Photos show hallway "from Euclid" but the public can't enter from Euclid - only the apartment people.

 

This is a true statement.  Although you can buzz the leasing office and request a tour of an apartment if you want to see the building.

 

What about that one door in the center of the Wyse windows?  Beyond the door one can only (barely) see a bland stairway going up - all dingy. Looks like a storage area.

 

That's exactly what it is.  A stairway going up. You can only exit from it though (as with all the stairways).  It hits the Euclid side apartment floors.  And all of the stairways are dingy.  They are just now starting to paint and repair them. Keep in mind the building, though officially 'open', is still a work in progress.

 

Well today I see the sign out by the sidewalk saying the bistro/bar/bakery will open at 5 p.m. I was actually hoping the bakery would be open mid-day, as some of it was open yesterday on my lunch hour.... Walked in Prospect lobby area and all the way through to where one can see the top of the restaurant.  If that's "the" atrium, it's not at all like the old one, which went up six stories.

Pro shop was closed, with no sign indicating anything special.  Not cool for a lunch hour....

A lot of these access questions, where to enter, what part is the atrium, when things open, consistant communication, etc...this is what I call "attention to detail".  I would not expect that here, so I would just kind of roll with it for awhile.

When a whole forum is about a one-building complex these features are kinda' fundamental.  I know some of us are here for the rental info., some for the design/renovation/restoration aspects, some for the info. on businesses occupying the spaces. IMHO they're all quite legit. As for the last the details seem to change each day.  Now I"m told the lunches won't start until about two weeks, and the bakery/bistro perhaps still two weeks later. Yeah, we can wait, Sonny....

Great article on 668, only bad news is that K&D apparently decided to pass on redeveloping the May Co building and the East Ohio Gas Building

 

Apartments' popularity bucks recent trend

K&D's new apartment building in downtown Cleveland, Residences at Six Six Eight, has surprised even the real estate developer: All but three suites are leased and 62 people are on a waiting list for suites at the complex.

 

http://crainscleveland.com/section/TOC

Nothing surprising about it.  This market is practically desperate for urban apartment units.  Keep em coming!

K&D may take a pass at those buildings, but someone will see this article and take the chance

Apartments' popularity bucks recent trend

 

 

Gee, I thought the downtown apartment market was seeing 90-95 percent occupancy rates for one-bedroom apartments? So how is 668's popularity bucking a trend? What trend are they talking about?

Yeah, the headline does seem like a misnomer. The article notes downtown occupancy rates in the 80s and 90s, with the average around 90%. I think they're referring more to a number of buildings changing hands after mortgage default. They also note that University Lofts is only at 60% occupancy, but that seems really apples-to-oranges to me.

Great article on 668, only bad news is that K&D apparently decided to pass on redeveloping the May Co building and the East Ohio Gas Building

 

I heard from a K&D employee that they are really trying to make Ameritrust work, so that might be their focus.

Great article on 668, only bad news is that K&D apparently decided to pass on redeveloping the May Co building and the East Ohio Gas Building

 

How recent did you hear that? They were trying make it work 2-3 years ago. It would be great if there is renewed interest.

 

I heard from a K&D employee that they are really trying to make Ameritrust work, so that might be their focus.

^Two weeks ago.

I'd rather see that complex re-developed first, anyway. Its pitiful looking right now and worst thing about it is that it is on an intersection that should be among the busiest with street activity, but is a dead spot. (the building)

 

Haven't heard anything on the Schofield either, lately.

I can confirm K&D's interest in Ameritrust, and they aren't the only one.  That being said, nothing is anywhere near "imminent" no need getting worked up yet.  And you probably won't hear anything or see much movement on schofield until after the tax credits are announced at the end of june.  When any news breaks on those projects, we have threads for them  :)

 

And certainly nothing "trend bucking" about this place... but basically leasing out a 236 unit building with over 60 on a waiting list before you are even finished is rather amazing.  668 does benefit from having probably the most ideal location in town, and probably being the most "upscale" rental.  Being a 1 seat ride door to door from university circle probably doesn't hurt either.  Now if only we could get the economy and financing markets back on track... remember 668 was financed just BEFORE the meltdown.

 

I'd love to see someone piggyback off the success of this and build on the hippodrome lot next year, though I hear the owner wants to lease the land and retain ownership of it, which may be problematic.

Hmmmm.... leasing the land and retaining ownership sounds like the current owner envisions retail.  I know landowners who do that - lease the land, allow a new structure to be built to suit and take the rents and a percentage of the profits.  In my experience, it is the type of deal that is used for box stores, such as CVS and Wal-Mart.  I have not run into that type of situation for residential structures.

^I wouldn't read too much into the ground lease preference. You'd be surprised how many ground leases there out there, including for office buildings and residences.

