Just want to commend avenue district for seeing this project through.  I definitely believe this will be a true focal neighborhood and many individuals will want to live here.  It will add more spice to the downtown area and may become a neighborhood thats known nationally known when someone speaks about Cleveland.  I also would appreciate more pictures of the townhomes please.

^Do agree with elevate.

 

Zaremba should be given a lot of credit for soldiering on while the rest of the potential downtown developers(outside of Stonebridge) bicker and drag their feet.  Everything in Cleveland always moves years slower than planned and the trend continues.  Zaremba's project will be multiple years ahead of anything else allowing him to grab more of the downtown demand.  While scary now due to shaky market conditions, I do believe this will turn out to be a shrewd business decision and a high end neighborhood.  We shall see.

 

people have disagreed with me previously, but I believe that's it easier to sell a unit in a building that's complete (90% done or something) rather than just by blueprints and model units in the first floor of a nearby office.

 

Any of the realtors out there who can comment on this?

 

I find it odd that people would disagree with you. Especially in a market where there is stock waiting to be sold, most people in Cleveland want to buy something that they can touch (imo).

 

people have disagreed with me previously, but I believe that's it easier to sell a unit in a building that's complete (90% done or something) rather than just by blueprints and model units in the first floor of a nearby office.

 

Any of the realtors out there who can comment on this?

 

I find it odd that people would disagree with you. Especially in a market where there is stock waiting to be sold, most people in Cleveland want to buy something that they can touch (imo).

 

i think it just depends on the market.  in some of the recent "hotter" areas, or areas along the coasts where there is limited development of new housing, you almost have to buy prior to construction.

 

cleveland has never been this way, and currently is not this way.  the challenge has always been lining up the traditional financing, which will require some pre-sales, with the local market conditions that don't support pre-sales of unbuilt housing.

 

i think the marketing of the avenue district and the product itself, show that it can be accomplished in cleveland with the right product and enough determination to get it done.  hopefully other developers with pretty signs depicting new housing can follow some examples.

Zaremba should be given a lot of credit for soldiering on while the rest of the potential downtown developers(outside of Stonebridge) bicker and drag their feet.  Everything in Cleveland always moves years slower than planned and the trend continues.  Zaremba's project will be multiple years ahead of anything else allowing him to grab more of the downtown demand. 

 

I don't see the bickering and feet dragging that you're talking about.  I do sometimes wish that developers would wait a little longer to publicize their plans... thereby avoiding stirring up our emotions on projects that may be years off or never come true... but these things take time.  Lots of time!  It's not like the Avenue District just popped up out of the woodwork.  These lots have been run through the development spinner many times over the past couple decades.  It is great to see a plan stick and get built, but I'm not about to go calling the other developers laggards. 

a question for those of you who are in-the-know:

 

what is the next phase for the condo building?  will it be along E. 12th or St. Clair?  I don't remember if this was specified somewhere along the line...

Wait, I'll quote myself:

 

 

Block 1 Phasing (sorry about the resolution):

 

 

 

anyone know if this is still accurate?

Building 2 is 12th street where they are already working on the foundation... and i believe if memory serves me correct that the plan is then to go to St. Clair. Followed by 13th, and lastly the Hamilton Avenue townhomes in the rear.

 

On a side note i have several pictures of the townhomes i took while walking around on saturday, including some interior photos as one of the people moving in was kind enough to show me around... including some from the rooftop deck.  Unfortunately i am apparently kind of an idiot and can not figure out how to post them. I'll give it another try this evening.

Building 2 is 12th street where they are already working on the foundation... and i believe if memory serves me correct that the plan is then to go to St. Clair. Followed by 13th, and lastly the Hamilton Avenue townhomes in the rear.

 

I guess I haven't been by in a couple weeks, so I didn't know the foundation for phase 2 was already underway.  That's great news!

 

I know it's not really that far, but the gap in between Reserve Square and Block is going to loom large until the next E. 12th Street block gets underway (betw. St. Clair & Superior).  I'm not even going to ask when that's slated to begin, since I'd assume it'll be a couple years off, or at least until the market turns back up.

