FYI, Chipotle is now doing staff training. I stopped in a few minutes ago after seeing the lights on while walking past and the manager informed me that they would be opening on June 26!

Thanks for the pictures. Looking good!

Thanks for the pics! This development is just like South Campus gateway at OSU. Has an alley between two buildings and residential above retail. Also has a 2 story Barnes and Noble. That development also has a small movie theater. That wouldn't be a bad addition to uptown I don't think.

Thanks. I didn't grab a pic, but they are also cutting a hole that will be open to the public through the existing building on the left side of the alley (in my pic looking towards MOCA) that is on axis with the one portal through Uptown that connects the alley to Euclid. Its a nice little urban design move. I'll try to get a couple pics that show it better, soon.

After much anticipation, I finally got an in-person look at Uptown today.  Do this the next time you are there.  Go to the corner where the Verizon store is.  Look straight up and you will see a gap in the seam between the front wall and the side wall.  The first floor is flush, but starting at the second floor, there is a gap that expands to 3 inches by the time it gets to the roof.  Anyone see that or have an explanation as to why that is?  Also Constantino's was decent.  I was very disappointed they didn't have more vegetarian prepared deli or sandwich options, but I'm sure that will improve.  Also, outside the entrance to Constantino's there are chunks of what looks like dried concrete on the sidewalk surface (yes, yes, I know the sidewalk is concrete; however it looks like something dripped).  I guess I have to wait until the entire project in completed and see how well they clean it up. 

[/quot

 

It would be nice if someone could answer the question I asked 2 days ago about the uptown construction.  I'm just curious if what I saw is a fluke or if anyone else has noticed.  I ask questions here because I'm genuinely curious, but it's rare I get an answer and it's getting to be an exercise in futility.

If someone had the answer you were looking for, I sure they would share it.

 

After much anticipation, I finally got an in-person look at Uptown today.  Do this the next time you are there.  Go to the corner where the Verizon store is.  Look straight up and you will see a gap in the seam between the front wall and the side wall.  The first floor is flush, but starting at the second floor, there is a gap that expands to 3 inches by the time it gets to the roof.  Anyone see that or have an explanation as to why that is?  Also Constantino's was decent.  I was very disappointed they didn't have more vegetarian prepared deli or sandwich options, but I'm sure that will improve.  Also, outside the entrance to Constantino's there are chunks of what looks like dried concrete on the sidewalk surface (yes, yes, I know the sidewalk is concrete; however it looks like something dripped).  I guess I have to wait until the entire project in completed and see how well they clean it up. 

 

I've always noticed this. Glad someone else has else, too. I should have responded sooner.

 

It was a construction eff up, obviously. The gap exists because the concrete column leans out slightly (I think its leaning in two directions) as the building goes up. It appears no one knew how to fix the problem, so its just been left. I'd have to imagine its going to get fixed eventually. Knowing how Construction Administration goes on projects, its probably in a battle of what trade is responsible for fixing it or more so, paying for the fix. It shouldn't be an expensive fix (obviously, they can't do anything with the concrete column). When you're building with a concrete frame, this kind of thing will happen. Usually something like this ends up hidden, but on Uptown, with the exposed columns and the way the cladding engages them, any kind of mistake is super obvious.

 

I wouldn't say this is a horrible, horrible screw up. This kind of thing happens when you are building with concrete. I consider it more of a problem with how the building is detailed, which I've had concerns about.

 

Very little room was left for any kind of margin of error in the way a lot of tectonics were handled, so when a column is a little out of plumb, it looks like hell and no one knows how to fix it.

 

My guess with your other concrete comments is that while businesses are moving in, the buildings have not yet been "punch listed", which is when the architect handling construction administration goes through the project, makes note of things like that gap between the siding and column, or the stained concrete and gets the contractor responsible to go fix it before they get final payment. Generally, you wait until the end of the project and get everything all at once, instead of doing it item by item as they come up, particularly on a project this large.

