good points mgd.

 

i believe the flats project is much more suited to leed-nd because of the underused transit line running through it.  the added concern of the river which prompts storm water/runoff issues seems to mandate added complexity and therefore creativity.  the site is rich in creative potential.

 

the avenue district seems like more of a blank canvas with far less constrictions/potential innovation though leed-nd certified would be nice for marketing.  i'd guess the location of the project  already makes it conducive to leed-nd standards.

today's avenue emailing has a link to a pdf file of the prices for all the apts in the first phase. the price range is between $200k and $1m. check'em out:

 

http://www.theavenuedistrict.com/newlayout/docs/AD_Base_Pricing_022406.pdf

This was posted on the website today. It looks like interest in the project remains very strong.

 

Dear Friends,

 

Thanks to your positive response and feedback to our new elegant loft floor plans, we''''re adding 3 more units to Building 1 at The Avenue District.

 

The 6th floor will replicate floors Two through Five giving the corner of East 12th and St. Clair 58 premium lofts.  Below you will find our updated pricing for the 6th Floor. 

Is this an additional floor or are they simply separating one penthouse into three smaller units?

I believe they are just expanding the 6th floor. Floor 2-5 have 8 units each, and intially floors 6-8 were to have 5 each, but the 6th floor will now be similar to the lower levels. The penthouse level in the 9th floor with 8 units.

Todays email had another rendering in it.  Its for the townhomes:

http://www.theavenuedistrict.com/newlayout/articles/avenue-district-more-exterior-renderings.asp.asp

 

You definitely wouldn't see anything looking like this in the burbs. Is this more of a Stonebridge look?

Those look like the Tillman townhouses, next to the West Shoreway. I've seen pictures of how nice they look on the inside, but they sure are butt-ugly on the outside, IMHO.

Those elevations look great!  I think that the Avenue District and this Superior Block have the potential of being the first phases of a significant new residential quadrant of our Downtown area.  I'm thinking that over the next 10-20 years or so, we can develop many more blocks like this between E. 12th and the Innerbelt, to create a nice community of townhomes and loft buildings between the commercial avenues of St. Clair, Superior, Payne, and Lakeside.  Coupled with CSU's plans for a university village, I really can see this coming to pass... 

 

It reminds me in many ways of Portland's "Pearl District," which was dominated by rail yards, light industry, auto shops, workmen's homes, and a diner here and there.  Now, the rail yard has been developed into Hoyt Street Yards (thousands of apartments, shops and parks), much of the industrial space has been converted to galleries, professional studios and loft apartments, but many of the diners and auto shops still remain.  It's quite a nice mixture and it's one of the most attractive places to live in the city...just outside of Downtown Portland.

Its wonderful that we are hearing positive news about the Avenue's sales.  I agree with MGD that this area has wonderful potential.  There are not many stumbling blocks that would stand in the way of housing development extending towards the innerbelt.  With a little bit of success, people will have a reason to believe.  We are so used to accepting this default attitude that good things can't happen hear. 

 

The past year has been very interesting for housing in Cleveland.  While we have not had any large scale successes, many people seem to be establishing a foundation for an exciting next few years.  After the District Park news last February, Cleveland has rebounded nicely. 

 

I view these as the most important projects of the next two-three years:

 

East Bank (may provide the most interesting non-resident experience and allow us to begin embracing our waterfront)

Avenue District (a project that will begin sewing CSU, E.9th, Playhouse Square and St. Clair together)

Battery Park (will help bridge the gap between Clifton and OC/Detroit-Superior)

Triangle (far from finalized, but many players want this to happen)

I don't think they're that bad - well, I don't care for the pink but I don't like the color pink (go figure).

 

See, I love the Tillman townhomes - so many have said "they're so un-Cleveland" (aka modern with bright colors). While I wouldn't want every block Tillman-ized, I love that they're a breath of fresh air and color. I mean, thousands of people see them every day from the Shoreway - it's a great way to 1. act as a landmark for Detroit-Shoreway (ever try to explain to someone from Bay or River where Detroit-Shoreway is?), and 2. convey that Detroit-Shoreway offers new (albeit unconventional) housing options.

 

If I had the means, I'd have one in a heart if only for the view:

The Battery Park townhomes have a very similar look to them.  Isn't there anyone else in this town that can do new urbanism?  With the amount of new construction that will be coming on line in the next few years, I'd like to see someone other than City Architecture do the project. 

