... I'm no construction expert, but I'm assuming they're racing to seal the structure prior to the winter season so they can work inside... no?

 

That's probably a good assumption. They may not get the windows in before the snow flies, but at least having exterior walls will shield workers from most of the wind.

The vapor barrier (the green wrap) is a must before winter hits

IIRC, we had this same conversation about the blue outer wrap on Phase 1 ... We were all, "Wow, it's moving so fast", followed by "wow, why did it slow down", as work moved inside.

So, the restaurant Accent has closed at Uptown after only a year. It was always fully available on OpenTable on weekends, which is a good sign of a struggling spot, so I have almost been expecting this for awhile based on that. ... Was it the poor "around the corner" location that did it in,... and therefore isolated...or are other businesses to worry about? Hopefully not

 

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2013/10/20/uptown-eatery-accent-closed-following-saturday-night-service

 

Was there sufficient parking for non-locals?

 

Luckily I was able to walk over to Accent the few times I went. And pedestrian traffic is what the location of Accent has to have to survive, no matter what ends up in that space.

Peds are in abundance throughout the day/night but they're really there for the fast-casual places and watering holes.

 

THe vehicular access specifically at that end of Uptown is kinda bizarre and the little bit of parking is soon to be lost due to actual construction of CIA addition (as an aside: there was some utilities/upcoming sewer re-location going on behind the Mccullough Ctr last week. One of the guys back there told me the city would be issuing permits for the CIA addition after that work was completed)

An old friend and I were supposed to meet this coming Thursday at Accent for dinner...not anymore.

I hope they do not give up on the concept and that they set up in a smaller setting. I think it would do great.

 

I came to this thread just thinking I would post these pics of Uptown II taken last week

Behind Constantino's...First time Ive seen one of these Fisker Karmas (luxury electric vehicle)...

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of close parking spaces for Accent. The parking lot right by it behind Mitchell's Icecream is free after 6 and only $1 per hour the rest of the day.

 

I think another restaurant will do good here. Something with food and price that appeals to a more people.

Great restaraunt.  Bad location for it.  Would've done well downtowm IMO

Aw man, this is a big bummer.  Wasn't the best food ever, but solid, and leaves a gaping hole in the central UC dining scene, IMHO. Plenty of fast casual or forgettable chain blah, and one nice, but expensive place, but really nothing in the middle for full grown adults. Was probably too big a space to begin with. Like Clueless said: "I hope they do not give up on the concept and that they set up in a smaller setting. I think it would do great."

 

I hope MRN is able to find something that fits a similar niche for that space, or part of that space if they chop it up. 

Sad to hear about Accent closing, but honestly, this is something that I was expecting to happen. The food was okay, but not outstanding, which made the price feel a tad excessive; the three stars it got on Yelp is about what Accent deserved. I think the space was too large, but otherwise loved the vibe. As others have said, hopefully Scott Kim tries the concept again elsewhere in a smaller with space with lower overhead.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not convinced that any upscale dining is going to truly succeed in Uptown. A good chunk of the market is students, and pretty much everyone I know in this demographic listed "too expensive" as their main complaint with Accent. Personally, I'd love to see a B Spot; it's inexpensive enough that the student population would patronise it, but it's not just another chain fast food place or bar. Besides, UC needs a good burger place.

 

 

True, Uptown's main demographic is indeed students.  However, that doesn't mean an upscale restaurant can't make it in U.C.  Sergio's existed for decades a few blocks away.  And MRN is renting Uptown apartments above these chain, student-y restaurant joints for over $1,200... clearly over the head of the average unergrad or grad student ... or professor, for that matter! ... I also don't think the supposed "isolated"/away from Euclid Ave location killed Accent either... You can't get much more isolated, away from the street/invisible to passersby than Pier W in Lakewood, and yet, it's both upscale and extremely popular ... has been for decades... I just don't think Accent's food or service were that good.  The food was weird, the portions were tiny and the prices, very, very high...  I think the right type of upscale restaurant can make it in this space.  Much as I love all things Michael Symon, I don't want a B-Spot in this space; MRN can do better.

