Although country music is essentially torture to me, the one in The Banks in Cincy is quite nice and invites an interesting collection of people. Many of whom apparently are coming from the suburbs and even rural areas. Many are also a little older than the typical crowd going out to bars. This is great since it is bringing many people back to the city who didn't even realize that the area between the stadiums on the river was being completely redeveloped. If the same thing happens in Cleveland that's fine by me.

Right across the river from the Toby Keith place in The Banks in Cincy is a Hofbrauhaus - an outlet of the famed German beer hall. In Pittsburgh, a Hofbrauhaus operates in the same development where a Toby Keith's was announced (though has not been built yet due to some franchisee issues, I've read).. A Hofbrauhaus here would be a fun draw in the flats or downtown. Really pretty nice place from my visits.

Yeah unfortunately, these types of developments tend to draw the same types of places.  Not that its all bad, but tends to dilute the local identity.  But thats the tradeoff with these new higher rent developments.

 

Still as a regional attraction its better than having it in a suburb (although in some cases, like tilted Kilt etc..  I would have rather had in a suburb)    Also better than having an Applebees or something like that.

 

Oh and Cleveland already has (had?) an authentic/real Hofbrauhaus, but did people appreciate that?

^I did...I use to stuff myself their during their buffet lunches (really, I hurt for two hours).  All the food was great.  If this place is anywhere near as good I would be there once a week.

^I did...I use to stuff myself their during their buffet lunches (really, I hurt for two hours).  All the food was great.  If this place is anywhere near as good I would be there once a week.

 

Good for you!  It may be good, but on a... corporate, not as authentic level. 

Wow, those Toby Keith places are popping up all over the country, in both urban and suburban locations:  http://countrybarma.com/locations

 

Quite sure I'll never visit this place, but I guess good for employment and tax collections.

Wow, major expansion mode (as I said, welcome to "development XYZ in anycity USA" soon enough it looks like). 

 

Seems with the guitar and red and white stripes, a cross between Fridays and Hard Rock (with a twang of course)!

Not my cup of tea either, but I'm certainly not against it.  It will be a unique draw for downtown and should be popular with the more rural folks coming in for the casino and other attractions.

 

That said, I know not one person within Cuyahoga County who listens to country outside of what is played on the pop stations.  At least no one that admits to it.  There surely are many people that do, but not nearly to the extent of other places I have lived where country music honky-tonks are big business.  I did see a girl in Bedford last week wearing a Cowboy hat and that certainly caught me off guard.

 

I think the Banks in Cincy offers a different dynamic because it is much closer in proximity to a much larger country music audience I would assume.

I was scanning thru the FM channels today over lunch and counted 6 country stations that came in crystal clear.  There must be A LOT of people listening to country in Cleveland.

And at the other extreme, there is not a single country music station broadcasting from New York City.  Crowded out by all the salsa I guess.  I know which "culturally foreign" music I'd rather listen to:)

 

It will be a unique draw for downtown

 

Yeah, I think willyboy's Hard Rock comparison is dead one.  Not unique in any real sense, but the only one in the region and all the "cache" that brings.  Plus casino logic; we need to keep all our country fans from spending their money at the Toby Keiths in Detroit in Cinci (and I'm sure there will be on in Columbus some day too).

I was scanning thru the FM channels today over lunch and counted 6 country stations that came in crystal clear.  There must be A LOT of people listening to country in Cleveland.

 

The Cleveland FM radio market stretches quite a bit outside of the metro.  And certain places in the metro, especially Geauga County and "south of 80", probably have a fairly decent country music following.

I was scanning thru the FM channels today over lunch and counted 6 country stations that came in crystal clear.  There must be A LOT of people listening to country in Cleveland.

 

The Cleveland FM radio market stretches quite a bit outside of the metro.  And certain places in the metro, especially Geauga County and "south of 80", probably have a fairly decent country music following.

 

Actually it doesn't.  Cleveland, Akron & Youngstown are separate.  It's complicated to explain.

 

That said, I know not one person within Cuyahoga County who listens to country outside of what is played on the pop stations.  At least no one that admits to it.

 

"Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean is doesn't exist." (The Santa Clause)  :wink:

 

I wouldn't be surprised if there are some white people somewhere in the Cleveland area that have never seen a black person. Doesn't mean they dont exist.  :lol:

 

I am no fan of country either so I doubt I will ever go there. Cant stand the stuff. But Texas Roadhouse always seems to be crowded and that is definitely country themed, so I expect this place to do good and am glad to see it coming downtown!

 

Um, I have been known to wear a cowboy hat, I have 2 of them. And cowboy boots. I am from rural Ohio and we are very country though there is a small urban core where I grew up. We are heavy frequenters of farms and county fairs, I grew up where people raised animals through 4H to sell at the fair and many people had their own farms or animals at home to take care of after school. If you want to see like a billion cowboys, real ones and wannabes like me and my 3 year old, just go to just about any fair in Ohio except the Cuy county one. There are all your country music fans and cowboys! And yes, I did go to the Boot Scoot'n Saloon in Akron back in the day.

