Has anyone checked out the Park Lane Villa in person? According to the website (http://www.parklanevilla.com) they have an open house this Sunday. The units look very nice, albeit pricey. Just curious if any UO folks had information/opinions on it.

 

 

I think Map Boy, may have seen a unit or two.

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11775.0.html

I'm not sure if it's a regular thing or not, but their website says there's an open house this Sunday from 11am - 2pm. I'll try to take some pics to contribute to this thread.

Has anyone checked out the Park Lane Villa in person? According to the website (http://www.parklanevilla.com) they have an open house this Sunday. The units look very nice, albeit pricey. Just curious if any UO folks had information/opinions on it.

 

I would highly suggest checking it out.  In addition to TERRIFIC location, gorgeous units with a nice mixture of historic preservation/uniquity and modern upgrades.  I think a really nice job - pretty sweet concierge service, as well. 

Well I didn't get any pictures worth posting, sorry. I really need to take a photography class or read a book one of these days.

 

Anyway, the building is gorgeous. The prices are high, but seem justified considering the amenities and demand they will no doubt have. Here are some random observations:

 

• The ballroom will be sweet and the bar should be open to the public (i.e., not just residents) as of now if it opened on schedule.
  
• The concierge service seemed out of this world; included things like grocery shopping for you and putting the stuff away in your fridge for you, detailing your car, cleaning your unit and "pretty much anything else that's not illegal".
  
• The units I saw were very unique. Not mind blowingly so, but definitely way above average.
  
• Location couldn't be better, especially when the Silver/Health/Whatever Line gets rolling.
  
• The workout room was surprisingly adequate and the billiards room (one table, really good shape) was cool.
  
• Apparently they have monthly resident get togethers, which I thought sounded cool, I really wish I knew more people in my building.
  
• They're also dog friendly (save a few breeds with known temperament problems).
  
• One underground parking spot included with rent.
  
• In unit washer/dryer included (along with dishwasher and nice stove/fridge, of course).
  

 

Overall, I'd sum it up with "spectacular". Unfortunately out of my price range -- the units I saw were ~1300 sq ft and going for ~$1800 / mo. For anybody looking in this range though, I can safely say you won't find anything else like it in Cleveland.

 

 

Well I didn't get any pictures worth posting, sorry. I really need to take a photography class or read a book one of these days.

 

Anyway, the building is gorgeous. The prices are high, but seem justified considering the amenities and demand they will no doubt have. Here are some random observations:

 

• The ballroom will be sweet and the bar should be open to the public (i.e., not just residents) as of now if it opened on schedule.
  
• The concierge service seemed out of this world; included things like grocery shopping for you and putting the stuff away in your fridge for you, detailing your car, cleaning your unit and "pretty much anything else that's not illegal".
  
• The units I saw were very unique. Not mind blowingly so, but definitely way above average.
  
• Location couldn't be better, especially when the Silver/Health/Whatever Line gets rolling.
  
• The workout room was surprisingly adequate and the billiards room (one table, really good shape) was cool.
  
• Apparently they have monthly resident get togethers, which I thought sounded cool, I really wish I knew more people in my building.
  
• They're also dog friendly (save a few breeds with known temperament problems).
  
• One underground parking spot included with rent.
  
• In unit washer/dryer included (along with dishwasher and nice stove/fridge, of course).
  

 

Overall, I'd sum it up with "spectacular". Unfortunately out of my price range, but for anybody looking in this range, I can safely say you won't find anything else like it in Cleveland.

 

Fabulous report, other than the pic part! :whip:  :-D  This building should be a sucess, if I was renting I'm pretty sure I would leave my beloved SS for this building and proximity to the Lagoon!

Overall, I'd sum it up with "spectacular". Unfortunately out of my price range, but for anybody looking in this range, I can safely say you won't find anything else like it in Cleveland.

I know one of the buildings that PLV is emulating  :wink:  Unless you're saying there isn't another rental building like this in Cleveland.

