Berdan Building renovation scuttled

Developer pulls out after attempt for $10.2M federal loan fails

BY CLAUDIA BOYD-BARRETT, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 3/12/2012

 

A plan to renovate the historic and long-vacant Berdan Building in Toledo’s Warehouse District has fallen apart after attempts to secure a $10.2 million federal loan for the project failed and the developer pulled out, city officials said.

 

Executives for Cleveland-based Landmark RE Management LLC did not return numerous calls last week requesting information, but Toledo Deputy Mayor Tom Crothers confirmed that the company had walked away from the project. ... Landmark RE Management’s exit is a blow to the administration of Toledo Mayor Mike Bell, which had worked with the developers for over a year in trying to secure federal funds for the renovation.

 

The company – which has had multiple a successes in developing historic renovation projects – had planned to turn the 110-year-old building across from Fifth Third Field into upscale, loft-style apartments.  The loan, which would have come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with backing from the city, was a crucial component in the $22 million plan.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/03/12/Berdan-Building-renovation-scuttled.html

Mud Hens plan revitalization to ballpark area

Team seeks to renovate buildings, enhance retail and eatery options

BY MARK REITER, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: 8/21/2013 

 

An expanded Swamp Shop, a rooftop patio, and restaurant with a high-tech arcade are among the ideas being kicked around by the Toledo Mud Hens for a multimillion dollar project to develop empty buildings on St. Clair Street near Fifth Third Field.  Joe Napoli, president and general manager of the minor league baseball team, announced Tuesday that the Mud Hens are working with investors on a $10 million to $15 million expansion and renovation project near the ball park. 

 

The proposal includes restoring a pair of three-story buildings on St. Clair adjacent to the stadium as well as the old Spangler Candy Co. building across the street.  So far, the project participants are the Mud Hens, Lathrop Co., and Tom Porter Architects, and the plan involves more than $1 million in buildings and other property the Mud Hens acquired two years ago, Mr. Napoli said during the monthly meeting of the Toledo Warehouse District Association. ... Under plans detailed by Mr. Napoli, a structure adjacent to the four-story Spangler Candy Co. building would be demolished and a smaller structure would be built to house an elevator and stair system to service a refurbished and repurposed Spangler building.

 

Also, the Mud Hens would improve and enhance the parking lot on Monroe Street, between St. Clair and Summit streets, and rehabilitate the three-story buildings on St. Clair near Washington Street, adjacent to the stadium complex.  All the buildings, including one once occupied by Consumers Plumbing, which the Mud Hens are seeking to have razed, have been vacant for more than 30 years.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/Retail/2013/08/21/Team-seeks-to-renovate-buildings-enhance-retail-and-eatery-options.html

 

The above vacant buildings at 3 and 9 N. St. Clair are part of a proposal by the Mud Hens

for a $10 million to $15 million project to redevelop structures near the stadium.

Good news about 3-9 St. Clair. I have always eyed that building for redevelopment.

That sucks that Consumers Plumbing Building might come down. It's a beautiful spot, and I hope there is some last-minute way to save it. I do realize it is in really bad shape (structurally probably one of the worst ones downtown), but Toledo needs to save as many of its historic low-rises as it can. If it does come down, I hope that lot next to it (6) can eventually see some much-needed infill. I think a landmark mid-rise would be great there to revitalize the corner of Summit and Monroe (two major Toledo streets).

 

Other than that, I'm happy the Mud Hens want to redevelop this vacant space. They've done a lot of good in the Warehouse District. That's still one of the best ballparks in the country.

A look at the past, present and future of Toledo's Warehouse District from the Toledo Free Press:

 

http://www.toledofreepress.com/2014/05/29/warehouse-district-thriving-growing-after-years-of-effort/

 

It's important to note that Toledo's Warehouse District continued to see new development and rehabs during the recession and aftermath. Toledo lost the second-highest percentage of jobs of any metro area in the country during this time (Detroit was first). That makes you believe the market is deep in the Warehouse District of Toledo. And it should be considering it's one of the best such districts in the country. I've seen a few new abandonments during visits back to the Glass City (it looks like Commerce Paper and the gorgeous Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse are now abandoned), but hopefully they become lofts like the Bartley Building and Triangle Building. I'm also rooting for the Berdan Building (I think it's one of the best turn-of-the-century Chicago-style warehouses in the United States).

