The Doan Building could be an attractive, historic element of the development if included- and would account for a number of potential apartments in the project if renovated.  Virginia Benson is still at CSU- I wonder what her take is on tearing down this building... but anyways, it will be great to see construction on these lots.

I would be very sad to lose the Doan Electric Building.  I like the project otherwise though, but the price points seem a little high for "students, grad students, and young professionals".  Young professionals don't make that much anymore.

Funny...I actually liked it better when it was "more" under construction. I didn't realize the color scheme was so gray and ?? ...

 

Agreed, I actually liked the design in pink and yellow, with big block print lettering all over it.

 

I like this building so much more than how I originally thought it would turn out based off the renderings. I love the use of different materials, finishes, and colors on the exterior. I also found that there is some outstanding shadow play created. And i think there was a lot of attention paid to the pedestrian connections and the education buildings interaction with other campus buildings. I can't wait to see once the plaza between the PE building and the Education building is fully integrated, along with what they are going to do with the area in front of the mather mansion. At any rate, for a building that was billed as "a complementary building" unlike the student center... well, personally, I find this to be a significantly better addition to the neighborhood. Anyways, here's my clockwise walkabout:

 

Also agreed.  This is one of my favorite buildings built in Cleveland recently.

Also, looks like the Euclid side of the dorms will be primarily if not all brick.

 

If I remember correctly from the renderings, the very top floors were something other than brick, although it didn't look like siding either.  At least I hope not.

This project makes me a little nervous. They are going for market rate tenants. There are a lot of market rate options in much livier parts of downtown. I'd rather that they add more undergrad housing before going market rate. I wish that CSU would continue to focus more on the residential areas around between Euclid and Prospect before going north of Chester. I just don't think there is enough critical mass to move north of Chester at this point.

 

I like the fact that they are thinking outside the box and not just marketing the area to college students.  To me just saying "college" students would scare off those who might want to move downtown and be in an area that is affordable, young, hip and upcoming.  This is a great opportunity to build a neighborhood from ground up that not just serves CSU but the community at large.

 

The "livier" parts of downtown didn't just become livlier overnight.  We've all discussed how the city needs more studio and one bedroom units, this is an opportunity to put them in a place with tons of growth potential.  An area with good transportation and centrally located to the CBD, NCH and AsiaTown.

 

I just hope they market the development and the are properly. As this could bridge the area of eastern downtown and the arts/loft district as everyday

 

I completely agree. I like the catering to more than just college students..and the attempt to make the place livelier. I am only concerned about the possible saturation component as I pointed out up thread a bit.

Looking good!  That row of buildings in your second photo is quite handsome.  It's great to see this great intact street wall being reinvigorated like this.

Thanks so much for all the great photos today, McC!

 

I agree that the ed bldg is looking rad.  I really liked the renderings and am thrilled to see the real thing delivers.  Excellent transparency, warmth and variety in the facade, but nothing too faddish that will look too dated in 20 years.  The site design also looks pretty cool , though it's tough to understand how it all fits together just from the photos (lots going on there!).

 

But man is that student center a clunker.

But man is that student center a clunker.

 

I say we just knock it over again and try for a third time ;)

Agreed with everyone... ed building rocks, student center sucks, dorms look great from directly in front of them on Euclid.  That student center better have a good food court.  I guess as long as the place is functional, that's what really matters.  The old one was not just ugly but hard to get around in too.  It had two second floors.

I also like the idea of having mroe than just college students living there.  But seriously, the rental rates need to be within a college student's range.  That is the main purpose of the project.  And X is right, a young professional's budget ain't what it used to be.

I don't like the new student center either, but I do think it's much more attractive than the old one.

 

But the education building is one of the best new additions to the area.

I don't think the student center actually looks that bad in person. Its a lot better then what used to be there.

 

And the education building looks great!

I wish I had things working between my phone and computer.  I have lots of shots inside the new student center.  It's coming along and on June 7th the CSU Bookstore will open as the first tenant. :clap:

I wish I had things working between my phone and computer. I have lots of shots inside the new student center. It's coming along and on June 7th the CSU Bookstore will open as the first tenant. :clap:

 

Can't you just send some to your email address?

