5 hours ago, KJP said:

Thought you all might appreciate some of the renderings for the proposed apartments at Erieview Tower....

 

https://www.dimitarchitects.com/erieview-tower-residential-conversion/

So bizarre they don't show even one shot of the Lake! 

2 hours ago, WhatUp said:

That's It  Thank you

 

 

On 2/23/2019 at 11:52 PM, WhatUp said:

http://www.eberhardarchitects.com/view_project?project_id=61

 

When I  look at some of the very tall new (and Supertall) residential buildings popping up in  NY and Chicago, it makes me wonder, “Could Cleveland support one true skyscraping residential tower?”  (Meaning more than 500’ high) With the recent success of many conversions and the impressive success of One University Circle, the Beacon and, I’m certain,  The Lumen, I think a new  true skyline- changing residential tower is more possible than ever before. ( And I mean that, in addition to a possible Lumen 2).  The  renderings  shared by “Whatup” last year, depicting an addition atop Erieview are supercool. It would provide a game changing status to the sometimes under appreciated  tower. I have no idea how prohibitive such construction costs would be and if they would be deal-breaking.  But it’s great just to see the renderings for residential conversion of the current upper floors.  It’s a sleek, polished look and those views will obviously be sensational.  With the kind of roll Cleveland has been on, I’d actually be surprised if that conversion doesn’t happen. 

Edited January 22, 20205 yr by CleveFan

I'd be amazed if they could pull off the residential conversion, let alone add floors to the top of Erieview. Parking lot owners seldom succeed as real estate developers.

27 minutes ago, KJP said:

I'd be amazed if they could pull off the residential conversion, let alone add floors to the top of Erieview. Parking lot owners seldom succeed as real estate developers.

 

Especially this particular parking lot owner. 

On 2/23/2019 at 11:52 PM, WhatUp said:

http://www.eberhardarchitects.com/view_project?project_id=61

 

This look s pretty old to me, but it wasn't posted here yet.

Wouldn't it be fun if this company came in and added the potential 5 new floors to the building? I never would have thought of it, but they said it could be done.

Does anyone know if Kassouf might still renovate some of the building to residential since the office market is changing? maybe he needs those new floors!?

 

I love the idea of adding 5 residential floors, adding 60-75 ft in height, which would take Erieview from the 9th tallest in the state (at 529 ft) to the 6th tallest, beating out the Carew in Cincinnati at 574ft. Of course I also realize it isn’t going to happen and I shouldn’t get my hopes up; it’s just fun to imagine. 

 

(in that vein, 200 Public Square would only need a way to add 3 ft in height to become the third tallest in the state.) 

The 5 floor adder rendering from that link. Sorry I couldn’t get better resolution. 

 

If residential conversion is needed to put good use to Erieview, it reminds me how much of a colossal failure urban renewal was. What a dark time the mid to late 20th century was for Cleveland.

How old is that rendering? And also if they're doing these residential conversions is it still possible it could happen?

On 1/21/2020 at 1:22 PM, Htsguy said:

Terminal Tower apartments are all on lower floors.  I think the 14th floor is the highest.

For some reason I thought it was the opposite my mistake ?

 

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2020

Seeds & Sprouts VI - Early intel on real estate projects

 

Erieview Tower conversion may be getting close

According to a high-level executive at Dollar Bank which has its headquarters in the Galleria at Erieview, work is about to start on the renovation and conversion of the 40-story office tower into residences and possibly a hotel. The bank executive said his firm was notified by Kassouf Company, lead partner of a group that recently bought the property.

However, no building permits have been filed with the city to confirm this development. A message left for James Kassouf through his Web site was not returned prior to publication of this article.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2020/04/seeds-sprouts-vi-early-intel-on-real.html

And maybe a restaurant on top?

2 minutes ago, skiwest said:

And maybe a restaurant on top?

 

Haven't heard.

This is an exciting opportunity and big challenge  with the potential of being the cornerstone of a great neighborhood in the 9/12 district.   If this conversion is really happening, it will be the rebirth  of a 55 year old vision never fully realized.  One things for sure-the  views, particularly from higher floors of the tower, would be unbeatable. I’d love to see the return of a restaurant on the top floor. 

17 hours ago, skiwest said:

And maybe a restaurant on top?

Wasn't Stouffers Top of the Town located there?

Did they get rid of all of their restaurants; John Qs, Pier W, Top of the Town?

Edited April 27, 20205 yr by Frmr CLEder

2 hours ago, Frmr CLEder said:

Wasn't Stouffers Top of the Town located there?

Did they get rid of all of their restaurants; John Qs, Pier W, Top of the Town?

Yes, it was.  When Nestle acquired Stouffers, they sold off the restaurants and hotels and just kept the frozen food division.  Here is more info.

 

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/07/23/Nestle-selling-Stouffer-Restaurant-division/6731648705600/

 

It's unfortunate Nestle established their USA HQ in California (later moved to Virginia) instead of Solon.  

