Maybe the RTA transit hub tower thingy?

BTW, there's 160 members and guests who have entered UrbanOhio's Northeast Ohio Construction & Developments section right now. Most are here in the Warehouse District thread. Probably the most I've ever seen.

Yawn.  Sorry to be a downer, but I've seen probably 5 renderings on these parking lots in the last 10 years with no action.  Obviously would be a great project, but I will wait until the construction equipment arrives to get excited.

5 renderings?  I can only think of the plan from Stark about 9 years ago.  Which other parties are you referring to?  Jacobs was not onthis lot, and was killed in the recession. 

 

There were the Stark "Pesht" plans, the Gilbane/Asher plans (http://www.cleveland.com/warehouseguide/index.ssf/2009/03/asher_family_rhode_island_deve.html), and the RTA scheme (pretty embryonic).  Someone also posted some very cool WRL renderings of a hypothetical Eaton Corp. HQ along Superior Ave on this site, I believe, but it was never clear why those existed.  So thats just 4. Only the Gilbane plans ever seemed as serious as this current one, though.

Probably just a routine repair from last Saturday to the lot at the NW corner of St Clair & West 3 but since it's owned by Weston's, thought I'd share it...

 

Yawn.  Sorry to be a downer, but I've seen probably 5 renderings on these parking lots in the last 10 years with no action.  Obviously would be a great project, but I will wait until the construction equipment arrives to get excited.

5 renderings?  I can only think of the plan from Stark about 9 years ago.  Which other parties are you referring to?  Jacobs was not onthis lot, and was killed in the recession. 

 

There were the Stark "Pesht" plans, the Gilbane/Asher plans (http://www.cleveland.com/warehouseguide/index.ssf/2009/03/asher_family_rhode_island_deve.html), and the RTA scheme (pretty embryonic).  Someone also posted some very cool WRL renderings of a hypothetical Eaton Corp. HQ along Superior Ave on this site, I believe, but it was never clear why those existed.  So thats just 4. Only the Gilbane plans ever seemed as serious as this current one, though.

 

This is the first time that a proposal has been primarily residential though. That makes me more optimistic since that market has been consistently strong in recent years, not only in downtown Cleveland, but in central parts of cities across the country.

Again, I will get excited when I see shovels.

I think the best chance in the post-war years for developing the Superblock came in 1977 when First Union Realty bought up numerous parcels and planned to build this office complex at the NW corner of Superior and West 3rd:

 

FirstUnionRealtyTrust-Superior-Press-1977 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

I give this project more validity being that, at the time of announcement (today), they were able to provide the name of the architect (Genser) and the Construction Manager (Gilbane).  This project is much further along than nucleus was when it was announced.  In addition, Geotechnical and Environmental assessments appear to be done.  I believe SME did those. 

Does anyone else think it's kind of hilarious how this project would loom over Stark's little building at 3rd and St. Clair?

Yawn.  Sorry to be a downer, but I've seen probably 5 renderings on these parking lots in the last 10 years with no action.  Obviously would be a great project, but I will wait until the construction equipment arrives to get excited.

5 renderings?  I can only think of the plan from Stark about 9 years ago.  Which other parties are you referring to?  Jacobs was not onthis lot, and was killed in the recession. 

 

There were the Stark "Pesht" plans, the Gilbane/Asher plans (http://www.cleveland.com/warehouseguide/index.ssf/2009/03/asher_family_rhode_island_deve.html), and the RTA scheme (pretty embryonic).  Someone also posted some very cool WRL renderings of a hypothetical Eaton Corp. HQ along Superior Ave on this site, I believe, but it was never clear why those existed.  So thats just 4. Only the Gilbane plans ever seemed as serious as this current one, though.

 

I don't remember how long ago, but there was one for the convention center on that site as well.

 

Does anyone else think it's kind of hilarious how this project would loom over Stark's little building at 3rd and St. Clair?

 

That building is so ugly. Why don't they just tear it down and move HQ to NuCleUs or 515?

I think the best chance in the post-war years for developing the Superblock came in 1977 when First Union Realty bought up numerous parcels and planned to build this office complex at the NW corner of Superior and West 3rd:

 

Oh my God that's awful. I'm glad nothing came of that.

 

 

 

Does anyone else think it's kind of hilarious how this project would loom over Stark's little building at 3rd and St. Clair?

 

That building is so ugly. Why don't they just tear it down and move HQ to NuCleUs or 515?

 

I'm assuming that building is much older than it looks, but just has an ugly facade on top, like the Schofield did. Anyone know if that's correct?