 

By the way, I like the designs.  I wouldn't want them to try and replicate something from 100 years ago.  Zaremba's Beacon Place development tried that and produced some very ho-hum architecture.

my main problem with the Beacon Place townhomes is that they're set back so far from the street on both the Chester and Euclid sides.  I hope that the Superior Block comes to meet the sidewalk and really adds to the street's pedestrian character.

I'm a little tired of the City Architecture look too.  I really hope that bringing in the KSU arch school somehow results in a few more shops capable of designing city-friendly housing...I gotta say that in general, I'm really not so wowed by most of the new attached single fam housing that's been getting built in town...

 

I actually think the Tillman townhouses are pretty cool though.  A little too garage-y, yeah, but I dig the bright colors.  Given the dreary skies in Cleveland, I really wish there was a little more color in the streetscape.  These Ave District ones seems to have some which is nice.

 

As for Beacon Place, I think I'm pretty sympathetic to Zaremba thinking he might have trouble selling townhouses that were pulled right up to the edge of the Chester Freeway.  The Euclid side is a different story of course.  I hope that a tidal wave of high density development over the next decades makes those set back townhouses look kind of stupid.

 

I think the arhitecture of the Avenue District is appropriate for the concept Zaremba is going for. They seem to want to create a place for artists and other admirers of contemporary art to live or go out. The minamalist and contemporary expression seems to fit well. There is also little worthy historic architecture in the surrounding neighborhoods to take into consideration anyway.

 

As for Detroit-Shoreway, I think somewhere in Cleveland needs modern architecture, and Detroit-Shoreway seems to be doing pretty well. It could be considered Detroit-Shoreway's niche. I am a little less supportive of proliferation of modern architecture in places where historic character is strong like Ohio City, Warehouse District, Tremont, Little Italy, Lakewood, and Cleveland Heights.

Does anyone know anything about the retail opportunities that Zaremba is talking about? I'm looking at the outside renderings and not seeing where they'd put any of this stuff. I'm excited for the housing but I think I'm even more interested by the other places that will pop up because of this pocket of population. The Avenue District will be semi-upscale so I'd like to see some much-needed shopping put in place there. Possibly an Armani Exchange, Coach or an Urban Outfitters. Maybe it'll spur some growth like this in the Galleria.

I think Zaremba is looking for more local shop, gallery, and cafe owners (hence why they are posting information online for samll business owners to get in touch with them). I think they want street life, but they said before that they want it to be "quiet" and different than the warehouse district. They also want to build on the artists live-work developments just east of their development. I think the Avenue District will be more like a downtown version of Cleveland's Little Italy, but that's just my impression.

 

I think downtown needs more retail too, but preferably near higher traffic areas near Public Square on Euclid Avenue, the Warehouse District, and Tower City. I wouldn't be suprised if those retailers you mentioned are what Stark has in mind for his "billion dollar" development in the works for the huge parking lot on W.6th.

 

^^^ Yeah, I know they're trying to make the emphasis on everything being local, but I'm hoping this new influx of upper-middle class people will spur some retail growth in the area. I really think this whole project is going to do wonders for the Galleria, and it definitely needs it.

^The residential boom downtown is wonderful. I can imgaine a sucessful retail mix coming really soon. With all the new residents, all the nice new restaurants, and new entertainment venues it seems like downtown is only missing more quality retail shops that are currently in the suburbs. Downtown in general is looking very nice. I can't imagine people aren't willing to come downtown to shop.

 

My preference for new retail though would be still be Tower City, and shops on Euclid and in the Warehouse District over the Galleria and shops on E.12th.

^The residential boom downtown is wonderful. I can imgaine a sucessful retail mix coming really soon. With all the new residents, all the nice new restaurants, and new entertainment venues it seems like downtown is only missing more quality retail shops that are currently in the suburbs. Downtown in general is looking very nice. I can't imagine people aren't willing to come downtown to shop.

 

My preference for new retail though would be still be Tower City, and shops on Euclid and in the Warehouse District over the Galleria and shops on E.12th.

 

Tower City would be nice for some South Park-like retailers to come in, but I don't think a traditional indoor mall is the correct place for upscale retail. That's why I'm thinking putting SOME sort of upscale shopping in an area with upscale residents, like the Avenue District, would be a better idea. Okay, so maybe I just want some good shopping for my own greedy purposes, but I think a gradual introduction of street-front clothing retail is something that the city <b>desperately</b> needs.

What do you think about the Arcade?

I'd love for Lower Euclid to be the retail center of the city again, with the large, pricey chains locating there, and more local retailers locating on intersecting streets and Prospect.