 

It would be really interesting to know about the workplaces of the 668 residents.  I thoughtlessly assumed most worked downtown, but as McC points out, it's also a great location for working at UC.  I wonder how many do work at UC or in the suburbs.

 

Even in good times, if I see a building lease up that fast, it tells me that they're charging too little for rent.  That lease-up is great news though.  Although I do shudder a little bit thinking what K&D might do to the Ameritrust rontunda and Breuer lobby...

^I wouldn't read too much into the ground lease preference. You'd be surprised how many ground leases there out there, including for office buildings and residences.

 

It would be really interesting to know about the workplaces of the 668 residents.  I thoughtlessly assumed most worked downtown, but as McC points out, it's also a great location for working at UC.  I wonder how many do work at UC or in the suburbs.

 

Even in good times, if I see a building lease up that fast, it tells me that they're charging too little for rent. That lease-up is great news though.  Although I do shudder a little bit thinking what K&D might do to the Ameritrust rontunda and Breuer lobby...

 

In our market there is a need for nice upscale stuff. We're not oversaturated and there isn't much competition so i disagree.

 

In that building and location if the prices were 50 or 75 more per month I still think they would get what they want.

 

Besides, in a building like this, they can make up the difference in renewals and turn overs.  Then they can justify what the market bears.

Although I do shudder a little bit thinking what K&D might do to the Ameritrust rontunda and Breuer lobby...

 

Same here.  I know their previous plans were'nt terrible (but their finished product doesnt always live up to what it could have), plus it should be a much hipper hotel/residences than they were thinking for that building.

I actually didn't have too many concerns given WRL involvement. 90% of the battle is getting the right design team.  Leaving sandvick on 668 was a mistake.

 

at any rate... this is the 668 thread :)

Even in good times, if I see a building lease up that fast, it tells me that they're charging too little for rent.

 

That's not the only possible explanation, especially for a place that charges 4-digit rents in Cleveland.  My view is that this demonstrates the amount of pent-up demand that exists for rentals in the central city.  My lack of surprise that it's done well is based on my perception of that demand.

What the heck is "UC?"

^University Circle.  Too many letters for my lazy typing hands.

Thanks. I just figured it out and was ready to delete my inquiry when - zip - your answer appeared....

With the wacko-crazy rentals/waiting lists at 668, it sure would be nice if the banks can loosen up credit so developers can jump-start the planned residential tower on top of the new (few years old) parking garage at 555 Euclid.  Since mortgages are hard to come by right now, it would be nice if they could consider a rental building with a possible conversion down the road... Obviously, 668 it showing how strong the downtown rental market is in the E. 4th, Euclid corridor... And this year, esp this summer, is the 1st time in about 6 years that Euclid is complete/barrier free from Public Square to E. 9th.

 

 

^^ Agreed 100%.  Besides new construction, if any of those buildings from E 9th -E .12th could be converted residental, I know plenty of people who would move there in a heartbeat...but I'm talking condo mostly.  555 Euclid would be in the same boat as well.

 

Piggy-backing off another success story of 668 Euclid and the Corridor, tripspapa's 24-hr "Titan's Gym" has a Facebook fan page.  Feel free to become a fan:

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-OH/Titans-Gym-at-the-Atrium/120833517937534

 

I hope tripspapa isn't getting annoyed by another shout out...

^ Another project that could prove worthy is Schofield...  Haven't heard anything about that lately on that thread.

With the wacko-crazy rentals/waiting lists at 668, it sure would be nice if the banks can loosen up credit so developers can jump-start the planned residential tower on top of the new (few years old) parking garage at 555 Euclid.  Since mortgages are hard to come by right now, it would be nice if they could consider a rental building with a possible conversion down the road... Obviously, 668 it showing how strong the downtown rental market is in the E. 4th, Euclid corridor... And this year, esp this summer, is the 1st time in about 6 years that Euclid is complete/barrier free from Public Square to E. 9th.

 

 

 

 

 

What is this new tower at 555 Euclid?

515 Euclid. It was a 28-story apartment tower proposed before the parking deck began construction. The deck was designed so the tower could be added later.

 

That would be such a nice addition to the skyline.

That would be such a nice addition to the skyline.

 

Yes, and imaging the ped traffic it would generate.  Lower Euclid would start to feel like a corner of Manhattan.

Yeah, the combined pedestrian traffic from 515 Euclid, 668 Euclid, new Rosetta offices, and new Huntington offices would be great for this corner of the city. This is a good opportunity for some new retail businesses to open up along Euclid. I think that Euclid Ave. has great potential to be a shopping destination downtown. Think Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

Titans Gym has new signage on the Prospect side.  There's a pic on their facebook page.   

^ MH you've been such a great promoter for that! More good places need customers like that.

I will post some pics of the gym once I figure out how to.  Thanks MH!

