June 8, 201015 yr Apparently a big reason for their money problems the last few years was the costs of the VP debates in 2004. At least that's what I've heard from a few sources at the school.
June 8, 201015 yr Apparently a big reason for their money problems the last few years was the costs of the VP debates in 2004. At least that's what I've heard from a few sources at the school. You are correct. They spent millions on the VP debates in the quest to make Case more like an Ivy League school.
June 8, 201015 yr I'm excited about the projects, but I'm also nervous about the student center. Such a prominent location.
June 8, 201015 yr I'm excited about the projects, but I'm also nervous about the student center. Such a prominent location. Great to hear about the jobs and construction, now onto the site and Architecture. Case hasn't developed a feel to their "campus", imo. Obviously PBL was going to use Gehry, and with the donation of a building I don't see how Case could argue. After seeing the "village" renderings years ago, I didn't leave me too enthusiastic and neither does the new rendering. All of the other buildings around the new Student Center site are pretty substantial in design in their own right, even the Institute of Art, again imo. I will reserve judgment until a design is released, but I have set my hopes low in anticipation.
June 9, 201015 yr Location of the new $50 million CWRU Tinkham Veale Student Center. http://www.case.edu/universitycenter/images/universitycentermap.pdf Story from the CWRU page: http://www.case.edu/universitycenter/ This is the old Freibuerger Library site. I wonder if the foundation is still there> I know the steps and some marble masonry still are.
June 9, 201015 yr The underground parking garage does not extend to below the foundation of the old Freiberger library.
June 9, 201015 yr But there is a parking garage underneath the proposed location of the new student center, correct? I've seen maps that show it.
June 9, 201015 yr ^I don't know if the sketchy location maps are detailed enough to show where exactly the student center would be built. You can see from the aerial photo what heightsfan is referring to- the western edge of the parking garage is where the vents are: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.508091,-81.609895&spn=0.001179,0.00327&t=h&z=19 I heard years ago from a semi-reliable source that the parking garage was not designed to able to bear a building on its roof. If that's true, the new students center would be confined to the old Freiberger footprint (assuming they aren't going to dig up any of the garage to displace or rebuild it). Not sure how true that was though. Tedolph, I believe the last Freiberger remnants (the front stairs) were removed a few years ago.
June 9, 201015 yr The underground parking garage does not extend to below the foundation of the old Freiberger library. The building wasn't very pretty...was it: http://www.cardcow.com/233763/f-freiberger-library-western-reserve-university-cleveland-ohio/ I didn't realize there was a building there to begin with.
June 9, 201015 yr ^I don't know if the sketchy location maps are detailed enough to show where exactly the student center would be built. You can see from the aerial photo what heightsfan is referring to- the western edge of the parking garage is where the vents are: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=41.508091,-81.609895&spn=0.001179,0.00327&t=h&z=19 I heard years ago from a semi-reliable source that the parking garage was not designed to able to bear a building on its roof. If that's true, the new students center would be confined to the old Freiberger footprint (assuming they aren't going to dig up any of the garage to displace or rebuild it). Not sure how true that was though. Tedolph, I believe the last Freiberger remnants (the front stairs) were removed a few years ago. There are buildings on top of it already, though. Kelvin Smith Library and Thwing both sit at least a little bit on top of the garage. I doubt Case would build on Freiberger Field anyway, though, as they use it for a lot of campus events.
June 9, 201015 yr I didn't realize there was a building there to begin with. It wasn't so bad, but definitely not the prettiest. If you talk to middle aged alumns, they remember when Freiberger and the Baker Building were built, and they felt really old when both were torn down. Kind of amazing, actually, those two buildings had such short lives, but certainly don't miss them. There are buildings on top of it already, though. Kelvin Smith Library and Thwing both sit at least a little bit on top of the garage. I doubt Case would build on Freiberger Field anyway, though, as they use it for a lot of campus events. Pretty sure the parking garage was built with those buildings (and the Severance expansion) specifically in mind- I don't think they were plunked down on top of it after the fact. We take it all for granted now, but that whole set of projects (garage, Severance, new library) had a pretty transformative effect on that part of campus- it used to be a surface lot and a bunch of back doors. Rebuilding Thwing would have finished off that new space and seemed to be the "official" long term plan for the student center for a number of years, before it migrated to the turning point location. From an urban and campus design perspective, I still think the Thwing rebuild is the best option for many reasons, but I'm sure the decision has a lot of moving pieces and can believe the old Freiberger site makes the most sense for Case.