 

 

Does anyone else think it's kind of hilarious how this project would loom over Stark's little building at 3rd and St. Clair?

 

That building is so ugly. Why don't they just tear it down and move HQ to NuCleUs or 515?

 

I'm assuming that building is much older than it looks, but just has an ugly facade on top, like the Schofield did. Anyone know if that's correct?

 

 

It's an old brick building underneath that modernist facade.

 

Does anyone else think it's kind of hilarious how this project would loom over Stark's little building at 3rd and St. Clair?

 

That building is so ugly. Why don't they just tear it down and move HQ to NuCleUs or 515?

 

I'm assuming that building is much older than it looks, but just has an ugly facade on top, like the Schofield did. Anyone know if that's correct?

 

 

It's an old brick building underneath that modernist facade.

 

Is this what Stark's building used to be??? 

 

http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/postcards/id/1811/rec/6

 

Compared to: https://www.google.com/maps/place/w.3rd+and+st.clair/@41.5003915,-81.6968867,3a,75y,220.04h,105.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s_StjNjvc6ImJLUxUNMClgw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x8a35d4022af04504!6m1!1e1

^ The Hawley House was actually on the southeast corner, so right across West 3rd from Stark's building.

Some constructive criticism. I don't like the odd curvature and setbacks along West 6th. And the tower across from the Rockefeller building at West 6th and Superior should be flush with the corner with it's facade extending down to the sidewalk. That would give some variety at street level. Otherwise the entire stretch from St. Clair to Superior would look identical.

 

Now get it started!

Yeah I really don't understand what they're doing with those setbacks. W.6th should have a dense feel to it, and Superior Avenue is a pretty major street to be essentially ignoring. I hope Planning Commission has similar things to say.

 

This is a great project and all, but there's no reason that it should go forward without a few tweaks to the design. It's awesome that something (fingers crossed) will actually happen with these lots, but we need to do it right.

I hope they decide to vary the building styles as well. Also, I want the 30 story building a little taller, maybe 40 stories to give people on the west side of downtown some views as well as fill in the skyline..

Crain's contribution. No subscriber portal on this article either...

 

Weston, Citymark Capital joint venture could add new neighborhood near downtown Cleveland's Public Square (With photo gallery)

November 20, 2015 UPDATED 5 HOURS AGO

By STAN BULLARD   

 

Downtown Cleveland’s poster child for its development shortcomings — four city blocks of parking lots near Public Square’s northwest corner — may become a showplace neighborhood with 1,200 apartment suites if a joint venture by Weston Inc. and Citymark Capital has its way.

 

The plan is punctuated by four towers that are 23 to 30 stories tall accompanied by a series of eight-story buildings, with first-floor retail ringing most of the perimeter. Warrensville Heights-based Weston and Cleveland-based Citymark on Friday, Nov. 20, plan to talk with Cleveland City Planning Commission about changes to the city zoning code needed to make the project a reality.

 

T.J. Asher, CEO of Weston, a real estate developer and owner, said, “We believe this is what’s next after the RNC,” referring to the Republican National Convention in 2016 in Cleveland that has galvanized substantial developments and improvements in downtown Cleveland.

 

MORE:

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20151120/NEWS/151119737/weston-citymark-capital-joint-venture-could-add-new-neighborhood

WHD-Superblock1 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

WHD-Superblock2 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

WHD-Superblock3 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

WHD-Superblock4 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

WHD-Superblock5 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

 

WHD-Superblock6 by Ken Prendergast, on Flickr

I don't mind the W. 6th setback- it looks like it's there to accommodate patio space, and should be pretty active.  And the towers are likely just "massing", so I would think the actual designs will vary some as they get closer to construction.

Yeah, the W. 6th setback could make for some nice public space.  I think it's going to feel pretty dense by virtue of being nestled under a canopy of skyscrapers.

And don't forget there's also something cooking with Stark's parking lots at West 9th and St. Clair. It's a smaller area, but something significant could be done with them.

Tweets from MJM during this morning's Planning Commission meeting....

 

Michelle Jarboe ‏mjarboe[/member]

Packed house @CLEcityplanning. Packed agenda includes proposed form-based zoning overlay for Weston/Citymark project in @WarehouseCLE. #CLE

 

Discussion re: big Warehouse District project at @CLEcityplanning this a.m. is basic overview. Zoning legislation to come back in few weeks.

 

This is the site that really starts to, if you will, heal your urban fabric, Gensler architect says of #CLE Warehouse District project. #CRE

 

.@CLEcityplanning commission member @lilliankuri once again raises question re: why we're not seeing big for-sale housing projects in #CLE.

