Park Building Conversion to 26 Condominiums

 

For the past few months a development team has been preparing the Park Building on Public Square for conversion from office space into 26 condominiums units facing the city green.  There are also plans for updating street level retail spaces as well as possibly rehabbing the building’s basement for office space.  Some project highlights and possibilities:

 

*Restoration of the existing 9 story building (110’), designed by Frank Barnum in 1903.

*Added to National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

*Possibility of adding a two-story glass penthouse level on top of the existing structure in a contemporary manner to contrast the existing brick and cast iron building.

*There was some talk within the development team of approaching the owner of the May Company Building next door to make a joint project of residential offerings, but I haven’t heard much progress on this front of the project.

*Model unit is in progress for prospective tenants. 

 

The photos below are from Public Square and some typical views from the proposed residential units.  I hope to have some floor plans, interior renderings, and more information in the near future.

 

Great news!  Where did you find the info?

heard it through the grape vine...

this sounds fabulous and I would consider moving in there!

 

this would immediately raise the value of public square and residents would not put up with half-assed "front lawn"!

What is the street address? I did some searching on the auditor's site, and I thought it would show up with either a Public Square address or maybe a Euclid address. But nothing shows up. Can someone help? I'd be interested in writing an article about it. PM me if you prefer.

I think the street address is 140 Public Square. But I didn't find anything on the auditor's site either. Anyone have a parcel map handy?

Great news. Please keep us posted.

26 of the first (of hopefully many) units to surround Public Square. Here's to forwardthinking!

It's always struck me as odd that there hasn't previously been residential development around Public Square, given its potential role as a connector of the Warehouse District and E. 4th, its striking views (as illustrated above) and recurrent concerns of civic leaders regarding downtown office vacancies. At any rate, this is great news; can't wait to see some renderings!

who is financing this or is it still in the conceptual phases by the current owners?  i am sure this is why you haven't seen more residential construction anywhere - it's not for lack of ideas or interest. 

 

if we could get more office space converted to residential, we might even see some new office construction downtown. 

The final financing deals are something I'm not totally privy to, but the money is all private funding and from what I can tell, it's well on its way.

I think there is a lot of potential for the glass penthouse construction on top of the existing structure.  If done correctly, the contrast between the new and old will create a very dynamic composition.

^usually they try to have the penthouse set back so that you can't really see it from the street. Just about every conversion in CLE has done this. But glass would really keep this penthouse from fading into the background.  Would it be built up to the building's edge or set back to provide space for a roof top deck like everyone else does? 

 

Again, thanks for the news!

Is it that smaller white building just to the east of May's.

I think its the corner building.

I do too. I don't think the building just to the left of the corner building is there anymore -- wasn't that demolished for the May Co. in the 1910s.

I thought the building on the corner was May's.

May Co. is pretty white building designed by Burnham's firm.

Park Building is right on the Southeast corner of Euclid Avenue and Ontario Street where Jakes is.  The white building in that first photo was the original May Co Building.  It was demolished to make way for the existing May.

^Right, but for some reason, I was thinking that was on the corner. 

This is fabulous news!  I agree that adding a striking penthouse level would make the whole thing more noticeable and exciting.  I can't wait to hear more!

 

It sounds like things are pretty well along if they're already working on the model unit... having that model should help sales move along at a steady clip...

who is financing this or is it still in the conceptual phases by the current owners?  i am sure this is why you haven't seen more residential construction anywhere - it's not for lack of ideas or interest. 

 

if we could get more office space converted to residential, we might even see some new office construction downtown. 

 

Actually that could be a catch 22, although we have lots of undeveloped property, I don't think we want to overdevelop it with residential like Vancouver.

 

when I was there this summer, the city was complaining that a new "office" building or tower (can't remember which) hadn't been built in quiet a while and the residential market squeezed the commercial market out of downtown.  I don't know anything official, just what was on the radio that day.

When the orchestra played in Public Square, I noticed there were some people in the upper levels of that place, and I thought: Damn, that'd be a nice place to live! I thought I saw them working in there, too. I just didn't know what for!

 

This is great news! That looks like a lovely place to live. You'd be right next to Tower City and the Rapid and the Warehouse District and E. 4th...and the highway if you're going on a weekender =)

 

Making some of the old vacant buildings into residential is a great idea, in my opinion.  :clap: :clap:

Actually that could be a catch 22, although we have lots of undeveloped property, I don't think we want to overdevelop it with residential like Vancouver.

 

when I was there this summer, the city was complaining that a new "office" building or tower (can't remember which) hadn't been built in quiet a while and the residential market squeezed the commercial market out of downtown. I don't know anything official, just what was on the radio that day.