June 9, 201015 yr The underground parking garage does not extend to below the foundation of the old Freiberger library. The building wasn't very pretty...was it: http://www.cardcow.com/233763/f-freiberger-library-western-reserve-university-cleveland-ohio/ I didn't realize there was a building there to begin with. Now there's an understatement. It was as ugly as Sin.
June 9, 201015 yr Freiberger was also a miserable place inside. When I started college at Case in 1994, there were 2 main undergrad libraries - Freiberger (on the north side) and Sears (on the southside of campus). Both were awful and really run down. For that reason, hardly anyone actually went to study at the library. The addition of Kelvin Smith was hands down the most impactful building project at Case in the last 15 years.
June 9, 201015 yr They weren't that great in the 70's, either. Plus in my major (Economics) the journals and some books were split between the two libraries, Freiberger (lib arts) and Sears (business and science) according to the Library of Congress classification system. Thwing has been redone a couple of times before - it is so chopped up and multi-level that I don't think you could do anything but reduce it to a shell and start over.
June 9, 201015 yr ^I'd be beyond ecstatic if Case would gut and rebuild the interior of the old Excelsior Club (the larger older building making up the eastern chunk of Thwing) and then completely demo the western hodge-podge and replace it with a larger modern structure that presented a symbolic front door to Euclid, but also opened onto and better framed the plaza in front of the library. That plaza would instantly be one of the best [pseudo] public spaces in Cleveland, IMHO and a first rate heart of activity at the center of campus. It would also be a great addition to Euclid Avenue which, west of Ford, is a real underachiever given all its assets. The current Thwing is a hideous '80s mess http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?org=aj#/4f19dcbx5wkwcrjz
June 9, 201015 yr I thought it was the case that the existing parking lot does not go under any buildings due to the odd shape, but I found a map to verify: http://parking.case.edu/map/map.htm
June 9, 201015 yr I thought it was the case that the existing parking lot does not go under any buildings due to the odd shape, but I found a map to verify: http://parking.case.edu/map/map.htm Well I stand corrected then! I thought little bits of it had building over them, but I guess not!
June 9, 201015 yr ^I'd be beyond ecstatic if Case would gut and rebuild the interior of the old Excelsior Club (the larger older building making up the eastern chunk of Thwing) and then completely demo the western hodge-podge and replace it with a larger modern structure that presented a symbolic front door to Euclid, but also opened onto and better framed the plaza in front of the library. That plaza would instantly be one of the best [pseudo] public spaces in Cleveland, IMHO and a first rate heart of activity at the center of campus. It would also be a great addition to Euclid Avenue which, west of Ford, is a real underachiever given all its assets. The current Thwing is a hideous '80s mess http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?org=aj#/4f19dcbx5wkwcrjz Your idea was the original concept for a new student center. I believe the master plan from a few years ago called for renovating Excelsior (the eastern building of Thwing), moving and relocating Hitchcock Hall (the western building of Thwing that was built in 1897), and demolishing the 1980s glass atrium connecting the two buildings. The new student center would then be constructed where the atirum and Hitchcock were removed, and attached to the Excelsior. The idea was to have the entrance open up to the plaza in front of Kelvin Smith. While the idea is a good one, I suspect it is prohibitively difficult and expensive to move Hitchcock Hall, which I believe is on the National Register and thus can't be demo'd.
June 9, 201015 yr ^Ahh, thanks. I now remember the talk about moving Hitchcock Hall (maybe it was to become an alumni center?). I agree, that would be expensive. I can't find any record of it being protected (don't see it on National Register or Cleveland Landmark list), but case seems bent on keeping it. If that's what kept this Thwing redo from happening, I say bulldoze it!
June 9, 201015 yr ^Ahh, thanks. I now remember the talk about moving Hitchcock Hall (maybe it was to become an alumni center?). I agree, that would be expensive. I can't find any record of it being protected (don't see it on National Register or Cleveland Landmark list), but case seems bent on keeping it. If that's what kept this Thwing redo from happening, I say bulldoze it! Yes, the plan was to make Hitchcock the new alumni center after it was moved. Ultimately, though, Case acquired an old house on Juniper next to Arabica and renovated it for the alumni center. You may be right about Hitchcock not being on the National Register; I just assumed it was given its age. The inside of the building has certainly been bastardized. For years it house the Case commuter lounge and some administrative offices. I think it was, however, recently renovated to accommodate a lounge for the GLBA community. While I hate to see historic structures like this fall to the bulldozer, I agree that it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it had to be razed, especially if you could replace it with something that would make a real impact on that plaza.
