However, when in LA and I walk to the grocery store or Westwood, people look at my like im crazy because I'm a) walking and b) using my cart.

 

Cleveland's Luxury Resort, The 9, Launches Artist-in-Residence Program

 

The 9 features Michelle Murphy in its artist-in-residence program.

 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/10/prweb12241696.htm

The view from a Sky Suite on the 27th floor of @the9cle #dtcle #thisiscle http://t.co/0NhT1MA4BR

This is the "go" to property in Cleveland right now.

 

Lots of our staff stayed here and was impressed.

 

This is going to be one hot area once the Palamor, Le Meridien open.  There will be lots of competition for the upscale hotel customer.  Something that Cleveland has lacked.

I guess the point of these graphics is to show the signage isn't going to dominate the rotunda's facade.....

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/11072014/index.php

 

City Planning Commission

Agenda for November 7, 2014

 

DF2014-109 - Heinen's at the M on 9th Signage

Project Location: East 9th Street and Euclid Avenue

Project Representative: Julia Cyganski, Process Creative Studios

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like they're using the same "Heinen's Grocery Store" branding that they're using in the new Chicago stores, as opposed to the traditional "Heinen's Fine Foods." Or maybe they're in the process of re branding the whole chain that way...

Their Hudson store is Heinen's Village Market. Would have figured perhaps "City Market" for this, but possible chain rebranding, as noted.  (Now, if they will only go with handled paper bags instead of cheapg plastic...)

Does anyone know if they plan to light up the exterior of the Rotunda to highlight the architecture? It would really be a shame not to

^I can't imagine they wouldn't - I'd love it if they did something similar to the Higbee Building - casino or not, it looks fantastic at night. What I also wouldn't mind is if they changed the existing "9" and "Metropolitan" signage to something more sans serif (and far more appropriate to a Breuer design) such as this rendering (but that's just a one-time comment, no need to go off-topic with it):

 

^

Does anyone know if they plan to light up the exterior of the Rotunda to highlight the architecture? It would really be a shame not to

 

Not at this time.

Not at this time.

 

You sure? The renderings given to the planning commission showed detailed uplighting on the rotunda. From the May 2nd agenda:

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/05022014/image/The_M_at_9_23.jpg

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/designreview/drcagenda/2014/05022014/index.php

$25.6 million to furnish the new county headquarters at Prospect Avenue and East 9th Street;

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2014/11/cuyahoga_county_council_delays_funding_for_pedestrian_bridge_to_lakefront.html#incart_river

 

So that's just for interior build-outs, furniture, computers, etc.? That's a big chunk of dough for that.

$25.6 million to furnish the new county headquarters at Prospect Avenue and East 9th Street;

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2014/11/cuyahoga_county_council_delays_funding_for_pedestrian_bridge_to_lakefront.html#incart_river

 

So that's just for interior build-outs, furniture, computers, etc.? That's a big chunk of dough for that.

 

Maybe they plan to have lots of the $23K conference tables like they did at the Juvenile Justice Center?  :wtf:  But still, furnishing that building came in at $4.2M

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cuyahoga-county/index.ssf/2011/03/cuyahoga_officials_criticize_pricey_furnishings_for_new_juvenile_justice_center.html

Yes!  I can't wait until Johnny Manziel and Ron Berkman team up and go on a series of goofy misdeeds and alcohol fueled escapades.

 

Cleveland State University President Ronald Berkman to move into downtown apartment

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State University President Ronald Berkman is moving to The 9, a downtown hotel and apartment complex.

 

The university has sold the president's home in Shaker Heights and will pay $3,600 a month for Berkman to live in a two-bedroom apartment in the East 9th Street building, which opened Sept. 1. The school also paid a decorator about $6,000.

 

The university will save $92,000 a year by not paying a mortgage, taxes and upkeep on the Eaton Road home, said spokesman Rob Spademan.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/12/johnny_manziels_new_neighbor_a.html#incart_river

I know there are quite a few empty nesters already living downtown but higher profile moves like Berkman may make a few more consider downtown who wouldn't have before.

^^$3,600/month for a 2 BR?  ... Yes, Martha, downtown Cleveland has indeed arrived.

^^$3,600/month for a 2 BR?  ... Yes, Martha, downtown Cleveland has indeed arrived.

 

I'm pretty sure that's a large unit, even if it does have only two bedrooms. And I believe that's near the top of the building.

^But the fact that that even exists is a change from not that long ago. Which is crazy.

Crazy? How many square feet are we walking about?

 

Besides, it's a toe in the water of a potentially much deeper market.

$3600 is still quite high in this market.  I think most developers are still marketing toward millenials that can shell out modest rents (900-1300) with some sprinkling of a high rent space here and there.  Cleveland has not arrrived yet in the sense thaht someone can build a luxuary apartment tower with 150 units renting at above $3000.  JMHO.