 

.@DowntownCLE CEO, in response, cites adaptive reuse, tax credits, financing availability. Mentions rental-to-condo conversion down road.

 

Financial market remains at best choppy when it comes to potential for condo projects, says Dan Walsh of Citymark Capital re: downtown #CLE.

LOL @ the artwork.  All the people match the snowman (White).

So they're looking to break ground early 2016 on the 23 story building with the 8 story brick building surrounding it. Looking at the picture, I'm trying to figure out how that will work. It would seem that just the one random building would look strange surrounded by a sea of parking lots. Unless they mean the portion of the development that abuts Stark's building, it will be Stark's building, blank space - 23 story building - blank space. Anyone else read that different than I did?

I think it is time for a new Weston Development thread.

I  am very pleased with this development. Let's build it!

 

Their press release details the proposed phasing...

 

One of the Best Urban Development Sites in the Country to be Transformed into New Walkable Neighborhood in Center of Downtown Cleveland

Massive Project Plays Key Part in City's Renaissance, Ties Different Downtown Neighborhoods Together

 

CLEVELAND, Nov. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- An approximately five-acre area one block west of Cleveland's Public Square currently being used as parking lots will be transformed into a brand new walkable neighborhood with luxury apartments, retail, restaurants, green space, and high-end modern amenities.

 

"This is going to be the most exciting thing to happen in downtown Cleveland in a very long time; it's what we've all been waiting for," said T.J. Asher, CEO of Weston Inc., a family-owned and operated company founded in Cleveland in 1972. "There was a missing piece right in the heart of our phenomenal city but now, we finally have the piece that will tie the city together."

 

The large scale mixed-use development was announced today by Weston and Citymark Capital™. Citymark is the private real estate investment and development company founded by Daniel Walsh, former Huntington Bank president of the Greater Cleveland region.

 

"This is one of the best urban development sites in America," said Walsh, who toured the country analyzing the best mixed-used sites before developing plans for the Cleveland project. "To have five acres of contiguous and essentially vacant land, literally right next to a city center, is unheard of—there's nothing else like it in the U.S. as far as we know."

 

"This gives us a unique opportunity to create a new and exciting destination right in the heart of our city," added Asher. "It will be a new walkable and inviting neighborhood that will provide not just a place to live, but a lifestyle."

 

Because of the project's central location, it will make it much easier to walk from one neighborhood to another. "People will be much more likely to want to walk from, for example, the Flats to the Warehouse District to E. 4th Street, when they have a beautiful vibrant neighborhood to walk through, catalyzing the success of all," said Joe Marinucci, president and CEO of Downtown Cleveland Alliance. "This will also be a boon to the entire region which benefits from a strong urban core."

 

The development boundaries span from Superior to St. Clair Ave. and W. 3rd to W. 6th Streets. The master plan involves 3 million square feet that will include 1,200 residential units with high-end amenities including a rooftop bar, deck and pool; approximately 100,000 square feet of retail; green space; and covered garage parking.  The project will be built in four phases. Phase I includes 352 units, 22,000 square feet of retail, and 390 parking spaces. Developers hope to break ground on Phase I in the spring of 2016 and have units ready for occupancy by the summer of 2017.

 

Asher and Walsh look forward to continuing to engage with the Mayor Frank Jackson Administration to make this exciting development a reality and praised neighborhood organizations, including the Historic Warehouse District, for their support of the project as it moves through the approval process.

 

A world class design and construction team has been assembled to execute the project, including Gensler for architecture and design and Gilbane for construction.

 

About Weston Inc.

Weston Inc. is a commercial real estate company with offices in Cleveland, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky. The family-owned and operated company was founded in 1972 with the purchase of industrial facilities in the Cleveland area. A recognized industry leader, Weston acquires, leases, manages, develops, and expands commercial real estate projects throughout the United States. With more than 12 million square feet in nine states, Weston has relationships with more than 450 tenants nationwide.

 

About Citymark Capital

Citymark Capital™, founded in 2014 by Daniel Walsh, invests in apartment projects with best in class real estate development companies across the United States on behalf of third party investors.

 

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151119/289580

 

SOURCE Weston Inc.; Citymark Capital

First of all, kudos to KJP for the all the sloothing and seeing this project coming!

 

Second, I'm glad to see the boring I saw on this site over the summer wasn't all for nothing or just connected to the sewer department. Gives me hope for the boring that was seen over on that lot in Playhouse Square turning into something too...

