Hmmm I'm hoping since the garage will be town down that there will be a more modern addition on that lot. Would be cool to have a boutique hotel there plus new apartments. I don't even care that it wouldn't be skyline changing... Just wanna see more empty lots get filled in. 

hope this all works out.  warehouse district needs a shot in the arm.

13 minutes ago, Whipjacka said:

hope this all works out.  warehouse district needs a shot in the arm.

Right? Aside from SW HQ I can't believe more hasn't been developed in the area. Hoping SW and this project can help get the ball rolling. 

Took a walk during lunch and it looks like the Detriot Ave Entrance is being walled off with cinderblocks. Reminds me a bit of this: 

This link was posted upthread in October. I just saw it for the first time so I will post it again. I wonder how long it has been vandalized? Or is this all recent vandalization? 

 

I took my own pics a week ago before meeting at Johnny’s…

 

 

100% put cinder blocks over the front door

51 minutes ago, Whipjacka said:

100% put cinder blocks over the front door

I thought there was some movement mentioned on this recently?  How sad if the broken windows and tumbleweeds remain when the new SW neighbors move in after the New Year.  Can't imagine being a visitor staying in the new Hotel Cleveland and seeing our living homage to Dresden (or Detroit until Gilbert bought all of downtown Detroit).  btw...where is the rooftop Hotel Cleveland signage?.

4 hours ago, Willo said:

I thought there was some movement mentioned on this recently?  

 

There is. Give it a month or so.

5 hours ago, Whipjacka said:

100% put cinder blocks over the front door

So you’re saying construction has started? ;)

17 hours ago, simplythis said:

This link was posted upthread in October. I just saw it for the first time so I will post it again. I wonder how long it has been vandalized? Or is this all recent vandalization? 

 

Some part of me believes this video is what has caused them to actually go forward and brick up some of the entrances. Its a cool video, the guys are kinda dumb for going in without proper PPE and going into some of the dangerous parts of the basement which could be unstable. 

On 11/7/2024 at 4:04 PM, Oldmanladyluck said:

I took my own pics a week ago before meeting at Johnny’s…

 

 

Not sure why but I am getting a West Side Story vibe with this image...

but it seems a knife fight or dancing (or a present-day street takeover) could break out at any time

Don’t know if this has been covered, but here’s an article on the current owners and why they’re looking to sell (hint: defaulting on all their loans)

 

https://therealdeal.com/texas/dallas/2024/04/30/kenny-wolfe-faces-more-foreclosure-filings-in-cleveland-atlanta/

The building is under new ownership, just a heads up. Should be closing next month. Kenny Wolfe is a fraud, scammer, crook and is in the middle of an SEC investigation. 

If Judge Pianka were alive, I don’t think the owner would have been able to get away without a hefty seven-figure fine and potential jail time, if the City brought the case.

Even though they cinder blocked the front entrance, people are still finding ways in: 

Or maybe the live in there and can't get out

40 minutes ago, rwashington89 said:

Even though they cinder blocked the front entrance, people are still finding ways in: 

Maybe it’s the new owners.

34 minutes ago, simplythis said:

Or maybe the live in there and can't get out

An aerial view of the roof

28 minutes ago, rwashington89 said:

Even though they cinder blocked the front entrance, people are still finding ways in: 

 

As someone who pokes around places you probably shouldn't be, I can't imagine having the gall of going into a downtown building during a work day and then acting like nobody can see you out in the open like that. Dang kids.

6 minutes ago, marty15 said:

Maybe it’s the new owners.

Nah, we thought that(Our office is above CLE Chop). They were hanging off of the HVAC equipment, and taking photos of each other wearing a "cape". They were pretty reckless. 

 

3 minutes ago, GISguy said:

 

As someone who pokes around places you probably shouldn't be, I can't imagine having the gall of going into a downtown building during a work day and then acting like nobody can see you out in the open like that. Dang kids.