Unless you're saying there isn't another rental building like this in Cleveland.

 

yolp, dats wat i meant.. Not that I've seen anyway.

 

PS, I put the pictures up on flickr for what they're worth. They're pretty crappy, but figured what the hell. Here's the slideshow --

 

 

To anyone reading this thread and considering living here ... I'm currently renting at PLV and would be happy to answer any questions, on the board or through PM.

OK, here's a simple question: How do you like it?

 

Here's a more complicated question: When is the UrbanOhio open house party??

Tough questions!

 

I have mixed feelings about the place to be honest. To preface my answers, my husband and I are planning on purchasing a home this summer, so that might be the short answer.  :-P  But, that's partly because we miss being homeowners (ah, to mow a lawn!) and we've settled in here in Cleveland after relocating last summer. It's probably easiest to as a list of pro's and con's:

 

Pro's

• new construction in an historic building
  
• good neighbors (mix of grad students, professionals, international folks)
  
• proximity to CWRU and Cleveland Clinic
  
• Cleveland address (if you also work in the city... lower taxes)
  
• combination of amenities that are hard to find (decent kitchens, central air, fitness center, garage parking)
  

 

Con's

• premium price - I think the 1-bed units are a great value, but there are only a few there and will always be scooped up by students
  
• construction is still going on even though it was supposed to be complete last fall (can't be an issue forever though... right?) and a LOT of issues related to construction
  
• some promised things haven't materialized, like the bar being open (it's only used for special events) or bike racks being installed
  
• residents are starting to get nickled and dimed ... once-free community events now usually have a per person price tag, for example
  
• heat pump HVAC units are extremely loud and generally ineffective... runs forever!
  
• management's focus clearly is on public rental of ballroom (and likely future condo conversion) rather than high-end rental... attitude shift started early on
  
• some irritating design things... storage lockers are tiny, game room is freezing cold all the time, satellite radio sound system for lobby and fitness room are inextricably linked so the fitness room sound has since been turned off (read: lame music in gym), etc.
  
• bigger/more expensive apartments aren't renting out well... pretty high risk of Case undergrads rooming up and changing the character of the "neighborhood"
  
• while the floorplans are interesting, a lot of them are pretty impractical, especially the living rooms
  
• I would argue the location isn't really all the great, except for proximity to some big employers. If you want to walk to/through attractive commercial areas for coffee, drinks, dinner you are better off in one of the many other locations in the area like various points in Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, or Ohio City
  

 

I think it's a great option for people just moving to the area and looking for certain amenities like I listed above. It's a great transitional place and I expect that's what it will be for quite a while. Also, I think the "luxury" image is really trumped up. But I suppose that's really subjective, and in a city with a low cost of living like Cleveland, I suppose a lot of the "luxury" clientele would just buy a condo or single family home instead.

 

UrbanOhio open house party? Have to get back to you on that!  :wink:

Cool. Thanks for the thorough and thoughtful response.

 

Perhaps we could have an UrbanOhio open house on some Saturday -- those living in the newest, coolest places could open up their homes if they wanted. And I wonder if a few others who are more established might want to show off their digs -- like MTS's pad on Shaker Square.

• bigger/more expensive apartments aren't renting out well... pretty high risk of Case undergrads rooming up and changing the character of the "neighborhood"
  

 

Sorry to hear that; that's precisely what's happened in my building in the past year and a large part of why I am looking elsewhere. At times I feel like I'm back in the dorms.

 

The bar still hasn't opened? That's interested -- I was told during my tour that it was going to open the following weekend. I wonder if they hit a last minute snag.

 

Thanks for the info, tina.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Case students moving into Park Lane Villa, for a few reasons that start with the cost (even with multiple people moving in, it'll be rather expensive when compared to the dirt cheap Little Italy and Cleve Heights), location (a bit off the beaten track of student's narrow minded view), and generally, well how do I put this......

 

They are Case kids - you're just as likely to see them move into the library than turning Park Lane Villa into a party scene.  I could be always proved wrong, though.

