February 19Feb 19 11 hours ago, Ethan said: I use this crosswalk frequently, and basically every time there are multiple people crossing. I understand your point, but if there are worthwhile things on both sides, which there already are thanks to the rock gym, people will use the crosswalk. So yes, it will result in more traffic on both sides of the street. We hope they get creative in the design of the crosswalks other than 2 white stripes. The city and various developers hopefully are working on this for this intersection and for the whole area. They should engage CIA art grad students to create unique placemaking traffic calming cross walks designs. Like these for ideas
February 19Feb 19 10 hours ago, Geowizical said: Here here. Maybe we can focus on the pros of the development instead. I'm 100% in favor of this development. That doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't advocate for crosswalk improvements!
February 19Feb 19 Author 17 hours ago, LlamaLawyer said: It's pretty stunning how drastically this area has changed in 10 years. Good reminder for the places we're tempted to cynically throw up our hands and give up on. All that it takes is for the right pieces to fall together, and suddenly you're cooking with gas. 10.5 years ago: Lots of old streetviews still available, including views going back to 2009.... The next three are from 2016. All the others are from 2009... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 19Feb 19 15 minutes ago, Foraker said: I'm 100% in favor of this development. That doesn't mean we can't or shouldn't advocate for crosswalk improvements! Sry if it came off wrong haha! I agree but I just meant to shift the focus back to KJP's article was all 🤗
February 19Feb 19 11 hours ago, Geowizical said: Here here. Maybe we can focus on the pros of the development instead. I think the pros can be praised for how well designed the building is but at the same time the crosswalks aka surrounding area does have an effect on it. With the current car oriented street layout it doesn't encourage people to explore the ENTIRE development just the places that you drove there to shop at. If they made it feel safer and easier for pedestrians the entire development would benefit from additional pedestrian traffic, including this building. For example when I go to INTRO, I end up walking down West 25th to the other shops but I stop when the street widens because of how uninviting it feels.
February 19Feb 19 7 hours ago, MyPhoneDead said: I think the pros can be praised for how well designed the building is but at the same time the crosswalks aka surrounding area does have an effect on it. With the current car oriented street layout it doesn't encourage people to explore the ENTIRE development just the places that you drove there to shop at. If they made it feel safer and easier for pedestrians the entire development would benefit from additional pedestrian traffic, including this building. For example when I go to INTRO, I end up walking down West 25th to the other shops but I stop when the street widens because of how uninviting it feels. Exactly - crossing from INTRO to WSM can be unsettling especially for tourists or slow walkers. Definitely need a traffic calming cross walk scheme there to start. Would help safety a lot plus we also need more traffic enforcement at such intersections for the youths who seem to feel red lights are optional.
February 26Feb 26 16 hours ago, WhatUp said: It was raining and construction is pretty much done, but here is a pic anyway: Don't yell at me but now that it is done I don't like the fit with the surrounding area. It would be perfect in UC or Downtown/Flats.
February 26Feb 26 17 minutes ago, MyPhoneDead said: Don't yell at me but now that it is done I don't like the fit with the surrounding area. It would be perfect in UC or Downtown/Flats. BOOOOO! All jokes. It's certainly impressive in scale to take in but it's a fair criticism. I think if they were to build a similar sized high rise at the corner of Warrensville and Chagrin on that Phase 3 gravel lot or whatever they've designating it, it might fit in better to scale.
February 26Feb 26 LOL, build more buildings like it, nearby, and it will fit in. Edited February 26Feb 26 by urb-a-saurus
February 26Feb 26 43 minutes ago, urb-a-saurus said: LOL, build more buildings like it, nearby, and it will fit in. In a perfect world that would be amazing but is that actually something that would be in the cards? lol.
February 26Feb 26 1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said: Don't yell at me but now that it is done I don't like the fit with the surrounding area. It would be perfect in UC or Downtown/Flats. I'm could be sympathetic to this line of thought, but I spend a decent bit of time in this area, and it works. It doesn't look horribly out of place. It probably helps that there's a few tallish buildings around here, the largest I can find is 8 stories. That's a far cry from the 15-17 of this new tower, but being twice as tall as the next tallest building isn't nearly as visually jarring as 3-4 times as tall is. As others have mentioned, put another 10+ story building on Warrensville and Chagrin and all your worries about looking out of place will dissipate.
