This building's really coming along

I know. I was just in a pissy mood that day.

 

That day?  ;) ;D :angel:

 

You don't think we, smith, wesson and me, are going to let you walk out of here?!

 

Go ahead.....make my day!

"Anyone know when the gym will be open?  I need to get my swole on for the ladies.  "

 

We can not start any contruction for Titans until K&D have moved their temporary leasing offices out of the space.  I have been told that their new offices will not be complete until the end of November.  I beleive they are trying to focus on getting Wyse finished and another level of the apartments on the Euclid side.  Build out should take 2-3 months.  I have been told March-ish.  So you will be able to get your SWOLE on for the ladies soon enough!

^ Thanks for the update. 

"Anyone know when the gym will be open?  I need to get my swole on for the ladies.  "

 

We can not start any contruction for Titans until K&D have moved their temporary leasing offices out of the space.  I have been told that their new offices will not be complete until the end of November.  I beleive they are trying to focus on getting Wyse finished and another level of the apartments on the Euclid side.  Build out should take 2-3 months.  I have been told March-ish.  So you will be able to get your SWOLE on for the ladies soon enough!

 

Swole on?  WTF?!  :wtf:    Laaaaaaaaaaaaaawd!

Opening in a city near you: "Club Swole"  or  "The Swole Room"  hmmm....

With all that painting going on, the 668 facade looks like a brand new building, of mystery material.  Certainly looks more like new limestone than any true semblance of the "terra cotta look."  'Hope whatever they do with the exposed western side makes it look much, much better!

Not only does the facade look basically like a new building but the paint or other coating, in so effectively covering the seams, obliterates most of the patterns in the flat areas - the diamonds, etc.  Again, the unique, terra-cotta look is minimized.

I think that fate was sealed the instant they made the decision to patch and not replace whole pieces of terra cotta.  Once they made that decision however, I do think this was the best solution.  And I'm guessing some of that distinction will return over the years due to weathering.

A couple of pics from today.  I took the first because I know some people were really, really concerned that K&D might forget to fill in the gaps above the windows :).  The other two show the facade which is mostly sealed at this point.  Personally like I said, I think not doing this would have left the facade looking way to chopped up, as shown by the area that hasn't been sealed on the far right...

Thanks for the pics as always, Mayor.  And I have to say, one truly has to see the building in person to a) realize how discombobulated it looked before the sealant; and b) how truly attractive it looks now. 

 

Yes, it has lost some definition of the individual terra cotta tiles, but apparently the process was enough for the National Parks Service and their Historic Tax Credits.  And it's immeasurably better than the gaping eyesore it was just a few short years ago.  Sometimes it's okay to let perfect be the enemy of good, but I don't think that this is such a case. 

Historical renovations are difficult and I think the end result here is the best that could have been expected.  I don't see how the facade could look any better than it does after the sealant treatment apart from an all new terra cotta facade being installed.  The true test is the test of time.  Check back in 15 years to judge the quality of this renovation.

I'm not worried about the gaps above those windows, I'm worried about them cleaning that brick!  It's really bad looking where the tower was.  I'm sure they will, though.

Actually... THEY ALREADY DID!  :lol:

 

I really don't mind it.  I kind of like the evolution of grit in some respects.  I think it has a very authentic urban feel to it.  :)

Ughh, grit's fine- but that portion of the brickwork is beyond grit to just plain disgusting.

What an amazing improvement.  Truely makes me proud of Euclid Avenue. 

When this facade is finished and the scaffolding comes down, I would like to see some pictures taken from the exact angles of pre-renovation photos so some before-after comparisons can be made. I'm sure that will be dramatic.