 

A few projects were delayed due to the recession, but I can't think of any serious project that was cancelled other than Berdan. There is continued demand for urban living in Toledo. Nightlife also seems to have steadily improved in the Warehouse District. It was already decent back when I worked downtown, and is on the right track to critical mass.

Site plans submitted for Berdan Building project

By Bill Hormann, 13abc.com

Oct 27, 2014 - 2:45 PM EDT

 

One of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Toledo is about to begin.  Site plans for the Berdan building renovation have been filed and work will begin before the end of the year.

 

Kevin Prater, of Prater Development, Ltd., will put a new face on the building at Washington and Erie streets, downtown.  Prater doesn't do a lot of interviews; he doesn't want to over promise and under deliver.  But Monday, he talked with 13abc's Bill Hormann about the project and his company's intentions in Toledo.

 

Prater has spent a couple years putting the Berdan renovation together.  He says, “I think there's a large amount of vacant space that still needs to be rehabbed and I think people are doing it slowly, piece by piece.”  Prater hass already renovated one piece.  His Standart Lofts building quickly sold out after millions of dollars in renovations.

 

Now, he is focused on turning the 112 year old Berdan building into another downtown lofts project with 115 residential units. ... And the lower level of the building will be 5,000 square feet of commercial space.

 

MORE: http://www.13abc.com/story/27025788/site-plans-submitted-for-berdan-building-project

 

‘Hensville’ gets $4M state tax relief

BY MARK REITER, BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published: Friday, 12/19/2014

 

The Toledo Mud Hens have tapped into a share of state historic preservation tax credits — the final hurdle to transform vacant buildings into the “Hensville” entertainment district.

 

The Ohio Development Services Agency announced Thursday the Mud Hens will receive nearly $4 million from the coveted historic tax credits.

 

The nearly $19 million project near Fifth Third Field to revitalize deteriorated buildings at 3, 9, and 28 St. Clair Street in the Toledo Warehouse District is set to begin early next year, said Joe Napoli, president of the Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye.

 

MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/12/19/Hensville-gets-4M-state-tax-relief.html

 

I can't stand when cities try to be something they are not.  "Hensville" is obviously a play on "Wrigleyville" IMO, and that it is not.  Toledo is not Chicago.  For cities to thrive, leaders need to understand who they are, where they came from, and work off of those assets.  I hope this project succeeds, and credit to Toledo for landing the funds, but when coining it with a name developed off of another cities magnificent district leads the locals to wanting something more than what they got. 

^I agree it's biting off Chicago, but you must realize Toledo has a long-standing inferiority complex with Chicago, and comparisons came up a lot under previous administrations like Carty Finkbeiner (loved that dude). Whenever something that sucked about Toledo was brought up, you'd get a "just look at Chicago" response. Chicago was held up as this gold standard of a city, and honestly, I didn't see anything wrong with that. Chicago is America's best city between New York and San Francisco. It makes sense for Toledo to copy certain aspects of it since Toledoans visit Chicago a ton and I'd say that city attracted more of my friends and family than any other city in the country. In my family, you were just expected to move to Chicago after graduating. It was like that for a lot of my friends growing up too. Parents viewed their kids getting out of Toledo and transplanting to Chicago as a sign of success. But they didn't want their kids to move too far away since there is still a lot of old school Eastern European and Middle Eastern Catholicism running through Toledo. Chicago is an easy weekend trip and culturally similar (despite being a big city, there is no denying Chicago is Midwestern in its attitude, fashion, and mannerisms). New York or DC? Maybe too far away. West Coast, the Rockies, or Texas? Way too far. Those of us living thousands of miles from Toledo get a lot of flack from our families for not visiting more!