I also like the idea of having mroe than just college students living there.  But seriously, the rental rates need to be within a college student's range.  That is the main purpose of the project.  And X is right, a young professional's budget ain't what it used to be.

 

True but that is the price you pay for wanting to live in the center of the city.  I have faith that with this development opening, alternative spaces, at lower price points will open, giving those who want to live in this area options. 

I'm not sure the price points are so far off.  You're paying about $850 a month to live in a 2 BR quad occupancy in Fenn Tower.  So, basically they are charging $3400/month for a 2 BR 2 Bath apartment.  College housing is a racket and there is a lot of money to be made.  While the prices for this new development may seem high, they may actually be cheaper or the same as living in Fenn while being much more comfortable.  Housing anywhere near every other major university is always at a premium and I'm sure that trend will continue with CSU as it transitions to a more traditional University. 

and of course they aren't just targeting students...

 

"Polaris will lease the property from the university and will build 275 to 300 market-rate apartments, aimed at graduate students, faculty members, staff and young professionals."

 

Sometimes i think we lose sight of how reasonably priced housing is in our city and surrounding communities.

Here are some pictures from inside the new student center. The pictures are taken by Bookman.

 

 

Café area in front of bookstore

 

Just inside the main front doors.  Flooring is terrazzo and that is the school seal in the middle.

 

This is the back half of the selling space.  All of the fixtures will be on wheels so the configuration will be very flexible.

Hmmm...I know these are only a very few pics of the interior and it is far from completed but I was hoping for more than bad suburban shopping mall....especially given how the exterior is quite frankly a complete failure (as anticipated since the renderings stage).  Hopefully I am wrong about this and a few images will reveal a stunning interior...but right now I am totally disappointed by this whole project.

 

I also think OSU's new Union exterior is pretty bad (suburban office building chic) but at least the interior is more impressive.

Hmmm...I know these are only a very few pics of the interior and it is far from completed but I was hoping for more than bad suburban shopping mall....especially given how the exterior is quite frankly a complete failure (as anticipated since the renderings stage). Hopefully I am wrong about this and a few images will reveal a stunning interior...but right now I am totally disappointed by this whole project.

 

I also think OSU's new Union exterior is pretty bad (suburban office building chic) but at least the interior is more impressive.

 

I think the inside will look a lot better once its completed

........especially given how the exterior is quite frankly a complete failure (as anticipated since the renderings stage).

 

Just curious, how does the exterior of a building earn a complete failure?  I'd like to better understand what that means and/or means to you.

^Sure...in my opinion it looks like a bunker with architectual elements that don't seem to have any rhyme or reason.  Not crazy about the various colors.  Just does not seem inviting from the street and in fact seems to isolate itself from the street like the old student center.  I am not an architect but I would have prefered something with or more airy feel with lots for glass...sort of a "jewel box" on Euclid.

^Sure...in my opinion it looks like a bunker with architectual elements that don't seem to have any rhyme or reason. Not crazy about the various colors. Just does not seem inviting from the street and in fact seems to isolate itself from the street like the old student center.

 

I'm also not an architect, but I feel the same way. 

 

Love the Education Building though.

I don't really care for the entire outside of the student center, but really if the SE corner wasn't so craptacular in the shot above I probably could forgive it's presence.  They're still installing windows so maybe there's still hope.  However, if there isn't some sheet metal or something laying around to accent the windows or just break up the space on the SE corner, then the university deserves to be ridiculed.

 

Like everyone else I like the education building overall. Although, I think the slatted material at the top of the building in places really shouldn't have been used flush with the rest of building.  I think it would look better if it was set back a few feet.  Having it flush feels like it dirties up the building a bit and gives it a warehouse like feel that I think it could do without.

^I'm in agreement about the student center.  I really think the West and Southwest sides look decent, but the Southeast / East side of this building is awful.  It's like the architect just got lazy and put in a big sweeping brick wall of uniform radius with flush windows that look like large glass block from a distance.  I'm just an everyday guy with no real expertise on architecture, but that SE corner is just plain bad.

