August 16, 20222 yr Per Mayor Weiss: Quote ...RMS, the developer of the award-winning Van Aken District, is slated to begin construction very soon on Phase Two of the District... Expect to see trucks and equipment on the site soon.
August 16, 20222 yr Very exciting. VA is a great example of how a strong vision and excellent execution can transform an area. The old shopping center was a tired, generic, suburban dud. The new complex is thoughtfully designed, well-programed and nicely maintained. The crowd there at a band concert last week (Wednesday perhaps) was exceptional. The addition of this tower will only amplify the energy and draw to the area. Kudos to SH on this endeavor. I can only hope Cleveland Heights learns a lesson from watching this transformation and applies it to one of the many opportunities in the city. Not try to duplicate VA, but see the potential and go bold.
August 19, 20222 yr City enters preliminary agreement for mixed-use, mixed-income development on Warrensville Center Rd: https://www.shakeronline.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=348
August 19, 20222 yr 3 minutes ago, bikemail said: City enters preliminary agreement for mixed-use, mixed-income development on Warrensville Center Rd: https://www.shakeronline.com/civicalerts.aspx?AID=348 thats the old car dealership spot where Fresh Market was originally supposed to relocate.
August 19, 20222 yr Author I added only a few tidbits to the PR. Now stop interrupting my vacation with all this big news! Shaker Hts, developer reach deal for ex-car dealership site By Ken Prendergast / August 19, 2022 The City of Shaker Heights has entered into a preliminary agreement with a Columbus-based developer interested in constructing an architecturally distinctive, mixed-use building on vacant city-owned land, formerly the Qua Buick-Pontiac car dealership, across Warrensville Center Road from the existing first phase of the Van Aken District. MORE https://neo-trans.blog/2022/08/19/shaker-hts-developer-reach-deal-for-ex-car-dealership-site/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 20, 20222 yr ^ getting rid of an empty lot, more people and what looks like streelevel retail is all the greatest good, but looks-wise i have no faith in the rdl architecture. not only via that render, but from their previous previous work around the usa and their bland at best townhomes of van aken and harborchase of shaker heights. -- but hey basic functional is ok too, so overall its by far another big thumbs up. https://rdlarchitects.com/?s=van+aken
August 20, 20222 yr 3 minutes ago, mrnyc said: ^ getting rid of an empty lot, more people and what looks like streelevel retail is all the greatest good, but looks-wise i have no faith in the rdl architecture. not only via that render, but from their previous previous work around the usa and their bland at best townhomes of van aken and harborchase of shaker heights. -- but hey basic functional is ok too, so overall its by far another big thumbs up. https://rdlarchitects.com/?s=van+aken But they said architecturally distinctive. ;-) Edited August 20, 20222 yr by willyboy
August 20, 20222 yr Author 15 hours ago, KJP said: I added only a few tidbits to the PR. Now stop interrupting my vacation with all this big news! Shaker Hts, developer reach deal for ex-car dealership site By Ken Prendergast / August 19, 2022 The City of Shaker Heights has entered into a preliminary agreement with a Columbus-based developer interested in constructing an architecturally distinctive, mixed-use building on vacant city-owned land, formerly the Qua Buick-Pontiac car dealership, across Warrensville Center Road from the existing first phase of the Van Aken District. MORE https://neo-trans.blog/2022/08/19/shaker-hts-developer-reach-deal-for-ex-car-dealership-site/ Article updated with additional and higher-resolution renderings thanks to Ann McGuire, the city of Shaker Heights and RDL. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 20, 20222 yr From those pics I don't think this project looks much different from any of the other projects around town that are getting a thumbs up. That design is pretty much the look now so I fail to see the problem - unless the problem is they all pretty much look alike.
August 20, 20222 yr I am amazed the parcel labeled “future site” in the article has not be redeveloped before these other phases. Seems more natural to create a cohesive development on either side of the rapid line.