 

Keep in mind Toledo was always a secondary city to Detroit, and also the largest rail outpost of Chicago (Toledo still to this day is one of the largest rail hubs in North America and maintains a busy deepwater shipping port with lots of commodities trading with Chicago). Toledo historically has looked to those two cities for inspiration it can't find locally. Much of Toledo's great architecture came from Chicago and Detroit firms. That's why the old buildings are so impressive. In the 1940's, Toledo would have looked like a slice of Chicago and Detroit back then. Due to Chicago escaping the Rust Belt fate of its Great Lakes neighbors, I think it's natural to be used as a model.

 

Hensville is aspirational. It's saying "Look, we know our city has been through hell and hasn't come back, but maybe someday we can produce a Chicago-level neighborhood again."

 

A longshot? Sure, but tell that to Buffalo, Toledo's twin city across the lake. If Buffalo can produce Elmwood Village, anything is possible in the other similar Rust Belt ports. Toledoans have always been a crazy bunch, and I bet they'll love this name. Toledoans may be Tigers fans, but they love Wrigleyville...

 

*Also, don't sell the Mud Hens organization short. From a marketing perspective, they're incredible. They consistently have some of the highest attendance in minor league baseball, and have shown intense dedication to the urban core. It's pretty much the best-run minor league sports club in the country. I agree they're ripping off Wrigleyville, but I can't think of a better name. Warehouseville? The Glass Corridor? Detroit Junior?

 

One thing that I found unique in Toledo was the perfectly-executed urban sports stadia. Both Fifth Third Field and the Huntington Center arena are among the best of their kind in the country. As far as urbanism goes, I think they beat most big league stuff. Will that area around the stadium ever be like Wrigleyville? No. But I get the play on words...

 

And I also remember how dead that section of Toledo used to be. No doubt the Mud Hens have improved it a lot, and I do feel there is potential for a small urban village there, basically an extension of St. Clair Village down the street.

One of the most anticipated redevelopment projects in Toledo is about to begin.  Site plans for the Berdan building renovation have been filed and work will begin before the end of the year.

 

Excellent news here. This is one of Toledo's best warehouses, and I hope this project succeeds. Standart Lofts looked fantastic on my last visit to Toledo. Some of the recent warehouse conversions in Toledo are very much on the level of work done in San Francisco's SOMA District, and superior to anything I've seen in Oakland's Jack London Square district.

 

The Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse is another great candidate for conversion. It looks recently abandoned and has alway been a Toledo landmark.

Published: Tuesday, 12/1/2015 - Updated: 1 week ago

Downtown accounting firm to be 1st tenant for new Hensville development

BLADE STAFF

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers is moving its 60-plus employees in downtown Toledo into renovated space in the new Hensville entertainment district, the Toledo Mud Hens and PwC officials announced today.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2015/12/01/Downtown-accounting-firm-to-be-first-tenants-for-new-Hensville-development.html#AW1eIes6xeJvXg5i.99

Published: Tuesday, 11/10/2015 - Updated: 4 weeks ago

Mud Hens buy historic KeyBank building

Structure eyed as entertainment venue downtown

BY JON CHAVEZ

BLADE BUSINESS WRITER

 

The historic building that for nearly 100 years operated as a downtown bank soon will begin a new life as an entertainment venue, courtesy of the Toledo Mud Hens.

 

The sports club, currently in the midst of building Hensville, a $19 million entertainment district adjacent to Fifth Third Field, acknowledged Monday that it is the mystery buyer for the former KeyBank branch at 245 N. Superior St. at Madison Avenue. The Mud Hens bought the historic building Oct. 30 for $430,000.

 

Joe Napoli, Mud Hens president and CEO, left, and Jim Hoffman, regional president of KeyBank, view the architecture of the old KeyBank building, which retains the exuberant flair of its 1916 origin. The bank was one of the few in Toledo to survive the Depression. Joe Napoli, Mud Hens president and CEO, left, and Jim Hoffman, regional president of KeyBank, view the architecture of the old KeyBank building, which retains the exuberant flair of its 1916 origin. The bank was one of the few in Toledo to survive the Depression.

