I am almost certain that this project will bring spin-off development in the Flats East Bank south of the highway bridge. I am wondering though what the plans for the boardwalk are. Those buildings currently have private patios along the river. Would a boardwalk replace those patios, or could the boardwalk be placed outside, making the river slightly thiner?

 

I think having the boardwalk run at least to settlers landing is crucial. It would be kind of weird if it just ended at the highway bridge.

327 I think this type of setup would help the boardwalk, and with the proper placement (grouping) they wouldn't block the river.

 

I want to like this building, but I think the way it embraces (or doesn't embrace) Main St. is a real failure.

 

Even if you look at the rendering closely, there's a person staring at that stupid concrete bunker saying what the hell was the architect thinking here.

 

^^ Yes, surfohio, that is what I'm talking about for a boardwalk.  Thank you.  To me that is a whole lot better than setbacks and treelawns and isolated mega-bars.  BTW, Cincinnati's Toby Keith bar is in a brand new multistory mixed-use city block.  So I doubt Toby's up here demanding a suburban outparcel in downtown Cleveland.  And the more I think about it, the more I feel like those shouldn't be in the plan.

I like that it appears there wiill be pavers in abundance put into that infrastructure for Phase II.  Nice touch.  I hope they follow through.

 

And while it certainly is not a urban enthusiasts utopia, I see the balance the design is seeking to achieve.  Anyone who has a young family knows that the green space adjacent to each restaurant can come in rather handy.  Think of it like the green space at Legacy Village right in the middle of all of those restaraunts.  What do you usually see there?..... a bunch of kids running around because they either won't sit still during dinner or their parents want to wear them out before heading home.  Like it or not, that is a feature other downtown venues don't offer.  It's not like if one of my kids is all jittery while we are at Zocalo, I'm going to take him/her out to run up and down E4th.

From the turnaround near Shooters on the West Bank:

 

I was kind of partial to our 19th century shipping buildings lining a narrow street that could have co-existed with this new building.... (sigh)

Big News from Flatseast.com

 

Flats East Bank leasing momentum continues with commitments from Toby Keith and four other restaurants; Developers gearing up for Phase 2

 

Flats East Bank developers announced today that they have secured commitments from five new restaurants, proving that the $500 million development has caught the attention of prospects locally and nationally. New tenants will include Toby Keith's I love This Bar & Grill, Ken Stewart's, Lago, Flip Side and Dos Tequilas. “It is extremely gratifying to realize our family’s dream for Cleveland’s Flats area” said Iris S. Wolstein, who is developing the Flats East Bank along with her son, Scott Wolstein. “We are proud to fulfill Bart’s vision.”

 

Scott Wolstein added: “Drawing a national tenant like Toby Keith’s venue is a tremendous coup. The leasing momentum is very strong, and we are pleased with the local and national interest we are seeing on this project.”

 

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will feature live music by current and emerging music stars,predominatly in the Country genre, quality BBQ, and of course, a plethora of Toby Keith memorabilia.The Cleveland location will be a regional entertainment draw in what is considered one of the most underserved country music markets in the nation. “We have a huge untapped country music market here in northeast Ohio,” said Terry Stewart, President & CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “I couldn’t be more pleased Toby Keith is bringing his entertainment concept to Cleveland to fill that void. This venue will bring in an impressive list of talent to perform live in an exciting and high energy atmosphere. It’ll be another reason Cleveland Rocks!”

 

Also included in the initial phase is a Class A 18‐story office tower with a rooftop deck, a 150‐room hightech boutique hotel, a 16,000 square foot health club and a 1,200 foot riverfront boardwalk. $120 million Phase 2 will bring residential, more retail/entertainment to Flats Developers are now taking on financing and preconstruction of the $120 million second phase of the project that will turn the waterfront district into a true neighborhood with a 140‐unit residential complex along the water, helping to address the high demand for upscale, downtown living options. Hundreds of additional apartment units could also be built based on future market demand. The second phase of development will also include more restaurant and retail offerings in addition to a park and sand beach.

