Ohio City is first site for Whalen’s new venture
By Ken Prendergast / May 8, 2024

 

What does a quarterback like to do? Run a winning team and call his own plays. With that, Cleveland-area native and former pro football quarterback Dan Whalen is taking the snap from center this week and launching his own real estate development and investment firm — Places Development. Not only is the new firm based in Cleveland, Whalen said much of his business focus will be on Cleveland.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/05/08/ohio-city-is-first-site-for-whalens-new-venture/

Can’t wait to see what they propose.  It’s a great site, and a hotel seems like a slam dunk.   Hopefully Harbor Bay still has interest and boots on the ground locally to move ahead with the Intro phase 2 site before too long.

I am totally opposed to this clearly left-wing attempt to disrupt parking in Ohio city. I am starting a group to oppose this misguided project. Please join me. Who cares if people do not have a place to sleep. Where are the cars going to sleep?😛

In all seriousness, when it was previously suggested that a group was considering this site for a hotel, I posted that this would be an ideal spot for a podium parking garage with the hotel on top. This could not only serve the hotel but also Ohio city in general. However, Ken’s article indicates that there is a 115 foot max at this location so I don’t know if such a scheme would work out. This actually would be an ideal spot and a no-brainer for a variance to allow for such a scheme. Of course, then you would have to deal with landmarks which is height adverse in Ohio city. But given the surrounding buildings, it would only make sense to go higher here. 

I really think a Market District hotel could support room rates higher than most of downtown. It’s surprising Harbor Bay didn’t do it on their phase 2 space. 
 

I just hope it’s a high quality build with secure parking and a luxurious/trendy brand. I think Thompson would be perfect. 

1 hour ago, Htsguy said:

I am totally opposed to this clearly left-wing attempt to disrupt parking in Ohio city. I am starting a group to oppose this misguided project. Please join me. Who cares if people do not have a place to sleep. Where are the cars going to sleep?😛

 

It absolutely pains me to read that the development of this damn surface lot is a factor for Great Lakes to weigh in leaving the area. 

 

Unbelievable. 

1 hour ago, surfohio said:

 

It absolutely pains me to read that the development of this damn surface lot is a factor for Great Lakes to weigh in leaving the area. 

 

Unbelievable. 

 

Ohio City Inc. wouldn't sell it to GLBC because they didn't want a growing factory and its trucks in a crowded neighborhood. 

10 minutes ago, KJP said:

 

Ohio City Inc. wouldn't sell it to GLBC because they didn't want a growing factory and its trucks in a crowded neighborhood. 

 

This seems really shortsighted on their part. 

Is this area really called the Market District?  I haven’t heard that before, and my mind keeps wandering to the grocery stores of that name owned by Giant Eagle.

29 minutes ago, surfohio said:

 

This seems really shortsighted on their part. 

Doesn’t seem short sighted at all. There’s a ton of vacant land in the city for GLBC to build a modern production facility. It will be much better with close highway access and room to grow horizontally. You’re talking about the most in-demand neighborhood in the CITY. It would be short sighted to expand a factory in the heart of the neighborhood when residential/hotel is possible. 

4 hours ago, noname said:

Doesn’t seem short sighted at all. There’s a ton of vacant land in the city for GLBC to build a modern production facility. It will be much better with close highway access and room to grow horizontally. You’re talking about the most in-demand neighborhood in the CITY. It would be short sighted to expand a factory in the heart of the neighborhood when residential/hotel is possible. 

 

I think you're overstating how much truck traffic could be added from expansion into that lot. And I mean, since when does the neighborhood with a huge food market suddenly worry about delivery trucks?

 

I also think you're forgetting why Ohio City is in demand. It's because of a heritage of diverse attractions and places of employment like GLBC. 

7 hours ago, surfohio said:

 

I think you're overstating how much truck traffic could be added from expansion into that lot. And I mean, since when does the neighborhood with a huge food market suddenly worry about delivery trucks?

 

I also think you're forgetting why Ohio City is in demand. It's because of a heritage of diverse attractions and places of employment like GLBC. 

It’s not even a big enough lot to truly expand. It’s a residential and commercial neighborhood. Mind the fact that GLBC has never actually made an offer on the property that anybody is aware of. Hotel/Residential is highest and best use. 

On 5/9/2024 at 8:08 AM, noname said:

It’s not even a big enough lot to truly expand. It’s a residential and commercial neighborhood. Mind the fact that GLBC has never actually made an offer on the property that anybody is aware of. Hotel/Residential is highest and best use. 

well I thought we were discussing this under the auspices that Great Lakes is moving in part because they didn’t get the lot. If that’s not true I’ll shut up then. 

well that's a reasonable project and obviously in great hands -- best of luck to him and his investor group to make it happen.

 

some height would be attractive for that hopping area, but just making an empty lot go away is awesome as it is.

 

so afaik the only place to stay nearby is the hostel, is that correct?

 

also not for sure, but weren't there supposed to be other small hotel projects in the area? that i take didn't pan out? or haven't as yet?? 

2 hours ago, mrnyc said:

also not for sure, but weren't there supposed to be other small hotel projects in the area? that i take didn't pan out? or haven't as yet?? 

 

You might be thinking of the Hulett Hotel up a bit further on W25th. I'd be shocked if that doesn't eventually get built with it literally fronting Irishtown Bend lot. Prime spot 

6 hours ago, mrnyc said:

so afaik the only place to stay nearby is the hostel, is that correct?