Crazy? How many square feet are we walking about?

 

Besides, it's a toe in the water of a potentially much deeper market.

 

Crazy wasn't a reference to the square footage, it was a reference to the fact that there is a highrise that had been threatened to be torn down but was instead converted to a multi-use project that is in high demand, has units that can realistically fetch $3600/month (or a lot more), and is just one of many conversions happening in the area. Ten years ago someone would have laughed if you suggested a unit at the Breuer tower would ask and receive $3600/month.

Some units are priced much higher than $3600

 

 

The apartments in the Breuer tower are more than 90 percent leased, Greg Geis said, while the smaller units in the 1010 building are 75 percent leased. Some of the first apartments to go were the 3,000-square-foot units at the top of the tower, which rent for $5,995 a month.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/09/first_look_at_the_9_project_in.html

Crazy wasn't a reference to the square footage, it was a reference to the fact that there is a highrise that had been threatened to be torn down but was instead converted to a multi-use project that is in high demand, has units that can realistically fetch $3600/month (or a lot more), and is just one of many conversions happening in the area. Ten years ago someone would have laughed if you suggested a unit at the Breuer tower would ask and receive $3600/month.

 

I get that. Crazy is if $3,600 was the market rate for a 1,000-square-foot apartment. It's not crazy is if $3,600 is for a 4,000-square-foot 2BR unit with lots of space for entertaining guests, etc. like some of the penthouse units at the Pinnacle (albeit a condo: http://tinyurl.com/kf59qj8 or see photo below). If the market is $1.50 per square foot, that requires subsidies to develop downtown (as it has). If the market is $3 to $4 per square foot, then the market alone can easily support new residential construction without subsidies. We're still not there yet, but getting closer.

 

That's why a rental or purchase amount is a bit hollow without knowing the square footage.

 

^Based on the website I believe it's one of the ones that's around 2000 square feet.

Thanks. OK, so we're talking about $1.80 per square foot. When it passes $2 per square foot, then THAT'S a huge threshhold for being able to win financing without subsidies to build new residential. Close, but not yet....

From searching for apartments earlier this year and recently checking The 9 website, they're asking $2/sf for all units in the tower. The smaller boutique suites in the 1010 building are $1.75/sf.

The signs are up for the downtown #cle @Heinens It's getting real.

 

I think they indicated a spring opening? Why am I getting nervous about this location. I want it to work sooo baddd. I just hope they are in it for the long haul. If things are slow in the first 6 months, I hope no one panics. This urban thing is new for Heinens I just hope they have the right people in place to make it work. We have talked about the need for this to be more than a grocery store but a community space. Something needs to be happening every night with cooking classes, wine tastings, meet-ups, special events with celebrity chefs and book signings etc...This store is a game changer,  I need to stop worrying...

The signs are up for the downtown #cle @Heinens It's getting real.

 

I think they indicated a spring opening? Why am I getting nervous about this location. I want it to work sooo baddd. I just hope they are in it for the long haul. If things are slow in the first 6 months, I hope no one panics. This urban thing is new for Heinens I just hope they have the right people in place to make it work. We have talked about the need for this to be more than a grocery store but a community space. Something needs to be happening every night with cooking classes, wine tastings, meet-ups, special events with celebrity chefs and book signings etc...This store is a game changer,  I need to stop worrying...

 

Stop worrying. The target opening date is February 22nd. And Heinen's isn't going to expect to make money on this store right away. The Hudson stores went in the red for years before it became profitable and I'm not sure the Chicago stores are even at that point yet. The profit margins for grocery stores are very thin, and so they know that being successful is a long process. It's going to take some time, perhaps years, but it will be successful and they have the patience to wait it out.

I wonder what hours they will keep

I wonder what hours they will keep

 

Hopefully they'll diverge from the standard 8am-8:30pm (8am-6pm on Sunday) hours. I'd like to see a 10pm closing time, if not later.

I lived in Hudson when Heinens opened their fantastic, boutique-sized Village Market there. So relatively slow it seemed for first year or so (hard to steal away the many fulk size Giant Eagle/fuel perks devotees) that they actually gave frequent shoppers (who spent so many $ in a specific time period) up to $100 in free groceries at the end of the promo if I recal (at GE you got a  turkey, etc...)  Crazy way to buy loyalty, but it seems to have worked. Wonder if they will have to try similar tactics downtown? Hope not.

I lived in Hudson when Heinens opened their fantastic, boutique-sized Village Market there. So relatively slow it seemed for first year or so (hard to steal away the many fulk size Giant Eagle/fuel perks devotees) that they actually gave frequent shoppers (who spent so many $ in a specific time period) up to $100 in free groceries at the end of the promo if I recal (at GE you got a  turkey, etc...)  Crazy way to buy loyalty, but it seems to have worked. Wonder if they will have to try similar tactics downtown? Hope not.