The thing about the Avenue District is that it isn't even really that large or super upscale enough to merrit upscale retail brands to locate exclusively in that neighborhood. Yes, the Avenue District is upscale, but so are many of the apartments and for-sale units in the Warehouse District (i.e. Pinnacle Building). So considering that you have upscale housing downtown on the eastern edge and western edge, I'd like to see more upscale retailers locate closer to a central location near Public Square which is a central downtown location for all higher-income downtown residents (present and future), highly trafficed by the suburban-like visitors who come downtown for entertainment in Gateway, W.6th, E.4th, and close to the city's most upscale hotels (Ritz, Renaissance, Marriot, Hyatt) for the higher-income visitor.

 

For the Avenue district and Galleria I see the appropriateness of art galleries, cafes, and maybe a niche in housewares and decor. All of which could be somewhat upscale, but I like the sophisticated artistic culture that Zaremba and other developers in St.Clair-Superior are trying to create.

 

For the Warhouse District I see the most potential in more youthful stores. Retailers like Armani Exchange or Club Monaco would be good here, because these retailers isn't so upscale that the Cleveland market couldn't support it, and it would draw on the already established "young" professional and trendy culture of the Warehouse District. I think we should also be looking for more retailers not in the Cleveland Market, but could do suceed if they were all located downtown. A Zara, Kenneth Cole, United Colors of Benetton, and a small Bareny's could probably do well in the proposed Stark Development.

 

For the Stretch of Euclid I think destinational discount retailers would be appropriate to draw on the fact that there is potential in available large-volume space, and the Euclid corridor will probably help draw on a college student population. So maybe retailers like Filene's Basement, Loehman's, or things like that. H&M would have been really nice for Euclid, because it has a reputation for offering cheap clothing that will draw people from considerable distances, but unfortunetly one openned in Crocker Park and one will soon open at Beachwood, so it makes little sense to believe it will draw people from throughout the region to shop downtown. 

 

If Cleveland could eventually support super luxury brands, then I think the Arcade would be a great venue. It is absolutely beautiful, perfect size, great location.

I had to jump in here.  I completely agree with everything Vulpster said.  BUT, there is just this one area, the stretch of St. Clair between E. 9 and E. 12 that I think has real potential as a very cool sub-neighborhood entertainment/retail/outdoor gallery home.  What if, after Zaremba's down with their development, and Doug Price has finished his redevelopment of Reserve Square, and the city has finished the re-design of E. 12th STreet, there became a demand for retail and entertainment along St. Clair.  The windows of the Galleria could be punched out to make way for outdoor dining and sidewalk cafes, boutiques and shops could occur there as well.  Another mixed use development should happen along side the One Cleveland Center, and along with proper signage and streetscaping, you create a very cool version of E. 4th Street live from Louisville. 

 

 

All these shops should be small and to scale (maybe a big anchor goes into the Galleria, but that's another story), while most of the "big box tenents" or department stores start to repopulate Euclid.  Euclid is only a 10 minute walk from the front steps of Zaremba's condo buildings.

As I have mentioned in other threads (sorry to keep bringing it up) My contact at Neiman Marcus said they evaluate markets, which they are doing now in Cleveland "when development opportunites come up." Do you guys think its possible that one of those oportunities could be somewhere downtown?

^Beachwood  :(

I think there are limited locations that could house a Neiman-Marcus around Cleveland simply because it's an anchor store that seems to want to be near stores that cater to similar demographics.  The one location that I could see them heading to might be the former EXPO store at Legacy Village (would require a sizeable retrofit).  That's if the status quo is maintained in terms of where the disposable income lies.  It very well could end up somewhere different (i.e. downtown) but not for at least a few years before some of the higher end projects begin to come on line (The Avenue District, East Bank, Properties along Euclid) to further bolster the downtown residential population.  I guess its one of those 'wait and see' types of things.  Thanks for the info regarding this Mov2Ohio!

I think there is a huge flaw in retailers openning up exclusive metro-area stores in the suburbs. Yes, while the market they are targetting is right next door, there are a number of upscale suburbs on all sides of town.  While the consumer market is tipped toward the east side, it has been increasingly balanced with the west side suburban and downtown consumer market for the past ten years. I think the consumer market is projected to become increasingly balanced in the Cleveland metro area in the next ten years too. University Circle, Downtown, Tremont, Ohio City, Westlake, Avon, Medina, and North Royalton are all becoming increasingly upscale and high growth residential areas, and none of them are on the outer east side. It makes sense for stores in the Cleveland area to locate downtown with all that is going on there, and the fact it is simply the most central and reasonable location for maximum fair access. Not to mention that there are a considerable amount of high-income tourists and business people staying in hotels downtown and might want to shop if they had the opportunity. Tourism downtown is on the rise I believe.