 

I would guess in July / August you'll start to some of things magically get fixed, before the official unveiling, which I believe is in September.

Is it an expansion joint?

 

...Go to the corner where the Verizon store is.  Look straight up and you will see a gap in the seam between the front wall and the side wall.  The first floor is flush, but starting at the second floor, there is a gap that expands to 3 inches by the time it gets to the roof. 

 

I meant to respond to this earlier than now. Wednesday afternoon I did check out what you said and you are very right.

I was even looking around for somebody on the site (one that didnt look busy) whom I could show this, but both guys nearby were involved in something else so I didnt bother them.

 

It looks like something that's gonna need resolved sooner rather than later.

 

Thank you for responding Rockitect and Clueless.  I'm glad to hear that it's not a major problem (even thought it doesn't look good) and that the site will be cleaned up before the official unveiling. 

A few new pics from the south side:

 

1) Chipotle is open

 

 

2) A new boutique signage is up

 

 

3) Panera Bread signage is up in the "alley"

 

 

4) Restaurant planners in the window...Sasa?

 

 

Thanks for the picture updates.

 

And I knew that boutique's name sounded familiar. Its currently in Little Italy. Too bad its most likely just moving, creating an empty space nearby. Should probably get more traffic though.

Wait, is Sasa moving from Shaker Square?

^Nah, it's just another place by the same restaurateur, to be called "Accent."

 

Great photos Murrah Hill!  I have to admit that Chipotle and Panera aren't exactly what I had in mind when the concept of "the alley" was first described, but I'm still happy with the large share of local table service places that will be here too.

Wait, is Sasa moving from Shaker Square?

 

Looks like they are opening a new restuarant named Accent. Not moving Sasa. And that spot in the picture is Accent.

 

 

 

EDIT: Straphanger beat me to it.

Sasa owner opening new place here. Has been no mention of it moving, to my knowledge.

Hey, I like the idea of a new location. Sasa is one of my favorites.

thanks for the pics...  almost like I felt when I came home and saw jacobs field for the first time...

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2012/07/peter_b_lewis_donates_5_millio.html

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2012/07/peter_b_lewis_donates_5_millio.html

 

 

Posted in the CIA Expansion thread http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18747.msg630258/

Got a tour of Uptown this evening. Below are some of the pics.

I know there are mixed opinions on the subject, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the statement uptown with MOCA makes about UC and the Cleve in general. 

 

That statement, in my mind goes something like "F*ck yeah we did this, and if you are impressed now, try wandering off of Euclid Ave a bit.  Oh, and later... you're welcome"

 

 

Ok, I really like this development, second only to the convention center

Got a tour of Uptown this evening. Below are some of the pics.

 

I'm getting a mixed "futuristic-nostalgic" vibe from these pics.

 

Loving it. Thanks for posting.

No problem.

 

I know its been mentioned before, but I just wish everything wasn't so gray, wish there was a little more color on the Uptown buildings. Other than that I can't wait for this to become a busy district as the center of Cleveland's second Downtown.

 

A side note. Chris Ronayne did mention that the Secretary of HUD was in town looking at this development as well as Circle East as UCI is looking to get funds to help build Phase II of that Development. Also the Secretary of the DOT was in town looking at the success of the Euclid Corridor.

Any word on how the residential leasing has been going for Uptown?

I killed some time at the Barnes &Noble there on Saturday. Obviously it's limited due to it being primarily a college book store, but there were a surprising number of "normal bookstore" books too, plus a coffee shop and an oddly underutilized second floor. It's not a bad place to kill time

 

Strap, I've looked and can't find anything.  They haven't updated any of their sites in months (same issue with Circle East which states they still have units available and don't.) I have heard that the leasing agents are booked solid and it's difficult to get in to see them.

^Thanks!  Yeah, I've noticed the lack of website updates, which is a little odd...wouldn't take more than 10 mins to at least update the text a little.  I was hoping Mov2Ohio may have heard something on the tour.