June 10, 201015 yr Although, it's everything we all know....nothing wrong with more and more postive press. New housing, other projects are helping reshape Cleveland's University Circle area, say panel members Published: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 5:30 AM Ellen Kleinerman, The Plain Dealer MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A big part of Cleveland's future lies in neighborhoods that will flourish around existing gems like those in University Circle and downtown where residents can walk to work, the bus stop, cultural events and entertainment. That's the picture that area leaders painted Wednesday during a discussion at the Corporate Club luncheon at Landerhaven in Mayfield Heights, where four panel members focused mainly on growth at University Circle. "The collaboration has been unprecedented," said Chris Ronayne of University Circle Inc. It is evident from the rooftop of the Veterans Administration Hospital, Ronayne said, where he sees "a sea of cranes" from projects shaping not only University Circle, but also the downtown area. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/06/leaders_talk_about_the_reshapi.html
June 10, 201015 yr Sounds great, although I had to chuckle that the meeting on UC and downtown developments was held in Mayfield Hts.
June 10, 201015 yr Sounds great, although I had to chuckle that the meeting on UC and downtown developments was held in Mayfield Hts. Although it is the suburban population that needs to hear these sorts of message the most.
June 17, 201014 yr The June 14-20 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business say developers will soon be announced for the new hotel project at Euclid Avenue and Cornell Road. Sources say it will be Snavely Development of Chagrin Falls and Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, NC. They say architects Braun and Steidel of Akron did the preliminary designs. Chris Ronayne says University Circle Inc is close to selecting a developer but would not say who. It's interesting that a new hotel is being built less than a mile's walk away from MRN's Tudor Arms rehab. University Circle will finally have some good hotel space!
June 17, 201014 yr The June 14-20 issue of Crain's Cleveland Business say developers will soon be announced for the new hotel project at Euclid Avenue and Cornell Road. Sources say it will be Snavely Development of Chagrin Falls and Concord Hospitality Enterprises of Raleigh, NC. They say architects Braun and Steidel of Akron did the preliminary designs. Chris Ronayne says University Circle Inc is close to selecting a developer but would not say who. It's interesting that a new hotel is being built less than a mile's walk away from MRN's Tudor Arms rehab. University Circle will finally have some good hotel space! Thats subjective since we do not know the brand or design. Looking at Concords site, it appears they own/manage 2nd tier properties.
June 17, 201014 yr ^I totally agree. Looks like UC will have more hotel space, but I'm not sure how good it will be. The city seriously needs some better hotels both in UC and downtown.
June 17, 201014 yr ^I totally agree. Looks like UC will have more hotel space, but I'm not sure how good it will be. The city seriously needs some better hotels both in UC and downtown. OK. Can we at least get a Westin and Hilton and W by the time the gays come??!! The majority of those bitches will not want to stay in a hampton inn.
June 17, 201014 yr Looks like UC will have more hotel space, Between the three hotels at the clinic there are a little over 600 rooms (300 of which are a 4 star hotel). There is also the Glidden House at the other end of UC, which is a beautiful 60 room boutique-ish hotel. The Doubletree is going to add how many rooms? 154... Another hotel that large or slightly larger would be fantastic. A majority of people who do have business in UC now stay either downtown or out in Beachwood. Imagine in a few years a business traveler hopping on the red line at the airport, riding to the Little Italy or the UC stop, walking a block or so to their hotel, and riding the health line back downtown for the medical mart.
June 17, 201014 yr Some Doubletree photos for you! (1) A view from the back of the Crile 20,000 pyramid building. Note this view used to be obstructed by some old asbestos filled buildings... :| (2) From the little alleyway immediately behind the building. (3) Restored windows. Before, many windows had individual AC units permanently installed in them. I like that they are trying to keep the restored windows looking like they always have (and not new, slightly misshapen vinyl windows)
June 17, 201014 yr Thanks for the pics...my favorite is the first one showing the lovely Clinic surface parking lot with the chain link fence. Hopefully this area is a major focus of the developing master plan
June 17, 201014 yr Well they are getting ready to build their national reference lab right across Carnegie on land that was a mid 40's building and a few surface lots. Here is a picture of another demolished building to raise everyone's spirits. Don't worry its going to be a 100,000 sq ft building and hopefully add a few hundred more jobs to the neighborhood.
