Beautiful. I love walking past this building everyday and seeing the progress.

Is the penthouse level going to be a completely new build or is there already the structure to work with up there?

all new... the 9th floor was removed for some reason when they applied the metal facade... actually i think there is a portion still intact a little further set back... but essentially all new.

Yes, part of the original ninth floor has been left. I say "original," but it is not part of the very first plan for Taylor's on that site, as the store was originally only five stories and four stories were added in 1913-14.  I'm very happy with the way the current owners have strived to rebuild the old 9th-floor terra-cotta and window pattern.

the scaffolding is starting to come down...

the scaffolding is starting to come down...

 

My favorite part of a renovation!

PICS!!

Yes! Pics please! It would be a nice Christmas gift

This facade looks wonderful! Saw it today.... It actually looks original... I hope it will be lit at night.  I do hope there is some sort of plan for the side however...as it is simply too contrasting and left alone, looks like an expensive facade was draped over an old crumbling brick warehouse.

^ Agree!  Removing the Dollar Bank building just made the ugliness of the 668 Western Wall stand out all that much more.  It really needs rehab, even the area where they punched out windows. Think of all those poor people eating croissants on the new plaza below, lol.  I don't find that new  plaza to be very aesthetically pleasing.

^ Yeah. True...such a wall wouldn't look too bad in The Flats, but its just too stark of a contrast so quickly. As for that space, I mentioned way up in this thread that it needs to be well planted....native trees/plants to help cut down on noise/fumes from the garage.... It has the potential to be a really great public space. I hope it is not treated as an afterthought. It could be a great selling point/feature.

I've long liked the idea of either a living wall or some other artful expression on that western wall.... for reasons of pure aesthetics, not to save the dolphins, fix the ozone or anything like that.  Added benefits would be plus, but not the motivation or controlling factor IMO. 

 

Why not just give that blank canvas to CIA and see what they come up with?  I'm thinking of something like what we have on the backside of the cedar lee theatre but on a larger and grander scale.  Another idea would be to put the original we are witnesses mural there.  I'm sure it is just sitting in storage somewhere and might actually fit perfectly 

^ Gee! You say that as if it is a bad thing....What's wrong with saving whales, dolphins or ozone layers?  :? Without all that we would not exist. I guess compassion is the new radicalism.  :shoot:

 

Back on topic...

I guess the words "added" and "plus" mean something different in your dictionary.  My rec is that you read the post one time to gather the words and then a second time to understand them.  Some of us just like the way that trees and other green designs look.  If they give the other benefits that you repetitively find a way to slip into most of your ad nauseam posts, all the better.

Don't go down this road guys, keep it on topic.

Wow...looking great!

need... pics...

It doesn't look that bad, I think it add character and can tell a story of the building. 

 

Not everything has to nor needs to be "brand spanking new" or renovated.

^ I agree....  however, doesn't this look a bit too contrasting?

^ I agree....  however, doesn't this look a bit too contrasting?

No.  Things need to be shaken up around here.  Stop with the "standard formula".  I can be used in so many ways.  It could be a focal point for photos and visits.  Its UNIQUE.

It's not finished... How about we wait and see what they do before making assumptions.

The west wall is super-ugly in its present form.  It looks totally like something was recently demolished there and no one did anything about the aesthetics, yet.  I can't imagine the developer will leave it anything like it is.  Other bldgs. looking out on the open space look fine - basically like new buildings. A shame the way the streetscape was compromised with a demolished building but the right treatment (e.g. dramatic mural, etc.) could enhance the Atrium building, at least.

^ I agree.... however, doesn't this look a bit too contrasting?

No. Things need to be shaken up around here. Stop with the "standard formula". I can be used in so many ways. It could be a focal point for photos and visits. Its UNIQUE.

 

I see your point....  and think its a clever approach, but just don't think this wall is the kind of thing to express that sort of intention. It was never meant to be exposed.... So its not as though it was a nice brick facade left dirty.. Then I could see. This is like leaving plywood exposed on a floor in a house and getting people to believe its unique.