Zaremba should be given a lot of credit for soldiering on while the rest of the potential downtown developers(outside of Stonebridge) bicker and drag their feet.  Everything in Cleveland always moves years slower than planned and the trend continues.  Zaremba's project will be multiple years ahead of anything else allowing him to grab more of the downtown demand. 

 

I don't see the bickering and feet dragging that you're talking about.  I do sometimes wish that developers would wait a little longer to publicize their plans... thereby avoiding stirring up our emotions on projects that may be years off or never come true... but these things take time.  Lots of time!  It's not like the Avenue District just popped up out of the woodwork.  These lots have been run through the development spinner many times over the past couple decades.  It is great to see a plan stick and get built, but I'm not about to go calling the other developers laggards. 

 

Good point and maybe a bad use of words.  Other developers have come along with time tables of when projects would begin or when certain milestones would be hit (not saying developers can't put aggressive time tables out to try and force others hands).  Unfortunately both FEB and Pesht have been delayed, pushed back, whatever...  Heck, Zaremba got delayed when trying to get the underground utilities done for the highrise.

^exactly.  and there so many factors outside of the developer's control (like unexpected underground utility problems) that it's not really fair to criticize them for some of these delays.  Now, if they deliberately name dates that they know are unrealistic, then I have no sympathy.

 

There's a legendary tale in Cleveland of a well-known developer who was renovating a building in Glenville and in the process of rehabbing, discovered a tank (fuel or something) buried in the basement that had no business being there.  Needless to say, it set the project back a few months as they had to search for cleanup dollars and then actually get the thing out of there.  I don't remember all the gory details, but crazy stuff happens out there!

^exactly.  and there so many factors outside of the developer's control (like unexpected underground utility problems) that it's not really fair to criticize them for some of these delays.  Now, if they deliberately name dates that they know are unrealistic, then I have no sympathy.

 

There's a legendary tale in Cleveland of a well-known developer who was renovating a building in Glenville and in the process of rehabbing, discovered a tank (fuel or something) buried in the basement that had no business being there.  Needless to say, it set the project back a few months as they had to search for cleanup dollars and then actually get the thing out of there.  I don't remember all the gory details, but crazy stuff happens out there!

 

The best part of that story is that the buried tank was actually a railroad tanker car. They had to dig out the entire railroad car before proceeding. They used it to store the fuel for heating the building.

right!  I wasn't sure if I just made that part up or if I was combining stories or if it was the real story.  Thanks for remembering!

And I think all of us that take such an interest are so anxious to see something happen that we are easily dis-illusioned as to when and if things will actually happen (until we actually see it).  So it does seem like it takes an eternity.  We have seen alot of plans and ideas come and go.  Im sure this is typical in any city similar to Cleveland (hungry to see things happen) . 

 

Here in DC for example, there are things popping up everywhere that I never seem to even hear much about.  Then again I dont really follow the things here like I do in Cleveland, so it doesnt mean they dont encounter the same kind of "delays", although I think the ecomony in an area will certainly help determine what and how much comes to fruition.. 

Since, in places like DC that have experienced housing and office shortages, your naturally going to see more happen (even just building on spec), as opposed to somewhere like Cleveland that is hurting (economy, housing market etc...). 

(Sorry, I hate comparing things to D.C., since it is not a typical place)

 

   

^personally i love comparing the design to Ballston.......

Actually if you havent been around in a while, you could compare it to many more places here.  Ill try to post a pic near where I live, Columbia Heights (the newest example).  It could be "The Avenue District"

Looks like they've got some screens/netting up now... could be the weather... it's blustery out there!

 

or maybe they found someone that wnats to move in the 5th floor immediately and they are furnishing it....

they are probably heating this section for the concrete to cure.  don't know what mix they are using, but it is probably cheaper to heat than to try and reformulate the pours.