The hostel has basically converted into 2 Airbnbs post covid unfortunately. 

On 5/12/2024 at 3:16 AM, PlanCleveland said:

The hostel has basically converted into 2 Airbnbs post covid unfortunately. 

 

I'm sure there wasn't money in the hostel but phew, you can rent a floor (26 people) for a cool $2,000... 

 

https://thevictorcle.com/#08e82c06-855d-442d-8f83-42b73c0f6050

The parking lot was closed today and there were a bunch of bobcats doing work on it. Could have just been normal maintenance though.

Really busy agenda for Landmarks this week. Walen and DLR Group's boutique hotel in Ohio City is up for schematic review. Here are a couple pics. There are a bunch more in the PDF.

 

https://planning.clevelandohio.gov/landmark/agenda/2024/PDF/CLC-12-12-2024-AGENDA.pdf

 

Case 24-093: Market Square Historic District

Ohio City Hotel – 1950 West 26th Street

New Construction

Ward 3: McCormack

Project Representatives: Amy Haney, DLR Group; Dan Whalen, Places Development

 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/fthrdkrqeqofv59iwzec9/AFnwGK07nAcgMtedITO3Prc/Ohio City Hotel_Schematic Design Review_11.24.24.pdf?rlkey=47h0nv0h8cr37t5o3ekuq9n2r&e=1&st=67td08hs&bmus=1&dl=0

 

 

I am sure the building height conforms to the zoning for the site and is within yards of two buildings which are of similar height or taller, but what do you think the odds are that a certain Ms. Anderson is going to complain about the height.

You won’t be hearing from her on this one. Its an OCI property and she’s on the board now, so it’s a conflict to give comment. 
 

That aside, I run into her at the bar now and then and she is pretty happy with it overall. 

Getting a brutalism vibe from the 1-2 floor "pedestal" section of the building. It looks kind of defensive and clunky to me. But maybe in context of the surrounding buildings it will look better. 

19 minutes ago, surfohio said:

Getting a brutalism vibe from the 1-2 floor "pedestal" section of the building. It looks kind of defensive and clunky to me. But maybe in context of the surrounding buildings it will look better. 

I was going to let it go, but I was thinking the same thing.  I am no expert so certainly don't know what they can do to improve it.  Just doesn't look right to me.  Will be interesting to hear comments on Thursday.

24 minutes ago, surfohio said:

Getting a brutalism vibe from the 1-2 floor "pedestal" section of the building

 

You say that like it's a bad thing!

I know it's not for everyone, but I think Brutalism gets a bad wrap.  FWIW, I like the look of this.

Brutalism is the architecture equivalent of the saying "A face only a mother could love".........and a lot of us on here are not mothers. 

They were at Ohio City Design review last week and a couple things seemed to have changed since they came to the block clubs:

 

They mentioned underground parking at the block clubs but it sounds like there are some caved in basements underground that make it not feasible. Now the parking is above ground with about half the spots originally proposed. Dan mentioned that his ideal scenario is no parking but get deals in place with surrounding parking lots that ae underutilized. I will be curious how this goes over with getting approvals.

 

Dan mentioned their hotel partner is a large global hotel entity which I believe he originally didn't expect it to be.  As long as the design is boutique in nature I dont think this really matters one way or another.

 

 

 

Edited December 9, 2024Dec 9 by TDi

1 hour ago, TDi said:

They were at Ohio City Design review last week and a couple things seemed to have changed since they came to the block clubs:

 

They mentioned underground parking at the block clubs but it sounds like there are some caved in basements underground that make it not feasible. Now the parking is above ground with about half the spots originally proposed. Dan mentioned that his ideal scenario is no parking but get deals in place with surrounding parking lots that ae underutilized. I will be curious how this goes over with getting approvals.

 

Dan mentioned their hotel partner is a large global hotel entity which I believe he originally didn't expect it to be.  As long as the design is boutique in nature I dont think this really matters one way or another.

 

 

 

With the new zoning changes going in place with the City seemingly ENCOURAGING developers to not build parking, the planning commission better get used to this. 

i dk what i was expecting, but its ok. it has a few serious open roof areas, which will denote its modernity. otherwise, kind of a 1970s vibe. the pedestal section looks like a parking garage? anyway, thats my render peanuts for the gallery -- its whalen, i'm sure it will be cool, so no worries. 🎅

I forgot this project had its own thread. Maybe today's posts can be moved here?

 

 

11 hours ago, Mendo said:

I forgot this project had its own thread. Maybe today's posts can be moved here?

 

 

Done, and thanks for posting the thread for redirection, makes it easier for us. I think the scale is good and the outdoor spaces will be a nice add for the area. Hopefully they don't go with the same reflective glass they used for the Edda coffeeshop at INTRO on the ground floor.

Sounds like financing is in place and ready to break ground once final approval is given. Expected to break ground before Thanksgiving and be done early 2027.

Cleveland Scene

$55 Million Ohio City Hotel Set to Rise on Surface Parkin...

“It’s a much needed use for this area. There’s not a single full service hotel between downtown and the airport.”

From the Scene article

"The Ohio City Hotel has just nine parking spots"

Could someone do a welfare check on Jimmy Haslem in case he read this!

17 minutes ago, freethink said:

From the Scene article

"The Ohio City Hotel has just nine parking spots"

Could someone do a welfare check on Jimmy Haslem in case he read this!

Ikr!! A 75,000 seat dome should have at least a dozen spaces