 

If that can be done.... Kudos, but at least clean it... add some natural cover...  (not English Ivy) maybe some native Virginia Creeper. 

ummm....

 

 

It's not finished... How about we wait and see what they do before making assumptions.

ummm....

 

 

It's not finished... How about we wait and see what they do before making assumptions.

 

Get use to this.  This is what you're going to have to do when McCleveland Jr. hits the scene!    You're going to repeat everything. LOL

ummm....

 

 

It's not finished... How about we wait and see what they do before making assumptions.

 

Oh come on. What's the point of judging if we can't do it on wild eyed assumptions?

 

That said, I'm inclined to agree with EC. I'd like a living wall (for the record, I credit this thread with introducing me to that concept in the first place). Looks good and dampens sound. I'm impartial as to the type of Ivy. Put poison up, for all I care. It turns a pretty red in the fall.

The reason I suggested the Virginia Creeper is because English Ivy has been known to crumble brick and cause problems and grow to the point of suffocating a building. Kind of like that green stuff grew all over Stephen King in the original Creepshow! The Virginia Creeper, on the other hand, is supposed to be much more benign in that respect.

The reason I suggested the Virginia Creeper is because English Ivy has been known to crumble brick and cause problems and grow to the point of suffocating a building. Kind of like that green stuff grew all over Stephen King in the original Creepshow! The Virginia Creeper, on the other hand, is supposed to be much more benign in that respect.

 

Agreed. It almost destroyed our home.  So much  that had it gone another winter and contracted and expanded inside the walls, about a 1/3 of our house would have fallen inward.

Another idea might be a huge mural (like the LeBron James one) that could hang (secured) over the side....allow for 'breathing'....maybe something really colorful that could be a historic testament and homage to all the former large department stores along Euclid, including the 668 building itself....or just have lots of old images of Euclid Avenue. Such could be combined with a 'part living wall'

 

I am inclined to think if the wall gets made to look new or "white-ish"...that it will eventually look really dirty...and might even look worst than the brick. Ever see that faux stone on suburban plazas once it starts to look dirty? Its kind of like styrofoam dipped in a rock glaze that hardens.

Yes - a mural with an historic department store theme!  That's the best idea I've seen for a while. There's info. out there; I did a large article on the history of Taylor's myself, some years ago. I'm sorry the building didn't keep the original name, as did the May Company, Halle's, and Higbee Buildings.  Even the Sterling Building eventually went back to that name, even though it was only part of the "Sterling Lindner, etc." department store a relatively short time....

^ Maybe someone there would like this idea who is associated with the project......couldn't hurt to forward ideas along to them. I can envision how it would look...sort of sepia tones...a bit of the kind of color too that was implemented in with old post cards.... The dates of the stores or anything else of significance on the avenue, some interesting facts...  Here is a heck of a project for artists. If we can't hide it... decorate it!

I agree that we should withhold judgment until it's done. They've been doing a pretty nice job, and until proven otherwise, I'm going to assume that the side walls will be "finished" in some additional ways.

 

That being said, if they did want a living wall :) Many historic building use trellises to prevent brick damage. These trellises can be mere inches from the building, so aesthetically and in terms of energy conservation, there is not a significant difference from plants that creep directly on the building, and the trellises can be built away from windows, etc., allowing owners to shape them a bit more.

 

I would have to imagine, though, that the developers are considering opportunities for revenue-generating advertisements (think liquor advertisements along the shoreway in the warehouse district or the Revol ad over in Gateway). At some point a couple years ago, in a settlement with Clearchannel, Clearchannel was given the right to advertise alcohol and won the right to a small number of free ads on downtown buildings (I think 5?). In exchange, the company agreed to install one public art "advertisement" ... a mural piece not unlike what you guys are proposing here. Not sure what happened with that plan, but I can't think of anything ever having been hung. Perhaps there's an opportunity to do so here? I could be way off ... the deal might have been subsequently amended.