Sad to hear about Accent closing, but honestly, this is something that I was expecting to happen. The food was okay, but not outstanding, which made the price feel a tad excessive; the three stars it got on Yelp is about what Accent deserved. I think the space was too large, but otherwise loved the vibe. As others have said, hopefully Scott Kim tries the concept again elsewhere in a smaller with space with lower overhead.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not convinced that any upscale dining is going to truly succeed in Uptown. A good chunk of the market is students, and pretty much everyone I know in this demographic listed "too expensive" as their main complaint with Accent. Personally, I'd love to see a B Spot; it's inexpensive enough that the student population would patronise it, but it's not just another chain fast food place or bar. Besides, UC needs a good burger place.

 

Regardless of any UO's opinions on these places, (as someone who lives in the neighborhood and knows the crowd) a B-Spot or a Five Guys would be rolling in cash if they were to move into Uptown. There are no cheap/decent burger places in the immediate UC area and I think students would flock, just as they do to Chipotle and Panera.

 

As far as Accent closing, the Great UO crash lost the post in which I had said, "I would be surprised to see Accent make it through next winter." Seems to have been an earlier death than I thought. I do hope Accent opens elsewhere in a more suitable area where they can be successful.

I agree... location isnt really the killer.  There are a lot of oddly located restaurants in Cleveland that are very successful.  The first time I tried Accent I thought it was great but the next few times were underwhelming.  Cool concept but not sure about execution... I would love a great Asian-fusion style restaurant there, perhaps just a different concept than Accent.  Visually though, the space was awesome, it could not have been cheap to build out and whoever comes in next will probably not be able to utilize the space with neon red "ACCENT" panels on all the walls and ceilings... that part sucks  :-(

I think the Accent location becomes infinitely more desirable with the CIA expansion. In addition to a lot of student/pedestrian traffic, the new Cinematheque should help drive a lot of visitor traffic to that part of Uptown. With their current schedule, that would be bringing people in for about 10 films a week.

OMG I love the pork belly skewers at Accent!  They were the best item on the Happy Hour menu, which was awesome.  Is it already closed or can I go one last time to get my pork belly fix?

I also thought the food was not as good the second time I went.  They had changed the menu around a bit, but I still liked it.  Sadly, it was really the only reason I had to patronize the Uptown strip.  I'm not going down there for Jimmy John's or Chipolte, or to shop at Constantino's.  I'm not really a MOCA guy either.  I suppose I will still enjoy the sites as I ride by.

I also thought the food was not as good the second time I went.  They had changed the menu around a bit, but I still liked it.  Sadly, it was really the only reason I had to patronize the Uptown strip.  I'm not going down there for Jimmy John's or Chipolte, or to shop at Constantino's.  I'm not really a MOCA guy either.  I suppose I will still enjoy the sites as I ride by.

 

Don't forget Cleveland Beer Cellars, ABC Tavern, and Mitchell's Icecream!

^^ChipoTLe.  Sorry, pet peeve, because it leads to widespread mispronunciation of a rather wonderful cooking ingredient.  But I agree with you about most of the rest of the strip.  The students may be the largest single customer group, but they aren't the only one given the other attractions and employers in the area. For the sake of UC as a regional hub and budding neighborhood, I hope Uptown doesn't became a student ghetto. 

^^I have a Mitchell's closer to my house.  And neither of those are my pubs of choice.

Also, L'Albatross very close by is doing 300 covers a night. It's not the location. But possibly the rent. And the food as was mentioned upthread.

I don't think we can dismiss that the location was problematic, especially considering that it was a bit of an odd-ball compared to the other businesses at Uptown.  It was not street visible and was not placed in a building which Clevelanders have known for some time to have good food (L'Albatross replaced That Place on BellFlower).  On 4th Street, Lee Rd, etc., Accent might have killed it.  No way to know for certain.  The biggest problem is that it closed before most people even knew it was open.