 

The east side is perhaps glutted with retail now. New retailers considering locating on the east side are going to have to bank on the fact that they will draw people from all over, so why not just open a downtown store now? Neiman-Marcus would just be competing with Saks and Nordstroms, when they could have a monopoly on downtown, west side, and south side if it located downtown, while at the same time drawing some east siders downtown.

 

We also have to consider that people are probably more willing to shop downtown than they ever were before in the past thirty years. Gateway, Warehouse District, and E.4th are all drawing people downtown for the best dining, nightlife, and entertainment in the region. All of these developments in these places are less than ten years old, but doing very well and expanding. Where is the retail downtown now? I think retailers are disuaded at the lack of success in Tower City since it openned, but when Tower City openned there wasn't near as much else to do in the neighborhood (and it faced competition from Galleria), and I believe people are more willing to go downtown now.

 

The Higbee Building, May Co. building, or perhaps the proposed Stark Development would be an awesome opportunity for a new upscale department store. I wasn't thinking an upscale department store would be considering Cleveland for quite sometime, but if you have this contact Mov2Ohio then I would recommend discussing these things when you get a chance.

I'd like to see a Neimans downtown. They as of yet have no plans to build, but their main thing right now is deciding if Greater Cleveland could support Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue (They don't consider Nordstrom a direct competitor).

Well like I said, because Saks and other boutique stores that sell the same merchandise are on the outer east side, Neiman Marcus has the opportunity to capitalize on a more central location. I think there is a myth that the entire upper consumer-market is concentrated so heavily in and around Beachwood.

Well like I said, because Saks and other boutique stores that sell the same merchandise are on the outer east side, Neiman Marcus has the opportunity to capitalize on a more central location. I think there is a myth that the entire upper consumer-market is concentrated so heavily in and around Beachwood.

 

Exactly. I'm the poster child for stranded West Siders who love high-end retail. It's too much of a trek to venture out ALL the way to Beachwood to get what I want, so I usually just order it online. There's a seriously untapped market of in Strongsville, North Royalton, Columbia Station, Bay Village, Avon and the surrounding areas that a Neiman-Marcus could definitely take advantage of with a central location. I live 15 minutes from downtown but too freaking far from Beachwood to shop there on a regular basis, even though I'd love to.

I like nice things I guess, but I'm not a huge fan of shopping as a passtime. I'd rather spend time and money on drinking downtown, but I do believe retail is a critical element missing from downtown when it shouldn't be. A successful retail mix can only mean more vibrancy throughout the day and evening. I also see street level shops as important infill and encouraging pedestrian traffic between all these emerging hotspot districts.

I'd rather spend time and money on drinking downtown.

 

Really???

 

 

In the latest newsletter from the Avenue, they mention a "big announcement" that you can be the first to hear if you go to their meet-up at the City Club on April 26. I have my doubts that it will be some huge announcement--if they had some really good news, they wouldn't wait to get it out in the press. I wonder if they will announce the name of a retail tenant. 

I saw that in the newsletter too. I was thinking it would be an announcement of when the groundbreaking would be. (Unless, of course, they already announced it and I missed it.)

I saw that in the newsletter too. I was thinking it would be an announcement of when the groundbreaking would be. (Unless, of course, they already announced it and I missed it.)

 

That was my other thought.  Any word on how the actual sales are going? 

I'd like to see a Neimans downtown. They as of yet have no plans to build, but their main thing right now is deciding if Greater Cleveland could support Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue (They don't consider Nordstrom a direct competitor).

 

Neiman's is a "mall tenant" type of retailer.  They have very few "free standing stores" of the top of my head I can only think of chicago, Dallas and Beverly Hills with "free standing stores".  If you've ever been to one of the stores i've mentioned....they are ghost towns.  Surprisingly, even the Michigan Avenue store.

 

Because of the price point, NM needs mall foot traffic.  If they did come downtown TC is the logical choice but NM is so played out....we really don't need them.  Needless Markup stores are boring!  The only NM store i've seen packed is the Houston Galleria Location. Anyway, we need more retail stores on the CITY STREETS...not in a mall.