 

The restaurants announced today join the commitments from Aloft Hotel and office leasing tenants Ernst & Young, Tucker Ellis, and C.B. Richard Ellis. These commitments along with the overall progress at Flats East Bank are tremendous accomplishments under what is still widely considered a challenging economy, particularly for commercial development. Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald addressed the importance of this project to the city and the region.

 

“Flats East Bank has ended the debate over whether or not Cleveland can develop its waterfront,” said Mayor Frank Jackson. “This catalytic project is going to change life as we know it downtown and help build a stronger Cleveland for the future.”

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald added: “We are finally capitalizing on one of our greatest assets – the waterfront. We are incredibly grateful to the Wolstein family for their investment in this monumental project. Flats East Bank is going to be a regional attraction for years to come.”

 

As construction on Phase I proceeds, developers are shifting their attention towards Phase II. A committed management team led by the Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties has strategically leveraged public and private partnerships to ensure financing for the $275 million Phase I. Now the team is focused on the second round, estimated at $120 million.

“My team has battled through a major economic crisis and pulled off what many had said was

impossible,” said Scott Wolstein. “We here in Cleveland were among the first in the country to secure financing and begin construction on a major commercial development following the economic collapse.

 

We have proven we know how to get the job done with Phase I, and we will do it again in Phase II. There is no other option‐ this project is too important to our city’s future.”

Wolstein is not only speaking of the renewed vitality the waterfront community will bring to the city’s core, but the economic impact of Phase II. The Phase II construction alone will bring the city more than 800 jobs and approximately $4 million in tax revenues. Upon completion, Phase II will be a source of more than 600 jobs associated with retail and restaurants. It will also yield more than $1M of annual income taxes for the City of Cleveland. Income tax from the new City of Cleveland residents, estimated at roughly $175,000 annually, will go directly to the Cleveland Municipal School District.

 

 

Summary of the Flats East Bank’s Newest Tenants

 

 Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill— The country music icon’s restaurant will feature live music by current and emerging country stars, quality BBQ, and of course, a plethora of Toby Keith memorabilia. The signature guitar‐shaped bar and restaurant has experienced overwhelming success in other markets. The Cleveland location will be a regional entertainment draw in what is considered one of the most underserved country music markets in the country.

 

 Ken Stewart’s— Ken Stewart has developed a reputation in northeast Ohio for his popular

restaurants in Akron and Bath— Ken Stewart’s Grille, Ken Stewart’s Lodge and most recently, Tre Belle. The local restaurateur is excited to expand his reach to Cleveland. The Flats East Bank location will offer cuisine similar to the original Ken Stewart’s Grille in Akron, including quality steaks, seafood and more than 600 wine selections. Ken describes the ambiance as “comfortable, upscale dining” and envisions the location to be a favorite spot for nearby professionals.

 

 Lago— Well known for his thriving restaurants in Little Italy, Shaker Heights, Battery Park

and Tremont, popular chef and restauranteur Fabio Salerno has carved out a niche for himself in historic neighborhoods all over Cleveland and now has committed to the Flats East Bank

neighborhood. Famous for its authentic Italian cuisine, Lago will expand on its current concept to cater to a broader palate. The new location will anchor the Aloft Hotel and offer amenities to help keep up with the demand for Lago’s rapidly growing catering business.

 

Michael Schwartz, along with Shawn and Tiffany Monday, will open two new chef‐driven restaurants in Flats East Bank including:

 

 Flip Side‐ A booming success in Hudson’s First & Main development and at Easton in Columbus, Michael Schwartz along with Shawn and Tiffany Monday will open a new venue in Flats East Bank. Flip Side is a top‐of‐the‐market burger concept offering the freshest, highest quality ingredients and a large selection of regional craft beers.