 

Also keep in mind that this is hardly unusual.  The failure rate for start up restaraunts is astronomical, even in the hottest markets.

And MRN is renting Uptown apartments above these chain, student-y restaurant joints for over $1,200... clearly over the head of the average unergrad or grad student ... or professor, for that matter!

 

Actually, I know a large number of students living in Uptown, particularly international grad students and upperclass undergrads. Many of them are dropping a full $60k a year on tuition without blinking, and buying $50k cars with cash, but most are entirely uninterested in spending more than $20 on a meal (though certainly not unable to). Plus, if they are going to spend money on a "nice" dinner, they want to get off campus to do so just for a change of scenery.

 

As someone who lives and works in the area, until the population of UC becomes less skewed toward students, there just isn't going to be a huge market for upscale dining IMHO.

I don't think it would have survived CIA's construction anyway. But If they opened after that project is done and the new street is punched through to Mayfield, then Accent probably would have done better. All about timing....

I think people not knowing it exists is also a problem. Nearly every westsider (not on UO) I've talked to did not know Uptown existed, never goes to the eastside, or didn't know uptown had retail or that it opened. What gives? I know westsiders who love the city and have never been to UC or Little Italy.

^Wait, people live on the westside? I thought it was just an airport and a zoo.  :roll:

What are the prospects of the the one clothing store at Uptown?  Seemed like a strange fit when it was announced, unless it has a super loyal following.

^ That's Anne Van H. http://www.universitycircle.org/locations/anne-van-h-boutique

 

It relocated from the school house in Little Italy, where it had been a long-time tenant. Based on that, I'd say they a) have a loyal following that probably doesn't mind the half-mile relocation and b) that high visibility was not driving their sales ... Murray Hill a block off Mayfield, tucked inside a big multi-tenant building is not exactly top-of-mind when I'm thinking clothes shopping.

 

I'd be more worried about how rent rates will impact her bottom line. Have no idea what her lease is like, but I have to imagine Uptown is more expensive than her Little Italy rate. And to your point, I'm not sure that the Uptown location would pay off enough in terms of new casual shoppers to justify any big change in space costs. But maybe?

What are the prospects of the the one clothing store at Uptown?  Seemed like a strange fit when it was announced, unless it has a super loyal following.

 

Clothing store? Strange fit? Nice!

I think people not knowing it exists is also a problem. Nearly every westsider (not on UO) I've talked to did not know Uptown existed, never goes to the eastside, or didn't know uptown had retail or that it opened. What gives? I know westsiders who love the city and have never been to UC or Little Italy.

 

I went there, it was nice. 

 

But you bring up an interesting point.  As options have expanded on the WestSide over the years I have nearly ceased crossing the river for dining or entertainment.  I'm not real interested in spending 15 minutes each way in the car when I am spoiled for choice now downtown and West.

 

 

Was walking by Uptown today and noticed there is a quite large hole behind the new building, running roughly the length of the building, and the width of the entire space back there. Was underground parking a part of the plan? Also, the lovely green color on the back has been covered up with a dark grey and some windows have been installed :D

A parking garage is going back there.

A parking garage is going back there.

A stylish one, or a cinderblock?

Also any word on some businesses opening in the already vacant storefronts at uptown?

Also any word on some businesses opening in the already vacant storefronts at uptown?

 

Its not unusual for a large scale new project to have some vacant spaces. Wrapz Pita Bar is taking up one. One is currently being used as a construction office for phase 2, and Cleveland Beer Cellars just opened. Accent is probably the largest space and they just closed so give it time.

 

Edit: No idea about the garage design.

See the possible: Uptown success

WKYC Staff, WKYC 11 a.m. EST November 3, 2013

 

CLEVELAND -- More than a year ago the development known as Uptown opened and it has enjoyed success ever since. The international neighborhood, in a fast growing area of Cleveland, is making other cities a little envious.

 

See the possible in what's new, what's next and the unique collaboration that is Uptown's secret to success.