 

That's a "problem" I would love to have here in Cleveland. But worrying about this now is like the Wright Brothers worrying about how to handle air traffic congestion. Office uses downtown dominate the landscape and the skyline. Consider this:

 

How many office towers do we have that are 20 stories and taller? ...25

 

How many residential towers are 20 stories or taller? Three -- Reserve Square (23 floors), Earnest Bohn Tower (22) and The Chesterfield (20). And the last one of these was built in 1972.

 

I'll bet that this domination of office uses over residential exists in the square-footage category as well. When residential dominates office uses, then we'll know the pendulum has swung too far. Right now, the pendulum has barely moved from the office side.

 

Data is from http://www.clevelandskyscrapers.com/cleveland/clelistht.html

Great news!  And thanks for passing it along. The address of the building is 132 Euclid Ave.  http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/gis/cpc/basemap.jsp

 

Is this conversion going to include the buildings behind the Park Building that front on Ontario?  It looks like they are owned by the same company.

Thanks for that address. Armed with that, I was able to find the name of the man owning the company who bought the three properties, his home and work phone numbers and addresses, past work history, his age, names of family members (at least those with driver's licenses) and more. Even more scary is that I could get all that in one sitting at my computer...

Sorry, I'm just very excited!

 

Complete with a great view of the completed Euclid Corridor improvements!

The view from Ontario & St. Clair:

Gawd, the views from this building have got to be frickin' awesome!

wow awesome, i always wondered what that building had in it.  what other buildings does this guy own??  are there ones behind this one?

The owner of the building has taken me on a couple tours of the place and its really amazing.  He's preserving all of the interior architecture and leaving in the original windows.  The only thing he's adding is some extra plumbing and electrical work.  It has a long way to go but he's going for directly for-sale units rather than rentals.  Some of the rooms even have the original functioning fireplaces.

Thanks for that address. Armed with that, I was able to find the name of the man owning the company who bought the three properties, his home and work phone numbers and addresses, past work history, his age, names of family members (at least those with driver's licenses) and more. Even more scary is that I could get all that in one sitting at my computer...

 

You found all that but couldn't find the address?  Journalists! :roll:

 

Just kidding!

Nope. Looked everywhere. I even tried typing some possible street addresses with different spellings into the City Planning GIS site, but no images showed up. It might have been a problem with our software at work that can't handle Flash and related programs.

Ah, ok.  I just clicked on the parcel on the City Planning GIS site.

Welcome Lammonator!

 

Original fireplaces???  That's incredible!  Was this ever a residential building before?  Do you think the fireplaces will be operational?

A few years ago, a CSU student made a recommendation to add glass to that building.  I think his works were on display in the Old Arcade on some of the empty storefronts when it first re-opened.

 

Looks like his vision might come true.

 

My only concern, as a former resident of the Grand Arcade in the Warehouse District, is that while keeping the old windows makes it more architecturally interesting it also contributes to less energy efficiency and less noise suppression.  And believe me with all the buses that go by Public Square at all times of the day and night, noise issues will be a real concern for residents.

 

All that aside: GREAT NEWS!

 

Now to get rid of that nasty surface parking lot on the west side of Public Square.

And believe me with all the buses that go by Public Square at all times of the day and night, noise issues will be a real concern for residents.

 

i agree with this.  new windows are a must for noise alone.  i'd lived in a building in the city before with newer windows on a lower floor and there were minimal noise problems.  on a higher floor with old windows (fixed up, but still old) i hear EVERYTHING as if i'm at street level.

Ditto that.

A few years ago, a CSU student made a recommendation to add glass to that building.  I think his works were on display in the Old Arcade on some of the empty storefronts when it first re-opened.

 

Looks like his vision might come true.

 

My only concern, as a former resident of the Grand Arcade in the Warehouse District, is that while keeping the old windows makes it more architecturally interesting it also contributes to less energy efficiency and less noise suppression.  And believe me with all the buses that go by Public Square at all times of the day and night, noise issues will be a real concern for residents.

 

All that aside: GREAT NEWS!

 

Now to get rid of that nasty surface parking lot on the west side of Public Square.

 

And believe me with all the buses that go by Public Square at all times of the day and night, noise issues will be a real concern for residents.

 

i agree with this.  new windows are a must for noise alone.  i'd lived in a building in the city before with newer windows on a lower floor and there were minimal noise problems.  on a higher floor with old windows (fixed up, but still old) i hear EVERYTHING as if i'm at street level.

 

 

When I first moved into my apartment, everytime a Green or Blue line train blew its horn or rangs its bell.  It's like the damn train was in the middle of my apartment.  I never realized how loud the horns/bells are until then.  I had to have my windows replaced and I wanted a certain type of glass used and you have to jump threw hops and do this..and do that...Its painful.  I was initially told (something like), "The windows are an important aspect of the architectural character of the buildings".