Well... this ought to make some people happy.  Walking by today I stopped to take a good look at the facade.  The sealant application to the terra cotta appears to only be a base coat.  I noticed on the top couple of floors there is another application being applied.  sort of a faux if you will.  It makes the facade look much more natural, weathered, and helps the details to stand out.  Perhaps we should all refrain from jumping to conclusions and just let them finish their work... we can play judge, jury, and executioner then.  :)

 

I'll snap some pics next week when they've made more progress.  Also, looks like the storefront system is moving along on the Euclid Side.  Pretty similar to the prospect side.

Woohoo! :)

Well... this ought to make some people happy.  Walking by today I stopped to take a good look at the facade.  The sealant application to the terra cotta appears to only be a base coat.  I noticed on the top couple of floors there is another application being applied.  sort of a faux if you will.  It makes the facade look much more natural, weathered, and helps the details to stand out.  Perhaps we should all refrain from jumping to conclusions and just let them finish their work... we can play judge, jury, and executioner then.  :)

 

I'll snap some pics next week when they've made more progress.  Also, looks like the storefront system is moving along on the Euclid Side.  Pretty similar to the prospect side.

great news! I can't wait to see the pics.

A couple updates from 668.  First the new signage and awnings on the Prospect side (lights up pretty well at night), and lastly a look at the "new" cornice under construction.  I was going to snap some of the facade application I mentioned earlier, but with all the scaffolding, it was tough to get a decent shot.  Looks better in person than on camera anyways...

I like the prospect awning and can't wait to see it lit up.

Yes the awnings and sign look great.  Also the addition of the cornice will make a big difference when done.  Adds a wonderful element of detail to the top!

Will there be any signage on the new cornice on the Euclid side?

i think it looks "nice", not thrilling... but nice.  There are certainly things I, and I'm sure others, would have liked to have seen done differently, but honestly the transformation of this building from what it was to what it has become is nothing short of remarkable.  There is no way to sell short the impact this project has on downtown. In case anyone forgot what we were dealing with (and these are after work was going on):

Thanks for the photo updates McC!  I wonder if that cornice is going to look goofy without buildings on either side of 668 to hide the fact there's nothing behind it.

 

The transformation certainly is amazing.  As another reminder how far it's come, here's a photo from the PD of what it looked like before the "modern" panels were ripped off: http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/11/medium_668-euclid-cleveland.jpg

 

Thanks for the photo updates McC! I wonder if that cornice is going to look goofy without buildings on either side of 668 to hide the fact there's nothing behind it.

 

 

They are rebuilding the 9th floor... it's where the penthouses will be, so soon enough, there will be something behind it.

A huge improvement.  A queston for you all.  668, Stonebridge, E 12th street, etc. were all proposed/funded during or pre Cambell administration.  These projects are either started, well along or nearing completion.  Is there any significant new residential on the drawing boards in the pipeline for downtown (e.g. not yet started) that has any real hope of moving forward?

Stonebridge & Avenue were proposed during the campbell administration.  668 Jackson.  Personally, I don't think private developers care much who the mayor is.  If they think they have a good opportunity to make money and fill a space they do it, if not, they don't.  There are a myriad of residnetial projects on the drawing board (just peruse the board) and ready to go, many waiting for money.

As another reminder how far it's come, here's a photo from the PD of what it looked like before the "modern" panels were ripped off: http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/11/medium_668-euclid-cleveland.jpg

 

That image makes me queezy

 

 

Thanks for the photo updates McC! I wonder if that cornice is going to look goofy without buildings on either side of 668 to hide the fact there's nothing behind it.

 

 

They are rebuilding the 9th floor... it's where the penthouses will be, so soon enough, there will be something behind it.

 

Ahhh, got it.  Excellent.  Can't wait to see what the Euclid facade looks like at the end of the day.  I also look forward to the new restaurant!

As another reminder how far it's come, here's a photo from the PD of what it looked like before the "modern" panels were ripped off: http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/11/medium_668-euclid-cleveland.jpg

 

That image makes me queezy

 

 

 

That's horrible.  Just horrible. 

