It was designed to hold the weight of any human event that could be assembled on it.  And that is A LOT of weight.  As a point of reference, office building floor slabs have higher weight capacities than parking garages (of course the office includes holding furniture etc...).

You guys should be flattered. I never take/post any pictures online except food.

 

You work in Key Tower? We shouldn't be flattered. If you work in Cleveland's tallest building and you're a UOer, you have a responsibility, a civic duty to take pictures and share them! It doesn't matter if you're good or bad at taking pics.  :whip:

It's true, so true. I should have been taking pix of it all along. But it's really hard to get my leg irons off. Sometimes the magic works, sometimes it doesn't. I will try to take more as the project goes along.

I do actually take some pix and send them to friends, of the view looking north, as there are often really cool fog things happening.

I do actually take some pix and send them to friends, of the view looking north, as there are often really cool fog things happening.

When I was on the 38 floor of the SOHIO building I loved watching the fog rolling in off the lake and lake affect snow showers.  Aaaaahhh memories.

Where was the Sohio building - is that the "old" BP building? Remember I am not a Cleve native.

Where was the Sohio building - is that the "old" BP building? Remember I am not a Cleve native.

Yes, Sohio got bought out by BP, so the building changed names too.

I don't think it's as much weight issues as just water infrastructure issues limiting fountains on the roof. They do have a water feature planned for Mall C as far as I am aware.

Several posts have mentioned a concern about the ability of the roof holding certain structures on the final "park roof" such as fountains, sculptures, etc.  If the roof of mall c can handle a dump truck filled with dirt on 4 wheels, then I would guess it could hold most anything the final mall design requires.

 

We have a fountain and statue combined on Mall A. Do people forget? If that can hold it I dont understand why people doubt Mall B or C could handle it.

I had the chance to see the MM and CC earlier today on a guided tour by Dave Johnson, MMPI's Director of Public Relations.  Due to my love for Cleveland, excitement for this project and knowledge that project photo updates are like heroin to us fellow UO'ers, I took over 90 pictures.  I will post some but not all of those on this thread, but maybe a MMCC mega thread in the photo section will follow. 

 

Dave Johnson was enthusiastic about what the new mall space can do for Cleveland.  Specifically he mentioned that intent of connecting PS through to the malls and then on to the RRHOF.  He mentioned an intent to close Rockwell at the end of Mall A and turning into a landscaped extension of the Mall.  He also touched on his hope of the Intermodal Station being constructed at some point.  Also it'll be important to get the project done in time for use by the 2013 National Senior Olympic Games ( didn't know that existed)

 

A few tidbits about progress:

The Medical Mart has 7000 tons of steel.

98% of all demolished material was recycled in some form.

25% of all demolished steel was recycled for use in the MMCC, Flats East, Casino and Innerbelt Bridge.

All the steel is made in the USA.

The nice weather has permitted them to erect the steel so fast that the mills can not keep up.

They hope to attract 60 conventions a year.

Once completed, the MM will also be available for use by the public for weddings, proms, music events etc.

They are ahead of schedule and project a July opening.

 

On to the pictures:

 

Still work required on Public Auditorium

 

 

 

 

Mockup panel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least it is a happy jobsite  :lol:

 

 

 

 

The Ball Room

 

 

 

Check the photos section for the entire album.

Thanks! Interesting bit about rockwell. They also mentioned closing East 3rd for green space which would be automatic if rockwell was closed. That would connect the malls to superior really well.

Firenze98

 

Thank you for the amazing set of photos. I am envious of your tour.

Very cool pics. I can imagine some "after" pics being posted later to go along with some of these "before" shots.

"Intermodal Station" ... what would this be?  Would they move the Greyhound station there?

nice pics Firenze.  Goal of 60 conventions a year sounds good, that's one a week.  Still, such a huge facility, they could easily have multiple conventions going on at any given time it seems.  Anyone have a breakout of how much of the space is actually convention areas, how much is offices, etc?

"Intermodal Station" ... what would this be?  Would they move the Greyhound station there?

 

Please see the Transportation forum:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17673.msg617169.html#msg617169

nice pics Firenze.  Goal of 60 conventions a year sounds good, that's one a week.  Still, such a huge facility, they could easily have multiple conventions going on at any given time it seems.  Anyone have a breakout of how much of the space is actually convention areas, how much is offices, etc?

