Okay - there's a little more than a single pane of glass this time around. It looks like they're taking advantage of the warm weather - the most notable differences are the western facade (a lot more glass in place now), and the mullions for the penthouse floors are going in on the northern facade:

 

awesome!  nice to see some progress... I knew we could count on you, MayDay!

The more I see of this building, the more strange I realize it is.  I can't think of another building quite like it.  Or even much like it.

The exposed steel beams definitely give the building a sturdy look and feel. 

X,

 

You are totally right.  The strange curved top, the exterior steel beems.  Combine that with the parking garage that was odd-looking to begin with..  Not to mention that it is amongst all the 100 yr old brick buildings.  Strange project.

It does look strange, but it's cool and the blue glass will look great, especially on a sunny summer day. 

I just read an article on Cleveland.com that construction at the Pinnacle has been halted due to a court battle. I will try to copy the article here, but they are having trouble with their website. This project is such a mess, and I really feel bad for the people who shelled out $350,000-$1,000,000 for their condo.

Honestly, I think this project is a "mess" because it's really the first of its kind for the area. Thus, it's going to be the project that gets tangled up but eventually I think it will be great when all is said and done. If I read this correctly, it's only the lobby and garage area that's affected - it sounds like the rest of the building is plugging along. The leaseholding group sounds a little shady if you ask me.

 

From cleveland.com

 

Condos tied up in court fight

 

Legal squabbles block lobby work for Warehouse District project

 

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

 

Michael K. McIntyre

 

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Developer Gus Georgalis touted his luxury Warehouse District condo and apartment complex, Pinnacle Condominiums, as the building with everything.

 

Right now, though, the future site of condos priced from the $300,000s to $1 million or more lacks one amenity that even low-rent joints have - an entrance.

 

More at http://www.cleveland.com

Hypothetical question, and not a suggestion, can a lease be broken via eminent domain?  The way Royanne was talking it sounded like it could be done.

I have to say, this man has been thru "pure hell" with this project!

 

This is going to be Cleveland's, actually OHIO's, finest apartment building.

 

I sincerely hope this project is a smashing success and all the "set backs" do not deter Georgalis from another housing development.

 

hats off to you for challenging and making an attempt to upgrade fine living on Americas North Coast  :clap:

 

 

Punch,

 

yes, a lease can be broken.  The only issue is reimbursement to the tenant.  You subtract the value of the lease from the fmv of the property and dole it out to the landloard and tenant.

I wonder how they set the curtain wall without a crane.

Looks like they're just using a movable platform, not unlike window-cleaning equipment.

 

Updated pics from Saturday, June 4th - the exterior is really coming along, and the upper portion has even more glass today:

 

I've never really liked the Lakeside frontage on this building, but the views from the west (thanks MayDay!) are great.  I try to imagine how the building will look at night when you'll be able to see lights on and possibly even activity through the gigantic windows!

It's sad to see the courts destroying a project like this.  If he's not allowed to build an entrance on appeal, what then?  Will the building be torn down?  What an immense waste of resources.

 

Many judges just want to feel powerful.  By destroying many people's hard work, they achieve a personal sense of power.  but at what cost to society? 

I think the courts are on Georgalis's side. I am sure he may have to pay more money, but an entrance will be built. That lake side view of the building would be a lot better if they tore down that ugly white building behind it. I was just on the Pinnacle website, and it looks like 45 condo's have been sold so far, and it looks like they are starting to sell 2 a week.

Locutus,

 

So, you know what the judge thinks on this matter?  Do tell us about your conversation with him or her.  Furthermore, who are you to comment on the intentions of those who serve in this profession?  Trial judges stick to the law.  The most embarrassing thing for a trial judge is to be overturned on appeal. It is a comment on their talent and capability.  If a judge strays from the law, he'll be overturned and look stupid.  Furthermore, you are creating a large assumption by saying that the developer is totally in the right.  Maybe he drew up a poor contract, maybe he tried to deceive the prior owners.  This could be all his fault.  Or, it could be the fault of the prior owners. 

