Can someone please post the picture of the flatiron building between Huron and Prospect that is now the Cleveland Urban Design Center and the Winking Lizard restaurant -- when it was covered with that metal crap. People need to see that these offenses were fairly common 40-50 years ago.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15663.0.html

 

You .. have GOT to be kidding me.

I think that they did this because the upper portion of the building wasn't being used vs. the "modernization" of the JHB Buildings. Either way… yes, hideous.

Thanks Florida Guy.

 

I think that they did this because the upper portion of the building wasn't being used vs. the "modernization" of the JHB Buildings. Either way yes, hideous.

 

The first floor was also covered with the metal (or was it wood?). Either way, there was a nice brick building under the entire exterior.

Very nice.. thank god that it appears they didn't do much damage when they put up that facade which looks like the equivalent of a dropped tile ceiling. This makes me want to start ripping the aluminum siding off of my house to see what goodies lurk beneath.

Very nice.. thank god that it appears they didn't do much damage when they put up that facade which looks like the equivalent of a dropped tile ceiling. This makes me want to start ripping the aluminum siding off of my house to see what goodies lurk beneath.

 

I think that's called the Slavic Village aesthetic?    ;);)

 

But wow, I'm amazed by 1015!  It looks beautiful and largely intact, and it's amazing how such a small (relative) change looks like it could brighten up that entire stretch of Euclid.

 

Cleveland: We create beautiful historic facades on demand.

That facade peel-back is astounding, thanks for posting those shots!

Very nice.. thank god that it appears they didn't do much damage when they put up that facade which looks like the equivalent of a dropped tile ceiling. This makes me want to start ripping the aluminum siding off of my house to see what goodies lurk beneath.

 

I think that's called the Slavic Village aesthetic?    ;);)

 

But wow, I'm amazed by 1015!  It looks beautiful and largely intact, and it's amazing how such a small (relative) change looks like it could brighten up that entire stretch of Euclid.

 

Cleveland: We create beautiful historic facades on demand.

 

Well I bet they are getting a pretty penny for scrapping all of that aluminum doing these restorations.

well... it appears they are even doing work on the weekend, and the skeletal system is coming down.

Gorgeous intricacy to the original facade.

 

Am I correct in assuming that the other half of that ugly cover is going to come down.

you are correct.

I love seeing this stuff come back to life!

cleveland unpeeled -- look what's come out of it's cocoon!

 

given the classy look of original facade, the last pic even makes you wonder what is above those drop ceilings (i guess not much as those look to be new).

What % of the building has been revealed? My guess would be 50% if I were a betting man. Oh yeah I am.  :-D :-D :-D

I wouldn't have expected it to be so intact.  I thought we were in for 668 Euclid Pt. 2 for sure.

amazing... I've been biking by there daily and didn't even notice with all the other construction going on!

The skeletal system is almost completely off... I'm hoping that godawful storefront is next... guess I'll find out after work.

Wow, so much exquisite detail to just have aluminum schlepped on top of it!

how sad that they would just haphazardly bore their way through the facade without consideration given to how amazing it is

how sad that they would just haphazardly bore their way through the facade without consideration given to how amazing it is

 

It was all the rage then.  You can see that on building in NYC, Boston, Philly and Baltimore are worse in my opinion.  I've also seen it in the new building in the south or the south side of chicago.

it was a dumb "rage".

it was a dumb "rage".

I agree...now.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they would not be doing this, exposing the building and its internal space to the elements, without having plans to immediately begin rehab work, right?

They probably won't start rehabilitation for awhile.  There's a lot of work left to do.  It's a building.  It's always going to be exposed to the weather.  I'd imagine they will finish taking all the aluminum off, board up the windows, and then you won't see anything for awhile.  They had to get this off to start figuring out exactly what needs replaced or repaired on the facade.  Those pieces need to be made, etc.

They probably won't start rehabilitation for awhile.  There's a lot of work left to do.  It's a building.  It's always going to be exposed to the weather.  I'd imagine they will finish taking all the aluminum off, board up the windows, and then you won't see anything for awhile.  They had to get this off to start figuring out exactly what needs replaced or repaired on the facade.  Those pieces need to be made, etc.

 

Im not in construction, but i was thinking they would use this time to get rid of all the interior stuff while the windows were off.  You can see the trademark 70's drop ceilings in those pics.

they may, i don't know for sure... but the only thing they have been approved for thus far on the exterior is the removal of panels to study the facade.

after uncovering the details of this building, I wonder what lies beneath the building to the right of 1021.

 

after uncovering the details of this building, I wonder what lies beneath the building to the right of 1021.

 

 

I thought I heard that the facade behind the most easterly building is beyond repair.

^I think you're right- here's the elevation the PD revealed in February which shows a facade update (and tower expansion) to that far right building, but not a peal-back.

 

 

From http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/02/_euclid_avenue_is_changing.html

 

 

EDIT: I can't wait to see that far left one pealed back based on that elevation drawing!

