I have no idea how seriously we should be taking that rendering at this point...but I'm fine with it, even if I would prefer a tad more color.  All else equal, though, I think it would be better to see a second designer's work here for a little more variety in materials, detailing, etc.

Now you're thinking like someone with an understanding for design and environment.

Just got an email from MRN this morning indicating that Uptown apartments would be available for tours and pre-leasing from 16 March:

 

Link to the email

 

Details of the apartments are given as:

 

Controlled Access Entry, Spacious Floor Plans, Hardwood Floors, Central A/C, In-suite Washer/Dryers, Fully Equipped Kitchens, High Ceilings, Unique Window Layouts and Views, 24-hour Maintenance Service, Garage Parking Available.

 

1 bedroom/1 bath $1325-$1990

2 bedroom/2 bath $1825-$2260

^wow that's more than downtown's avg rates.

Definitely some of the highest rates in Cleveland.  I would imagine (hope) they did some market research.  This will be interesting to watch.  If it leases well this may be good news for other new apartment developments in Cleveland including high rises which are difficult to build in our market due to average lease rates.

Those medical professionals and Case students can afford it! :-P

Seriously....when I was looking for apartments places in Beachwood and Westlake were going for that amount.  I am renting cheaper downtown then in those places.  This seems right on track.

Those rents make my eyes pop a little considering I'm paying under $1000 for a 2 bed 2 bath with lake views downtown.  Then again, when I tell my friends in Chicago, LA, Seattle, and NY what I pay their eyes pop.  If the market can bear these higher rents it would certainly be a good thing for new construction.

I am all for new apartment construction with high rental rates within the city of Cleveland.  Assuming they can actually lease them.

 

I'm curious to see how this breaks down on a per square foot basis.

^I think upthread there was some info on unit sizes, which implied about $2/sf.

 

Especially as UC continues to add amenities, there's no reason why units there won't be able to charge at least as much per sf as anything in Beachwood or Westlake.  Will be interesting to see who the tenants are.  New arrivals from east/west coast cities won't bat an eye at those prices, but I bet plenty of local people will be interested too.  There really isn't a lot of competition for this package of design and location in the whole region.

 

EDIT: I wonder if Case/UC/the Clinic will be snagging any of these units for "corporate" housing.

Posted on the Uptown page asking about opening dates for the first retail tenants. Here's what they posted back:

 

"Verizon, Barnes & Noble and Constantino's will be open on March 19th!"

 

Good news! Less than 3 weeks!

Wow, that's crazy.  The future is [amost] now!  So, is the facade coming along?  Relying only on photo updates here and the teeny sliver I can see on the MOCA construction cam, I still have visions of blue insulation or vapor barrier or whatever it is.

Yes, on the north side of Euclid. I don't think any has gone up on the south side (or very small patch, if it has). But all of the retail tenants opening in two weeks (!) are in the north side of the project.

^I think upthread there was some info on unit sizes, which implied about $2/sf.

 

And isn't this more than what is typically quoted as what would be needed to justify new construction downtown?  I know this is University Circle and not downtown, but good signs.

In a vaccum that number has to be closer to $3 psf to justify costs of construction on its own (with a hefty jump in base rents for commercial tenants from what we typically see as well... especially in the local retail segment - i'm talking $25-35 psf as opposed to $10-15). But combined with the right financial tools (New markets, TIF, and especially conversion of historic properties and tax credits)... $2 psf residential could make it real interesting.

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=638fc10cc02f5cdecfd5ccf1a&id=e92e24929c

I just want to say I'm excited about the project and what's happening in this part of Cleveland. I think the vitality being created here and in downtown is what we need to begin becoming a 24-city and change perceptions of the city especially among current residents.

The Uptown website has finally been updated although it appears to be a work in progress.

 

http://www.uptowncleveland.com/

Thanks urbanmyth!

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2012/03/high_rental_prices_at_uptown_apartments_in_university_circle_may_test_rates_at_other_buildings_slideshow.html

 

High rental prices at Uptown apartments in University Circle may test the market (slideshow)

 

This article contains photos of the interiors of the apartments.grocery store.and bookstore

Walked by last night, and it looks like the Verizon and bookstore spaces could definitely be ready for opening on Monday, as was shared on the Uptown Facebook page. But Constantino's, while looking good, still seemed to have some work to get done on shelving, etc.

^Can't wait.  The B&N will be awesome.  We haven't had a mega bookstore like this in downtown or a trendy area of town since Joseph-Beth bolted Shaker Square in 2004 or 5.  Constantino's will be great.  I hope some of he restaurants/bars on the east pavilion will be open soon, although I realize development is considerably behind the west side's.