 

A court almost never implements a remedy that causes economic waste (tearing down built form).  Equitable relief is far from proper in a situation like this.  The worst that will happen to the developer is that he will have to pay money damages.  This is purely a matter of contract law.  The only thing to worry about is the delay to the project.

 

So, construction is continuing?

Yes, construction is continuing on all parts of the building with the exception of the garage/entry in question.

From today's PeeDee in the Tipoff section ...

 

Going up:

 

Developer Gus Georgalis may have found a way to get tenants to his Pinnacle Condominiums. The building sits atop a Warehouse District parking garage, but because he leased the first floor to someone else for parking, he can't build the lobby he wants. Court rulings have gone against him, so he's approached the city with an alternate plan. Chris Ronayne, Mayor Jane Campbell's chief of staff, said Georgalis wants to build an elevator shaft and small lobby attached to - but outside of - the parking garage. It's unusual, since it'll gobble up some sidewalk on Lakeside Avenue, but Ronayne said a team of city inspectors says it'll work.

 

Ronayne said Georgalis would soon seek approval from the necessary city commissions.

 

Hopefully this will solve the problem...but don't you wonder what is going on with this project?  First it moves along at a snail's pace ( Feb '05 was original completion ) and how or why do you start this project with this rather large issue unresolved?  It's good to have people like Georgalis around, but maybe he should have hired a project mgr., plus Pinnacle construction is supposedly holding up the start of Johnson Court.

By the way, Chris Ronayne seems to be a get it done sort of guy, doesn't he?

^Is Pinnacle really holding up Johnson Court Construction?  I have heard that, but is it true.

Does anyone have a rendering of this Johnson Court thing? It is new to me ...

The delays were do to the glass guys not performing, and georgalis had to wait until their contract was up before he could fire and replace them.  Since that time, they've been moving at full speed ahead, and units are being finished off now.  The place is over 50% sold.

isnt johnson court tower the one that was supposedly going to be 20 stories??  the architects were also the ones that did one of the proposals for the convention center if im not mistaken

The tower that was near the new Federal Courthouse?

^No, you're thinking of Courthouse Plaza.

 

The Johnson Court tower project (renderings not available to the best of my knowledge) is slated for the parking lot at the northeast corner of West 9th and Johnson Court. That would be the lot seen here where the Bekins truck is parked:

^Ok, yes Ive seen the lot numerous times, great to hear about these plans.  Any stats on them?? Floor count, units...cost??

Where have people heard about the Johnson Court project?  We are all talking about it, but is there any mention of it any where else?

I have a feeling that this Johnson Court project is an urban legend :lol:

It's on emporis and has been in the PD.  The buildings has been approved by Landmarks Commission, so real, detailed renderings of it must exist somewhere.  If they are available to the public is another question.  And of course the most important question is if it is still alive.  There hasn't been an update on it in some time.

well the PD did have a blurb about it a year or so ago, but that was right before the pinnacle started

who was the developer?

Here's an aerial view of the Pinnacle (or, as I prefer to call it, the Barnacle!) from June 11th ...

 

 

The Johnson Court project was first mentioned in a quick blurb in the print edition of Crains Cleveland. All that was said was the project was approved by the Landmarks Commission and that it was planned to be anywhere from 5 to 20 stories. It was never available online, to the best of my knowledge - thus the lack of information. I'll look at my old copies of Crains but I'm not sure if I'll be able to find it - if I do, I'll post it.

 

Paul - argh! Time to walk the plank and avast ye scabbards! :wink:

In regards to the mystery Johnston Ct project...

That is a large parking lot (though, not so much in comparison to the other WHD behemoths).  It would be quite a wide and deep building if it covered the entire footprint of the lot.  Obvioulsy, its not as big as the Bingham. But, the recent new construction or planned construction tends to be narrower.  I wonder if it would follow that narrower trend.

^Maybe two twins that share the same 2-3 story base.....would be neat, almost like Central Park West and 5th ave buildings.

Woohoo, more glass as of June 15th!

 

Arrrrgh!  Yet again, foiled by MayDay!!!  I suppose I'll post 'em anyways...

