Evergreens do block the wind, but at the same time, they also block views.  I have always found them to be intrusive in urban settings as they almost work as natural barriers that you can't walk beneath, sit beneath nor see through.  Not to mention, some look kind of "ratty" as they grow taller.  Maples and oaks are also native to this region which is something I would prefer.  JMO. 

Evergreens just seem out of place in the FEB walkable/nautical/urban setting.  Why not do what's done in a number of northern waterfront cities: portable palm trees and ferns... Move them outdoors in the spring and take them indoors in the fall.  It may seem kooky to some, but ferns & palms seem more appropriate down there the evergreens imho.  At the very least, I'd use palms/ferns on the apartment's western flank facing the water.  Smaller evergreens could face inland... I guess.

 

WTF??

Evergreens are awful urban trees for reasons people stated. They block views, are a barrier, and don't look very nice when they mature.

 

Beyond the obvious logistical problems with palms in NE Ohio, they're also awful urban trees. Don't provide shade. are often far too sparse looking when they mature, etc.

 

Oaks, maples, etc. are the best options. Provide shade, look good when mature, have a high leaf base providing easy passage through and around for people and cars/buses/overhead streetcar lines/etc.

im having trouble picturing how this might look, good or bad. can anyone find examples pics and post a few?

I would love to see sycamores.  That's a very "Cleveland" tree, to me.

This probably seems really nitpicky, but I wish they'd use more plants native to Northeast Ohio.

 

Not nitpicky at all, you're 100 percent right on this.

The graphics for Friday's Design Review agenda were added today. Here's the FEB graphics:

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2015/04102015/index.php

 

 

 

 

 

Here's some info on "Punch Bowl Social"--

 

Punch Bowl Social on Flats East Bank plans 'eatertainment' upon August opening

By Joe Crea on April 10, 2015

"Punch Bowl CLE will be larger than other Punch Bowl Social locations. That's because it includes a 4,000-square-foot rooftop deck that looks out onto the confluence of Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River."

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2015/04/when_punch_bowl_social_in_flat.html

 

A Massive 27,000-Square-Foot Adult Playground Comes to the Flats in August

By Douglas Trattner on April 15, 2015

http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/a-massive-27000-square-foot-adult-playground-comes-to-the-flats-in-august/Content?oid=4560688

Looking pretty Hilary Swanky

 

First look: Apartment leasing starts at Flats East Bank project in downtown Cleveland (photos)

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When renters start moving into riverfront apartments at the Flats East Bank project in July, they'll be marking a milestone - the opening of downtown's first built-from-scratch apartment project since the recession.

 

Sure, developers have added more than 1,300 center-city dwellings during the last few years, taking advantage of strong rental demand and heightened interest in urban living. But most of those apartments fill former department stores or old office buildings, as part of projects supported by tax credits aimed at historic preservation.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/first_look_apartment_leasing_s.html#incart_river

Looking pretty Hilary Swanky

 

First look: Apartment leasing starts at Flats East Bank project in downtown Cleveland (photos)

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When renters start moving into riverfront apartments at the Flats East Bank project in July, they'll be marking a milestone - the opening of downtown's first built-from-scratch apartment project since the recession.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/first_look_apartment_leasing_s.html#incart_river

 

Does The Langston not count as a built from scratch apartment project?

^ Some people don't consider that area north of CSU officially "downtown." 

Looking pretty Hilary Swanky

 

First look: Apartment leasing starts at Flats East Bank project in downtown Cleveland (photos)

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - When renters start moving into riverfront apartments at the Flats East Bank project in July, they'll be marking a milestone - the opening of downtown's first built-from-scratch apartment project since the recession.

 

Sure, developers have added more than 1,300 center-city dwellings during the last few years, taking advantage of strong rental demand and heightened interest in urban living. But most of those apartments fill former department stores or old office buildings, as part of projects supported by tax credits aimed at historic preservation.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2015/04/first_look_apartment_leasing_s.html#incart_river

 

Did I miss something or did "Beer Market" change their name to "Beer Head"?  Or is this an entirely different business?

 

Michelle posted this in the comments section, which is certainly encouraging:

 

Thanks for commenting. Yes, there is room for more development, including additional residential construction, on the Flats East Bank site. At this morning's Cleveland City Planning Commission, in fact, a consultant working with the developers said a site earmarked for structured parking and more residential, just east of the current apartment building, is "starting to get some legs."

 

Adam Fishman, a principal with Fairmount Properties, told me this week that the developers remain committed to the idea of incorporating for-sale housing - and not just more apartments - into the project at some point. In the past, Scott Wolstein has said the site could support more than 1,000 residential units. So the current apartment building, with 240 units, is just the first batch.

