Ok, so now that Healthline is nearing completion, are there any plans improve E 9th-especially the portion around Euclid/Prospect?  Are the developers investing any money into the infrastructure?  I hope something is done b/c it's a bit ridiculous having a gorgeous, new Euclid Ave. intersected by a beat up E.9th.  I know they just opened the intersection but are there any plans to improve this area as it's one of the most important intersections in the entire city?

 

 

Ok, so now that Healthline is nearing completion, are there any plans improve E 9th-especially the portion around Euclid/Prospect? Are the developers investing any money into the infrastructure? I hope something is done b/c it's a bit ridiculous having a gorgeous, new Euclid Ave. intersected by a beat up E.9th. I know they just opened the intersection but are there any plans to improve this area as it's one of the most important intersections in the entire city?

 

I believe according to the Mayor's civic plan outlined a year or so ago, East 9th street was scheduled for reconstruction in like 2010 or 2011.  That ought to be fun.

"East 9th street was scheduled for reconstruction in like 2010 or 2011"

 

Uch.  I'm sure it's gotta be done but still.......UCH.

 

Can't they just do the Euclid/E9 part now?

couple more years huh?  that's too bad, especially if it may impeed Breuer development. 

 

Thanks for the responses!

Demolition. It's old, after all.

 

There's a big blue fence up around the building on the E.9th side.  I have photos.  Coming soon.

 

I have to say, this is probably the most disappointing aspect of this project of all--even more than the demolition of the Rotunda.  The opportunities for "World-class Signage" on the site are bountiful and plenteous, yet K&D has stuck with mediocre, "Regional-standard fencing".  Downtown Cleveland will continue to be a joke until our leadership unites under the transformative power of vinyl graphics.

 

 

....:wink:

 

Westlake Reed Leskosky gives a big push to the K&D Group's plan to save the Ameritrust complex

Posted by Steven Litt/Plain Dealer Architecture Critic July 16, 2008 19:11PM

Categories: Arts Impact, Breaking News, News Impact http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2008/07/_a_cleveland_architecture_firm.html#more

 

 

A Cleveland architecture firm that helped preserve the Playhouse Square theaters in the 1970s and the Warehouse district in the 1980s is throwing its weight behind saving the long-vacant Ameritrust banking complex downtown.

 

Westlake Reed Leskosky on Wednesday unveiled the design for a 13-story office building that will be built immediately south of the 29-story Ameritrust Tower on East Ninth Street and announced it will become the building's first tenant.

 

The firm has a long history of locating its offices in key parts of downtown just before a turnaround...

 

 

You do know that I'm totally joking, right? :-D

 

The Rotunda will be incorporated into the renovation/residential/hotel conversion - no specifics have been released yet.

 

Cruel, cruel joke :x :lol:.

 

I was about to let out a big "Noooooooooo!"

 

 

 

 

it's official.  I'm absolutely enamored with this new building. Cleveland desperately needs something of this caliber.  Nice job WRL.

Does anyone else think that the new construction looks very similar to Stonebridge?

I think the only similarity between the two is that they are primarily glass.

I think the only similarity between the two is that they are primarily glass.

 

The new rendering also appears more "boxy" then the origonal one, similar to Stonebridge...which I am not implying is a bad thing.  Looks kind of cool.

Interesting, WRL will be tenants in this building.

it's a much more fitting space for them.

Interesting, WRL will be tenants in this building.

 

So that will be another tenant out of Huntington (that is where they are, correct?).  Intresting...

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=951817

 

In picture 3 of the photos, i believe it says "future project" on the building immediately east of the rotunda on euclid. Does this mean they are tearing that building down or going to do rehab work to it?

Love the Rothko in the lobby.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=951817

 

In picture 3 of the photos, i believe it says "future project" on the building immediately east of the rotunda on euclid. Does this mean they are tearing that building down or going to do rehab work to it?

 

I'd be surprised if they tear that down.  They'd be throwing away the tax credits that were awarded to it. I think they are just putting it on the back burner for future development.  I've been inside.  The place would make unreal residential.  The layout for it and windows are perfect for such a conversion.

^I think the counties original plans were to tear it down.  I don't think K&D would have reason to do so however. 

residential is what i was thinking for that building as well, especially with the CAC, JHB buildings across the street, and the renovated tower all being converted as well. Wow, this little chunk of euclid is going to be AWESOME once all the work is done and people actually inhabit these buildings!!

It is hard to tell as it looks different from rendering to rendering but I hope that the glass is light tinted/clear and not mirrored. Overall I think it fits in nicely with the existing scale and design.

It is hard to tell as it looks different from rendering to rendering but I hope that the glass is light tinted/clear and not mirrored. Overall I think it fits in nicely with the existing scale and design.

 

It does look to be clear. I would assume this is the case, especially from the most recent renderings as it seems you can see into the building from outside.

 

I think that, given the probability that the windows will be transparent, this will make for a great presence at this intersection.

Ron Reed, a partner in the firm, said:

 

"We're taking a huge leap of faith," Reed said. "You just have to have confidence this is going to get done."

 

 

 

Why is this a "huge" leap of faith? Is Reed insinuating that the requisite tax credits are a longshot, or what exactly???

 

tax credits are not the issue.  But the building itself isn't even purchased yet, and no financing is in place.  That's not necessarily alarming. But is in essence I guess a leap of faith... when you throw everything behind including a comitment to move into a building that doesn't yet exist.