 

University Circle, home to cultural, medical and educational institutions... but something was missing.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/northeast-ohio/see-possible/2013/11/03/see-the-possible-uptown-success/3380057/

Don't forget Cleveland Beer Cellars, ...

 

Yep, Cleveland Beer Cellars had a soft opening a few weeks ago at Uptown (in the northern end of the south/east pavilion on Euclid opposite Accent’s space).  Their formal opening is next month … It’s a large, attractive space with large windows overlooking Euclid, an upstairs stage – yes, they feature live bands – and a large outdoor seating area on Euclid.  Lots of beers on taps plus bottled beer seemingly from everywhere.  CBC has the potential to pump even more life into the highly successful Uptown project.

 

Here's their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CBCUptown

 

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6769.5635.html#ixzz2kdlfINpy

^ How does their food work?. Im not familiar that concept.

Cleveland may see more Red, if steakhouse operators take over former Accent space in University Circle: Restaurant Row

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Could Brad Friedlander, and Cleveland, be seeing more red on the horizon?

 

The principal partner in Red the Steakhouse -- which just opened a fourth location and its second Cleveland area spot, on Wednesday -- confirmed that Red Restaurant Group is considering a spot for a new concept in University Circle.

 

Read more at: http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2013/11/cleveland_may_see_more_red_if.html#incart_river_default

in the circle: is uptown development living up to expectations?

 

Lee Chilcote | Thursday, November 14, 2013

 

For years -- decades even -- the intersection of Ford and Euclid was the cryogenically-frozen heart of University Circle, a dead zone that everyone said had tremendous potential as Cleveland’s version of Harvard Square, but was lifeless after 5 p.m.

 

University Circle, one of the city’s great success stories, had a doughnut hole.

 

The Uptown project, a $65 million development of new shops, restaurants, a bookstore, a grocery store and 200 market-rate apartments, aimed to change that by becoming a new center of gravity for Cleveland’s cultural district. A partnership between MRN Ltd., University Circle Inc. (UCI) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) started the project during the recession, using complex layers of financing to get it off the ground.

 

The buildings are visually stunning. Even if you don’t like modern architecture, you have to admire Uptown’s sweeping curve, the gracious Toby Lewis plaza and cleverly-branded “Uptown Alley,” and the ways in which the architecture plays off the shiny new Museum of Contemporary Art. The buildings stretch right to the sidewalk, and their big windows add to the street life. 

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/uptowntoday111413.aspx

I like the Chris Ronayne quote.....

 

“We’re trying to bring forth what we call the complete neighborhood, and we hope that University Circle is a model community for what we call the ’20-minute neighborhood,’” he says. “Can you live your daily life in a 20-minute walk? I think we’re getting there.”

^ Ronayne is pretty sharp. And personable.

^ Ronayne is pretty sharp. And personable.

 

Yep. I knew him back when he was an aide for State Rep. Jane Campbell. He had a boyish face then -- and now.

 

But he's right -- Uptown is becoming an area where just about everything you need is a 20-minute walk from home.

I'd love to see a great cheap breakfast place over there, although Coventry is not far.

^^Hiring Chris Ronayne was the best move Jane Campbell made, in her otherwise lackluster mayoral administration.  Ronayne, to me, is why Uptown even exists.  When he came on the scene there was typical Cleveland dysfunctional-ism: UCI was a largely do-nothing agency kissing up to UH; Case was faltering, having fired their president for ineffectiveness, and the haughty Hessler Road neighborhood association had pretty much vetoed any serious development next door at Euclid & Ford…. As UCI president, Ronayne brought a too-rare can-do attitude; brought the parties together as well as his vision of a dense, transit-friendly, walkable, urban neighborhood… and now we have Uptown, which is indeed, all that…

... add to that all the other townhouse and infill development that has happened (and promises to happen) at Uptown's fringes... Ronayne had a hand in just about all of this.

Wrapz Pita Bar looks like it is very close to opening. I bet they will do well over there.

 

Here are a couple pictures of their menu from their Facebook page.

 

 

Moving along quite well.

 

 

Impressive... thanks for the update.

Looking good!