 

Michelle

I've said since phase II has topped out that phase III needs to be just about the same building, but 4 stories taller, and on the parking lot between the hotel and phase II.

 

If the lake is going to eventually be out As the tourist destination, the river should be the locals' destination. With Merwin's warf and all the other local recreation options going in, it makes perfect sense that AT LEAST 1000 more people could easily be down there.

I really like the style of those apartments. As far as rentals go they have some nice industrial characteristics to them, something not super common in rentals.

 

Flats East Bank should have at least one more 20+ story tower and the rest in the height range of this second phase. That would make for a nice buildout.

^Not that it affects me, but given all the loft conversions already in the market with exposed ducts and columns and such, I was a little surprised they went in that direction.  I was expecting something that looked a little more polished and less "industrial chic." 

I can see that. I guess I've always been a fan of letting the structure show through in some manner and have always had a soft spot for exposed concrete. We have a lot of great old industrial conversions but this is the only example I can think of this level of exposure in new construction. Normally we're getting stud framed upper levels covered in drywall so it's exciting to see something different.

Five of the nine buildings listed in that master plan are one story, and "Coastal Taco" is not exactly a distinguished design.  I mean, please tell me that's not vinyl siding, right there on the waterfront.  Overall it brings to mind that Bahama Breeze place that fronts 271. 

 

It's wonderful that they're considering more residential, but how about putting some on top of all these little shacks?  That point is often made here regarding development proposals on the fringes of the city, so I don't see how it wouldn't apply to downtown as well.

 

Hate to be a downer but I'm still disappointed in the thinking behind this project.  The E&Y tower is nice... but otherwise, it's as if they designed all this in the 80s and then focused every resource on property acquisition, without ever updating the concepts.

[quote author=327 link=topic=1823.msg753337#msg753337 date=1429451798

Hate to be a downer but I'm still disappointed in the thinking behind this project.  The E&Y tower is nice... but otherwise, it's as if they designed all this in the 80s and then focused every resource on property acquisition, without ever updating the concepts.

 

You're probably not far off there, since Wolstein probably started dreaming of the acquisition and plotting with Mike White in the 80's....

Funny you guys say that because the original renderings showed a more traditional urban layout.  The current site plan that you say is very 80's is much newer.

 

This is the latest and greatest rendering that I've seen:

 

Versus the old:

The issue I have with the entire Flats East Bank project is it hasn't grown as an urban setting.  We took a neighborhood and bulldozed it. Albeit it was in need of rejuvenation it still had bones.  The overall designs are nice but not every structure needs to look and feel the same.  The effect because antiseptic.  Are these one story buildings better than what they replaced? Some will say yes, but part of the charm of The Flats was its grit.  For example,this entire development could move to Highland Heights and would not feel out of place.  I believe the same will happen with Cumberland and the lakefront development. 

I wonder how much the nearby train noise affected rental rates.

Train noise means nothing.  I currently live in the Fairmont Creamery and the adjacency to the railroad tracks only adds to the ambiance of the location.

The older renderings really were a lot better. I wonder why they decided to change the layout so much... I really don't see any added benefits in the current design, compared to the old one.

 

Even so, I still like the current Flats East Bank plan. The E&Y tower and Aloft hotel look great, and the apartment building is starting to look pretty cool too. I just really hate the one-story commercial buildings.

I'm somewhat ok with the current plan, but like others am not a fan of all these single story stand-alone buildings.  Plus, who puts round-abouts in an urban setting.  That screams Beachwood.

the single story free standing buildings are wood framed, not concrete & steel.  Much lower cost of construction and lower rents.  You can't have it all.  It's Cleveland.  I think the roundabout is perfect.  An intersection there would be a waste

I'm sure in the future, if the economics justify it, Fairmount would happily replace the stand-alones with towers, right?  I mean, why would they not?

I'm sure in the future, if the economics justify it, Fairmount would happily replace the stand-alones with towers, right?  I mean, why would they not?

 

Because they'd need to build more parking structures then.  Hell, they need to build more now already.  The lots are full every day

^ But all that (including the cost of a garage) would still factor into their economic analysis, right?  I think, if the demand for towers comes, Fairmount will build them.

^ But all that (including the cost of a garage) would still factor into their economic analysis, right?  I think, if the demand for towers comes, Fairmount will build them.

 

I think the cost of new construction is a lot to overcome in Cleveland, rents would really have to keep climbing (increased demand).  I can't see it climbing enough to justify tearing down relatively new construction to rebuild again.  There will be a new office building built to the north of the E&Y tower hopefully this year finishing in 2016 but it will be lower, only about 6 stories, with parking underneath.  I don't see a whole lot more office at FEB after that.  And at that point I see Fairmount probably packaging those fully leased office buildings and selling them on the market and taking their profits to go do another deal elsewhere

The Big Bang - Beer Head - Crop Sticks, Crop Rocks, On-Air . New build outs at FEB.