I know we've discussed the rental statistics on 668 before, but I was at a downtown residents' meeting there yesterday and someone from K&D (which I always mix up with K&G) said of their 236 units, they have 4 left and have 45 people on a waiting list.  Average price per square foot is $1.30/month.

 

I also took some pictures, since I know everyone here likes pictures.  Just with my iPhone, though.  Nothing fancy...

 

 

Nice to see that patio area in action.

looks nice

As much as we were afraid of it, that patio is kind of nice. 

 

Having an outdoor bar adds a different dimension to our entertainment strict as well.  Plus I've only heard positive reviews of Zinc, including good service.

I'd really like to see a mural painted over the solid brick wall on the west side of the building.  Happens all over buildings in Philly, and really livens things up.

I'd really like to see a mural painted over the solid brick wall on the west side of the building.  Happens all over buildings in Philly, and really livens things up.

 

It doesn't happen "all over Philly" but it's in a few key places, mostly adjacent to parking lots.

 

I dont want that because then we're emulating something from someplace else that to me is not right over a cafe.  I like the gritty wall as is, but if they are going to do something do a treatment that pays homage to the building/area that is installation to change via season.

I'd really like to see a mural painted over the solid brick wall on the west side of the building.  Happens all over buildings in Philly, and really livens things up.

 

I would like to see at least a projector.  That would be a quick fix, and flexible to be always changing.  (everything from Art to "Let's go cavs!" to colorful lights in the wintertime...or to copy from Terry Tarantino, movies -- he usually does vintage italian though)

 

I still like the mural idea either way.

I personally like the "living wall" idea posted earlier in this thread.  I think that would go well over this type of cafe.  But a projection of images is also a good idea.

 

It doesn't happen "all over Philly" but it's in a few key places, mostly adjacent to parking lots.

 

 

There are actually over 2,800 wall murals spread throughout the city.

My vote....department store grand era mural....1920 to 1970. I have commissioned an artist to do a small sample of what this could look like on a poster...and for a future window make-over.

This patio looks incredible.

 

I may be by there on my bike to check it out in person.

 

 

 

I know we've discussed the rental statistics on 668 before, but I was at a downtown residents' meeting there yesterday and someone from K&D (which I always mix up with K&G) said of their 236 units, they have 4 left and have 45 people on a waiting list. Average price per square foot is $1.30/month.

 

I also took some pictures, since I know everyone here likes pictures. Just with my iPhone, though. Nothing fancy...

 

 

I just saw it in person today.  It's waaaay back from the street, fully behind the parking tunnel.  It isn't along the side of the 668 building.  It's practically mid-block.  That said, it was seeing a lot of use this afternoon.

cough cough, look at those treadmills to the right of the historic hallway...

Zinc is a high quality place and a very pleasant break from the greasy burger/sports joints all over downtown... I still would have preferred K & D keeping the Dollar Bank building and continuing a mixed-use frontage along Euclid, and not have a driveway in the middle of the block ... but Zinc's plaza is much better than I expected... Unfortunately, I think the colder months will also make the empty plaza seem cold too; let's hope the sign and word-of-mouth will keep drawing patrons from the street to Zinc's somewhat hidden entrance... its all good.

 

btw: keep the bare wall.  No murals, please!  MTS is right, the pretty Philly murals are for a totally different purpose: to spruce up often rundown, ugly surroundings... This is not applicable to a downtown, high-class restaurant/apt complex ... I may have liked some of the 668 apt windows to have balconies; it would enhance the appearance... but the bare walls aren't horrible...adds to Cleveland's unique industrial-hip charm... keep 'em.

 

Zinc is a high quality place and a very pleasant break from the greasy burger/sports joints all over downtown... I still would have preferred K & D keeping the Dollar Bank building and continuing a mixed-use frontage along Euclid, and not have a driveway in the middle of the block ... but Zinc's plaza is much better than I expected... Unfortunately, I think the colder months will also make the empty plaza seem cold too; let's hope the sign and word-of-mouth will keep drawing patrons from the street to Zinc's somewhat hidden entrance... its all good.

 

btw: keep the bare wall. No murals, please! MTS is right, the pretty Philly murals are for a totally different purpose: to spruce up often rundown, ugly surroundings... This is not applicable to a downtown, high-class restaurant/apt complex ... I may have liked some of the 668 apt windows to have balconies; it would enhance the appearance... but the bare walls aren't horrible...adds to Cleveland's unique industrial-hip charm... keep 'em.

 

 

Agreed! Once Cleveland gets cold, it's like a ghost town in the downtown area. It's sad to see too :(

 

And thanks for the photos jborger :)

cough cough, look at those treadmills to the right of the historic hallway...

 

I was gonna stick my nose in here and snap some shots (since SOMEONE hasn't...  cough, cough indeed. :) ) but people were working out and I didn't they'd appreciate some creep taking shots of them.  Great looking space, though!