 

Edited April 27, 20205 yr by skiwest

“The current plan calls for 14 floors to be converted to residential from office use. That adds another 88 units of housing in the proposed project, for a total of more than 300 suites. The move slices the amount of office space in the 800,000-square-foot tower another 10%, further reducing the amount of empty space in the building.“

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/mid-century-tower-seeks-preservation-aid?utm_source=afternoon-report&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200515&utm_content=article1-headline

52 minutes ago, urbanetics_ said:

“The current plan calls for 14 floors to be converted to residential from office use. That adds another 88 units of housing in the proposed project, for a total of more than 300 suites. The move slices the amount of office space in the 800,000-square-foot tower another 10%, further reducing the amount of empty space in the building.“

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/mid-century-tower-seeks-preservation-aid?utm_source=afternoon-report&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200515&utm_content=article1-headline

I suppose this project earning potentially earning the Historic Preservation Tax Credit eliminates the possibility of that sweet five story addition on top. Sad face. ☹️

 

On 1/21/2020 at 10:52 PM, Boomerang_Brian said:

The 5 floor adder rendering from that link. Sorry I couldn’t get better resolution. 

 

 

Ha, yeah, what a shame.

New downtown Cleveland historic district could make projects more viable in vacancy-plagued Erieview

 

On June 19, during a virtual meeting, the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board recommended that the Erieview Historic District be added to the National Register of Historic Places. If the National Park Service signs off, the district is likely to gain its formal berth on the register in September or October.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/new-downtown-cleveland-historic-district-could-make-projects-more-viable-vacancy

It’s rather ironic that this neighborhood is trying to be designated as a historic district when in reality it replaced an actual historic neighborhood, but I’m all for it if this is its chance for new life.

 

This area of downtown desperately needs enhanced, activated and built up more, so I’m

hopeful that this could help it do exactly that in the coming decade. Like Michael Deemer was quoted as saying, this area poses the biggest challenges but also biggest opportunities in downtown.

While the current Erieview replaced a historic district, it is still a historic district - just from a different time of our history. I love modernist architecture, probably more than any other period, and it should be preserved for future generations just like earlier styles. While not the most aesthetically pleasing to most people right now, I think we have made a mistake in general by removing so much Brutalism. I'm glad Ameritrust/The 9 was saved after coming so close to being lost. This is a good move to recognize it and protect this style early so we can avoid making the same mistakes of the past.

I get spot-designating historic buildings like Erieview that are good examples of architecture of their time, but designating the entire area as historic makes no sense. You create historic districts when you want to preserve the context of the neighborhood. In this case the context is largely deadspace from parking garages and grass plazas.

 

The type of construction we want to see is contrary to virtually everything in this neighborhood. Does new construction have to continue the mid-century office building aesthetic and siting?

It provides greater access to public sector capital. 

8 minutes ago, KJP said:

It provides greater access to public sector capital. 

 

Right. I completely get that. Maybe we need a different mechanism for providing subsidy (if necessary) for the type of development we want to see. Calling the district historic just to make public money available is disingenuous.

 

It also dilutes the importance of real historic districts that have a much higher percentage of contributing buildings.

On 7/5/2020 at 1:11 PM, urbanetics_ said:

This area of downtown desperately needs enhanced, activated and built up more, so I’m hopeful that this could help it do exactly that in the coming decade.  

 

Isn't that what Galleria was supposed to accomplish?

7 minutes ago, skiwest said:

 

Isn't that what Galleria was supposed to accomplish?

Yes it was. But merchants and restaurants can't survive on only having customers 3 hours a day Monday -Friday (No holidays). The area needs more residential density just like other parts of the city to be viable. 

4 minutes ago, Growth Mindset said:

Yes it was. But merchants and restaurants can't survive on only having customers 3 hours a day Monday -Friday (No holidays). The area needs more residential density just like other parts of the city to be viable. 

 

Hence the need for more capital to facilitate conversions of office buildings into more residential. In addition to Kassouf's Erieview Tower partial conversion, you also have Alto Partners trying to convert some of the lower-level office buildings to residential. Then you have Somera Road who bought the Ohio Bell/Ameritech Building but can't find any office tenants willing to occupy it. That building has an amazing view of the lake from multiple potiential housing units along its curved facade. Unfortunately, he building isn't 50+ years old to be called historic. But being in an historic district might help it lure some tax credits.

Wasn't IM Pei a master architect on the Erieview project? That, in and of itself should qualify it as an historic district.

The Ohio Bell building has been one of my favorite more recent additions to the CBD. In particular, I love the way it and North Coast Tower, step down in height from the other towers, as you approach the Shoreway. They provide an interesting visual contrast as you look up the bluff.

Edited July 9, 20204 yr by Frmr CLEder

i am happily surprized to see that addition render looks good. won't happen, but at least its heartening to see they did not muck it up when thinking about it.

21 hours ago, Frmr CLEder said:

Wasn't IM Pei a master architect on the Erieview project? That, in and of itself should qualify it as an historic district.

