I don't like losing any restaurant but I never thought Toby Keith's was a good fit for Cleveland demographic-wise, esp for such a new, high-profile location,  so it's no great loss imho... Also thankfully this building is away from the water, kind of shoe-horned adjacent to where the Rapid crosses over the NS tracks so the empty building won't be as visible as it would have if it were along the boardwalk like, say, Alley Cat.  So if we had to lose any of the new tenants, this establishment in this building would be the one I'd pick...  Plus I doubt it will be empty for long anyway; even though TK has no doubt designed the interior motif, I'm sure another establishment will move in fairly quickly since the building's pretty built out as it is.  FEB's going to be sizzling hot so the line of suitors is already forming, I'm sure.

Maybe they can now add a few floors of apartments on top of that terrible building as part of Phase 3! And get rid of those stupid planks of wood covering the facade while they're at it. (let me dream, okay?)

I despise country music in general, but this restaurant was a good way to bring a new demographic to the city. It's a hit, but it won't be (too) big of a loss as long as they replace it. I'm just surprised (I shouldn't be) at the general snobbish tone some have regarding this

It's not so much snobbishness as it is the fact that Toby Keith's bars were really lackluster establishments that didn't bring much to their respective developments. They were run poorly and attracted a rowdy crowd that caused problems. The tone has less to do with country music and more to do with this specific establishment.

 

Look to The Banks in Cincy to see what I'm talking about. Tin Roof caters to a similar demographic but is run well and provides a positive atmosphere and adds to The Banks Toby Keith's really didn't and isn't going to be widely missed.

I kind of hate that Toby Keith building anyway - though I'm assuming that they are going to keep it. I wonder what they will seek to replace it.

 

Cadillac Ranch II

 

(just kidding!!)

 

Maybe Gary Bauer can remake The Basement.   

I kind of hate that Toby Keith building anyway - though I'm assuming that they are going to keep it. I wonder what they will seek to replace it.

 

Cadillac Ranch II

 

(just kidding!!)

 

Maybe Gary Bauer can remake The Basement.   

 

Haha. I'm still sad they knocked down that cool building. But yeah, fun spot for sure.

 

Really the only establishment I'm looking forward (to personally visit) is Punch Bowl.

28 minutes ago

Michelle J. McFee ‏mjarboe[/member]

@Wm_Lane @newc11 Developer says "we still have a lease" re: Toby Keith's. I'm poking around more. Been watching other cities for a while

Hibachi Grill should take it over... I don't think there is anything like that downtown is there? It would be fun!

Hibachi Grill should take it over... I don't think there is anything like that downtown is there? It would be fun!

 

There's actually one just up the hill, Tomo on West 9th Street. Now if you ask, are there any good hibachi places downtown? The answer is no.

Toby Keith's is an 18,000+ square foot space.... That is 3 or 4 good-sized restaurants' worth of space. My first thoughts (and still not enough to fill the space as one tenant) would be destination restaurants like Margaritaville, Dinosaur Bar-b-que or the Ohio's own Montgomery Inn.

I propose https://www.studiomoviegrill.com

It's too bad they didn't pull out much sooner. Then they could have re-worked the design and built a better building for that plot of land - perhaps with multiple restaurant/retail spaces and apartments above (yeah that would've cost more, but I doubt they would have had much trouble leasing the spaces).

Construction halted at Toby Keith bar in Cleveland Flats project

 

By John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Email the author | Follow on Twitter

on July 28, 2015 at 7:22 PM, updated July 28, 2015 at 7:46 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill isn't getting much love these days.

 

Construction of the much-anticipated country music club and eatery has come to a halt in the Flats East Bank project.

 

The 20,000-square-foot location was initially seen as a nightlife anchor for the $750 million development, which brings a mix of residences and businesses to the east bank of the Cuyahoga River. Toby Keith's has since been left in the dust, as construction crews put the finishing on bars and eateries that plan to open soon in the area.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/construction_halted_at_toby_ke.html

Beach Club? Dick's Last Resort?

Banana Joes

Club 1148?

I propose https://www.studiomoviegrill.com

 

 

Great suggestion! Would the size of the space be enough?

First look: FWD club brings Vegas-style pool party to Cleveland Flats

 

By John Petkovic, The Plain Dealer

Email the author | Follow on Twitter

on July 29, 2015 at 11:35 AM, updated July 29, 2015 at 12:20 PM

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You still see the construction machinery. The Dumpsters overflowing with debris. The men and women in the hard hats.