 

He said they immediately saw that the 11,000-square-foot building would make “a wonderful community asset” to complement other nearby entertainment venues such as the Huntington Center, Valentine Theatre, and Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater.

 

Mr. Napoli said when the Mud Hens have spoken to entertainment promoters, it is clear the downtown lacks an upscale small and intimate venue that solo artists, such as folk singers, jazz players, comedians, and others prefer.

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2015/11/10/Mud-Hens-buy-historic-KeyBank-building.html#cM7jDiXaZZLtJ8k3.99

I was thinking about the recent Mud Hens stuff. Has any other sports franchise gotten this deep into urban development? It seems odd the Mud Hens are so focused on developing Downtown Toledo (though I love it). They're really branching out away from their core brand. I think a lot of it has to do with their president, Joe Napoli, since he is so urban focused. He has been great for Toledo and no doubt is a strong community leader.

http://m.toledoblade.com/Retail/2016/03/13/Hensville-readies-for-early-opening.html

 

Hensville readies for early opening

Now that is pretty cool!

http://m.toledoblade.com/Retail/2016/03/18/Revelers-celebrate-Hensville.html

 

Revelers celebrate hensville

It's really amazing what the Mud Hens have accomplished in that section of Toledo's Warehouse District. Hardly any major league franchises have managed that level of spinoff. Only maybe the San Francisco Giants in SOMA are on that level of spinoff, but it's more related to tech/Caltrain commuter rail than anything the SF Giants have done. Toledo has virtually no tech industry to speak of, the CBD has fewer workers today than it did ten years ago, the city lost another Fortune 500 HQ (Owens-Illinois to Perrysburg), and yet the Warehouse District keeps growing. Remarkably, long-dead Uptown looked like it was growing on my last visit too (it even got a full-service grocery store!). While the urban core neighborhoods of Toledo no doubt have too many abandoned buildings and vacant lots, I sensed some redevelopment momentum finally sticking on my last visit. This is amazing considering Toledo's terrible economy and dismal job market for young college grads. Toledo is now in arguably worse economic shape than Detroit. There have been periodic booms and busts in the downtown area (lots of bar/nightclub turnover and stalled projects), but I sense Toledo is leveling off and might even start to turn around. It has a solid urban core much larger than its current population/job market would suggest, and the potential is huge considering how cheap Toledo has become (even compared other Rust Belt cities). Detroit's momentum is spilling over, and it seems like there is a similar Rust Belt pride movement in Toledo. I've seen it in Sandusky too. The western Lake Erie cities are starting to own the Rust Belt label. It's also being seen in Buffalo and Cleveland.

 

Toledo's Warehouse District renovations are really a testament to Mud Hens leadership and risk-taking developers who invested in the neighborhood. The one thing that has grown in Toledo is the downtown residential population, which has also brought back some nightlife.

New  temporary signage up at the berdan building.. haven't drove by in about a month, so I'm not sure how new it is, but there is a new banner on the fencing around the building on the Washington/erie side.. all I could really remember of it is the name.. Berdan Lofts. And a hiring banner as well for the construction company.. 

 

So,  not much, but it's atleast something for you guys

Thanks!  We appreciate it as we don't hear much about Toledo.

New  temporary signage up at the berdan building.. haven't drove by in about a month, so I'm not sure how new it is, but there is a new banner on the fencing around the building on the Washington/erie side.. all I could really remember of it is the name.. Berdan Lofts. And a hiring banner as well for the construction company.. 

 

So,  not much, but it's atleast something for you guys

 

Awesome news! That's one of the best historic warehouses in the entire nation. Hopefully the city can renovate the iconic Great Lakes Terminal Warehouse next.

Is the Great Lakes Terminal warehouse building used for anything anymore? That building is huge. I was just being nosey the other day, driving around down there and I love the feel down there. Theres already valuable landmarks down there like the Oliver House and its restaurants and bars, as well as MLK/Central Terminal....a few other good food spots like San Marcos and Original Sub Shop.....and the upcoming Middlegrounds Park. I noticed somebody had an art studio in a nondescript building and I know different buildings down there have hosted Artomatic 419 events.