 

These are courtesy of YSOH and her steady hand...

 

 

 

 

HA!!!

 

 

 

It's all good - you can never have enough:

 

1. Quality construction in downtown Cleveland

2. PHOTOS of quality construction in downtown Cleveland!  :-D

^The contrast in that last photo is really neat.

yes!  mad props to YSOH!  now, if she could just figure out how to get the photos out of the camera...

Hey, MGD, I might not respond a lot but I am reading!  ;) 

 

I walked around the WHD for a few hours on Monday and was very impressed.  I stopped in Constantino's for a snack and ended up having a long conversation about downtown development with the woman working behind the counter.  Walking, rather than driving, around downtown really makes a difference for me - it seems much more full.

that's my girl!

The last picture really shows how the parking lot needs a building in it.

definitely!  it wouldn't be stealing any views from the windows of the two red brick buildings, that's for sure!

 

i'm excited to see if this gets off the ground (literally) when Pinnacle wraps up...ummm, Spring '05?

ummm, Spring '05?   :wink:

 

It's still spring!  lol   lol

Yeah, summer doesn't start until next Tuesday!

I found this article in Properties magazine's April edition. If anyone is interested their website is pretty cool, and they discuss a few projects that I have never heard of before.

 

Moving On Up

Pinnacle Condominiums to offer dramatic views, quality living

 

By Mark Watt

 

In 2001, Georgalis Investment Realty, LLC opened The Cloak Factory, a 94,000-square-foot, mixed-use development at 635 W. Lakeside Ave. in Cleveland's Warehouse District. Featuring retail space at ground level, office space on the second floor and 15 residential units on the upper three floors, the facility offered contemporary spaces for living and working within a walking distance from downtown. Georgalis Investment Realty Principal Gus Georgalis says his intent with the development was to “provide quality living and set the standard in the area.”

 

With Pinnacle, a new luxury high-rise condominium and rental tower opening next door to The Cloak Factory this summer, Georgalis hopes to set the standard in the area once again. The 14-story building, featuring metal and glass curtainwalls, will offer 80 residential suites, including about 50 for-sale units and 30 rental spaces. An urban, gated community, Pinnacle will offer amenities such as 24-hour concierge service, a car wash and fitness center. Situated atop a pre-existing three-story garage at 701 W. Lakeside Ave. that has been expanded with additional floors for a total of 120 parking spaces, Pinnacle will also boast private gardens that will be located on the garage's roof.

“The gardens will include a greenhouse, a barbeque area, a gazebo and an area to grow flowers,” Georgalis says. “It will be a place where residents can meet and interact.”

 

Designed by Cleveland architectural firm Schmidtcopelandparkerstevens with Georgalis Investment Realty handling general contracting on its own, the building will allow unobstructed, panoramic views of the lake from each unit, assisted by the use of curved, wave-shaped exterior walls.

 

Read More...

 

Properties Magazine, Inc.

Site design copyright © 2000-2003.

 

 

Okay, they say that there are 50 for sale units and 30 rental. Right now there are 45 sold and 1 pending, does that mean that they are 90% sold?

property magazine...good find woolybear!

Oh yeah - I've been a fan of propertiesmag.com for a few years now. Check out their archives for really interesting stuff - some samples:

 

May 2000 - Bridgeview Apartments

November 2000 - Tremont Ridge

March 2001 - Plain Dealer HQ

May 2001 - Stonebridge, Phase 1

June 2001 - Arcade/Hyatt

December 2001 - Statler Arms

April 2002 - Osborn Building

June 2002 - Marshall Building

August 2002 - 1900 Euclid Lofts

December 2002 - Tower Press (awesome pics!)

April 2003 - Quay 55

January 2004 - Villa Carabelli

March 2004 - West Tech Lofts and Irishtown Bend

May 2004 - Stonebridge Center

March 2005 - House of Blues and the Chicle Building

 

You know, looking at this list - it's like the "drip, drip, drip" of smaller projects that add up to quite a bit of progress! :-)