(think liquor advertisements along the shoreway in the warehouse district or the Revol ad over in Gateway).

 

Not 668 related - but that Revol ad was replaced by a Cadillac advertisement.

Ok, so I got my lazy a-- outside today and got some pics of the Euclid facade, with virtually all of the scaffolding having been taken down.  The pics aren't much, but I hope they help those of who haven't seen it yet.

 

1.  McCleveland - I'm reposting a "before" pic that you posted a page or two back, just to provide some context.  I hope you don't mind.  Plz let me know if you do.

2.  Facade as of 12-29

3.  Facade from opposite side

4.  Detailing on the new ninth floor

5.  The future plaza

6.  Bonus shot from up high to provide some perspective on the work happening on the roof/new ninth floor? of the building.  Except for the rebuilt facade, I believe that everything you see up there was pre-existing.  Sorry for the blurry-ness.  This camera is the best I've got.

At some point a couple years ago, in a settlement with Clearchannel, Clearchannel was given the right to advertise alcohol and won the right to a small number of free ads on downtown buildings (I think 5?). In exchange, the company agreed to install one public art "advertisement" ... a mural piece not unlike what you guys are proposing here. Not sure what happened with that plan, but I can't think of anything ever having been hung. Perhaps there's an opportunity to do so here? I could be way off ... the deal might have been subsequently amended.

 

Yikes! Clearchannel being put into a position to look like a pillar member of the core Cleveland community.

 

By the way, what will go on the ground level? Any shops, etc?

oohhing and ahhhing...

 

can you resize your pics?

Just did.  Sorry about that.

I love following this project, both here on UO and by passing by it several times a week.  It helps remind me that downtown is coming back in a big way!

I just walked past this building 30 minutes ago and stopped dead in my tracks when i saw the scaffolding removed. It looks amazing!

absolutely amazing restoration. thanks for the pictures.

Fantastic!

At some point a couple years ago, in a settlement with Clearchannel, Clearchannel was given the right to advertise alcohol and won the right to a small number of free ads on downtown buildings (I think 5?). In exchange, the company agreed to install one public art "advertisement" ... a mural piece not unlike what you guys are proposing here. Not sure what happened with that plan, but I can't think of anything ever having been hung. Perhaps there's an opportunity to do so here? I could be way off ... the deal might have been subsequently amended.

 

Yikes! Clearchannel being put into a position to look like a pillar member of the core Cleveland community.

 

By the way, what will go on the ground level? Any shops, etc?

 

I think most of this is in the thread somewhere, but not all grouped together.  As I recall, and others feel free to correct me, Wyse Advertising is taking most of the ground level on the Euclid Side.  Titans Gym will have frontage along the Prospect side; also on the Prospect side will be an indoor golf Bar/Grill place (they have the golfing simulators not putt putt) called Caddyshack.  I beleive there is also going to be a small convinence store, but havent heard much about that one.  And finally there will be a restaurant/bistro that has outdoor seating on the new courtyard or driveway or whatever you want to call it.  Cant remember the restaurant's name though.

!!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Talk about a GREAT looking facade!  With a Healthline stop right in front!  Great stuff.  We need more of this type of redevelopment to happen.

I want interior pics!

I hope the convenient store will not sell lottery or brown bag booze.

^

I hope the convenient store will not sell lottery or brown bag booze.

 

I disagree, they should sell whatever their customers are requesting, which most likely will be the residents at 668, that can make a profit.  If they want lottery tickets and booze then so be it, if they want tofu and organic milk so be it.  The propritor should be able to choose his wares that will result in a profit for his venture. 

I hope the convenient store will not sell lottery or brown bag booze.

 

I disagree, they should sell whatever their customers are requesting, which most likely will be the residents at 668, that can make a profit. If they want lottery tickets and booze then so be it, if they want tofu and organic milk so be it. The propritor should be able to choose his wares that will result in a profit for his venture.

 

WARNING:

 

Again - the facade is so dramatically different I'm always amazed at how few people walking by seem to take any notice....