 

 Dos Tequilas— The high‐end eclectic Mexican restaurant will be an original venture featuring gourmet tacos of the freshest fixings. Offering an ambiance crafted of natural materials such as concrete and wood, the hip, urban taqueria will offer a lengthy menu of approximately fifty tequilas, many of which this market has never seen.

 

 

 

http://www.flatseast.com/

 

 

 

Okay, call me stupid or at best uninformed --- what restaurant in Battery Park?

What are peoples thoughts of Lago moving from Tremont?  I know its only one restaurant, but Tremont needs to stay its wonderful self and continue to grow.

 

Great news all around.  Need a pedestrian bridge to get folks across the river to the aquarium and NEED SHOPPING!!!

 

Constantinos for sure for grocery supplies.

While I don't mind the new layout, I'd MUCH prefer the density of the original layout as proposed back in 2005.  See page 5 post by Mayday. http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1823.120.html

I was kind of partial to our 19th century shipping buildings lining a narrow street that could have co-existed with this new building.... (sigh)

 

Totally agree...would have been so cool and still possible to have both, but apparently was easier to just wipe the slate clean.  From what I hear the signature wall inside the odeon would have been reason enough

The Odeon building is still standing.  It's to the south of this project.

Wow so I guess I figured that once it closed it was going to be leveled as part of a future phase, but most of the old river rd properties South of this are owned by one corporation: Telecom acquisition. The company basically bought up all of this property in a speculative nature 5+ years ago.  Has anyone heard anything of their intentions?

Wow so I guess I figured that once it closed it was going to be leveled as part of a future phase, but most of the old river rd properties South of this are owned by one corporation: Telecom acquisition. The company basically bought up all of this property in a speculative nature 5+ years ago.  Has anyone heard anything of their intentions?

 

Well, I'm sure everyone coming to these new restaurants will need somewhere to park. ;)

 

It looks like they are starting to put the facade and windows on the building before they even finish adding each of the floors. I took this from a parking lot on W 9th.

Just drove by the tower on the shoreway, they are bumping up the height of the crane. They had a section of the tower structure hanging from the boom. Sorry, no time to stop and snap a pic.

Good shot of them getting ready to jump the crane up right now on the webcam:

http://www.flatseast.com/webcam.htm

 

Looks like they'll do it today.

Been leaving for work @ 5:30 am. I've noticed that with all the construction lights on, this building is starkly visible for miles, from the west where Clifton turns into the Shoreway.

 

 

 

 

I am not sure if this updates with the webcam, here is the link for the current picture of the crane jumping, based on the html, I think it should still be good after they update the webcam:

 

http://www.earthcam.net/external/image.php?t=bd773e6ae6fb882cf46261b64f6c5aa0&m=4094.jpg

 

Edit: Aw crap, the picture number doesn't index, looks like they just keep over writing the same file. I have the one I posted that from saved locally, but I don't think I can post it due to copyrights. Somebody get out there and snap a picture!

Overall, I think Phase 2 is looking decent, although I do share some of the reservations about having bars and restaurants separated by relatively large expanses ... Particularly in a city that seems incredibly reluctant to walk from block to block in dense areas, let alone sparse areas. My biggest concern, though, is the pretty substantial surface parking separating Phase 1 from Phase 2. It just seems like a tremendous dead space that reduces the likelihood that people in one set of buildings will access amenities in the other set. All things being equal, I think you would have a lot more sense of energy had they placed the apartments over retail/restaurants/structured parking (in rendering as a later phase) and left the large "beach" section opposite the river ... Then place more mixed use where the beach is in later phases.

I have to agree, it looks more suburban office campus than the heart of the city

While watching my page refresh to observe the crane bump-up, i noticed a thumbnail on the left of a rendering I've never seen before. There is no full sized image of it on the images page.

 

Anyone know anything about it?

 

I think that was the old massing, when they were talking about "the hottest club that combines clubs in Miami, New York and some ultra cool city on the moon that Newt Gingrich is mayor of"

 

I guess they were talking about Toby Keith's place.