February 26Feb 26 sooo … is there any news of another apt or office building on the way around here? any RE moves at least??
February 26Feb 26 5 minutes ago, mrnyc said: sooo … is there any news of another apt or office building on the way around here? any RE moves at least?? See Ken’s Feb 18 article above
February 26Feb 26 4 minutes ago, Htsguy said: See Ken’s Feb 18 article above i found it — and ooh another apt bldg is coming to that big empty lot — very good news. hopefully it keeps up and something else follows. 👍 The Arcadia by the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights is scheduled to see construction start in March with completion set for Fall 2026 (RDL).
February 27Feb 27 I only recently started going to Van Aken for lunch some days during the week. It's always been busy when I've gone for dinner but it's impressive the lunch crowd it gets. There's been lines at most food vendors and it's hard to find an open seat in the food hall most of the days I've gone. It's great to see.
March 12Mar 12 Construction Company Trailer appear to be added to the Arcadia site. And yes, my office will have a front row view!
March 12Mar 12 32 minutes ago, brownsfan1226 said: And yes, my office will have a front row view! Our own personal construction cam 😉
March 12Mar 12 Is anything in the works for the gravel lot at Warrensville and Chagrin? With the Raye all but complete, that lot looks like the biggest eyesore in this neighborhood. If i recall from proposals long ago, the paved lot outside the Market Hall was also "Ttemporary".
March 12Mar 12 1 hour ago, scg80 said: Is anything in the works for the gravel lot at Warrensville and Chagrin? With the Raye all but complete, that lot looks like the biggest eyesore in this neighborhood. If i recall from proposals long ago, the paved lot outside the Market Hall was also "Ttemporary". Obviously it is suppose to be developed eventually but I have not heard of anything actually in early stages or for that matter even proposed. And as we all know the development of the district has happened at a "deliberate" pace-from proposal to actual construction- so I don't expect anything vertical for a number of years. This might even be more of an issue with all the questions regarding the economy and the construction industry in general. Given the apparent popularity of the Raye you would think that developers would be jumping on those lots. Edited March 12Mar 12 by Htsguy
March 13Mar 13 Author On 3/12/2025 at 9:49 AM, brownsfan1226 said: Construction Company Trailer appear to be added to the Arcadia site. And yes, my office will have a front row view! I don't think you realize the immense pressure and responsibility you've just put on yourself by exposing the fact that you live across the street from this development 😉 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 13Mar 13 1 hour ago, KJP said: I don't think you realize the immense pressure and responsibility you've just put on yourself by exposing the fact that you live across the street from this development 😉 Fortunately it's just my office. It'll be a fun distraction from work!
April 2Apr 2 Construction begins on new Van Aken District mixed-use development https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/arcadia-mixed-use-development-breaks-ground-van-aken
April 2Apr 2 I'll try to continue snapping photos every so often when I'm in the office! Edited April 2Apr 2 by brownsfan1226
April 16Apr 16 Author Warrensville-Van Aken station redo gets go-ahead "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 24Apr 24 Five Iron Golf is taking over the old 1899 Golf space at Van Aken. From the Instagram post: Five Iron Golf is opening their first ever family entertainment center right here in Shaker Heights complete with cutting edge simulators,Indoor/outdoor minigolf course and their latest Detroit Duck Pin bowling concept. Opening late 2025.
Tuesday at 04:28 PM3 days Author "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
Wednesday at 10:34 AM2 days so good to see — the arcadia is an excellent project and its going to fill up immediately, so take note developers. 🎉
Wednesday at 06:55 PM2 days 8 hours ago, mrnyc said:so good to see — the arcadia is an excellent project and its going to fill up immediately, so take note developers. 🎉Shaker -- please fix the traffic sewer that will separate those residents from the amenities at Van Aken!
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