 

I say bring back the fabulous Halle's, now that was a classy store!  The Bergdorf Goodman of the midwest!  ahh...the memories.  sigh  :|

Well like I said, because Saks and other boutique stores that sell the same merchandise are on the outer east side, Neiman Marcus has the opportunity to capitalize on a more central location. I think there is a myth that the entire upper consumer-market is concentrated so heavily in and around Beachwood.

 

Exactly. I'm the poster child for stranded West Siders who love high-end retail. It's too much of a trek to venture out ALL the way to Beachwood to get what I want, so I usually just order it online. There's a seriously untapped market of in Strongsville, North Royalton, Columbia Station, Bay Village, Avon and the surrounding areas that a Neiman-Marcus could definitely take advantage of with a central location. I live 15 minutes from downtown but too freaking far from Beachwood to shop there on a regular basis, even though I'd love to.

 

West Siders know "high end retail"??  Who knew??!!  I didn't know TJ Maxx was considered "high end".  he he he  :-D

 

 

^But still, if Cleveland got one that would be a big draw and Neimans clout could bring other upscale exclusive to the region stores to Beachwood, downtown or where ever because the closest one North/west is Detroit, South is Atlanta, and East is Philadelphia. Not saying people will travel from Tennesee to Cleveland for Neiman Marcus, but you get the idea thats a huge area to draw from.

West Siders know "high end retail"?? Who knew??!! I didn't know TJ Maxx was considered "high end". he he he   :-D

 

Pshhh, the East Side can kiss my Louis Vuitton shoes :lol:

 

But really, my dad always used to say "the worst thing in the world is hillbillies with money," and that's how a lot of the outer West Side is . The amount of new money out here is really shocking, which is why I think a central location for any high-end retail would be ideal.

^But still, if Cleveland got one that would be a big draw and Neimans clout could bring other upscale exclusive to the region stores to Beachwood, downtown or where ever because the closest one North/west is Detroit, South is Atlanta, and East is Philadelphia. Not saying people will travel from Tennesee to Cleveland for Neiman Marcus, but you get the idea thats a huge area to draw from.

 

Personally, i'd rather see Barneys back in Cleveland.  I think a "flag ship" Bloomingdales and or Macy's downtown would be great!  A Nordstrom's would be cool as well.  and on a personal note, I think that every Dillard's should be blown up after what they did to Cleveland's beloved Higbee's!

 

West Siders know "high end retail"??  Who knew??!!  I didn't know TJ Maxx was considered "high end".  he he he   :-D

 

Pshhh, the East Side can kiss my Louis Vuitton shoes :lol:

 

But really, my dad always used to say "the worst thing in the world is hillbillies with money," and that's how a lot of the outer West Side is . The amount of new money out here is really shocking, which is why I think a central location for any high-end retail would be ideal.

 

(in my best thurston howell clenched teeth waspy voice) LV??  ugh, sweetie, that's so common!  :roll:  Lick the bottom of my Varvatos loafers!  :-D

 

I couldn't have said that better myself!  Most of us from the "established" east side feel that way about you west siders.  I mean, the East Side of Cleveland is like Manhattan, the westside is so Staten Island! 

 

I'm clutching my pearls at the sheer thought of a luxury retailer on - dare I say it - the west side :cool2: 

 

Personally I think more folks in the city travel to beachwood over cracker park!

I saw the newsletter too.  I don't think it's a big announcement b/c it said "Special Announcement".  They're having an event at the Cleveland Athletic Club.  I bet it has something to do with the CAC.

Is anyone a member at the CAC? I was there years ago and it seemed like a cool place, but haven't been in or heard anything about it in years.

 

Anything new with this project? I've seen more advertising from them, so it looks like they're ramping up.

I just joined the CAC and I think it's great they are doing cross promotional events with downtown developers. The CAC bulding on Euclid was in real bad shape until a couple of years ago but they recently renovated it. Also, they signed a 50 year lease in 2003  so they will be on euclid for many years to come.

I'm on the The Avenue District's e-mail Newsletter list.  I'm planning on going on the 26th to their CAC event.  Is anyone else going to go to this?  I haven't had time to stop into the sales office for more than 5 min, so I'm looking forward to talking to their people to ask some questions. 

(in my best thurston howell clenched teeth waspy voice) LV??  ugh, sweetie, that's so common!   :roll:  Lick the bottom of my Varvatos loafers!   :-D

 

I couldn't have said that better myself!  Most of us from the "established" east side feel that way about you west siders.  I mean, the East Side of Cleveland is like Manhattan, the westside is so Staten Island! 