Much more at  http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2015/04172015/index.php

nice find and wow great to see this -- the signage looks good!

Train noise means nothing.  I currently live in the Fairmont Creamery and the adjacency to the railroad tracks only adds to the ambiance of the location.

 

Tell that to the umpteen number of Aloft guests who bitch and moan about it all over the internet. ... The difference, of course, is that hotel guests are short-term tennants who, in most cases weren't aware of the trains until the arrived.  This is especially true since the Aloft is still new (not yet 2 years old), so there are not likely a ton of repeat visitors (aside from those, of course, who are business travelers to E & Y, Tucker Ellis and other tennants in the office tower).... But to opt to live in a high-end apartment building, one would absoulutely have known about the train noise (and rumbling), and still opted in for the rent Fairmount is charging.  For you it's ambiance, but that's not the case for most people.  (personally, I love the sound of train horns/whistles in the night ... but when they're miles away, not a few hundred feet from my window)  Better put would be that future FEB tennants will tollerate/get used to that level of noise and vibration, becaue I seriously doubt few will actually like it. 

 

... and don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE this project and can't wait till it's finished.  It's quality new construction -- a substantial luxury, multiunit residential building, with balconies to boot, is a rarity in downtown Cleveland, and for that reason alone, should be a major asset.  Who knows, I may surprise myself and move in there ... someday...

Recent pic from DCA site.

Getting ready to put the “Flats East Bank" sign up. I think that sign will look great, adds a sense of place and will probably used in live shots for breaks during nationally televized games here.

View from across the river. You can clearly see the boardwalk now. The area closest to the lake already has railing up and the staircases down from the apartments to the river are being formed.

 

 

Getting ready to put the “Flats East Bank" sign up. I think that sign will look great, adds a sense of place and will probably used in live shots for breaks during nationally televized games here.

 

Agreed- Can't wait to see it lit up at night- placemaking elements are important in districts and neighborhoods in drawing people and giving them curiosity to check-out what's going on.  This should look great!

^^Hmm, that last photo makes the container thing for FWD seem not like some dumb trend but actually an appropriate design inspiration.

It appears Zack Bruell's planned restaurant has also begun construction. I am surprised this has started because it the las round of designs were not approved by the city planning commission.

 

I am excited to see FWD built. 

^^Hmm, that last photo makes the container thing for FWD seem not like some dumb trend but actually an appropriate design inspiration.

 

If only there were a port and a freight train line behind the upper deck of Progressive Field... Okay I'll stop.

Anyone have a sense for the pre-leasing pace on Flats East Bank apartments?

I heard they were over 50% leased back in January.  I work in FEB and see the leasing team giving tours all the time

The Big Bang - Beer Head - Crop Sticks, Crop Rocks, On-Air . New build outs at FEB.

Much more at  http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2015/04172015/index.php

 

Forgive me if I missed this, but what is 'On Air WCRP'?

The only thing I find with WCRP is the World Climate Research Program and I have a feeling that this is not what it is.

 

From a story about FEB: "Crop Rocks, a Haight-Ashbury-influenced eatery with a VW microbus parked out front as the valet waiting area; Crop Sticks, offering Asian food and a zen garden; and On Air, a hybrid of broadcast studio, event space and dining spot. The restaurants were dreamed up by Steve Schimoler of Crop Bistro Bar."

 

 

http://cleveland.icito.com/headlines/first-look-apartment-leasing-starts-at-flats-east-bank-project-in-downtown-cleveland-photos/

Coming along!

 

 

I really like the way the apartmentapartments look.

What is going into that 1 story structure in the last photo? I don't remember seeing any renderings. It's unfortunate to have a "Do Not Enter" sign at your entrance! lol

 

 

 

What is going into that 1 story structure in the last photo? I don't remember seeing any renderings. It's unfortunate to have a "Do Not Enter" sign at your entrance! lol

 

I believe that will be a FlipSide

found it! Oct 4th agenda  cleveland planning commission

From a story about FEB: "Crop Rocks, a Haight-Ashbury-influenced eatery with a VW microbus parked out front as the valet waiting area; Crop Sticks, offering Asian food and a zen garden; and On Air, a hybrid of broadcast studio, event space and dining spot. The restaurants were dreamed up by Steve Schimoler of Crop Bistro Bar."

 

 

http://cleveland.icito.com/headlines/first-look-apartment-leasing-starts-at-flats-east-bank-project-in-downtown-cleveland-photos/

 

This is almost as corny a concept as the crop idea that never sprouted in Waterloo.