 

Anyways, what great news! Even if it is built just like the renders, I think this would look great and fit in wonderfully. I love how it incorporates towers to add to the skyline and connect to the Public Square cluster and also low rises to blend into the current Warehouse District. However, I'm sure when all of this is completed it will look almost nothing like what we see today. After all they only speak of starting construction of phase 1 along St Clair next year, with 3 additional phases up to 5 years off at the most optimistic...

I cannot figure out which buildings are phase 1. Can someone help with this?

I think PH 1 is the northern structures from Starks building then along St Clair to 6th.

I note the architect (Gensler) designed the new PNC Bank Building in Pittsburgh of which I am a big fan. 

Gensler is a gigantic firm with offices around the world. I'm curious which office is handling this project. Because their work varies in quality and refinement pretty wildly depending on which office is the handling the project.

 

This looks like a pretty solid scheme though. I wouldn't focus too much on individual buildings as this is clearly still early in the schematic phase of design. But the general layout is solid and the public spaces created around the project look like they'll activate the street without sacrificing a streetwall. I like it.

Gensler also did the Browns phase 1 and 2 renovations, as well as BakerHostettler office renovations going on. I think their DC office handled the Baker designs, and their LA handled the Browns. I personally like a majority of their work, but I'm also not an architect lol

The first phase shows 352 units which can be a tall building depending on the size of the floor plates. Crittenden Court has slightly more than 200 apartments, so this first phase could be 30 stories tall. It's smart to start with the tallest building that contributes the most residents. They can attract retail tenants to the rest of the development and if the biggest apartment building fills up fast, it will make securing financing easier for the remaining, smaller buildings.

^the Crain's article states that the first building is going to be 23 stories.

I never thought I would see this in my lifetime!  :clap: It looks like it has a good chance of coming to fruition. LOL at the snowman reference, I noticed that as well.

^the Crain's article states that the first building is going to be 23 stories.

 

I saw that, and that may well be, but I also saw that the caption for the first photo in their gallery states:

"Under the Weston and Citymark Capital master plan, the five-acre superblock near Public Square would become home to a network of towers as tall as 30 stories and, on its perimeter, midrise buildings of eight stories. - Photo by CONTRIBUTED PHOTO"

 

Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part that they would build the big building across West 3rd from the Jacobs lot first. But 352 units is a lot to fit into a 23-story building, unless... It includes units over retail in low-rise buildings along West 3rd up to Stark's building?

 

Per Michelle's piece, the first phase also includes an 8 story building. Presumably the northern mid/low rise facing West 6th.

What's the over/under on a project of this magnitude working as a catalyst for other projects or slowing down the demand for other projects. Can we support nuCLEus, this, and whatever else is happening? Obviously there is demand, but how strong is it? With the adjacency to the Public Square parking lot, development there would be ideal, but is it possible?

I love this rendering from this angle. Cleveland will finally have a "full set of teeth."

 

What's the over/under on a project of this magnitude working as a catalyst for other projects or slowing down the demand for other projects. Can we support nuCLEus, this, and whatever else is happening? Obviously there is demand, but how strong is it? With the adjacency to the Public Square parking lot, development there would be ideal, but is it possible?

 

I'm a believer that a certain percentage of your city's and metro area's population would live downtown if it had the capacity to accommodate those residents. I wrote about it in my blog last year:

http://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2014/09/clevelands-urban-core-only-starting-to.html

 

And according to Brookings, a healthy urban core has 2% of a metro area's population living downtown. On that score, Cleveland is lagging behind and has a lot of catching up to do:

http://www.brookings.edu/research/opinions/2006/11/26newyorkstate-katz

Will 30 stories be visible from 271?

Great looking project.  So glad these lots were not used for the proposed RTA Transit Center....imagine what a disaster that would have been.  A new era in Cleveland indeed.

Disaster? I agree this plan is better, but the transit center would also have been topped with a high-rise.

No one would live above Cleveland's 24-hour transit center unless CMHA is still in the business of building high-rises.  Anyway, glad this project is out now.  I saw some boring machinery working, perhaps last winter, on the lot due east of and across from the Rockefeller Bldg.  Figured something was going on with that.

^ They're doing it in Miami....

 

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article13075355.html

 

No one would live above Cleveland's 24-hour transit center unless CMHA is still in the business of building high-rises.

 

What a unfortunate, blanket statement about the types of development associated with transit. I encourage you to visit more cities around the USA and world -- and indeed more of what's being built around Cleveland's transit stops.

 

EDIT: for Cleveland-specific developments, see the thread at:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1977.0.html

Related to a transit hub, it's current reality.  TOD is a great idea and should be encouraged, but the transit center and high-rise in the WHD was not feasible nor was its residential component.  If it were, it would have happened; now these lots are getting best and highest use.