September 9, 20204 yr On 9/1/2020 at 5:13 PM, ColDayMan said: Geis Cos. to redevelop historic Rockefeller Building in downtown Cleveland Geis Development Co. is planning to give new life to the historic Rockefeller Building in downtown Cleveland as a mixed-use apartment building. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2020/09/01/geis-cos-to-redevelop-rockefeller-building.html What, if any news, was “new” in this Cleveland Business Journal article - compared to the NEOtrans article from July? You have to have a paid subscription to CBJ in order to access the Sept 2nd article. I’m excited about this project. It will be extremely gratifying to see Cleveland’s first skyscraper restored to greatness. When you think about the impact of other recent renovations, such as The May, this is just awesome.
December 21, 20204 yr Sounds like the conversation is serious enough for a firm to move offices. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/columbus-firm-dlz-group-makes-midtown-buy “Our current building is being converted to (apartments,) so we had to move at some point," Rajadhyaksha said. "We liked the character and location of the building, and it's close to one of our major customers, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. It was important to us to stay in the city limits, and this building also has its own parking.” DLZ is in the Rockefeller Building, 614 W. Superior Ave., which was acquired in August by an Akron investor group for conversion to residential from office use.
April 21, 20214 yr Author On the agenda for tomorrow. I hope the garage demo gets approved but I doubt it will. 2. Case 21-028: Warehouse Historic District Rockefeller Building 614 West Superior Avenue Renovation Ward 3: McCormack Project Representatives: Brandon Kline, Bob Fridrich, Mitch Blakkolb, Bill Bonazza, Jen Diasio (Geis Companies), Heather Rudge, HP Group 3. Case 21-029: Warehouse Historic District Rockefeller Building Garage 621 Frankfort Avenue aka 614 West Superior Avenue Demolition Ward 3: McCormack Project Representatives: Brandon Kline, Bob Fridrich, Mitch Blakkolb, Bill Bonazza, Jen Diasio (Geis Companies), Heather Rudge, HP Group "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 21, 20214 yr Author My bad -- I forgot there's a Rockefeller Building thread..... 8 minutes ago, mrclifton88 said: @KJP Is the motivation for the demolition building on the surface lot? The main motivation is that the building is decayed beyond repair. It is an eyesore and a renovated Rockefeller Building needs the parking. Ironically, the old parking garage is not suitable as a parking garage. The gradient and curvature of ramps cause scraping of car undercarriages, the number of leaks in the building cause rusty water to drip on cars, the load-bearing members are corroded from the salty water dripping off cars. The prior building owner did not maintain the property for many years and the building cannot be saved. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 21, 20214 yr The fact that we have parking garages in Cleveland that are considered historic structures says a lot about how incredibly car focused development has been for the past 100 years.... Hopefully the SW headquarters doesn't run into issues to preserve the historic warehouse district surface parking lots! Cleveland landmark!
April 21, 20214 yr I don't care if they demo the old garage, but I hope they have bigger plans than more surface parking. The Rockefeller building is surrounded by parking owned by Geis already.
April 21, 20214 yr Author They have bigger hopes but not bigger plans as of yet. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 21, 20214 yr 1 minute ago, gg707 said: The fact that we have parking garages in Cleveland that are considered historic structures says a lot about how incredibly car focused development has been for the past 100 years.... Hopefully the SW headquarters doesn't run into issues to preserve the historic warehouse district surface parking lots! Cleveland landmark! I'm wary of any demolition plans in the Warehouse District now because owners will be looking for reasons to create more parking for Sherwin Williams employees.
April 21, 20214 yr ^Definitely my instinctual concern too, given the city's history, though I reckon there aren't a lot of good demo candidates left in the WHD these days. In the same vein, it will be interesting to see what happens to parking rates for the nearby surface lots that SW doesn't control as a sign whether it will be that much harder to redevelop them after the HQ opens.
April 21, 20214 yr 12 minutes ago, KJP said: They have bigger hopes but not bigger plans as of yet. I thought you cannot demo downtown unless you have some sort of concrete development plan in place. Or is it you can demo but cannot use the lot for surface parking in the short term without concrete plans.
April 21, 20214 yr 19 minutes ago, gg707 said: The fact that we have parking garages in Cleveland that are considered historic structures says a lot about how incredibly car focused development has been for the past 100 years.... Hopefully the SW headquarters doesn't run into issues to preserve the historic warehouse district surface parking lots! Cleveland landmark! Oh that's funny!