Musky

That is an old image with the Cleveland Aquarium as part of FEB. I think this component is dead with the completion of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium on the west bank

understood - thanks

The Toby Keith bar in Cincy is a good one, as large bars go.  Lots of space, good bathrooms, biggest plates of nachos you will ever see.

So, here's a pic from today from the FEB webcam.  It shows a new section of crane being lifted and that they're already installing the 3rd row of windows/facade.

 

 

http://www.flatseast.com/webcam.htm

Nice Pic....

Looks good!

Here's the "after" pic from the FEB webcame after the crane jump.

 

 

http://www.flatseast.com/webcam.htm

Looks good!

 

It's looking so far like the windows have a blue-ish tint. Very cool. I think the color tone is a good compliment to the red brick in the Warehouse District.

If the building is as tall as the crane when completed, it will definitely add to the skyline.  Go Cleveland!

Is the concrete as high as it's going to get or were they waiting for the crane to be raised?

^I believe the core has at least a few more floors to go.  This is speculation on my part but it appears that they couldn't go any higher on the core until they lifted the crane and they couldn't lift the crane until they had their struts (crane mid point lateral supports) installed and they couldn't install the struts until the steel had risen high enough (to it's current level).

I believe the concrete will go up another 3 floors or so.

From counting it seems like the have another 6-10 floors (10 if you account for the 3 floor garage)

^ hmmm... no.  3 or 4 more.  And only 4 if you count the penthouse as a floor.  The notch on the northwest corner is between floors 10 and 11.  The 3 garage floors are below ground level on the southeast side. 

^ hmmm... no.  3 or 4 more.  And only 4 if you count the penthouse as a floor.  The notch on the northwest corner is between floors 10 and 11.  The 3 garage floors are below ground level on the southeast side. 

Correct.

^ hmmm... no.  3 or 4 more.  And only 4 if you count the penthouse as a floor.  The notch on the northwest corner is between floors 10 and 11.  The 3 garage floors are below ground level on the southeast side. 

Correct.

 

 

You guys are talking about the elevator shaft right?

^ hmmm... no.  3 or 4 more.  And only 4 if you count the penthouse as a floor.  The notch on the northwest corner is between floors 10 and 11.  The 3 garage floors are below ground level on the southeast side. 

Correct.

 

 

You guys are talking about the elevator shaft right?

 

Yes.

^ hmmm... no.  3 or 4 more.  And only 4 if you count the penthouse as a floor.  The notch on the northwest corner is between floors 10 and 11.  The 3 garage floors are below ground level on the southeast side.

My mistake well I used the most recent photo and from what I saw was 12 floors done I must have missed some with the hotel being in the way

The Flats East Facebook page has a cool time-lapse construction video posted.

The time lapse is cool.  I'm glad they put that together. 

 

Here is the link for all you like me who find looking for stuff on facebook a pain in the arse anymore.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/FlatsEastBank

 

 

The Flats East Facebook page has a cool time-lapse construction video posted.

 

Good find! Thanks for sharing. I was hoping that they were going to do something like that

Not sure if these have been posted before, but I was just plugging in sequential numbers to some of the image urls on the flasteast.com website and came across a couple renderings I hadn't seen anywhere before:

 

Cool!!

Love it!!!  Thanks for the pics sizzlinbeef.

Not sure if these have been posted before, but I was just plugging in sequential numbers to some of the image urls on the flasteast.com website and came across a couple renderings I hadn't seen anywhere before:

 

Huge!! It really creates a presence down there in that area

I enjoyed driving on the Shoreway bridge prior to this building going up, now I'm going to really love driving that stretch of bridge.

Not sure if these have been posted before, but I was just plugging in sequential numbers to some of the image urls on the flasteast.com website and came across a couple renderings I hadn't seen anywhere before:

 

 

Looks rather out of place for a building of that type.