August 20, 20222 yr 10 minutes ago, Clefan14 said: I am amazed the parcel labeled “future site” in the article has not be redeveloped before these other phases. Seems more natural to create a cohesive development on either side of the rapid line. That is easily explained. Everything that is up for development right now are empty lots, whereas the site of "future development" is currently an active strip with many long standing stores. It will be the most difficult portion to develop for obvious reasons. I hope if and when they do it is something like apartments over first floor retail and the siting is closer to the rapid tracks without all the current parking. It would also be fantastic (although not very likely) if the Drager (spelling) family came back and re-opened their candy/ice cream parlor. A very sadly missed Shaker tradition.
August 20, 20222 yr 19 minutes ago, Clefan14 said: I am amazed the parcel labeled “future site” in the article has not be redeveloped before these other phases. Seems more natural to create a cohesive development on either side of the rapid line. I think this probably has more to do with the fact that there are current leases on the businesses in that stretch. The dirt patches are easier targets in the short term...
August 20, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, Clefan14 said: I am amazed the parcel labeled “future site” in the article has not be redeveloped before these other phases. Seems more natural to create a cohesive development on either side of the rapid line. If VA continues to be successful, I am confident that the city will be able to convince the owners to redevelop that site. But I think the city is focusing on the properties it controls first. Now that the Phase 2 towers have been greenlighted, I'm looking forward to what the city has planned for Phase 3.
August 23, 20222 yr Looking forward to finally being able to talk about a "downtown Shaker Heights" in the next few years. That's something this region has never had and will be a nice compliment to what Lakewood has out west by Detroit and Warren roads. Inner ring suburbs have been taking it on the chin across the country for awhile now but Shaker Heights is a different animal altogether. Really a unique opportunity for the region to build some density where there once was none. Edited August 23, 20222 yr by Down_with_Ctown
August 30, 20222 yr Looks like today is the day when site preparation for Phase 2 has officially begun. Perimeter fencing being erected and jersey barriers going up all around. Heavy equipment removing asphalt. here we go!
October 29, 20222 yr 41 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said: I feel like that should be standard at every station.
October 30, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, MyPhoneDead said: What is a comfort station? Not sure on all the details, but I think it includes public restrooms. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
November 5, 20222 yr 20 minutes ago, Mov2Ohio said: Stuff is happening... Is that the lot east of Warrensville or the lot north of Van Aken?
November 5, 20222 yr 21 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said: Is that the lot east of Warrensville or the lot north of Van Aken? Apartment tower at farnsleigh and van Aken
November 6, 20222 yr 57 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said: Is that the lot east of Warrensville or the lot north of Van Aken? It is north of VA and west of Warrensville.
November 6, 20222 yr 17 hours ago, Taller_is_better said: Apartment tower at farnsleigh and van Aken That’s what I was hoping it was lol.
November 6, 20222 yr I drove by a couple of days ago and was surprised by the amount of equipment and the progress so far. Especially since I believe they applied for a TMUD this go around (although I could be wrong about that).
November 6, 20222 yr Author RMS is requesting $7 million in TMUD credits for Van Aken District, not specifically for the high-rise Farnsleigh Apartments which leads me to believe that the credits would help the next phase -- an office building at the NW corner of Chagrin and Warrensville. Last time, RMS requested $11 million. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 6, 20222 yr Above are some new garage windows placed on the former "Lucy's Sweet Surrender", this will be the new Kosher BBQ as well as Midnight Owl Brewing. ^They are moving around dirt up in the lot next to the market hall. I dont recall what they are building in this space. Pro ^Progress on the apartment building across Farnsleigh from the VAD. The Nimby's were bent out of shape about the modern design. I like it and think itll be just fine. Shaker is on the up and up, i think milennial families have bought into the community. Edited December 6, 20222 yr by BelievelandD1 captioning
December 7, 20222 yr Anyone have insight on the warrensville chagrin corner lot? Is it possible they are adding temporary parking? Or maybe this is a staging area for the rapid station redo?