 

But the dust is starting to settle on the much-anticipated Flats East Bank Project.

 

Onward, forward.

 

Er, make that FWD. The 15,000-square-foot open-air club is slated to open this weekend.

 

FWD will roll out a pool and deck area, cabanas, a dance floor and a stage. The 1,000-capacity venue, located alongside the Cuyahoga River on the northern end of the Flats East Bank project, will also be open day and night – hence its full name, FWD Dayclub + Nightclub Cleveland.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/first_look_fwd_club_brings_veg.html

Full scale movie theater already planned for phase 3...

^Yeah, I know...  But does it serve dinner?

THAT'S what we (I) need (want).

I image servers crossing in front of me trying to watch the movie.  Seems annoying to me. 

I image servers crossing in front of me trying to watch the movie.  Seems annoying to me. 

I went to the iPic theater while living in South Florida and the food was mediocre and way overpriced. The reclining chairs were nice but after two cocktails I fell asleep and missed my overpriced movie lol.

Another first look...

 

First look: #Cleveland chef Zack Bruell opens Alley Cat in Flats, via @clevelanddotcom #cle http://t.co/88mcOR5gDp http://t.co/hI3ik2gu2s

^yeah, I was also under the impression that the plan is this is suppose to be temporary.

...Scene's take on Alley Cat Oyster Bar

 

http://t.co/CZVrDg9cc4

 

I got a shot of that the other day, i think its so-so. Maybe signage on the waterfront side and some bright patio umbrelas would help.

Food should be stellar.

 

 

...Scene's take on Alley Cat Oyster Bar

 

http://t.co/CZVrDg9cc4

 

Well the Alley Cat is not nearly as sexy looking as its concept drawing(s) -- too much metal and not enough glass -- but it's not terrible.  At least Bruell was forced to remove those ugly upper-deck support pillars from their proposed structure by the CPC.  The joint will have killer views, esp from the upper deck and once people are milling about the Alley Cat and the boardwalk, it'll look even better.

 

the eastern riverfront is fianlly going to have a pulse again (the portion north of  Main ave bridge anyway)

Last minute prepping as seen from the West Bank

 

 

 

 

 

^Nice... btw another big difference from the old Flats: I notice a lot of jet skiers these days, no doubt thanks to the rental behind the Rock Hall (among other spots).

Here are some pictures of FEB from this afternoon. I tried to get some angles I hadn't seen elsewhere:

 

There was a lot of discussion about the use of shipping containers for FWD. Using them in this location actually makes more sense than most other places I've seen them used across the country. Just to right, out of frame of this picture, there is a huge stack of shipping containers at the port. I think it leads to a neat visual and fits in well. On the other hand, I'm not a huge fan of the big empty space between FWD and the main residential building.

 

 

 

There are small gates along the boardwalk so that boaters can easily get to the other side.

 

 

 

 

I am confused on the fifth photo in. How is the traffic flow to happen?  I don't see any curbs. Is this area open to vehicular traffic? oes the boardwalk have any lighting elements?

 

^ that area looks to be pedestrians only

It is open to traffic. The light poles designate the boundaries of the road portion.

 

The lack of curb is on purpose. It's a common technique in places that aren't the United States in making roads more pedestrian friendly but still allow vehicle access. Cars drive slower when there isn't a difference between the pedestrian surface and the driving surface.

 

^won't the same thing be done w/ Superior Ave through the new Public Sq?

 

 

THe new boardwalk goes as close to the Railway as possible.

The Industrial / rust belt vibe and views get waay dialed up from the new boardwalk.

 

 

 

So the Boardwalk is officially (or unofficially) open?  What about any of the restaurants (Big Bang is supposed to be IIRC)?  Pictures, pictures, we want more pictures!... You guys are doing a great job, but I'd like even more (greedy bastard am I)...

It's been open the last 2 nights. The whole thing is frickin amazing.

Im going to check out the area tomorrow and will post pictures!

 

Alley Cat is open for dinner currently and will soon start lunch. FWD is open as well. Not sure about the rest but I will update!

Im going to check out the area tomorrow and will post pictures!

 

Alley Cat is open for dinner currently and will soon start lunch. FWD is open as well. Not sure about the rest but I will update!