I should also disclose I am going to try hard to get tickets on Saturday to Kris Kristofferson, who is touring (probably for the last time as he is on his way out) with Merle Haggard. Yes, Merle's a racist, sexist jerk, but he's classic country!

I'd like to think Kris Kristofferson wouldn't be caught dead in a Toby Keiths's I Love This Bar and Grill.

I haven’t seen this much controversy on Urban Ohio since the opening of the Cadillac Ranch!  :laugh:

I'd like to think Kris Kristofferson wouldn't be caught dead in a Toby Keiths's I Love This Bar and Grill.

My gut reaction was to hit the like button after reading that...

 

 

First, all those complaining that country music isn't big in Cleveland are idiots. WGAR (99.5) is the 4th most listened to station in the Cleveland area. Plenty of people in Cleveland/Cuyahoga County and its neighboring cities do like their country music. Also Kenny Chesney has hosted multiple concerts at the Browns stadium and other country artists have held concerts in downtown Cle venues.

 

Second, those saying NYC doesn't do country obviously have only visited the tourist areas if they have ever been. There are plenty of country bars, even in places like the UWS and LES and Greenwich Village. I've been there and they have been busy. IF this bar does happen, which this is a very very random rumor in my opinion, I am sure this place will be bustling just like Barley House on W. 6th Street. It will bring some more diversity to the various clubs and sports bars in the area.

 

Those bashing all this are just narcissistic and don't know that others like what they don't.

 

^Is this the guy CDM is referring to in his signature?

I'm guilty as well but let's get back on topic, which is the E Bank. Discussions related to whether or not this new venue will draw a large crowd are ok, but let's not get into arguments about it (or guessing what Kris Kristofferson would do, even though i agree he wouldn't go there!).

^thank you

I met with Fishman in December (I should have spilled the beans then), one of the things that was mentioned, Toby Keith's I love this bar was strongly eyed by the group [don't recall if it anything was already signed...].

 

Although I don't like country, both of my siblings do (they also live in the city of cleveland, both college-educated) as do many of their friends... They're more of them out there than you'd tend to think, fellow UOs.  Blossom even has a summer country concert series where people can buy a 6-8 pack of country concert tickets.

 

(end derail)

 

On the one drawing that I saw, it was being placed on the western side of the east bank, adjacent to the boardwalk and next to a volleyball court [or 2].

^Did you get a sense whether any of the earlier concepts the developers mentioned were still in play?  I guess Kosar's place is out, per someone's post above [willyboy?], but this is what the developers were promising almost exactly one year ago:

 

[A high end night club that is] “the type of club you'd find only in Los Angeles, New York and Miami,” Mr. Ruttenberg said. He compared the concept to Nikki Beach, an oceanfront beach club and entertainment center in the South Beach section of Miami Beach. On the lower level of the building that would house an Aloft Hotel fronting West Tenth Street, plans

call for four restaurants. They would include an upscale restaurant featuring steaks, a wine bar with small-plate food offerings, a Thai or Mexican restaurant and a mozzarella bar — an upscale Italian restaurant featuring foods with the distinctive cheese. Another location on West Tenth would house a tavern.

 

http://www.flatseast.com/documents/press-releases/miami-style-club-on-tap-for-flats-east-bank.pdf

 

EDIT: by the way, some of the reactions to the Toby Keith rumor may be somewhat amplified by the expectations that the developers themselves helped whipped up.

I met with Fishman in December (I should have spilled the beans then), one of the things that was mentioned, Toby Keith's I love this bar was strongly eyed by the group [don't recall if it anything was already signed...].

 

Although I don't like country, both of my siblings do (they also live in the city of cleveland, both college-educated) as do many of their friends... They're more of them out there than you'd tend to think, fellow UOs.  Blossom even has a summer country concert series where people can buy a 6-8 pack of country concert tickets.

 

(end derail)

 

On the one drawing that I saw, it was being placed on the western side of the east bank, adjacent to the boardwalk and next to a volleyball court [or 2].

 

Oh man, I wasn't even realizing that this Toby Keith place would be a stand-alone building.

 

Does anyone fear this could be some pretty bad architecture? Like Larry Flynt's Hustler Club?

^Did you get a sense whether any of the earlier concepts the developers mentioned were still in play?  I guess Kosar's place is out, per someone's post above [willyboy?], but this is what the developers were promising almost exactly one year ago:

 

[A high end night club that is] “the type of club you'd find only in Los Angeles, New York and Miami,” Mr. Ruttenberg said. He compared the concept to Nikki Beach, an oceanfront beach club and entertainment center in the South Beach section of Miami Beach. On the lower level of the building that would house an Aloft Hotel fronting West Tenth Street, plans

call for four restaurants. They would include an upscale restaurant featuring steaks, a wine bar with small-plate food offerings, a Thai or Mexican restaurant and a mozzarella bar — an upscale Italian restaurant featuring foods with the distinctive cheese. Another location on West Tenth would house a tavern.