The Ohio Bell building has been one of my favorite more recent additions to the CBD.

Yes, he was.

I agree.  So many boxy buildings went up in the 60s and 70s along E 9th and E 12th - Erieview, Federal Building, Bond Court,  Diamond Shamrock, etc.  It was refreshing to see someone finally thinking "outside the box".

I daresay the new concept seems awkward and ungainly.

It reminds me of a weird passing stage at another beautiful though younger model who lives just up the street.

 

Stay classy as you get older Erieview and rock your still-great lines with integrity.

Those fakey looking updates are nothing more than an ill-advised silicone job. Stay true to what you are; graceful & timeless.

 

Sing it now Barry! ...

 

Edited July 8, 20204 yr by ExPatClevGuy

1 hour ago, mrnyc said:

i am happily surprized to see that addition render looks good. won't happen, but at least its heartening to see they did not muck it up when thinking about it.

 

23 minutes ago, ExPatClevGuy said:

I daresay the new concept seems awkward and ungainly.

It reminds me of a weird passing stage at another beautiful though younger model who lives just up the street.

 

Stay classy as you get older Erieview and rock your still-great lines with integrity.

Those fakey looking updates are nothing more than an ill-advised silicone job. Stay true to what you are; graceful & timeless.

Just to clarify - the rendering I posted was from several years ago and has nothing to do with Kassouf’s Erieview renovation plan or the Erieview Historic District application. I love the idea of making it taller, but it would not be an option if either historic designation is approved. (At least, that’s my understanding.)

Just wondering what is the reason for making it taller?  Isn't it mostly vacant now?

8 minutes ago, skiwest said:

Just wondering what is the reason for making it taller?  Isn't it mostly vacant now?

Because I like tall buildings. 
 

30 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Because I like tall buildings. 
 

Valid reasoning. Works for me.

Does anyone remember a proposal with a rendering from around the time the Galleria was added showing a greener cladding on the tower with a peaked rooftop added?

2 hours ago, JohnSummit said:

Does anyone remember a proposal with a rendering from around the time the Galleria was added showing a greener cladding on the tower with a peaked rooftop added?

 

Sounds like one of MayDay's April Fools renderings! 

I would love to see a lighter, brighter cladding to give it a more Lumen-like appearance.

Edited July 10, 20204 yr by skiwest

On 7/8/2020 at 2:05 PM, ExPatClevGuy said:

I daresay the new concept seems awkward and ungainly.

It reminds me of a weird passing stage at another beautiful though younger model who lives just up the street.

 

Stay classy as you get older Erieview and rock your still-great lines with integrity.

Those fakey looking updates are nothing more than an ill-advised silicone job. Stay true to what you are; graceful & timeless.

 

Sing it now Barry! ...

 

 

 

that’s funny you posted a video of barry white because he got his start as the piano player and singer in a downtown lorain bar:

 

https://www.morningjournal.com/news/michael-jackson-danced-here-city-hosted-visits-shows-by-jacksons-other-pop-r-b-superstars/article_b8f56afd-db86-51fe-a0d5-10a5d36cab06.amp.html

On 7/8/2020 at 9:25 PM, surfohio said:

 

Sounds like one of MayDay's April Fools renderings! 

 

You rang? ? From 2008:

 

 

Oh man I remember this! I had just moved here ? my first April fools prank. 

Hate to say it, but it turns out Kasouff doesn't have any money to make this happen. Like most of his endeavors, it's all talk.

@KJP (or any well-informed UO folks) do you see any realistic possible  scenario whereby Erieview gets new life with residential conversions? 

56 minutes ago, KJP said:

Hate to say it, but it turns out Kasouff doesn't have any money to make this happen. Like most of his endeavors, it's all talk.

Shocking!

4 minutes ago, CleveFan said:

@KJP (or any well-informed UO folks) do you see any realistic possible  scenario whereby Erieview gets new life with residential conversions? 

 

Sure, if Kassouf sells the building or he takes on a very tolerant partner.

Tower at Erieview lands state historic tax credits for housing, hotel redo

 

Redevelopment plans for the Tower at Erieview, a half-empty 40-story office building in downtown Cleveland, gained traction this week with a $5 million state tax credit award.

 

The 1960s tower was the largest winner in a fierce statewide contest for $31.2 million in historic tax credits awarded Wednesday, Aug. 5, by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The credits, announced twice a year, don't actually flow to a project until construction is complete.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/tower-erieview-lands-state-historic-tax-credits-housing-hotel-redo

This is great news except for the fact that the owner has a history of talking a lot and accomplishing little.

1 minute ago, Htsguy said:

This is great news except for the fact that the owner has a history of talking a lot and accomplishing little.

 

Likely outcome is that the tax credit will get rolled into the selling price, and they will pocket much of the value.

 

The Erieview building is deserving, IMO, but I'd rather the credit go to the future CrossCountry mortgage site (which lost out this period) because they'd be more likely to use the credit in the short term.

Good News here. Not good news for Cross Country Mortgage building & Baker Building