 

Great!  Thanks...

By the way. I guess this would be posted here? Saw this on Twitter: plans for the new water taxi

So the Boardwalk is officially (or unofficially) open?  What about any of the restaurants (Big Bang is supposed to be IIRC)?  Pictures, pictures, we want more pictures!... You guys are doing a great job, but I'd like even more (greedy bastard am I)...

 

Big Bang opens this Friday at 8 PM, Alley Cat is open and so is FWD.

 

FWD was already playing music this past Sunday which creates a top notch vibe which should be even better as people start learning about the openings.

 

Also, the lit up Flats East Bank sign can be seen from W 10th at night.

Would love to see some of this positive momentum carry down toward Hustler Club, see some of those old parking lots get redeveloped and some of those old buildings get rehabbed

 

thanks mrclifton for the graphics.

So the west bank staton will be right across the river.

 

Back in the day - I remember taking the taxi to a stop that was  up by the jacknife bridge (pic area) but maybe there was another on the opposite side of the main ave bridge (there were probably at least 2 west bank stations in the heyday).

Good to know that until additional stations are introduced ,  the ride will be just a short jaunt across the river

 

Would love to see some of this positive momentum carry down toward Hustler Club, see some of those old parking lots get redeveloped and some of those old buildings get rehabbed

 

Yeah, I'm surprised there hasn't been movement in those Victorian-looking buildings with all the FEB construction next door (plus Metropark's pending return of an expanded Water Taxi); I do keep hearing rumors that a restaurant may be going back into Watermark's old space ... but they are only rumor's.  It is still a beautiful old block of ORR south of the bridge and contrasts nicely with the new construction.  I suppose there's a more cautious wait-and-see approach after being burned by the collapse of the old Flats.

A few more pics.

 

1. From the 2nd Floor of Alley Cat

2. FEB sign lit up

3. Boardwalk facing south

4. Boardwalk facing north (you can almost touch the passing trains)

 

 

The views are fabulous, to say the least

THe cream colored bricks - added in the last day or two-, delineating the way for vehicular traffic

As promised, here comes a BUNCH of pictures.  Hopefully this isnt too much to post in this thread!  I went to Alley Cat yesterday evening and then checked out the progress on the whole development.  It is still very much a contruction zone, actually more than I was expecting, but it is impressive no question.  Alley Cat, on a seperate note, was fantastic, even though they have only been open a week.  The food, drinks, service and VIEWS were absolutely perfect.  I think this place is going to be the next big thing in Cleveland... and by the time I left around 7, it was completely packed!  Good signs.  So here we go:

 

 

Entering the FEB Development.  Notice the huge ship in the distance!  It was one of many to pass by in only an hour and a half

 

 

Valet Zone near Alley Cat.  They have not landscaped much of the development so keep that in mind.

 

 

 

The sun was not cooperating with me and so expect some lens flares and discoloration... but you get the idea!

 

 

 

 

 

The lower patio at Alley Cat, empty when we got there, PACKED when we left

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is a TIGHT turn!  :oops:

 

 

Lower patio from the upper patio, which isnt open yet but is even bigger than the lower one.

 

 

 

 

The huge gap between Alley Cat and FWD looks odd now but maybe that is because there isnt any grass yet.  We will see how it looks later...

 

 

 

Loved the streetlights

 

 

Alley Cat interior

 

 

 

 

 

Upper level space, I think for events and parties, etc.

 

 

 

 

Boardwalk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flip Side

 

 

 

 

 

The End!  Hope that wasnt too crazy, and i left out a LOT, trust me!  :-D

Great pics, as always, mrclifton88[/member]! Good point about the lack of finished landscaping. Although the river views are great, I've been less than impressed with the overall urban vibe of the development. It seems like there is too much open space and the expansive parking lots don't help to make it feel urban. I hope when more stuff opens and more landscaping goes in that it starts to feel more cohesive

Love the people shots and the view up the old river channel, especially the mix of uses, like in this shot. The patio umbrellas give a sense of scale of how big the bridges and ships are....

 

Wow!  Well done and thanks.  Those pictures have me pumped to check it out.  Is it just me or has Flip Side been under construction since like 2001?

I agree, too much open space but hopefully phase 3 can begin soon to close in W. 11th Street for a more urban feel.