different forum struck it down later.

 

My block club doesn't seem quite as NIMBY as other areas of OC. I've always put up my support and things seem to get approved more easily here.

56 minutes ago, dastler said:

I'm still confused, is the Horton Harper design on Fulton south of Lorain struck down? I own/live two houses from there and gave my approval to BoZA, my block club also echoed my comments. AFAIK it was approved unless a different forum struck it down later.

 

My block club doesn't seem quite as NIMBY as other areas of OC. I've always put up my support and things seem to get approved more easily here.

No...the Horton and Harper project struck down by Landmarks was north of Lorain at Fulton and Woodbine.

4 hours ago, gruver said:

Could someone please show the location of 43 the Pearl on a map?  I cannot find where Columbus intersects Brevier, for some reason. 

 

Not sure why Google de-mapped it. You can still see its right-of-way on google maps---a bunch of properties face it.  Here is the map from Mapquest that still shows it:

 

 

As a fan of city density as well as TOD this project is a welcome addition to ongoing development in the area. I know NIMBY'S in Little Italy have had success in blocking or scaling down projects and l'm concerned the very thing l like about it (scale) may be its downfall if local neighborhood activists think it's too large. 

 

Fingers crossed they see the project as an asset to the community and not a liability.

I think they may be trying to "bribe" the possible neighborhood NIMBYS with a fair amount of retail, something Duck Island residents seem to crave.  Also will have to see if the step down of the building as it approaches the houses works to calm fears.

34 minutes ago, Htsguy said:

I think they may be trying to "bribe" the possible neighborhood NIMBYS with a fair amount of retail, something Duck Island residents seem to crave.  Also will have to see if the step down of the building as it approaches the houses works to calm fears.

 

The retail is there because of the urban frontage overlay on Columbus Road.

I like the scale of it. I was worried when I first saw who the developer is, but I'm glad to see Realife has some people involved now who have new construction experience. I'm less worried about their ability to find financing. Yaron Kandelker is from Israel, and there seems to be an endless supply of money coming from there just itching to be invested in US real estate.

6 hours ago, cadmen said:

As a fan of city density as well as TOD this project is a welcome addition to ongoing development in the area. I know NIMBY'S in Little Italy have had success in blocking or scaling down projects and l'm concerned the very thing l like about it (scale) may be its downfall if local neighborhood activists think it's too large. 

 

Fingers crossed they see the project as an asset to the community and not a liability.

Would be especially frustrating in this case because A) the proposed building fronts very few other residential properties and B) it seems as if at least 3/4 of the housing in Duck Island has been built (or redeveloped) in the last 10 years.  

I don't think we give the Stoneleigh development enough love around here, although its progress does seem to be pretty slow. Work is just now causing the wing nearest to Lorain Avenue to rise. It's a huge development that covers a lot of ground and will activate Lorain Avenue east of the Red Line station.

 

BTW note the fence at right. Those houses will be demolished for the Smith Court townhomes. 

 

 

Edited December 8, 20213 yr by KJP
Added Smith Court info

10 hours ago, KJP said:

 

Latest project may extend West 25th’s density
By Ken Prendergast / December 7, 2021

 

A frantic pace of development continues in and near Cleveland’s Duck Island enclave, where Tremont meets Ohio City, especially along West 25th Street south of the Market District. The latest entry is Independence-based Realife Real Estate Group’s The Pearl, a seven-story apartment building over parking and a retail space.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2021/12/07/latest-project-may-extend-west-25ths-density/

 

Article updated with some brief info on how the project was received tonight by the block club.

Although downtown development took a small hiatus during the pandemic, it seems as if OHC, Tremont, and GS really accelerated. The amount of construction on the near-west side rivals many areas I travel to in supposedly "booming" Texas

7 minutes ago, YO to the CLE said:

Although downtown development took a small hiatus during the pandemic, it seems as if OHC, Tremont, and GS really accelerated. The amount of construction on the near-west side rivals many areas I travel to in supposedly "booming" Texas

 

I think those three neighborhoods can assuage any pandemic induced fears of "WTH AM I GOING TO DO DOWNTOWN NOW!?" and provide some space for outdoor activity, patios, parks, etc. without a long commute, preserving quick access to downtown, and giving 2-3 walkable commercial districts within a 1 - 1.5 mile walk. 

 

I think what we're seeing is a shift in mindset as much as anything. I moved to Ohio City in 2017 and saw families in the neighborhood on occasion, now there are kids everywhere. Development seems to exponentially spur more development in these neighborhoods. 

On 12/7/2021 at 2:06 PM, Htsguy said:

@KJP...any thoughts or opinions as to whether Realife has the ability and resources to pull something like this off?  Have they ever developed something from scratch this major?  Seems like they are more into acquisition. 

Long time lurker, first time poster (since maybe 2011). Hope to be back and more active here.

 

I know this was directed at KJP, but I'll put my two cents in.  Realife does indeed have deep pockets and I believe well heeled investors.  Between James' experience at harbor 44, and the rest of their teams' experience redeveloping historic properties, I think they should be able to pull this off.

 

I think it's a wonderful site and a pretty dramatic one. It's going to spruce up that intersection and really help with the walkability on that stretch of 25th I think. 

15 minutes ago, babysfirstxmas said:

Long time lurker, first time poster (since maybe 2011).

 

That's some serious discipline!

 

Asimes is a serious, down-to-business guy. And if it wasn't for me bothering him all the time, his name wouldn't be out in the public much. I think he would prefer to stay incognito and just build stuff. Problem is, if you do interesting stuff, the media and the public will want to know about you and what you're doing.

28 minutes ago, babysfirstxmas said:

Long time lurker, first time poster (since maybe 2011). Hope to be back and more active here.