Pshaw... blurry webcam pics? ;-)

 

 

 

Good co-advertisement for the Avenue District and RTA's B-Line Trolley:

what happens if a crane drops a por-o-jon while moving it between floors?

^The floor in the Euclid Tavern.  Zing.

^The floor in the Euclid Tavern.  Zing.

 

giggles

how many floors up will this be?

When it is finished? 10

Nine.

Is the southern wall of the tower in line with the Galleria, or does it jet closer to the street?

From the Avenue website:

 

For example, the east 12th street elevation responds to the Erieview tower across the street by reaching 10 stories in height and continues the ‘downtown’ feel of East 12th street.

Ok, I guess that the penthouse will be two levels. That would make it 10 stories.

They certainly work fast

World-class netting.

 

Propers to everyone involved.  Webcam was a very nice idea and supplemented by the occasional MayDay photos it's been fun to keep tabs on the construction.

fingers crossed this project takes off and we see additional stages come on board...to me this project is a much riskier proposition than anything in the WHD or the flats...if Cleveland is going to have a true downtown renaissance, it will have to be spurred by successful development on all sides

"Is the southern wall of the tower in line with the Galleria, or does it jet closer to the street?"

 

The southern wall is further south than Tower at Erieview's, but pretty much even with the southern facade of the Galleria.

what happens if a crane drops a por-o-jon while moving it between floors?

 

Shit happens.

Alright, keep it on topic - don't make me get p!ssy! ;-)

fingers crossed this project takes off and we see additional stages come on board...to me this project is a much riskier proposition than anything in the WHD or the flats...if Cleveland is going to have a true downtown renaissance, it will have to be spurred by successful development on all sides

 

By looking at the presales, the project is off to a very good start.

There is a new advertising video posted on the avenue district homepage.  Shows some 3-D's of the building, etc.  Not bad.

Also... in the latest newsletter there is this link with updated construction photos...

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16966133@N07/

 

 

Wonder what this is all about -- from the Design Review committee agenda:

 

DRC 06-125-A: Superior Avenue & East 14th Street, The Avenue District:  Mixed Use Development, Block #3, Site Plan Changes (PLPD/Ward 13) (Fr August 31, 2006) [submitted 10/31/07]

more townhouses on the site, rather then the 3 story loft-buildings that were originally proposed for the site.  It turned out that the townhouses are a very popular product type to buyers, while the loft buildings are far too cost prohibitive to build (they'd compete directly with the flats on 1211 St. Clair.)  Interest is townhomes is intense. 

When are we going to start to see construction around the tower?

Is the new site plan confidential?  If not, can you post an image of the new site plan, please?

more townhouses on the site, rather then the 3 story loft-buildings that were originally proposed for the site.  It turned out that the townhouses are a very popular product type to buyers, while the loft buildings are far too cost prohibitive to build (they'd compete directly with the flats on 1211 St. Clair.)  Interest is townhomes is intense. 

 

How many townhomes have sold or pre-sold so far?

The website lists 13 of 30 townhomes and 28 of 58 loft units as sold.  Given that the websites for these developments often lag reality, that's probably a low-end #.

7th floor is popping up...  I drove by on St. Clair last night and boy is it nice to see a lit up construction site gaining height!  Still can't see the structure from the Shoreway, but hopefully soon!

Has framework began on the next set of townhomes? I know the foundation is already laid, any updates?

Didn't see any framing yet when I went by yesterday evening.

The website lists 13 of 30 townhomes and 28 of 58 loft units as sold.  Given that the websites for these developments often lag reality, that's probably a low-end #.

 

Maybe so but I think they tend to be optimistic.  I've checked out units at both the Pinnacle and Avenue District and found there's usually more available then what their websites would lead you to believe.  Not that they're trying to be deceptive but I don't think updating units available is their first priority.

Also with many of these projects the contracts have contingencies (IE selling current home) on them or are only in the reservation stage which  involves a refundable deposit.  A couple years ago I do not think a buyer could get away with a contingency but times have changed.

Yet another update!