 

I'm clutching my pearls at the sheer thought of a luxury retailer on - dare I say it - the west side :cool2: 

 

Personally I think more folks in the city travel to beachwood over cracker park!

 

 

Bahaha, Varvatos?! I guess I was right when I said the East Side was just OLD money.

 

Seriously, though, I feel like I'm living in the Great Gatsby because of this East Egg/West Egg thing. The two sides may be totally different in attitude and style (we've got Indigo Nation, you've got Talbots), but the fact is there's money in both. And the only way to tap into the largest group of people would obviously be to build downtown.

 

A major department store downtown would be like heaven.

As a former westsider I would like to note that we now have overpriced retail at crocker park (including indigo nation!). However I must concede that the westside is not exactly sophisticated.

 

As for a downtown department store, I hate to be a pessimist but it will be a very long time before that ever happens. There has been so much upscale retail development out in the suburbs recently (corcker park, legacy village) that it would take a brand like Neiman Marcus to draw shoppers downtown. However we will never get a department store like Neiman Marcus because we don't have enough tourists/convention business to help support it.

 

I feel that downtown retail development should focus on smaller stores, like the ones which are presumablely part of the Avenue District.

Seriously, though, I feel like I'm living in the Great Gatsby because of this East Egg/West Egg thing. The two sides may be totally different in attitude and style (we've got Indigo Nation, you've got Talbots), but the fact is there's money in both. And the only way to tap into the largest group of people would obviously be to build downtown.

 

hey, we have an indigo nation too, and ours opened before yours, so nyah

Also a few more points to the East Side for having a Design Within Reach next door to the Indigo Nation. :wink:

hey, we have an indigo nation too, and ours opened before yours, so nyah

 

I really wish they'd just get rid of the Eton shops. I went there on a Friday evening and I swear I was the ONLY person in the entire place. The people at Indigo Nation told me I was the first person to buy anything the entire week.

 

Uhm, move them downtown!

A major department store downtown would be like heaven.

 

AMEN!  :mrgreen:

From a recent Avenue District mailing:

 

Interview with Jonathan Glance, Zaremba. Architect and Project Designer:

 

1.    How would you describe the ‘style’ of the buildings in the Avenue District?

 

It is an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional design creating a vibrant and diverse neighborhood rather than a single building.

 

2.    (follow up from 1) So why do the buildings change ‘styles’?

 

They change so we can create a diversity of building types.  This diversity is what creates and defines a neighborhood.  Each building is built separately and discreetly as the project grows and evolves.  The Avenue District will be exactly this, a neighborhood not just a building.

 

3.    Are they actually different buildings, where each building has its own entrance or is there a common entrance?

 

Each building will be defined by its own common entry, elevator, and stairs.  Having separate entrances and common areas gives residents a more intimate sense of place.  We eliminate impersonal, long hallways and create communities within communities; neighborhoods within neighborhoods.

 

4.    You incorporate a lot of high quality materials in your façade, including brick, stone, glass, pre-cast concrete.  Was that a challenge to incorporate such a diverse palette?

 

It takes a skilled designer to incorporate all these diverse materials and City Architect has done an excellent job.  We intend to create a harmony with the materials.  We will bring together the varied palette through common scale and detailing.

 

5.    The Elegant Loft buildings are built right up to the sidewalk edge.  Why build so close?  Don’t you want a buffer?

 

No buffers!  The Avenue District is at the core an urban, upscale community like the Upper East Side in New York or Lincoln Park in Chicago.  These premiere urban neighborhoods are successful because of the density and the synergy that results from that density. A buffer isn’t needed for the residents to enjoy a high quality of life.  We’ve provided a green oasis in the center of these buildings that is a private green roof terrace for our homeowners.  Additionally, the proposed expansion of the sidewalks and tree lawns on East 12th Street will create the soft edges that all great urban neighborhoods have.

 

6.    Lots of urban buildings have retail on the ground floor.  Will the Avenue District have that?

 

Yes.  Absolutely!  Just like the great residential neighborhoods in New York and Chicago, it will definitely have retail.  We look to focus attracting high-quality tenants that will provide much-needed amenities for our homeowners.  These amenity-type retailers are what animate city streetscapes.

 

7.    What do you do at Zaremba?

 

My job is two-fold.  First, I review the aesthetic and functional components of the design that are put forth by our design consultants.  I then coordinate the design vision with our cost estimators and marketing team to make sure the design will work for our homeowners and fit in their budgets.  Secondly, I act as the coordinator between Zaremba and City Architecture.  I am the point person for our design team and make sure that both offices are synchronized.