They only mentioned the demand at Circle East and East fourth. On the tour they only let us in 3 of the units on the North building, so I don't know if it was because those were the only ones not leased or what? They didn't say anything about how quickly those units were getting leased, but did mention that most of those leasing at Uptown were foreign born Case students.

 

At East 4th there's a 400 person waiting list.

 

Circle East leased in a very short amount of time as well, primarily with University Circle workers. Chris Ronayne went on to say that the housing market that pushes into EC will cater to more of the support workers for the Circle, so the housing probably won't be as expensive the further you get from Mayfield and Euclid.

That is wild to me...400 person waiting list at E4, 300 person waiting list at 668 and yet we don't have developers flocking...I know I know rents aren't high enough...but it blows my mind. Back on the topic of Uptown...I can see it filling quickly especially with all the interest there has been. The different benefits that UCI (I believe) gives for living and working in UC are incentive enough.

^ I don't know that UCI provides any benefits to renters per se, outside of their general CDC services to the public. Buyers can get cash incentives for purchase of homes in the area through the Greater Circle Living Initiative that they coordinate, though.

You get a month of free rent through greater circle living if you apply and qualify (work at an approved UC employer) before signing the lease and moving in.  It's a one-time deal.

some recent pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope those clean buildings still look that good in 5-10 years and aren't covered with streaks of dirt.

^Not being adjacent to a major interstate, an industrial river, and a bunch of factories should help...

So the 2 level Panera opened this week I hear?

So the 2 level Panera opened this week I hear?

 

Correct. http://cwru-daily.com/news/?p=9315

That entire area is transformed. Speechless.

Wonder what those screens above the windows will sound like in a heavy rain, hail storm or ice storm!

Hope those clean buildings still look that good in 5-10 years and aren't covered with streaks of dirt.

 

Completely non-expert opinion:  That facade material will be much easier and cost-effective to clean regularly than stone, brick, or concrete.

Thanks for the photographs for us out of town observers. I am impressed by the transformation.  Way to go Cleveland!

 

 

smith, Fabulous pictures of a beautiful place.

I can only imagine how great the addition of the CIA and upcoming phases of UARD will be.

 

One of the highly anticipated restaurants coming...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Panera's alleyside patio is in place

 

 

I am very impressed with this development, this is exactly what the area needed. Cleveland you are looking good.

Having been to panera the past two nights, I have to say this is one of the best moves made in Univ Circle- both nights the place has been PACKED, crawling with students and young professionals. It's very very nice and Euclid ave has definitely become even lively-er. I wouldn't be surprised if they extended their current 9pm closing time as both nights there was a line to the door AT 9pm, it would be great for students who enjoy having a place to be a night.

 

Chipotle is also packed nightly. Uptown can definitely be deemed a success in my opinion with all of the new energy and buzz it has created. I wish there could be some action like this in downtown suddenly

that alley looks better than I ever dreamed... and the towers, with revamped ground levels, look more decent than I would have expected...

Anyone know how the apartment leasing is going?

 

Also, are all the retail spots accounted for?

 

^ Well, it looks like the sought-after med students/ resident M.D.s are moving in, lol...

 

 

 

 

^ Well, it looks like the sought-after med students/ resident M.D.s are moving in, lol...

 

 

 

 

Is that an advertisement of his/her medical expertise? I guess that's why they call it a medical "practice."

 

Uptown's looking good.

 

^Before i got close enough to realize what this was, I thought it was an early Halloween decoration.

It goes to show how tall those widows are.

 

 

Also, are all the retail spots accounted for?

 

I would think so.

As an aside... DU or a similar store would be great for down here (it was a great store for downtown but not the location...tucked in the middle of a now-established food street...needed to at least  be at the corner of 4th, but I digress)

 

 

Was out in UC earlier tonight. Lots of energy with freshmen here at CWRU (lots, also, a couple miles away at CSU).

And uptown has changed the whole equation.

Took some pictures at dusk