Guys you doin't need to be architects to have a valid opinion.  In other news, you don't need to be an automotive designer to say the Pontiac Aztec was ugly.  This is a state building, you're state taxpayers, therefore you're the customers of this architect.  That alone makes your opinions valid.  If you're a CSU student or alum, even more so.

Hate to speak poorly of the dead, but Gwathmey hasn't had an interesting building since the 60's.  This thing looks like a lame reinvention of the Convocation Center on Euclid Avenue.  And yes, this has looked bad since original renderings, so we can bury that arguement from here on out right?

One day last summer I walked by to check on the demolition of the old student center.

 

It was absolutely surreal to see how eerily similar the signage rendition of the new building looked to the old building being knocked down behind it!

 

Anyhow, I'll reserve judgement and hope for the best.

Housing may be at a premium in places like Kent or Oxford, but off-campus housing near urban universities is typically very affrodable.  Just because the dorms are a racket doesn't mean everything else has to follow suit.  In most cities it doesn't.  I'm aware of what pricing is like in comparable areas... some of Cleveland's is reasonable, some of it isn't.  Our downtown area needs to add more housing that is reasonably priced.  When I hear "market rate" I'm often shocked at what developers believe the job market here allows for.  Young professionals generally have lower-class budgets, and this includes most college instructors.  High level administrators, deans and law professors are paid very well.  Most others aren't.

 

Having professors and grad students living near campus is a great goal and I'm glad they're aiming for that.  But those constituencies do not a lively campus make.  Undergrads in particular need housing prices that match their ability to pay.  Dorms are a poor match, but they stay full because they're usually mandatory for freshmen, sometimes sophomores too.  CSU needs to provide low-cost options around campus so that high-energy low-income undergrads can stay around, instead of heading to Lakewood, or back to their parents' house in the burbs.  Lakewood is America's largest college town with no college.  CSU needs to surround itself with housing options that are competitive with Lakewood.  This situation is really odd and awkward.  It's not like this elsewhere.  Cheap housing abounds near most urban campuses. 

327, I'm pretty sure there's affordable housing options north of Euclid. Not sure if students want to live on Perkins or Payne, but I now people who rent for as little as $250 a month for a full house.

Housing anywhere near every other major university is always at a premium and I'm sure that trend will continue with CSU as it transitions to a more traditional University.

 

Granted. And only more housing will bring that price down, or at least keep it in check as more and more young people want to be a part of this area. I'm sure that developers will want to get a piece of this action once the credit markets return to normal.

^but when housing comes down in price, then it is not worth it to developers to rehab new buildings. Banks are also less willing to finance new projects.

 

Just playing devil's advocate. I'm glad to hear there is movement with Varsity Village. I just Wish that it were adjacent to an existing node.

Cheap housing abounds near most urban campuses. 

 

As it once did near Cleveland State... until campus expansion and the innerbelt demolished it all :(

 

This is what the south side of Euclid looked like from Fenn Tower, looking over the current site of the ed bldg project:

 

 

View of old East 20th there in the distance (Corlett bldg was at the corner)

 

 

Better view of old East 20th on the left; lined with what appear to be apartment buildings on both sides:

 

From clevelandmemory.org

^but when housing comes down in price, then it is not worth it to developers to rehab new buildings. Banks are also less willing to finance new projects.

 

Just playing devil's advocate. I'm glad to hear there is movement with Varsity Village. I just Wish that it were adjacent to an existing node.

 

True, but it sounds like the prices are high enough and demand still high enough to support more housing. We'll see what it's like after Varsity Village is built and we can keep filling in more voids. And so many voids left to fill.

 

Seeing those Clevelandmemory pictures reminds me of the planned decentralization of our cities that was once so in vogue, and resulted in so much urban decline....

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18743.msg439757.html#msg439757

Here is another one from Bookman

 

Thanks, ClevelandOhio and Bookman!  As much as I'm disappointed by the new student center as a whole, I recognize that it's a huge step up for the bookstore.  Now that the building is an inevitability, I'm looking forward to seeing it finished and occupied to get a better sense how it will look and function.

