I have a co-worker relocating to Cleveland from Madison, WI. He is currently looking for an apartment and likes the Lake West building in Edgewater. 10507 Lake Avenue, Cleveland 44102. Any thoughts on the building? Also I've hear rumblings that the Edgewater neighborhood has seen an uptick in crime recently. Is there any truth behind that?

I lived in the building about ten years ago, in a smaller one bedroom. As an older building, the units are on the smaller side; I wouldn't recommend the studio units - small even by studio standards. Otherwise decent layouts and some units have interesting architectural features. One complaint would be the noise (footsteps on hardwood) between floors - if they can get a 4th floor unit, it wouldn't be an issue. Not sure if management or ownership has changed - when I was there, no complaints about management/maintenance. Hope that helps.

I know the area well as I take walks around here especially when the weather is above freezing. Crime ebbs and flows in the Edgewater/Gold Coast area, and it's usually a rash of property damage, car break-ins, etc. Then it goes away for a couple of years. We just had a spike in car break-ins during the autumn but either they caught the guys, they moved on to a new area or the weather has cooled the activity.

 

I don't know anything specific about the building but the most recent reviews seem pretty positive. And the number of reviews aren't that many, which is good. People usually only write reviews when they're angry.

 

Probably the biggest downside is that the parking garage has VERY tight parking spaces. Someone posted a picture of the parking in one of the reviews. You can always park on the street, but that comes with its own risks -- the biggest of which is they are tough to get. There are no residential permits in this neighborhood. It's first-come, first-served.

 

There's several cool restaurants and cafes within walking distance in the neighborhood, and Constantino's market is close by to get basic stuff in smaller quantities. Of course, their prepared foods are very good! So it's a good spot to grab some dinner to heat up when you get home. And of course you're only one block from Edgewater Park! Don't know where he will be working, but the new Cleveland State Line (GCRTA #55 route) to downtown is a fast run on ultra-modern bendy-buses.

 

One bit of trivia is Eliot Ness lived in this neighborhood (one block east, in the building at the corner of Lake and West Boulevard) after he left Chicago and became Cleveland's Safety Director. If the name Eliot Ness doesn't immediately ring a bell, Google his name. This neighborhood has been a favorite of many other Cleveland city officials, judges and other politicians along with business people over the decades, and many still prefer this neighborhood.

This is very helpful...thanks guys!

Lived there for four years, 2000-04.

 

Pros:

 

Building is solid

Warm enough I could open windows in the winter

Walk to Edgewater Park

The fixtures are quality, vintage

Mgmt seemed friendly to deal with

Indoor parking if you can afford the extra charge

Walk to retail district on Clifton, which should be improving

 

Cons:

 

Elevator is suitable for a haunted house

Usually late getting the heat going, allegedly boiler issues every year

Amateur job refinishing hardwood floors caused flakes of polyurethane to get everywhere

Oversleeping and having cars towed  ** I believe street parking allowance has now been extended

In shower you're in constant danger of being boiled alive by scalding water if a neighbor flushes toilet

Occasional old lady smells in common areas

Laundry facility was substandard, crypt-like

Oversleeping and having cars towed  ** I believe street parking allowance has now been extended

 

Since they restriped Lake Avenue into a two-lane road with on-street parking on the south side, there are no time restrictions on parking.

I would add that the building's Edgewater neighborhood is perhaps the most beautiful residential district inside Cleveland with the pretty old homes and apartment buildings with the lake blocks away.  I believe it's the wealthiest district in terms of avg income as well.

I would add that the building's Edgewater neighborhood is perhaps the most beautiful residential district inside Cleveland with the pretty old homes and apartment buildings with the lake blocks away.  I believe it's the wealthiest district in terms of avg income as well.

 

That certainly was true, but I'll bet downtown is higher nowadays. And University Circle/Little Italy as well as Kamms Corners are probably close behind.