That was my thought as well. It's pretty bustling today because of the tailgaters, SW work and the impending Browns game later. 

1 minute ago, rwashington89 said:

Nah, we thought that(Our office is above CLE Chop). They were hanging off of the HVAC equipment, and taking photos of each other wearing a "cape". They were pretty reckless. 

 

That was my thought as well. It's pretty bustling today because of the tailgaters, SW work and the impending Browns game later. 

Did you say wearing a cape? Thats just @zbaris87 showing us who’s boss.

3 hours ago, rwashington89 said:

Even though they cinder blocked the front entrance, people are still finding ways in: 

That's actually me

2 hours ago, marty15 said:

Maybe it’s the new owners.

If so, I hope Ohio/Cleveland laws don't favor squatter's rights - then we may never get it redeveloped.

5 hours ago, rwashington89 said:

Even though they cinder blocked the front entrance, people are still finding ways in: 

To be clear, the Admins and owners of this forum do not encourage or endorse criminal trespassing. What’s interesting is I’m 99% sure this is someone I’m distantly connected with on social media, and they’ve posted photos where it’s unmistakably them (and they’re of an age to know better). Yes, this is criminal trespassing and yes, people have gone to jail for it. 
 

Cross-posted with news of a funding award

 

 

 

1 hour ago, KJP said:

Cross-posted with news of a funding award

 

 

 

Hopefully these shy alleged new buyers surface very soon and claim this very nice $7,325,218 public award (your're welcome) for site clean-up and remediation. The new neighbors next door would like to know.  Maybe Sherwin Williams can repurpose the old Lebron The Land multi-story image from Ontario and place it over the spooky Rockefeller backside until remodeled.

On 11/21/2024 at 8:05 PM, MayDay said:

To be clear, the Admins and owners of this forum do not encourage or endorse criminal trespassing. What’s interesting is I’m 99% sure this is someone I’m distantly connected with on social media, and they’ve posted photos where it’s unmistakably them (and they’re of an age to know better). Yes, this is criminal trespassing and yes, people have gone to jail for it. 
 

Just to clarify I live in Columbus and was joking. I'm deathly terrified of heights as well 🤣

Should somebody start a GoFundMe to save this building from the wrecking ball.

 

Doug Price, CEO of K&D of Willoughby which owns multiple downtown and suburban properties including the nearby Residences at Terminal Tower, said in a phone interview that he toured Rockefeller in the fall and learned that homeless people had been living inside it.

 

Supposedly there is 10 feet of water in the basement.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/cleveland-fire-posts-hazard-signs-rockefeller-building-downtown

55 minutes ago, simplythis said:

Should somebody start a GoFundMe to save this building from the wrecking ball.

 

Doug Price, CEO of K&D of Willoughby which owns multiple downtown and suburban properties including the nearby Residences at Terminal Tower, said in a phone interview that he toured Rockefeller in the fall and learned that homeless people had been living inside it.

 

Supposedly there is 10 feet of water in the basement.

 

https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/cleveland-fire-posts-hazard-signs-rockefeller-building-downtown

Not phased by water in the basement as it is a decades old ritual for many Cleveland homeowners who have overcome over the years (as we had to).  Hoepfully it will not undermine the structure.

Now for the homeless reportedly squatting inside, or as they are now called - unhoused - need to be addressed with housing and social services.  The St Vincent campus would be ideal to build the first of its kind social safety net of services and housing for this large population who should not be on the streets let alone in the winter. Jimmy and Dee - how about you pony up some of your Foundation money and lead on this issue - since you seem to have your fingers on the pulse of what Cleveland needs.

Edited December 11, 2024Dec 11 by Willo

On 11/21/2024 at 8:05 PM, MayDay said:

To be clear, the Admins and owners of this forum do not encourage or endorse criminal trespassing. What’s interesting is I’m 99% sure this is someone I’m distantly connected with on social media, and they’ve posted photos where it’s unmistakably them (and they’re of an age to know better). Yes, this is criminal trespassing and yes, people have gone to jail for it. 
 