• Thanks, tina for the rundown.  It's always great to hear first hand how some of these projects turn out.
   
  

• I would argue the location isn't really all the great, except for proximity to some big employers. If you want to walk to/through attractive commercial areas for coffee, drinks, dinner you are better off in one of the many other locations in the area like various points in Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, or Ohio City

 

 

I can totally see this.  Maybe the upper chester project will mean commercial amenities someday come nearby, but until then it's gotta be pretty car dependent there for anything social.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Case students moving into Park Lane Villa, for a few reasons that start with the cost (even with multiple people moving in, it'll be rather expensive when compared to the dirt cheap Little Italy and Cleve Heights), location (a bit off the beaten track of student's narrow minded view), and generally, well how do I put this......

 

They are Case kids - you're just as likely to see them move into the library than turning Park Lane Villa into a party scene.  I could be always proved wrong, though.

 

I think you would be surprised what some parents are willing to spend for amenities and "safety percautions". I graduated from Miami U last year, and there were some brand new "apartment-style" housing built. Each unit is four bedrooms. They charge almost $4,000 per person per semester. It includes utilities/maintence, but I think its still pretty pricey. Considering a semester is basicly four months, the monthly rent on these small four bedroom apartment is $4,000. 

 

It is an outrageous price for Oxford housing, but the students (mostly girls) feel safer being on campus and they like that they are "new"

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Case students moving into Park Lane Villa, for a few reasons that start with the cost (even with multiple people moving in, it'll be rather expensive when compared to the dirt cheap Little Italy and Cleve Heights), location (a bit off the beaten track of student's narrow minded view), and generally, well how do I put this......

 

They are Case kids - you're just as likely to see them move into the library than turning Park Lane Villa into a party scene.  I could be always proved wrong, though.

 

I think you would be surprised what some parents are willing to spend for amenities and "safety percautions". I graduated from Miami U last year, and there were some brand new "apartment-style" housing built. Each unit is four bedrooms. They charge almost $4,000 per person per semester. It includes utilities/maintence, but I think its still pretty pricey. Considering a semester is basicly four months, the monthly rent on these small four bedroom apartment is $4,000. 

 

It is an outrageous price for Oxford housing, but the students (mostly girls) feel safer being on campus and they like that they are "new"

 

Oh I agree wholeheartedly - and students pay that at Case for the Village at 115 (over $4,000 per semester - http://studentaffairs.case.edu/living/resources/documents/0809/rates.html), but thats a top notch facility on campus, and not off campus - there's a big difference here where students are willing to pay a lot on campus, but not for off campus. 

 

That's just in my experience, though. 

It wasn't totally conjecture on my part about students moving in. It's already happening. Like Vulpster said, when you consider the cost of tuition and housing at Case, a parent spending half or third of a $1800-2700 rent isn't far fetched at all. And there are a number of grad students living here now, some of them even on their parents' dime. However, I would agree with JeffreyT that Case kids are probably not as likely to create an obnoxious party scene. But alternative college housing is not what I think PLV was originally trying to sell the place as, and it may detract from a goal of maintaining that image.

 

Jax -- as far as I know that bar is never going to be "open". First there was supposed to be a restaurant in the building, but they never found a tenant so the space was restored back to a ballroom use. Now they are affiliated with a local catering company, and they rent the ballroom and bar out for special events... maybe about one or two a month now. There certainly hasn't been any word to residents about it actually opening as a business. Believe me, quite a few of us would make a good attempt to keep it afloat!  :-D  But I seriously doubt they are going to be hiring actual bartending staff to hold the place open nightly. There is virtually no foot traffic in this location, and unless the bar is attached to some other draw like a restaurant or a special event rental, I don't know how it would generate enough business.

Thanks for the information, -tina.

 

And if they start to give the place trouble, let me know, I'll crack some skulls around here ;)

^^ Wow, that's really contrary to what I recall being told. So much so I have to wonder if it was a mis-understanding on my part. Thanks again -- very helpful since that would be a significant (non-existent) selling point for me.