There is no historic facade behind that building.  From what everyone can surmise it's really cinder block back there.  And they can't find any architectural drawings to prove otherwise.  They are treating it as a clean slate.  The craptastic black facade will come off and they will put a new one on that will blend in with the additional 8 stories above.

Is the addition of the eight stories an approved plan? I don't recall it going before planning commission.

not yet... that's the only downer to what's going on right now.  They are only approved for facade study.  Which means they are going to take down all this aluminum, board up the windows and head back to the drawing board.  They have been to design review twice though and are making progress.  My guess is that restoration / construction won't start until next spring... but that is just MY guess at this point, i haven't actually heard from anyone on a firm timeline.

Let's hope they get a new designer for the addition and the facade before it goes any further.  Has aesthetics similiar to the building west of the Medical Mutual (Rose) Building.  Not so good.

Yeah, I don't like that facade either.

Yeah, I don't like that facade either.

 

and the height just seems "odd" to me.

it seems more like a feasibility study of what's "possible."

i wouldn't read too much into it at this point.

Yeah, I don't like that facade either.

 

and the height just seems "odd" to me.

 

I like the idea of sticking a tall, very narrow building in there, it seems almost NY-ish.  I just don't like the design they are showing at this point.

^Plus the height adds a lot more window opportunities for that building.

 

I wonder what the unit layouts are going to be in these buildings.  Other than the Euclid frontage, there aren't a whole lot of opportunities for natural light to penetrate those deep floorplates.

^I heard the architects present this project over a year ago, and the plan then was to cut an atrium or atriums into the middle of the buildings, to afford more window opportunities -- similar to what was done with the Bingham building in the Warehouse District and other residential conversions downtown. This isn't ideal from a residential standpoint but it's pretty much the only way to preserve the historic structures while providing additional natural light.

^Ah, thank you, that makes sense.  I should check out the Bingham some time to see how this works out.

the construction elevator is now being erected in front of 1007 Euclid, work looks to be complete at 1015.  Looks like I may have to start carrying my camera with me again.

They're taken off two pieces as of lunchtime today...unvieling a well-preserved archway.  Very excited that 1007...looks to be about equal to 1015 (if not a little better?).  Here's to unwrapping christmas presents in July!

pics???

pics???

 

Sure, if you're offering.

pics???

 

Sure, if you're offering.

 

X you're killing me man!

I've seen drawings of both, and personally like 1007 a lot better.  I'm pretty fired up.  I'd imagine they can finish erecting the construction elevator today and should be able to really start peeling back the panels tomorrow.

pics???

 

i'll snap a couple at lunch today.

Here are today's pictures... followed by my interesting and informative conversation of the day:

 

1. 1015 Euclid Avenue all finished (or at least prerehab)

2. Detail at 1015

3. 1007 Euclid Avenue work beginning

4. An arch window looming behind the aluminum

5. The top row of aluminum panels coming off

6. I am a sucker for corinthean columns

7. In the process of moving... the view out of one of my new windows, but yes, I'm sure if I lived in Avon Lake I'd have a much more exciting view  :roll: (sorry, had to sneak it in)

 

 

thanks.  those building and the street itself look soooo much better now that all the buildings look as though they are from the same period.

Nice pics, and looks like a nice new pad too!

And now for my interesting and informative conversation of the day...  so standing on Euclid snapping up multiple pictures of these buildings the way only some huge construction / development nerd could... and up comes a man.  Man starts commenting on the building, asking my opinion, we start jabbering about how great the project is, potential to transform the area, blah, blah, blah.  Man introduces himself... Sam something or other, Building Manager.  Good person to get to know.  Tidbits include the following:

 

Regarding Timeline: 

They would like this to move forward quicker than I had thought.  Apparently (and I was unaware of this), they have to complete the removal of the paneling, and submit their findings to the state before the tax credits actually kick in, even though they've already been awarded.  After that they pretty much want to start the rehab / construction process immediately.  The only things needed are to gain approval from design review and then obtain permits from city planning commission.  I've also heard the city is aware of this and will act quickly.  They would like to have the exterior complete before winter.  That's agressive... but really encouraging.  i think we're going to see some serious work being done by the time summer is turning to fall.

 

Regarding Project Scope:

 

Take a look at that 2nd to last photo... notice that the floor plates of all five buildings in the project align.  I believe this was alluded to before but they are indeed planning on linking the floors of ALL FIVE buildings, treating them as one space with a large atrium in the center to allow more natural light and more units.  What a massive project.  I love it.

 

Regarding Future Insights:

 

Sam something or other also may have given me his card and told me that if I ever had any questions or wanted to check out the inside once they get going to stop on by... I think I might see interior pics on UO at sometime in the semi not too distant future.  :wink:  And FWIW he said the interior of all these buildings are actually in great shape.

 

EDIT:

 

If I recall correctly from the line drawings one of the main design features on 1007 that makes it stand apart from 1015 are large concrete spindle columns that separate the larger arched windows... I guess we'll find out in a couple days.