 

 

 

.... so that baby referenced in your handle is on his/her 10th or 11th Christmas

5 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

.... so that baby referenced in your handle is on his/her 10th or 11th Christmas

Could be a Waiting for Godot situation.

16 minutes ago, YABO713 said:

 

.... so that baby referenced in your handle is on his/her 10th or 11th Christmas

ha yes! I think I made an original account in 2011. I'm not sure if I used this handle or not, but I had to recreate an account recently. The handle has been with me for a long time though in other places, so the baby is definitely 10 or so. 

I'm happy to hear the residents were generally accepting of The Pearl. That property certainly makes sense for adding density, and the materials palette / design inspiration is pretty awesome. I'm also glad we're trending towards developments with fewer parking spaces than units.

 

It will be interesting to see when plans for the TOD development across the street from there come out. I can't help but wonder why RTA chose this property for its first TOD. Its a pretty tiny sliver of land that sits at significant grade on a park/greenway that was just finished. Nearly every other neighboring station is literally surrounded by a parking lot; you'd think that would be lower hanging fruit, but I guess the rents are there yet maybe.

^ Location location...

2 hours ago, daplemmo said:

and the materials palette / design inspiration is pretty awesome.

Where did you see the materials and inspirations for this project? I'm curious to see more specifically what they're planning.

12 minutes ago, tykaps said:

Where did you see the materials and inspirations for this project? I'm curious to see more specifically what they're planning.

It was in the presentation given at the meeting. They gave a few different precedents and pretty much all of them would be a welcome sight.

Edited December 9, 20213 yr by daplemmo

FYI, here's The Pearl presentation given at the block club meeting....

 

http://freepdfhosting.com/30981e81b7.pdf

Wow, love it! Build about 50 more of them all over Cleveland.

Waterford Bluffs from from Hart Crane and the Greenway (12-14-21)

 

 

Second pic is from the CPC January 7 agenda.  The first needs no introduction.  I see Geis has managed to come back with a design in homage of downtown's ugliest new building. They certainly have a knack for making something brand new look both cheap and dated. 

Edited January 10, 20223 yr by gruver

Is that the new rendering?  It doesn't look like they added that much new retail space despite the the demands of the neighborhood.  I know it didn't go forward on Jan. 7-I think it was because they are still engaging the community.  And yes it is still ugly and classic cheap Geis.  All the neighborhood engagement in the world is not going to change this pile of crap.  They need to start from scratch with a real architect.

Yeah.  That's the new one!

46 minutes ago, gruver said:

Second pic is from the CPC January 7 agenda.  The first needs no introduction.  I see Geis has managed to come back with a design in homage of downtown's ugliest new building. They certainly have a knack for making something brand new look both cheap and dated. 

 

I don't understand why every bland architect feels the need to supplement brick with weird metal paneling. This would look 200% better if basically the whole facade were just brick.

 

E.g. This:

 

My guess is that it's cheaper.  

Does the new rendering look like the Quarter Phase 1 with some different colors to anyone else? 

29 minutes ago, Jukeboxer said:

Does the new rendering look like the Quarter Phase 1 with some different colors to anyone else? 

Yes it does, and I like it.  I think it's a big improvement over the last iteration.  The latest design seems at least seems on par with the Quarter, Waterford Bluffs, or any number of 4-5 story buildings being built right now.  Is it going to win any design awards?  Absolutely not.  I don't get the harsh criticisms on this one.

1 hour ago, OldEnough said:

My guess is that it's cheaper.  

Metal panel is definitely not cheaper than brick. 

On 1/10/2022 at 6:05 PM, Klingaling87 said:

Metal panel is definitely not cheaper than brick. 

 

Installed or just the cost of materials?

55 minutes ago, grayfields said:

 

Installed or just the cost of materials?

Both. Generally, brick veneer is around $20/SF-$30/SF and metal panel is $45/SF+. That’s just the veneer and not the stud backup, insulation or AVB. Especially with the volatility in aluminum products right now… metal panels are skyrocketing. 

After hearing a few Duck Island residents complain about parking, PC member August Fluker said "Come on over to the East Side!" 

Councilman Charles Slife said "Parking problems are a good problem to have. They're the kinds of problems that real cities have and that get people to ride transit. No one has a right to the parking space in front of their home. It's a public right of way."

 

With that, the Planning Commission unanimously approved schematic design for this project with the understanding that BZA will be asked to approve an exit onto West 20th (Urban Form Overlay zoning doesn't allow for a parking lot to exit onto a main street) to alleviate traffic on Smith Court.

 

Revised designs for Abbey Apartments & Townhomes....

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, KJP said:

After hearing a few Duck Island residents complain about parking, PC member August Fluker said "Come on over to the East Side!" 

Councilman Charles Slife said "Parking problems are a good problem to have. They're the kinds of problems that real cities have and that get people to ride transit. No one has a right to the parking space in front of their home. It's a public right of way."

 

This is SO refreshing to hear. Wow.

Ken you beat me to it.  I was going to post something about the NIMBY parking hysteria by a couple of Duck Island residents and the great responses by Slife and Fluker.  Even though the developers meet all the requirements of the urban overlay in terms of parking, there was still the moaning and some clever misrepresentations about current and future developments.  Kuri and the city staffer Matt Moss were diplomatic in their responses indicating this should be part of a larger conversation (with Moss still arguing walkabilty and listing all the city is trying to do in this particular area to make it more transit friendly) but Slife and Fluker basically told he Duck Island crew to go jump in a lake.  I seem to recall one of them saying that Cleveland had to grow up in regards to parking and that other big cities have learned to deal with less parking and are going in that direction.