 

http://www.flatseast.com/documents/press-releases/miami-style-club-on-tap-for-flats-east-bank.pdf

 

EDIT: by the way, some of the reactions to the Toby Keith rumor may be somewhat amplified by the expectations that the developers themselves helped whipped up.

 

That I believe will happen, "clubs" and lobby level lounges like this are a brand standard at W and Aloft hotels.  The aloft in Harlem, has nightly events and themed nights and is always packed.

2nd warning - stay on topic and let's stop bickering. Thank you to those who have complied. I will not deliver a 3rd warning, I will lock it til we all go to time out and get control of ourselves.

The center concrete seems to have stalled out a floor 16.  Do they ned to "jump the crain" up to continue to pour or are they waiting for something else?

 

The iron work is catching up fast. 

 

Here's a few pics of the FEB site that I got over the weekend.  Think the building is gonna look pretty good as more and more of the windows/facade are installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gracias!

Skin!!!!

Ran by the tower during my lunchtime jog today and I have to say that the facade/skin/glass/etc. on the south side really looks great. Think I am going to LOVE this building.

To offer another point of view...

 

from the Justice Tower, 12th floor.

FYI - it appears from my vantage point that they are prepping to jump the crane today. 

 

Yeah if you go the flatseast.com website and look in the bottom right hand corner right next to the blue bridge on the bottom you will see a red crane piece. Its like where's waldo lol

Their facebook page states it will take 8 days per floor to install the curtain wall system to the steel frame. There are additional construction photos on their account.

Here's a few pics of the construction from the FEB facebook page.  They're a couple of weeks old, but still worth posting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/FlatsEastBank#!/FlatsEastBank

 

Thanks. When I'm riding by on the 55 on the Shoreway, I can see lots of glass panels leaning up against girders on the upper floors. So they have the product on site.

 

I think the crane has topped out. Maybe our ironworker friend can clarify this.

I was on facebook a couple days ago and the page said there will be 18 floors. The elevator shaft is up to 16 floors now, I guess the building is about as tall as it is going to get. Someone here mentioned that the building would be 22 floors, but I don't know if that is correct. Too bad though. The building look like its going to be very tall. Kinda a stocky looking building....

^It's 18 office floors, 3 floors of parking and 1 story of maintenance "penthouse".

 

 

 

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/

 

 

Flats East Bank project lines up country-music venue, eateries and looks to $120 million phase 2

Published: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 11:30 AM

 

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A country-music venue and four restaurants have signed deals at the Flats East Bank, as the developers of the waterfront neighborhood wrap up leasing for the first part of the project and turn their attention to a $120 million second phase.

 

 

Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill, which has locations in Oklahoma, will open near the Cuyahoga River in late summer or early fall of 2013. The restaurant and venue features popular and emerging country-music acts, a barbecue menu and a guitar-shaped bar.

 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/04/flats_east_bank_project_lines.html

^Quick!

 

I like the apartments for this phase- this is where public/private partnerships are totally worth it.  It's going to be great to see this rising along the river!  Hopefully more apartments will come along quickly in this development.

 

Go Cleveland!

F-YEA!

From the rendering it looks like they're going to dye the river blue.  Is that a new rendering?

FEB Ph 2 Rendering

This might turn out to be bigger than we thought. If the second phase is to going along as planned, the flats will have a casino (Phase II of Horseshoe) and this high scale neighborhood with a lot of entertainment. This will definitely be a draw for visitors.

 

why should you come to Cleveland? well, you can go to the flats for live entertainment and gambling; you could go to the rock hall for more music if you still want more. Tired of music and want some campus appeal? well, you could go to uptown Cleveland and visit MOCA and mingle with College kids . . .  . I could go on and on.

 

This is really exciting. It is great to be living in Cleveland at this time of its resurgence. Cleveland Rocks!

 

And check out the green roofs in the rendering... I missed that the first time.  Very interesting!

This might turn out to be bigger than we thought. If the second phase is to going along as planned, the flats will have a casino (Phase II of Horseshoe) and this high scale neighborhood with a lot of entertainment. This will definitely be a draw for visitors.

 

why should you come to Cleveland? well, you can go to the flats for live entertainment and gambling; you could go to the rock hall for more music if you still want more. Tired of music and want some campus appeal? well, you could go to uptown Cleveland and visit MOCA and mingle with College kids . . .  . I could go on and on.

 

This is really exciting. It is great to be living in Cleveland at this time of its resurgence. Cleveland Rocks!

Agree completely. The Flats was one of the biggest symbols of Cleveland's rise (and decline) in the 80s and 90s. It appears that the Flats will once again play a big roll in Cleveland's new rise and it is being built to draw people from across the region and the country. That's what I like the most about this project. The things that they're putting down there, for the most part, don't appeal to a big city-centric crowd (like us), but they bring in people from outside the area who probably wouldn't come downtown otherwise. That's good because it increases traffic to the Flats without killing off downtown's other entertainment districts. Good deal.

From the rendering it looks like they're going to dye the river blue.  Is that a new rendering?

 

hahaha I thought the exact same thing.