^but they are designing it. You'd hope that they'd have a little more faith in their own work ;)

 

The historic tax credit and historic status issue causes me to worry a bit.

i've heard on pretty good authority that shouldn't be an issue.  I think it is more getting a comitment from an office tennant substantially larger than WRL to secure financing.

How many sq ft would WRL require?

Can't remember, but I talked about it with a buddy of mine in commercial real estate not long ago (actually proposing this exat scenario), and he said that while WRL is a nice name, it wouldn't put too big a dent in the square footage and certainly wouldn't get a bank to bite on them being an "anchor".  He gave me the exact sf... but I can't remember and don't want to post something inaccurate.

tax credits are not the issue.  But the building itself isn't even purchased yet, and no financing is in place.  That's not necessarily alarming. But is in essence I guess a leap of faith... when you throw everything behind including a comitment to move into a building that doesn't yet exist.

 

I hope not.  but it says "First, though, he said he needs $35 million in historic preservation tax credits from the state of Ohio and the federal government".  Maybe its just an exageration though.

 

I'll have to see what they are doing here in DC, I beleive they are trying to designate buildings from the same era here, including the Bruer designed HUD headquarters.

 

 

The state tax credits are already in place and currently owned by the county.  You can do a one time transfer of those.  He is trying to get the tower on the national register of historic places which could generate some additional $.  As I said, i've heard that shouldn't be an issue.

couldn't get the video to work on Litt's blog.  was it anything interesting?

I watched it.  It gave a simulated tour of the new glass building proposed for south of the Breuer tower.  It showed the lobby and a higher level with an outdoor terrace overlooking the E9th and Prospect intersection.  In the video, the areas shown looked sterile yet modern and sophisticated.  There were no renderings of retail uses within the structure. 

Interesting.. I guess.. no sound to it.

Litt took the historic tax credit comment out of context from what I understand.

WRL will be taking one floor.

 

Friday, July 18, 2008

REAL ESTATE

 

Westlake Reed taking full floor

 

Architecture firm Westlake Reed Leskosky plans to occupy a full floor of the new office building envisioned along the south flank of downtown Cleveland's Ameritrust Tower. The Plain Dealer reported Wednesday that Westlake Reed would be the first tenant for a 13-story office building planned on East Ninth Street by the K&D Group of Willoughby. Westlake Reed principal Ronald Reed said Thursday that the firm would occupy roughly 26,000 square feet. Westlake Reed's lease at the nearby Huntington Building, 925 Euclid Ave., expires in 2011. The firm employs about 85 people downtown.

 

http://search.cleveland.com/Westlake+Reed+taking+full+floor?date_range=all

 

as i was saying yesterday. WRL taking 26k out of a 300k building is not going to make a bank bite.  However I think it lends an enormous amount of credibility to the project bringing in a company of that stature, and may help lure in a tenant that could get this thing off the ground.

 

All good news.

Don't look now, but WCPN says the Dimora Debacle might have links to the Ameritrust Tower sale. It's just a passing reference, but....Uh oh!

 

http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/12944/

Anyone else notice the lights are on inside the rotunda?  It looks way cool.  I've never seen the inside of that place, I'd kill to be able to walk around even briefly.

They open it up during lunch on occassion.  Feels like they're due to do it again soon.

Anyone else notice the lights are on inside the rotunda?  It looks way cool.  I've never seen the inside of that place, I'd kill to be able to walk around even briefly.

 

You didn't have to kill, they had a 2-day open house last year around Labor Day.

After living in Cleveland all my life I am still yet to ever see the inside of the Ameritrust building or even know anyone who has been inside. Is it a myth ? Do such pictures exist ? Any way to get a "tour" ?

 

tnx

You have to bribe a commissioner to get inside  :-o

 

Actually, I took these during public tours that were offered Labor Day weekend in 2007.....

 

 

My father (maroon shirt) has lived in Cleveland nearly all of his 80 years, so he knew to show some tour visitors something on the ground he's known about since he was a little boy....

 

What? The property boundary for the old Cleveland Trust Bank...

 

Inside, there's lotsa looking up going on....

 

At what? This....

 

And this....

 

And this....

 

Or you could look down in the basement at this....

 

 

 

And that's pretty much it. So you didn't miss much....  :-D

I always forget about that opening...damn!  One day i'll see it in person.  Nice pics!

I banked there when the PS building was under renovation and the new building was going up.  It's so impressive! 

 

I think it would make an awesome restaurant/lounge.

I think it would make a great living room.

So are they currently doing work on all this yet?  Every time I go by there, I think about how fugly the blue construction fence is.  World-class signage, please!!!!!

Removing asbestos

Anyone have photos from within the Bruer building?

I think it would make an awesome restaurant/lounge.

I agree.  Isn't Hyde Park partially in an old bank / vault?

I think it would make an awesome restaurant/lounge.

I agree. Isn't Hyde Park partially in an old bank / vault?

 

Yes it is....  Anyone who hasnt seen this should check it out..  The vault a walk through the restaurant (towards the restrooms)  and is a think a wine cellar with banquet rooms around it.  There is also a direct connection into the Van Swinger.... lobby, that is open even when the outside entrance to the lobby isnt.  A must see!  (Oh and they have good steak too)   

The bank vault at Cleveland Trust will be used for something, just depends on what program is inserted in the rotunda.