 

I was on Prospect Saturday night after the game, and this building looks great at night!  I should have taken some pics (yeah, I know), but I'm sure some will be up soon.

Wow, it's really starting to look awesome. I hope sometime in the future some buildings can be built on both sides of 668 so it's dirty sides aren't so exposed. 

Wow, it's really starting to look awesome. I hope sometime in the future some buildings can be built on both sides of 668 so it's dirty sides aren't so exposed.

 

Not likely on the western side given that they just demoed a building there to give parking access to 668 and a "plaza" area where the restaraunt patio will be.  The lot on the eastern side of the building is where the Hippodrome Theatre used to be and might be one of the more profitable surface lots in the City due to its location.... but I would not totally rule out a development there sometime down the road (at least a decade IMHO).

Just following up with McCleveland's updates - all from the Euclid side:

 

 

 

Me likey that pic, of Terminal Tower saying "peek-a-boo, I'm free of scaffolding, are you?"

I like the new finish.  That material would look awesome on the western wall.

The new finish gives more depth to the building.  The initial painting, while looking nice compared to the horrendous mismatch of new and old terrra cotta, was overpowering. I can't wait until the scaffoling comes down. 

This building is coming along nicer than I expected!  Mayday- that angle facing Terminal Tower will be BEAUTIFUL when all the scaffolding is removed. 

 

Thanks for the updated pics!

Tower City looks really nice in that shot

I had the oppertunity to walk thru my space the other day with the contractors and also had Brooke of the K&D Group show me the rest of the building.  The building has made huge prgress since the last time I was down there.  The atrium area is coming along great and will be a beautil center piece for the building.  The Wyse Advertising space is wonderful as is the future leasing office and main corridors of the building.  I also took a tour of my neighbors place, "Caddyshack" and I think they are bringing a very fun and unique experience to the Cleveland area, especially for the Cleveland golfer that can only golf 6 months of the year.  The apartments are amazing, they are very spacious, and with the way the floor plans are layed out, you can not even tell you have neighbors.  The hallways must be 16 feet wide and give a great sense of open-ness.  My wife and I are considering renting one just to be able to avoid the long winter drives.  The apartments on the 2nd floor of Euclid have HUGE patios, one that was almost as large as the living room area. 

 

As for my poor Titans space.  We had a good meeting discussing some odds and ends and talking about finishes, but I guess the scaffolding on Euclid maybe up a little longer than expected, so KD is unable to move into their offices, which are done.  I think we will be able to start working on my lower lever in the basement sooner than that, and maybe some other space to tidy up before demo begins of their temp leasing offices.  All I know is we are VERY excited to get started and provide the Cleveland area with a top notched wellness center.  And, we are working out the 24 hour thing, I will have more info on this as time goes on. 

 

 

The apartments on the 2nd floor of Euclid have HUGE patios, one that was almost as large as the living room area. 

 

You mean that there will be patios above the first floor awning on Euclid?

 

EDIT: After thinking about it for a minute, I assume you were referring to patios that will be on the "Euclid side" of the building and not directly on Euclid itself.... probably facing east towards the CAC building?

I had the oppertunity to walk thru my space the other day with the contractors and also had Brooke of the K&D Group show me the rest of the building. The building has made huge prgress since the last time I was down there.

 

 

No pictures?? Evil!!!

sorry about the no pics.  i brought my camera ready to take pics of my space, but my wife had taken out the memory card and not put it back in.  I will be going back next week i believe

I walked by the building today after watching a show at playhouse square. I can hardly believe the progress.

I braved the elements this morning to supply you with a couple pics... the penthouse level and new cornice are really coming along.

WOW!!!

 

That looks GREAT!!!  I can't wait for this project to be completed!

 

Thanks for the updated pics

WOW!!!

 

That looks GREAT!!!  I can't wait for this project to be completed!

 

Thanks for the updated pics

 

Agreed.  I hope we can get some interior shots soon.