 

Not really as some events book "bridge" space to set up and break down events.  Example, if your event is May 1 thru May 2. You may have to book the facility starting on April 28 to May 5 for set up and breakdown based on the size of your event.  So "one event per week" is not a given.

 

The medical mart itself will have 90k sq ft of flexible in addition to the space in the new CC. 

 

We also need to remember "conventions" and "meetings" are two different things. 

 

A Convention will have space on the trade floor and breakout, meeting space and possibly banquet/ Food and Beverage needs/uses. This is something that takes place over 2 or more days.

A meeting will just use meeting space and possibly banquet/FB needs.  This is something this is usually a one off event.

With two main entries and two "ballrooms" they've definitely gone to great lengths to be able to host two large "events" at the same time, but yeah, definitely not two full sized conventions.

 

Anyone have a breakout of how much of the space is actually convention areas, how much is offices, etc?

 

You can find a description of the space here: http://issuu.com/mmpi/docs/prospectuscc?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

With two main entries and two "ballrooms" they've definitely gone to great lengths to be able to host two large "events" at the same time, but yeah, definitely not two full sized conventions.

 

Anyone have a breakout of how much of the space is actually convention areas, how much is offices, etc?

 

 

 

You can find a description of the space here: http://issuu.com/mmpi/docs/prospectuscc?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

 

 

thats the first time I have seen a "pool" in any of the renderings showing the mall

With two main entries and two "ballrooms" they've definitely gone to great lengths to be able to host two large "events" at the same time, but yeah, definitely not two full sized conventions.

 

Anyone have a breakout of how much of the space is actually convention areas, how much is offices, etc?

 

 

 

You can find a description of the space here: http://issuu.com/mmpi/docs/prospectuscc?mode=embed&layout=http%3A%2F%2Fskin.issuu.com%2Fv%2Flight%2Flayout.xml&showFlipBtn=true

 

 

thats the first time I have seen a "pool" in any of the renderings showing the mall

 

Thats is the Fountain of Eternal Life on Mall A.

 

 

Lord

 

 

SMDH

Some new pictures from yesterday.  A while ago I commented on the fact that only the Lakeside and Mall facing doors on Public Hall had been replaced.  I was so happy to see that the other two sides of the building have now been upgraded:

Really makes a difference.

I was also surprised to see these taking shape on the Northern end of the CC:

After looking at the rendering I realized that these are the mirror-covered sculptures lining the Public Hall side of the mall.

I thought they were just an idea, didn't think they were actually going in???  I think they are an interesting art piece though, I like them in the rendering.

Thats all for now, when you really are up close to this project you realize what a HUGE impact this will have on the area when its done.  Can't wait!

Nice

Thanks for the pics mrclifton88!!!

Cleveland medical mart has finalized lease terms with 20 tenants

 

The good news for backers of the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center is that the top local official with the project says it has secured lease agreements with 20 tenants.

 

“We are fully completed or close to complete with 20 leases that account for about 46,000 square feet in the medical mart, which represents about 40 percent of the total space in the building,” said Jim Bennett, a newly hired senior vice president with MMPI, the Chicago-based developer behind the project.

 

http://medcitynews.com/2012/05/cleveland-medical-mart-has-finalized-lease-terms-with-20-tenants/

Thanks for the great photos.  Anyone know if those sculptures serve a practical purpose?

^ Ventilation stacks, if I remember correctly.

Loved the Brian Tolle urns; wish they would make a comeback

Cleveland medical mart has finalized lease terms with 20 tenants

 

The good news for backers of the Cleveland Medical Mart & Convention Center is that the top local official with the project says it has secured lease agreements with 20 tenants.

 

“We are fully completed or close to complete with 20 leases that account for about 46,000 square feet in the medical mart, which represents about 40 percent of the total space in the building,” said Jim Bennett, a newly hired senior vice president with MMPI, the Chicago-based developer behind the project.

 

http://medcitynews.com/2012/05/cleveland-medical-mart-has-finalized-lease-terms-with-20-tenants/

I wonder if he has ever heard of a space bar...but good news none the less.

Is that really good news? I have no idea what the industry standard is for this kind of thing at this stage of a project? 