April 21, 20214 yr Author 2 minutes ago, Htsguy said: I thought you cannot demo downtown unless you have some sort of concrete development plan in place. Or is it you can demo but cannot use the lot for surface parking in the short term without concrete plans. You can demo if you promise to submit a development plan to the city by XYZ date. Geis was able to get a demo permit in 2015 for the NY Spaghetti House on East 9th with the promise they would submit a development plan for that property within five years. I'm not aware if an extension was submitted to the city. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 21, 20214 yr 4 minutes ago, KJP said: You can demo if you promise to submit a development plan to the city by XYZ date. Geis was able to get a demo permit in 2015 for the NY Spaghetti House on East 9th with the promise they would submit a development plan for that property within five years. I'm not aware if an extension was submitted to the city. Just absurd. We really need to tax surface lots way more.
April 21, 20214 yr Author 12 minutes ago, KFM44107 said: Just absurd. We really need to tax surface lots way more. At the risk of taking this subject of topic, note that the State of Ohio has capped municipal parking tax rates at 8 percent which is where Cleveland's is. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-715.09 To discuss parking issues further, see: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr From the April 22, Cleveland Landmarks Commission Meeting: Demolition of Rockefeller Building Garage 621 Frankfort Avenue aka 614 West Superior Avenue - Passed Unanimously Renovation of Rockefeller Building 614 West Superior Avenue - Passed Unanimously Geis will come back with additional details about the landscaping surrounding the parking lots.
April 22, 20214 yr Check out the full agenda. There is a lot more info and some nice renders of the building with uplighting. Sounds like a great project- just hope one day it won't be an island in a surface lot. https://planning.clevelandohio.gov/landmark/agenda/2021/PDF/Landmarks-04-22-2021.pdf
April 22, 20214 yr With the workforce housing at Centennial and the micro units with Rockefeller and City Club we are talking about over 1000 units available to people who may not have been able to afford it previously. Great to see!
April 22, 20214 yr Author THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 Rockefeller garage demolition opens door for major development Shortly before Cleveland Landmarks Commission approved the renovation of the neglected 116-year-old Rockefeller Building, it unanimously allowed the demolition of the century-old garage behind it. The potentially dynamic combination of those two actions received only a brief mention during today's commission hearing. The result was that the Landmarks Commission just created a highly marketable and major development site. MORE: https://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2021/04/rockefeller-garage-demolition-opens.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr I like your optimism @KJP. You need to sprinkle this old pessimist with some of that fairy dust.
April 22, 20214 yr Author Hope = life "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr Its incredible to see that even with Sherwin Williams hopefully wiping out three entire blocks of surface parking, that so much still remains in the WHD. It really is shocking how much was lost there. Hopefully the momentum continues to plug in all of these holes both large and small.
April 22, 20214 yr Author 4 minutes ago, KJP said: Hope = life Let me be a little bit more specific and say that I am familiar with what this partnership has nibbling on its fishhooks. I look forward to being able to share more when the time is right. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr Great to see these old and often great buildings in CLE being repurposed - knowing that the Rockefeller will be filled with new people and energy in the near future is a great feeling. Those big windows offer a great start for a reimagining of the building. Exciting news about the new large parcel that will be available by the demo of the garage - @KJPcould the city have the new Justice Center Tower in mind for that spot?
April 22, 20214 yr Author 27 minutes ago, CleveFan said: Exciting news about the new large parcel that will be available by the demo of the garage - @KJPcould the city have the new Justice Center Tower in mind for that spot? No, but some variations of what was/is proposed there would be nearly as large. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr Do you think the land around the Rockefeller (in shaded red on your picture) would be 'sold' to another developer or developed by the current partners?
April 22, 20214 yr Author 12 minutes ago, Go CLE said: Do you think the land around the Rockefeller (in shaded red on your picture) would be 'sold' to another developer or developed by the current partners? Both scenarios have been considered. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr 1 hour ago, KJP said: Hope = life Could this be a hint that the Realife high-rise is back in play?....
April 22, 20214 yr Rockefeller Building developers aim to start construction this summer Michelle Jarboe - Crain's Cleveland Business - Apr. 22, 2021 "... But consultants working on the project said he and Wolfe aim to close on financing this summer, with hopes of completing renovations by mid-2023. ... Terrano said the project will involve federal historic tax credits, equal to 20% of qualified spending. But in a notable departure from the path that other owners of historic buildings have trod over the last 15 years, the development team isn't seeking state tax credits. ... They're talking to out-of-town lenders, raising additional equity and exploring funding sources including federal New Markets Tax Credits, financing tied to energy-efficiency upgrades and a Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority program that offers a sales-tax exemption on construction materials."