December 7, 20222 yr 7 minutes ago, Taller_is_better said: Anyone have insight on the warrensville chagrin corner lot? Is it possible they are adding temporary parking? Or maybe this is a staging area for the rapid station redo? Those are two good guesses. Actual development of that parcel is probably a number of years away.
December 7, 20222 yr Author 5 minutes ago, Htsguy said: Those are two good guesses. Actual development of that parcel is probably a number of years away. May depend on their TMUD application. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 14, 20222 yr On 12/7/2022 at 12:40 PM, Htsguy said: Those are two good guesses. Actual development of that parcel is probably a number of years away. Correct. This is for parking for people working on the new Apartment building on Farnsleigh.
December 20, 20222 yr Saw them bringing that in while at Northstar lunch. That building is really going to elevate the area.
February 21, 20232 yr It appears that a company called 1899 Golf is taking over that large space on Farnsleigh right next to the former Pearl of the Orient. This space has been vacant as far back as i can remember. I always thought this space could have a unique offering with great visibility in a community that embraces. Signage appears to have gone up over the weekend...i will add pics later. www.1899golf.com Has anyone been to one of these before? Edited February 21, 20232 yr by BelievelandD1
February 21, 20232 yr 48 minutes ago, BelievelandD1 said: It appears that a company called 1899 Golf is taking over that large space on Farnsleigh right next to the former Pearl of the Orient. This space has been vacant as far back as i can remember. I always thought this space could have a unique offering with great visibility in a community that embraces. Signage appears to have gone up over the weekend...i will add pics later. www.1899golf.com Has anyone been to one of these before? Yes - the one in Twinsburg is excellent - but obviously tough to get to. It offers indoor virtual golfing along with a full cocktail bar and lounge with real offerings. The food is good - obviously not Acqua di Luca but certainly not Applebees. It will be in direct competition with a similar venue in Cleveland Hts.
February 21, 20232 yr 16 minutes ago, YABO713 said: Yes - the one in Twinsburg is excellent - but obviously tough to get to. It offers indoor virtual golfing along with a full cocktail bar and lounge with real offerings. The food is good - obviously not Acqua di Luca but certainly not Applebees. It will be in direct competition with a similar venue in Cleveland Hts. Right down the street from my daughter's old school and not that tough to get to. :) Always seemed busy when I went by there.
February 21, 20232 yr 40 minutes ago, YABO713 said: Yes - the one in Twinsburg is excellent - but obviously tough to get to. It offers indoor virtual golfing along with a full cocktail bar and lounge with real offerings. The food is good - obviously not Acqua di Luca but certainly not Applebees. It will be in direct competition with a similar venue in Cleveland Hts. I believe you mean Reminderville. I live 30 seconds from it and still havent gone...
February 27, 20232 yr Van Aken tower crane looking west from the Warresnville/Farsnleigh intersection (and soon to be Shaker Heights skyline).
April 24, 20232 yr Crane for the Van Aken apartment tower as seen from downtown. Photo bombed by Eaton HQ.
May 22, 20232 yr And btw, if any of you haven’t been to Van Aken District yet… you should go. It’s unreal how much activity it has basically every day. It shows there’s a lot of pent up demand for similar kinds of spaces in the area.
May 22, 20232 yr 45 minutes ago, LlamaLawyer said: And btw, if any of you haven’t been to Van Aken District yet… you should go. It’s unreal how much activity it has basically every day. It shows there’s a lot of pent up demand for similar kinds of spaces in the area. I agree with this. I was there for dinner on Friday night and it was bumping. I'm a big fan of Van Aken.
May 23, 20232 yr 7 hours ago, OldEnough said: The most under-photographed tower crane in UO history! This project definitely deserves wayyy more attention—let’s not forget that they’re building this in Shaker Heights Even in downtown or University Circle this would be super impressive
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