One small thought... This looks like a really nice project. I hope that the historic buildings can be incorporated into it. I just wish that these projects were more carved in stone before they are announced...get us all anxious...then later on discover its not happening anytime soon....or worse, not happen at all. :-(

This situation is really odd and awkward.  It's not like this elsewhere.  Cheap housing abounds near most urban campuses. 

 

Having graduated from UD, an "urban University", with a sibling that currently attends UC I'm going to have to disagree with you.  Off-campus housing near UD and UC is cheaper than most dorm options, but it is certainly more than would be paid for those units if the University were not there.  For example, my sister pays approximately $500 plus utilities for a dump of a duplex and she has 3 roommates.  That duplex would not go for $2000 a month if the University were not there.  The situation is even worse on UD's campus although some "deals" can be found on the North edge of the campus since it's in a much worse neighborhood than Oakwood on the South of campus.

 

If you want to live within walking distance of a major University then you're going to pay for it.  Most of the "deals" college students find require driving to class.

 

What cities do you know of that have "cheap" housing near their major Universities?

^As a fellow UD grad I would agree with you, but I think 327 is thinking more along the lines of the neighborhoods being closer in type to the north side of campus than the south by Oakwood.  Although, having the university means that there is a stable supply of consumers.  So as long as someone will pay it, and college students seem to find ways (parents) to pay for a lot of things they probably have no business affording.

A side note, is this development really called "Varsity Village?"  So weak...

327, I'm pretty sure there's affordable housing options north of Euclid. Not sure if students want to live on Perkins or Payne, but I now people who rent for as little as $250 a month for a full house.

 

I've considered that, and even suggested it to the university.  The idea has potential.  There would need to be some degree of buy-in from current residents, and probably frequent patrols from CSU PD, which would help the neighborhood as a whole.

 

What cities do you know of that have "cheap" housing near their major Universities?

 

I have personal experience with Columbus, Toledo and Detroit.  Friends have told me Pittsburgh is similar in this regard, though perhaps more like UC where the cheap pickings are slimmer.

I also am a UD grad and currently am still paying off my rent from college.  242 Lowes!

Hell, I've been paying off my rent from college for 10 years and will be for another 30 years.  But it was cheap rent.  If it hadn't been, I couldn't have gone to college even with the loans maxed out.

I imagine the developers will conduct extensive research as to what the market will allow with monthly rates.  I don't really see any issue here.

Just an observation: I've drove down Euclid past the education building and new student center today. From the pictures posted above and the renderings I shared the general sentiment that the student center is a bit of a clunker, whereas the education building is a comparative revelation. BUT, in my brief drive by, I actually liked the student center a lot more. And the education building was nice, but not a centerpiece. And all those really interesting details pointed out in Mayor's pics were nay impossible to make out at 20 MPH. 

 

Point is, seeing the buildings in their context in reality was a lot different than seeing a carefully cropped or composed picture on a computer screen. And in the same vein, these buildings will appear differently to the pedestrian ambling down Euclid than me driving past in my car, for better or worse. So if you're in Cleveland and haven't seen these buildings in person yet, I suggest you check them out first hand and just maybe, as far as the student center goes, you'll be pleasantly surprised as I was.

^ that's what I've been thinking, the student center looks a lot better in person. So yeah if you haven't seen it in person you should check it out

Sorry...I have seen it in person and do base my humble opinion on that prespective.

I do, however,  like the education building very much as well as the improvements they made to the law school building a couple of years ago.  In fact the law school building is 100% better on Euclid, although that was not hard given its former "glory".

I'm not saying the Student Center is all of a sudden Pritzker-worthy. Just that, upon seeing it in person, it wasn't as much as a disaster IMO. Still a bit of a clunker, but it certainly has "presence". Maybe the final details and some landscaping will help!

I'm not saying the Student Center is all of a sudden Pritzker-worthy. Just that, upon seeing it in person, it wasn't as much as a disaster IMO. Still a bit of a clunker, but it certainly has "presence". Maybe the final details and some landscaping will help!

 

I agree completly

It's gonna need a lot of landscaping, since it's set back so far from Euclid Avenue.  Yaaaaaaaaaay Beachwood!