April 22, 20214 yr Author 1 hour ago, cfdwarrior said: Could this be a hint that the Realife high-rise is back in play?.... Nyet "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 22, 20214 yr 14 minutes ago, KJP said: Nyet Are you practicing your Russian or does this mean "not yet?"
April 23, 20214 yr 15 hours ago, LlamaLawyer said: Are you practicing your Russian or does this mean "not yet?" Lol.... Nyet = No
April 26, 20214 yr Author On 4/22/2021 at 3:22 PM, Go CLE said: Do you think the land around the Rockefeller (in shaded red on your picture) would be 'sold' to another developer or developed by the current partners? Source clarifies that it is highly unlikely the red-shaded area will be sold. The partnership which owns the land is VERY interested in developing it, potentially with a high-rise. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 25, 20213 yr Author 1 hour ago, Go CLE said: @KJP - Any news on the Rockefeller project next door? Maybe Cliffs builds over there after the garage is torn down? @Go CLE Haven't heard anything in a while. Last I'd heard, financing was still coming together. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 25, 20213 yr 1 minute ago, KJP said: @Go CLE Haven't heard anything in a while. Last I'd heard, financing was still coming together. Financing for Rockefeller or Financing for Cliffs?
June 25, 20213 yr Author Rockefeller. Way too early to know anything about Cliffs. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 25, 20213 yr 34 minutes ago, KJP said: Rockefeller. Way too early to know anything about Cliffs. Yes i knew that But you know us here on Urban Ohio we are always hoping and any inkling of possible news gets us excited
February 4, 20223 yr Author 1 hour ago, TR said: Any updates on this project? Financing should close soon. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 19, 20222 yr Author Heating Up: 3 big downtown reno projects to start By Ken Prendergast / June 19, 2022 This summer, renovations to a trio of large, former office buildings in downtown Cleveland are due to get underway that will convert their combined 2+ million square feet into mixed uses that will add 1,671 housing units, Class A office and co-working spaces, plus unique restaurant, retail and residential amenities. Total investment is projected to be $687 million for all three projects — The Centennial, 45 Erieview and The Rockefeller Building. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2022/06/19/heating-up-3-big-downtown-reno-projects-to-start/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 20, 20222 yr 2 hours ago, KJP said: The Rockefeller Building. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2022/06/19/heating-up-3-big-downtown-reno-projects-to-start/ Hi Ken, wonderful & busy time for Downtown! PS: Can you relay one person's opinion to the owners of the Rock to drop the large white "Rockefeller" on the top floor. It lacks dignity befitting such a historic building.
June 20, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, DO_Summers said: drop the large white "Rockefeller" on the top floor. It lacks dignity befitting such a historic building. I'm going to disagree with that one! There's some interesting history with that signage! https://case.edu/ech/articles/r/rockefeller-building Plus, it isn't like Rockefeller is some no name no one has ever heard of, or has no connection to the city, or the building. The name is relevant and deserved. I think it adds a cool touch to a nice building.
June 20, 20222 yr 4 minutes ago, Ethan said: I'm going to disagree with that one! There's some interesting history with that signage! https://case.edu/ech/articles/r/rockefeller-building Plus, it isn't like Rockefeller is some no name no one has ever heard of, or has no connection to the city, or the building. The name is relevant and deserved. I think it adds a cool touch to a nice building. @EthanI agree and understand the history that the building will always be called the "Rockefeller" building. Maybe is the coloring or the size of the font or something. It looks out of place. Here is a photo the "unmarred' Louis Sullivan Guaranty Bldg in Buffalo for comparison. This is timeless!
June 20, 20222 yr I agree, it does look a bit tacky. I would suggest changing it to gold lettering and a smaller, sans serif typeface. Edited June 20, 20222 yr by LibertyBlvd
June 20, 20222 yr Author 2 hours ago, DO_Summers said: Hi Ken, wonderful & busy time for Downtown! PS: Can you relay one person's opinion to the owners of the Rock to drop the large white "Rockefeller" on the top floor. It lacks dignity befitting such a historic building. You just did. Lots of influential people read this site. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 20, 20222 yr Personally love the way it is bold and stands out as it should, always enjoy when I bring someone from out of town and they see the building and they ask wait as in John Rockefeller? And then get to fill them in on John building his empire in Cleveland, they’re always shocked! Probably my favorite building in cle, awesome detail
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