^Can't wait.  The B&N will be awesome.  We haven't had a mega bookstore like this in downtown or a trendy area of town since Joseph-Beth bolted Shaker Square in 2004 or 5.  Constantino's will be great.  I hope some of he restaurants/bars on the east pavilion will be open soon, although I realize development is considerably behind the west side's.

 

I don't think this will be a regular Barnes and Noble?  I believe it's more on the scale of the one they run at CSU.

It is a college version of Barnes and Noble, so a large section will be devoted to college text books. But this one seems like it will be much larger than the one at CSU, so it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Many college bookstores e.g GA TEch BN is reasonable and well used by the community because the variety of book inventory is still acceptable just and added college textbooks. I think these BN will be leaps and bounds better than CSU

 

I will be using my dusty B&N card now that they are opening in the city. Money is a powerful advocacy tool.

Any news on the next Uptown structure planned for the surface lot next to the current ones? That structure was impressive!!!

This One To Be Exact:

I wouldn't call the Barnes & Noble a "megastore," but we could use a "megastore" B&N downtown, like other cities have - yes. Also an OfficeMax or Staples or the like. Thousands of workers downtown and we have two tiny outlets that might even possibly be considered office supply places - one primarily a copy store. And NO bookstore downtown - a few paperbacks in Tower City, etc.  Etc.

 

Can't wait to see what happens in Tower City with the Casino, btw.  Off topic here but I just wanted to mention it, as long as the disire for a B&N desire downtown was expressed.

CWRU Bookstore/Barnes and Noble is now OPEN: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151423994790193.827491.82591905192&type=1

Yeah, that doesn't look like a book store that will be very useful to non students.

I checked out the new bookstore.  It basically has the same stuff as the old campus bookstore which is not much in the way of normal books.  It is quite nice however and the cafe was bigger than I thought it would be.  There are a lot of Cleveland pictures which is cool and even a timeline of Cleveland history on the wall!  It is nice to have a place in the circle that has office supplies, electronics accessories, and at least some books.  It should get more non-student traffic as it now has a visible street location. 

Wanted to go this evening but I didn't have hours. Wanted to call and "411" didn't have phone number yet. I called CSU B&N and it sounded like they were closed in the evening. Just recordings. Does anyone have the hours of the new one? I noticed sidewalk in front was nowhere near finished on Sunday. Any idea when Constantino's is supposed to open? Verizon?

 

It's the Case Bookstore, so the number will be on Case's website if nothing else.

I had no idea. You're saying the one in Thwing is closed? They didn't do this at CSU; there's the B&N Campus on Euclid and the main campus store in the fairly new Student Center. Thanks for the tip, as the operator still doesn't have the phone number under "Barnes and Noble."

 

If Thwing's store is closed does anyone know what is to become of the space?

Just called new store (216-368-2650) to find yes - they did replace the one in Thwing and they're not even open after 7 M-F (and close earlier on weekends). Was going to try to see it tonite after dinner. Really not much like the big Barnes and Nobles then if they're not even open later evenings.  Still very glad they're open though. It does seem somewhat out of the way for the main campus store for textbooks and other paraphernalia, I must say. I see a lot of campuses and this is really off-center for a main university store. It's more the location one might expect for a general, big-box Barnes & Noble, in fact (except lack of good parking). The new Student Center, if it ever gets built, is much more on target as for central location.  And, of course, student centers frequently have the main campus stores.

It's not off-center if you consider where students live on-campus and where the graduate schools are. The 'Main Quad' is really just somewhere people go to class. All most students have to do is walk down E. 115th to the new store.

 

I have no idea what they plan to do with the space in Thwing. But the new student center is probably too small to permit a bookstore along with everything else they have planned for it, especially given its unusual form factor.

 

I think 7 PM is actually an improvement for their hours, haha - I went to the bookstore several times last year and found it unaccountably closed at various times. It looks a little bigger in the photos, and they could probably cram more stuff in there if they tried.

You're saying the one in Thwing is closed?

 

Yes. Last day i think corresponded with the last day before spring break. it is now empty with a sign saying the new store will open a week or so later (after spring break) at the new location. right now its a big empty space--not sure what will fill it.

 

 

 

It does seem somewhat out of the way for the main campus store for textbooks and other paraphernalia, I must say. I see a lot of campuses and this is really off-center for a main university store. It's more the location one might expect for a general, big-box Barnes & Noble, in fact (except lack of good parking). The new Student Center, if it ever gets built, is much more on target as for central location.  And, of course, student centers frequently have the main campus stores.