 

I wonder if being a Historic building or obtaining Historic status has anything to do with it?

 

Welcome Lammonator!

 

Original fireplaces???  That's incredible!  Was this ever a residential building before?  Do you think the fireplaces will be operational?

 

Those fireplace in combination with the view of Public Square says "cha-ching"! to me!!

 

This is gonna be a great project!

 

Its interesting that they have fireplaces in the building. How old is it? Was it always a commercial building?

"I wonder if being a Historic building or obtaining Historic status has anything to do with it?"

 

Absolutely - almost all projects that you've seen using historic restoration tax credits are under restrictions for what can and cannot be done. Replacing windows is a big, big, big issue with a lot of restoration projects. If they don't, then residents suffer from the noise. If they do, the restrictions are a real headache and often expensive. For example, I know someone who used to live in the Federal Knitting Mills Building on Detroit - her north-facing unit enjoyed a treat during the holidays - SNOW came through the "historic" windows!  :-o

I love the Federal Knitting Mills. Anyone know why Detroit widens so much in front of that building?

I love the Federal Knitting Mills. Anyone know why Detroit widens so much in front of that building?

 

it was from the subway coming up from underground i think.  w25 is also like this where the subway came to the surface.

 

Replacing windows is a big, big, big issue with a lot of restoration projects. If they don't, then residents suffer from the noise. If they do, the restrictions are a real headache and often expensive.

 

i don't doubt that it is difficult and perhaps prohibited or just very expensive, but i'll be looking for different windows on my next place.  i think they can replace as long as they are identical looking and of certain material, but maybe this drives the cost too high as these become "custom" windows and not off the shelf.

 

I love the Federal Knitting Mills. Anyone know why Detroit widens so much in front of that building?

 

it was from the subway coming up from underground i think.  w25 is also like this where the subway came to the surface.

 

Correct. I have some photos of that location on Detroit Avenue, including an aerial photo of the west end of the bridge, taken from above the Garrett Morgan water plant. The subway ramp is clearly visible.

I love the Federal Knitting Mills. Anyone know why Detroit widens so much in front of that building?

 

it was from the subway coming up from underground i think.  w25 is also like this where the subway came to the surface.

 

Replacing windows is a big, big, big issue with a lot of restoration projects. If they don't, then residents suffer from the noise. If they do, the restrictions are a real headache and often expensive.

 

i don't doubt that it is difficult and perhaps prohibited or just very expensive, but i'll be looking for different windows on my next place.  i think they can replace as long as they are identical looking and of certain material, but maybe this drives the cost too high as these become "custom" windows and not off the shelf.

 

 

You have to jump threw hops.  At the courts there is only ONE maybe two contractors that can replace the windows, window pane, window seals, etc. in a way that it does not subtract for the arch integrity of the building.  Its labor intensive and one change on a window can alter a building.  It is serious business and the bill was shall I say...........priceless!  :x.  This and the elevator are the one thing I hate about living in a historic building!

This is a confirmed project. While I haven't spoken to Matt Howells yet, I did speak to a woman at his office who confirmed it, and that it would be condos. I left another message for Matt.

 

Funny thing (though not for me as a Sun reporter): the woman said she wondered how the word was getting out (cough--urbanohio-cough), because she had fielded calls from the PD and others as well. There goes my chance at a scoop...

My folks bought me my first pair Florsheims in this building -- ah, the memories!

The exterior of the building has been illuminated from the second floor up.  Really brightens up the square.  No photos, but I will have some from the Public Square lighting on saturday night from the top of the building.

I noticed that as well. Looks great.

i don't doubt that it is difficult and perhaps prohibited or just very expensive, but i'll be looking for different windows on my next place.  i think they can replace as long as they are identical looking and of certain material, but maybe this drives the cost too high as these become "custom" windows and not off the shelf.

 

You have to jump threw hops.  At the courts there is only ONE maybe two contractors that can replace the windows, window pane, window seals, etc. in a way that it does not subtract for the arch integrity of the building.  Its labor intensive and one change on a window can alter a building.  It is serious business and the bill was shall I say...........priceless!  :x.  This and the elevator are the one thing I hate about living in a historic building!

 

Has anyone here considered installing interior storm windows?  I just read about them a month ago or so and I'm considering putting in a few to try it out.  Basically you get a piece of plexiglass cut to fit inside your window frame and attach it with a magnetic strip.  It forms a good seal, and the plastic is a better sound / heat insulator than glass. 

 

I've ordered samples from Magnetite and Modern Plastics but I haven't had a chance to put any windows together yet. 

 

Anyway, it's an idea.

 

huh, just found this thread for the first time. I want to live there.

The Park Building project is up for some city approvals this week. They are seeking permission from the city planning commission to build a penthouse on the roof.