 

And btw, it doesn't necessarily take a party environment to change the feeling of a building. I don't hold any animosity towards the kids moving into my building; they're just kids afterall. It's more about the general respect for common areas (they're significantly dirtier now), connectability with fellow tennants ("so, uhhh, what's your major"), etc.

maybe you hafta watch out for the case kids who hang out with cia kids.  as a case kid who "everyone at case" assumed went to cia, my clique and i managed to party pretty regularly. 

I've been to Park Lane Villa for several events for the nonprofit I work for ... it's definitely very swank, and is in an amazing location.  I hope it's a rousing success.  This is a wonderful place for urban living!

Update on the bar situation: we were just told a couple days ago that the bar will be open to residents and the public on a limited basis starting next week. It is supposed to be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm to midnight. There will be an assortment of soups, salads, and sandwiches available in addition to the good stuff you really came for.

 

Not sure how long this will last, but it's a great opportunity to get a close look at the bar/lobby of the building. I'll probably be there Tuesday night. Hope some of you can come check it out!

Hi, I'll be moving to Cleveland to start working at the Clinic in July 2009.  While looking for possible places to live, I stumbled across Park Lane Villa.  I noticed that this thread seems to have stopped in April.  Can anyone advise me on whether this is a good building to live in?  Are there any ongoing problems with the apartments?  Is there a convenience store nearby?  Are the residents mostly working professionals or students?  Has the bar finally opened?  Thanks so much.

Hi, I'll be moving to Cleveland to start working at the Clinic in July 2009.  While looking for possible places to live, I stumbled across Park Lane Villa.  I noticed that this thread seems to have stopped in April.  Can anyone advise me on whether this is a good building to live in?  Are there any ongoing problems with the apartments?  Is there a convenience store nearby?  Are the residents mostly working professionals or students?  Has the bar finally opened?  Thanks so much.

 

Welcome Isaacsapple.  I can't speak on the interiors but the exterior of this building is gorgeous and you are right on wade park/lagoon and have one of the best front or backyards -  however you look at it - in Cleveland.

Welcome Isaacsapple, to the board and to Cleveland.

Here is a birds eye view looking from the west. The Cleveland Art Museum is on the upper right, the lagoon lower right.

 

Thanks ... MyTwoSense and musky, Have never lived in Cleveland before having been a life long East Coaster but am looking forward to it.  Park Lane Villa's website seems quite ritzy but of course one never knows ... I was hoping to get some feedback from someone who currently lives in the building or has lived there in the past.  If it isn't all that it claims to be, one might be better off renting a house, right?

Also, musky, what is the building complex to the right of Park Lane Villa in your picture?  Thanks so much.

where are you moving from?  We can possibly compare a neighborhood in your current city to University Circle.

 

Also, we've had quite a few people move here to work at the clinic have you had an opportunity to read our suggestions (in the travel and relocation forum) on other neighborhoods in close proximity?

To the right is Judson Manor, a fairly upscale retirement home that also used to be a hotel (PLV was as well).  There are a number of beautiful buildings along E. 107/Stokes Blvd. that were built in the 20s at the same scale. 

 

I've been on a number of tours of PLV, but have never lived in it.  The units I saw were gorgeous and were priced accordingly.  You'd be walking distance from the museums in University Circle, Rockefeller and Wade Parks, and from work at the Clinic.  I'd definitely recommend giving it a look.  The bar is open, but may have limited hours.  Ask when you call for the tour!

Thanks ... I need to look at the travel and relocation forum.  Am new to this site.  Am moving from Philadelphia.  I was told University Circle's a great place to live.  Shall definitely look at the other neighborhoods too.   

Thanks ... I need to look at the travel and relocation forum.  Am new to this site.  Am moving from Philadelphia.  I was told University Circle's a great place to live.  Shall definitely look at the other neighborhoods too.   

 

It's like the area North of the Ben Franklin Pkway, minus the river and crime! LOL