I found that I am social media friends with the persons in the photo. I was scrolling my feed one day and bam, the person in question popped up. Really good way to show you are trespassing. 

It just seems odd to me that such a large building in a prominent location is left to the elements, both people and weather. Doesn't it seem logical that whoever owns it would have spent a few bucks to seal it up until it can be sold or they repurpose it themselves? What is the point of letting the homeless squat or the weather to take its toll? 

 

Is this by design? Is it ignorance or incompetence? What am l not seeing here?

Just now, cadmen said:

It just seems odd to me that such a large building in a prominent location is left to the elements, both people and weather. Doesn't it seem logical that whoever owns it would have spent a few bucks to seal it up until it can be sold or they repurpose it themselves? What is the point of letting the homeless squat or the weather to take its toll? 

 

Is this by design? Is it ignorance or incompetence? What am l not seeing here?

It's a historical designation building, correct?  Maybe this is there way around that to get a surface parking lot. 

4 minutes ago, cadmen said:

It just seems odd to me that such a large building in a prominent location is left to the elements, both people and weather. Doesn't it seem logical that whoever owns it would have spent a few bucks to seal it up until it can be sold or they repurpose it themselves? What is the point of letting the homeless squat or the weather to take its toll? 

 

Is this by design? Is it ignorance or incompetence? What am l not seeing here?

I imagine the firm buying has no right to access until the deal is finalized and the firm selling it doesn't give a damn, especially given all the problems it is  having nationwide with its other properties and projects.

I work across the street. Looks like some work is being done to board up the place. I notice that the Fire Marshall posted warnings as well due to the elevator shaft and dangerous basement. 

22 hours ago, cadmen said:

It just seems odd to me that such a large building in a prominent location is left to the elements, both people and weather. Doesn't it seem logical that whoever owns it would have spent a few bucks to seal it up until it can be sold or they repurpose it themselves? What is the point of letting the homeless squat or the weather to take its toll? 

 

Is this by design? Is it ignorance or incompetence? What am l not seeing here?

Have you read about Kenny Wolfe? He's literally going to jail for fraud and has no money. He also just lost the Bell Apartments as well, as the lender, Twain Financial out of St. Louis is currently in possession. The new buyer can't do anything to the building until it closes. Unfortunate situation but hopefully closing very shortly. 

^ Well, there you go.

Any 2025 rumblings on the Rockefeller building and lot? 

45 minutes ago, Willo said:

Any 2025 rumblings on the Rockefeller building and lot? 

lol every few months someone asks this same question, and it's always....there will be news in the coming months. Then crickets...

Ditto for the "skyline changing hotel".

Quote

Ditto for the "skyline changing hotel".

 

With apologies to @Geowizical:

 

 

 

Edited February 20Feb 20 by Chris314
Added clarity that I was responding to LibertyBlvd

From the Terminal Tower observation deck.

I might request reprint permission for that terrific photo someday @MayDay.

For a while it sounded like new ownership of this building and redevelopment was imminently going to be announced. Did that fall through? 

1 minute ago, mrclifton88 said:

For a while it sounded like new ownership of this building and redevelopment was imminently going to be announced. Did that fall through? 

 

The previous one did.

Paging Dan Gilbert (perhaps the closest we have to a modern-day Rockefeller). This building simply has too much history/significance to loose, plus a strategic location.

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/5-people-break-into-rockefeller-building

Gilbert and the Bedrock team looked at purchasing the site a few years ago. They weren't interested

On 5/25/2025 at 9:43 AM, zbaris87 said:

Gilbert and the Bedrock team looked at purchasing the site a few years ago. They weren't interested

I'd give it a run but my last deal like this in Cbus fell through and it was MUCH smaller. Similar type of situation though - gotta love distressed assets.

Sad to see this beautiful building being destroyed. Hopefully there is still time to save it