Is that really good news? I have no idea what the industry standard is for this kind of thing at this stage of a project? 

 

I don't know for sure. But I am excited to hear that they have signed leases, because up to now the only others were Tri C, right?

Folks, this isn't the place for "I heard that _______ was opening here... but I can't remember any important details" rumors or speculation. If you're going to post, make sure you have a nominal grasp on the facts.

 

Quick snapshot from this week.

 

Thanks! its coming along

I'm pleasantly surprised at how the Medical Mart building facade is turning out:

 

I'm coming into this topic just now. Are the windows meant to look like bands on an agarose gel? That's pretty cool.

Agarose gel would make sense with the double helix panels.

Agarose gel would make sense with the double helix panels.

 

Ah, just noticed that. At first I thought the smooth bits were supposed to be condensed homologous chromosomes, then I realized it was continuous along an entire column. Very creative! Kudos to whoever came up with that.

From a cleveland.com article on 10-14-10

 

 

Cleveland planners approve concept for futuristic 'pixelated' windows on medical mart

 

"Cleveland planners gave tentative approval Thursday for a medical mart building that would add a dramatically modern flair to a mostly conservative downtown.

 

Updated plans show a "pixelated" pattern of windows, evoking DNA coding, for three sides of the medical showroom planned for the corner of St. Clair and Ontario avenues."

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/10/cleveland_planners_approve_con.html

 

 

Honestly, I really don't like those windows at all. They look cheap. Not at all as crisp and reflective as I thought they would be. They aren't even flesh with the concrete siding and they have a weird kinda black border around them. They really don't do the building justice at all. Actually, I like the Medical Mart even less now. Hopefully the building will look 100000 times better when its all done so ill give it a chance. :-/

BTW, when I interviewed the MM/CC's PR director, he said the windows were arranged in that manner to give the appearance of a DNA analysis.

Honestly, I really don't like those windows at all. They look cheap. Not at all as crisp and reflective as I thought they would be. They aren't even flesh with the concrete siding and they have a weird kinda black border around them. They really don't do the building justice at all. Actually, I like the Medical Mart even less now. Hopefully the building will look 100000 times better when its all done so ill give it a chance. :-/

 

How much more reflective can the windows get?  Also it's not like the window frames are white.  If you don't like the look of the windows now, when the building is finished the windows will still be the same.  I agree it may have looked better with a continuous curtain wall type window surface, but I don't mind it.

You can see in the above picture how distorted the reflections are. Is that normal for a window? They look like fun house mirrors

I don't like or dislike the building, but i wonder why the windows have to give the appearance of a DNA analysis simply because this is a medical building.  does that seem cheesy to anyone else? 

I'll reserve judgement on the building, but I will say that my wife (who knows nothing about architecture or urban planning and whom I've never heard critique a building) absolutely despises the look of the Medical Mart.  She thinks it looks like something a 2nd grader mocked up with a shoe box and a sharpie.

Nobody posted the article about them wanting to change the name from just merely Medical Mart and convention Center huh?

 

I like the building (so far)

And I think it's good  that it evokes feelings from people who wouldnt otherwise be interested in buildings/architecture.

The medical mart building should make us proud. The window apertures are standard framed panes, and the concrete panel system uses parametric design to contain a double helix that is only visible at certain angles. The building is also solid at the corners, which gives it a solid stance in accord with the older, historic buildings on the mall.

 

The buildings solid corners, and only partly visible double-helix bas relief pattern blends new and old. It is a facade that speaks to what Cleveland was, what it is now, and what it can become.

I absolutely love this building. I love how it pulsates with movement and along three sides because of the window design it looks as if the building is almost incomplete or lacking structure like a lego block missing some pieces. the reflection off the windows is fantastic, with its wavy affect from nearby buildings, totally cool. Lots to look at with this structure and begs many questions, what architecture should do.

I don't like or dislike the building, but i wonder why the windows have to give the appearance of a DNA analysis simply because this is a medical building.  does that seem cheesy to anyone else? 

 

NO.

 

It is a facade that speaks to what Cleveland was, what it is now, and what it can become.

 

It's going to be a plus, but i dont know if it's that significant. But I definitely applaud the enthusiaism