 

So much potential that im confident will be realized much sooner than later.

I'll ask my dad next time we talk, about the GL terminal... he's a electric meter mechanic and that was in his work zone recently...

 

 

Berdan Building exterior brick work is looking NIIICEEEE!!! Hoping to get some pics this week.. might need help posting them

http://m.wtol.com/toledonewsnow/db/347256/content/LPWYFfws

 

Fifth third bank renews naming rights to home of the toledo mudhens

http://m.toledoblade.com/Religion/2016/05/21/Cornerstone-Church-plans-campus-next-to-Hensville.html

 

Cornerstone Church plans campus next to Hensville

http://m.wtol.com/toledonewsnow/db/347256/content/SHwyfEAX

 

Promedica hoping to offer temporary leases to businesses at Willis Day Building

http://www.toledoblade.com/Real-Estate/2016/11/30/ProMedica-offered-sneak-peek-into-their-plans-to-rehab-reopen-Willis-Day-building-downtown.html

 

Promedica offers sneak peek into their plans to rehab/reopen Willis Day building downtown

 

Purchase not official but expected sale in January 

Great news for a great building!

 

BTW, Hensville looked fantastic! I can't believe how well that turned out, and what they did with the Christmas lights was really cool.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Real-Estate/2017/02/04/Developer-envisions-downtown-Toledo-gem.html

 

Developer envisions downtown Toledo gem

 

Apartments planned for Commerce Paper Co building

http://m.wtol.com/toledonewsnow/db/347256/content/IU6Mwnox

 

Downtown Toledo's Pythian Castle to see new life

Renovations start this week

THAT is awesome news.

It's crazy how many buildings are being renovated in Toledo right now. It is great to see and reminds me a lot of what's happening in Detroit (but with fewer hipsters lol)! The Glass City has so much potential and the urban core is really starting to turn around. I noticed on my last trip that demolitions have slowed down quite a bit (Toledo is now being very surgical compared to many other Rust Belt cities) and there is a lot of effort to secure historic buildings. The Pythian Castle was always one of the most endangered buildings downtown, so to see this renovation happen is a very big deal. I honestly didn't think it could be saved...

http://www.toledoblade.com/Real-Estate/2017/02/04/Developer-envisions-downtown-Toledo-gem.html

 

Developer envisions downtown Toledo gem

 

Apartments planned for Commerce Paper Co building

 

Awesome! This building is incredible and the ceilings are insanely high. They are going to be gorgeous lofts that rival the world class Bartley Lofts next door. Toledo's recent warehouse conversions have been outstanding, and beat anything you can find on the West Coast outside of San Francisco's wealthiest former industrial neighborhoods. Toledo developers have done a really fantastic job preserving the historic details of these buildings inside and out.

Land clearing for the new i-75/A.W. trail gateway to downtown has begun.

State approves tax credits for building in Warehouse District

 

 

The state of Ohio Wednesday awarded nearly $610,000 in state historic tax credits for a project that seeks to bring more apartments and restaurant space to the Toledo Warehouse District.

 

The S. Metzger Produce Building, 139 S. Huron St., which is owned by IBC Inc., was among 30 applicants to receive $34,977,855 in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to rehabilitate 36 historic buildings.

 

More below:

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2017/06/28/State-approves-tax-credits-for-Metzger-Building-in-Toledo-Warehouse-District.html

Developer plans to build upscale townhomes in Toledo's Warehouse District

ByMark Reiter | BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published on Feb. 28, 2018 | Updated 5:29 p. m

 

Developer Jim McGowan has built a solid reputation in the construction of upscale homes in Toledo’s suburban neighborhoods.

 

Exmoor in Ottawa Hills and Riverhills, Northwoods, and Wildewood in Sylvania Township are among the million-dollar subdivisions developed by his family’s Sylvania-based company, McGowan Properties.