June 18, 201014 yr Between the three hotels at the clinic there are a little over 600 rooms (300 of which are a 4 star hotel). There is also the Glidden House at the other end of UC, which is a beautiful 60 room boutique-ish hotel. And don't forget Baricelli Inn in Little Italy. There's also a B&B on 108th St. For a comprehensive list, is this accurate:? Clinic Area: 1. Intercontinental Suites 2. Intercontinental (96 St.) 3. Cleveland Clinic Guest House 4. Tudor Arms (not open yet) Case Area: 5. Glidden House 6. Baricelli Inn (B&B) 7. University Circle B&B (108 St.) 8. Euclid & Cornell Hotel (not existing yet) Where is the Doubletree going to be? Am I missing any?
June 18, 201014 yr Tudor Arms is going to be a Doubletree. okay....too bad--i was thinking these were TWO new hotels. thanks.
June 19, 201014 yr I drove past the the Tudor Arms building for the first time in a few weeks and it is noticeably nicer looking already. I can't wait to check out the inside when they are done.
June 20, 201014 yr Let's hope the Cornell/Euclid hotel is at least over 150 rooms because U.Circle, proper, doesn't have a traditional scale hotel. This location is fantastic, a short walk from all the UC museums and colleges and Little Italy; and a short block from the planned Uptown development -- and, of course, UH. You could hardly ask for more... I'm glad for the Clinic hotels, but unless I had biz at the Clinic, I couldn't think of a blander/deader area for a hotel room ... come to think of it, even if I had biz at the Clinic, I wouldn't want to stay there -- I'll stay closer to activity and commute, thank you... Tudor should be nice -- always loved the architecture. Its at least at the edge of U.Circle; better than the Clinic hotels in that sense.
June 21, 201014 yr ^Meh, the Tudor Arms is a great building, but I disagree that its location is that great. Carnegie is a total dog of a street, and there are even fewer amenities in its immediate vicinity than near the Clinic hotels (and that's saying a lot). The Cornell/Euclid hotel will be the best situated in UC, IMHO. One right on Euclid somewhere between the MLK and the railroad tracks would have been totally awesome. Maybe someday. I'm actually kind of surprised there wasn't one included in Uptown.
June 21, 201014 yr Tudor Arms may have a restaurant and/or bar at ground level. Bruswick Florist shop recently sold (not to CC as far as I know) and it appears to not be for retail use. There is another property available nearby and the price is sky high for it's size - I guess it's based on location, but at that rate, not even the CC wants it. Almost everything else is CC owned in that area and they lack a desire to do street level retail.
June 21, 201014 yr UC will be densing up in the next few years which is nice to see. Does anyone know what is up with the building on Euclid owned by the catholic church that is for sale. Has anyone heard ideas floating around.
June 21, 201014 yr Tudor Arms may have a restaurant and/or bar at ground level. Bruswick Florist shop recently sold (not to CC as far as I know) and it appears to not be for retail use. There is another property available nearby and the price is sky high for it's size - I guess it's based on location, but at that rate, not even the CC wants it. Almost everything else is CC owned in that area and they lack a desire to do street level retail. I'm pretty sure the Brunswick Florist is being used for low tech solar panel construction. http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=133742&catid=3 Although the video calls it "downtown"....it looks a lot like University Circle.
June 21, 201014 yr Tudor Arms is a large enough building to house some street level business/activity...at least that can be done to anchor a corner on an otherwise mundane stretch beyond along Carnegie. Its a start.
July 8, 201014 yr I heard from someone that The Zaremba develop company pulled out of the Uptown Project. Is this true and does this mean its dead?
July 8, 201014 yr Zaremba pulled out some time ago. That is why the project was reconfigured and scaled back. it's not dead, its moving forward.
July 8, 201014 yr Zaremba pulled out some time ago. That is why the project was reconfigured and scaled back. it's not dead, its moving forward. Is it going to break ground this summer?
July 8, 201014 yr Zaremba is in some serious financial trouble from what I have read. I believe there are people trying to foreclose on the Avenue District, no? From what I remember about recent Uptown news, it is that they are going to start with phase I which will only include apartments and retail (1st floor)..... on both the north and south side of Euclid. MOCA is also gaining some steam for the SE corner of Mayfield and Euclid
July 8, 201014 yr More development for the neighborhood: Upscale apartments planned for Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood Published: Thursday, July 08, 2010, 5:26 PM/Updated: Thursday, July 08, 2010, 5:33 PM Michelle Jarboe, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A developer plans to build 60 apartments in University Circle, where hospitals and institutions are driving the need for new homes despite the challenging economy. WXZ Development Inc. envisions a $10.5 million apartment project on nearly 3 acres along Hazel Drive, near the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Cleveland Institute of Music. http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/07/upscale_apartments_planned_for.html
Create an account or sign in to comment