 

Archangel is right.  The majority of student housing is actually only about a block north of the new bookstore so it is actually more convenient than the old one.  I was amazed at how much parking is behind the building.  There is more than enough for the businesses that are there.  I don't think that residents of Uptown are actually supposed to park there though but I am not sure where they will be parking, perhaps the garage by the triangle.

That's also the parking for the restaurants opening across the street, though. And MOCA, too? But I agree, a LOT of parking. Time to start letting transit-oriented be transit-oriented :) But IIRC, they had to actually seek permission from Planning because there wasn't the statutory minimum required per unit. Is that right? I'm thinking it was right around the same time they were flipping over how trash service, etc., would work. I also thought that parking and additional tree coverage were at least partially a concession to the Hessler naysayers. Again, it's been a long while since we were talking about that, so I could be wrong on all counts :)

Thwing is being repurposed for mostly office purposes, IIRC.  With the exception of the Jolly Scholar, that's basically what it is already.

 

Also, 7pm is an improvement.  The one at Thwing closed at 5.  But if they want people to hang out in the cafe and stuff (didn't they say they had a B&N cafe in there?), then 7pm is pretty lame for a closing time.

From last Friday ...

 

Yes, I could see there's a cafe from the outside.

The parking situation for new Uptown residents sound wretched! People are going to pay in that rental classification and not have enclosed parking right next to their building?  They'd have to cross Euclid just to get to their cars, and park in a public parking garage?  Is this garage already constructed? Yes, I know it is hoped many will take transit but I'm sure many will want their cars right by there. Groceries, furniture, and daily living.

 

So what the heck is going on with Uptown's parking situation for residents?  Sounds like bad planning, in that respect, though I love having the apartments and shops there.  And MOCA and CIA, if it ever gets going. Etc.

 

Thanks for the pics, Paul.

http://www.uptowncleveland.com/

Says "garage parking available"....  Doesn't sound good for luxury apartments, no matter how convenient they are to HealthLine.  There's an awful lot of reasons the residents may want a parking space right nearby.

http://www.uptowncleveland.com/

Says "garage parking available"....  Doesn't sound good for luxury apartments, no matter how convenient they are to HealthLine.  There's an awful lot of reasons the residents may want a parking space right nearby.

Really?  I live in Shaker Blvd. directly across from the train and my building has TWO garages.  It's still a desirable complex to live in.  I'm not a fan of parking garages just to have a parking garage, but I do think condo owners should have the option of having a car and a unit allocated parking spot.

Is the Verizon store a true Verizon store, or just an Authorized seller or whatever they're called

what is the difference exactly between a true verizon store or an authorized seller? i use verizon, and i can't tell the difference

From the Case Daily:

 

New businesses springing up as Uptown project brings new life to University Circle

Posted: March 21st, 2012 | Author: thedaily | Filed under: news | 4 Comments »

 

Things are bustling on Euclid Avenue. From this week’s debut of the brand-new Barnes & Noble bookstore to the forthcoming openings of a grocery store, a Verizon Wireless shop, restaurants, apartments and more, the Uptown project is now in full swing.

 

Beyond dining and retail outlets, there’s a flurry of residential activity in the works, including 114 brand-new apartments on Euclid Avenue and more than 500 apartments nearby. In future phases of the Uptown project, developers plan to add 100 to 200 apartments and condominiums to the area, and Marriott International is building a Courtyard by Marriott hotel near Mayfield Road and Euclid Avenue.

 

“Years ago, we envisioned Uptown would be a mixed-use development project that would accelerate the revitalization of University Circle into a more dynamic urban retail and entertainment district,” said Kevin Slesh, director of the Office of Real Estate. “These efforts will provide immediate opportunities for CWRU students, faculty and staff to interact, live and enjoy all University Circle has to offer.”

 

http://cwru-daily.com/news/?p=6284

Thanks Murray... looks great... its time for a B&N visit to check out the new digs.

what is the difference exactly between a true verizon store or an authorized seller? i use verizon, and i can't tell the difference

 

The difference is significant if you are purchasing something or going for service, as one is authorized via your warranty and one is considered a 3rd party, and is not covered by Verizon warranty. So for example, if you buy a phone from a 3rd party retailer, it's about as much protection as buying one on eBay; Verizon is not required to service your product or contract with any type of typical warranty as they sold it directly to the 3rd party. You are dependent upon the honor of the 3rd party business in helping you, or whatever service they might have sold you, not to mention the hope that their business stays open through the life of your product or service. You can tell I learned this the hard way. I will never purchased from anyone but the actual company store again.

They also sell refurbished phones as "new" but I think even the official verizon stores do as well now. I would know. Turned on my new phone in the parking lot and let's just say there were already alot of sexting text messages on there and perhaps a few pictures.