 

Now, the developer is turning his attention to new home construction in Toledo’s urban core to the accommodate the growing devotees to downtown living.

 

Mr. McGowan is asking the city to approve plans to build new single-family homes at 151 S. St. Clair St. near the Farmers’ Market in the Warehouse District.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2018/02/28/Developer-plans-to-build-upscale-townhomes-in-Toledo-s-Warehouse-District.html

Two Toledo development projects advance

ByDavid Patch | BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published on March 8, 2018 | Updated 6:56 p. m

 

The Saint Claire, in the Toledo Warehouse District

 

The Toledo City Plan Commission approved Thursday the replatting of — and building demolitions on  — East Toledo land proposed for the Gateway Lofts project at the Marina District’s south end.

 

The commission also referred to Toledo City Council a 21-unit condominium complex proposed for the Warehouse District.

 

...

 

Mr. McGowan said last week he expected to price The Saint Claire’s homes between the high $300,000 range and nearly $700,000. Thirteen of the 21 would overlook Swan Creek, although the developer told the plan commission they would be designed so as to not be subject to federal rules requiring flood insurance.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2018/03/08/Two-Toledo-development-projects-advance.html

the new townhouses look normal and a heck of a lot better than the newish red brick ones next to it. i cant stand the red ones, in person they look like prison buildings, so hopefully the st claire townhouses will hide them a bit.

A review of the Berdan Building renovation in Toledo's Warehouse District.

 

 

 

 

 

"The Berdan Building in Toledo, Ohio, was built in 1902 and had a successful run as a wholesale grocery warehouse and manufacturing building for the Berdan Company, once the largest wholesale grocery business in the eastern United States. Constructed of distinctive multi-wythe red brick bearing walls and large timber columns and floors, the building is finished with terra cotta detailing at the parapet, entry doors and large arched windows.

 

The architect, George Stafford Mills, based the building on the Marshall Field warehouse in Chicago. Recognized early on during the preservation movement, the building was individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, the same decade it became vacant.

 

Over the last few years, The Berdan has undergone a great transformation. Not only has the coal and environmentally-stained red brick and terra cotta exterior been cleaned, but the timber and brick interior has been cleaned of paint and rehabilitated into a modern mixed-use building with ground floor tenant parking garage, corner retail space – which houses the Tin Can Bar – 115 apartments on the second through fifth floors, and a rooftop deck for the residences to look over the city and the Toledo Mudhens’ Fifth Third Field right across the street."

 

Continued, with additional photos: http://thekraemeredge.com/kdg-project-spotlight-berdan/

Awesome renovation!

wow very nice to see that.

The Mudhens' Fifth Third Field catalyzed significant development in the Warehouse District, including the recently completed Hensville.

 

Baseball is back in Toledo

ByJay Skebba | BLADE STAFF WRITER

Published on April 12, 2018 | Updated 9:37 p. m

 

 

Baseball fans descended upon a sun-soaked downtown Toledo on Thursday to pop the cork on another year of Mud Hens baseball.

 

Tailgates and private parties started several hours prior to the 4:05 p.m. first pitch. The growing number of bars and restaurants around Fifth Third Field were packed with people taking the day off work, and some who played hooky.

 

Mud Hens and Walleye president and CEO Joe Napoli said Opening Day has become the biggest party of the year.

 

“We’re one of a handful from 160 minor league cities that have an opening day of this magnitude,” Mr. Napoli said. “Toledo has made this very special, and we’re the envy of minor league baseball because this is truly a Major League opening day.”

 

The Hens estimate as many as 25,000 people make their way downtown each year for the home opener. General Manager Erik Ibsen credited the club’s staff and a resurgent downtown for the atmosphere.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/Mud-Hens/2018/04/12/Baseball-is-back-in-Toledo.html

https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Park-hotel-570435141.html

 

Youth housing coming to Park Hotel

 

 

That's a great building.

The area around the train station - Oliver House - Middlegrounds - Post Office is the most interesting part of the city for me right now. Vistula is a close second.

 

Itll be good to see something done to that awesome building.