 

There was a lot more that went into turning around that store than just that promo

Well, to me, the Hudson Heinen's is the perfect grocery store... I hope what was learned there can aid the downtown store, which will seemingly have a different mix and mission (and clientele)  than other CLE area Heinen's locations.

Well, to me, the Hudson Heinen's is the perfect grocery store... I hope what was learned there can aid the downtown store, which will seemingly have a different mix and mission (and clientele)  than other CLE area Heinen's locations.

 

Heinen's seems very adaptable in terms of location/climate mix, and I have no doubt their downtown store will be no less than excellent -- just like every Heinen's I've ever been in.

if anything says long proven quality and commited, it's heinens. lets just keep getting more and more residential going to help them along. it's just the kind of move that will help inspire other sitting on the fence retail businesses to come downtown.

I think downtown is a safer bet to make money quicker higher margin items like the preprepared food and alcohol should have a large built in demand base with lunch workers and young apartment dwellers

Walked past the rotunda and snapped a couple pics of the interior work

Awesome detective work! Sneaky!!

^^That looks awesome... getting excited.

Wow, that looks very high end. Really doing that space justice. I am more confident now.

Just an interesting tidbit, the signs on Heinen's say Equal Exchange Espresso Bar. The only other one of these in the country is Seattle, along with an Equal Exchange Cafe in Boston. Neat! http://equalexchange.coop/about/our-cafes

Just an interesting tidbit, the signs on Heinen's say Equal Exchange Espresso Bar. The only other one of these in the country is Seattle, along with an Equal Exchange Cafe in Boston. Neat! http://equalexchange.coop/about/our-cafes

 

Would be even more awesome if Heinen's could partner with Chicago's Intelligentsia Coffee for the espresso bar.  Heinen's is one of the few spots outside of Intelligentsia's own stores in Chicago, NYC and LA where you can purchase Intelligentsia's coffee.  My espresso machine is always filled with Intelligentsia's Black Cat Blend!  Perhaps something along the lines of Intelligentsia's spot in the High Line Hotel... 

^

If wishes were horses,

Beggars would ride.

If turnips were bayonets,

I'd wear one by my side.

 

If, ifs and ands were pots and pans,

ther'd be no need for tinkers hands.

If, ifs and buts were candy and nuts,

we’d all have a merry Christmas.

 

:)

 

Just an interesting tidbit, the signs on Heinen's say Equal Exchange Espresso Bar. The only other one of these in the country is Seattle, along with an Equal Exchange Cafe in Boston. Neat! http://equalexchange.coop/about/our-cafes

 

Would be even more awesome if Heinen's could partner with Chicago's Intelligentsia Coffee for the espresso bar.  Heinen's is one of the few spots outside of Intelligentsia's own stores in Chicago, NYC and LA where you can purchase Intelligentsia's coffee.  My espresso machine is always filled with Intelligentsia's Black Cat Blend!  Perhaps something along the lines of Intelligentsia's spot in the High Line Hotel... 

 

They do online sales too, FWIW.

It's all wonderful, in every way, except one little tidbit:  many people who work downtown or who come there for business, and probably a good share of Greater Clevelanders, still want to purchase their heavy loads of grocerites and walk right out to the large, open parking lot with the bags

A workman last Friday also confirmed to me, with confidence, they are still planning to open in February.  I asked if there's a date and he said "probably late February."

 

It's all wonderful, in every way, except one little tidbit:  many people who work downtown or who come there for business, and probably a good share of Greater Clevelanders, still want to purchase their heavy loads of grocerites and walk right out to the large, open parking lot with the bags

A workman last Friday also confirmed to me, with confidence, they are still planning to open in February.  I asked if there's a date and he said "probably late February."

 

 

Maybe, of course you can't take shopping carts into the parking lot at any Heinens store; they have a pick-up lane where they load your car for free.  My understanding is that they'll offer this same service downtown, and will also have valet parking.

It's all wonderful, in every way, except one little tidbit:  many people who work downtown or who come there for business, and probably a good share of Greater Clevelanders, still want to purchase their heavy loads of grocerites and walk right out to the large, open parking lot with the bags

A workman last Friday also confirmed to me, with confidence, they are still planning to open in February.  I asked if there's a date and he said "probably late February."

 

 

I was told February 22nd by someone at Heinen's Corporate.

I think we've already covered the parking ground pretty thoroughly upthread. There's no doubt this store format is a bit of a risk for Heinens, but by all accounts they're fully aware. The store doesn't have to be all things to all people to survive and we'll know in a few years if enough people are willing to shop there.

I'm certain their business plan does not anticipate a significant amount of office workers taking bags of groceries home.  I suspect their business plan was developed based on the downtown residential population usage.  The items they will carry in this store like most urban stores will be geared more towards residents with smaller living space and the need for a 24 pack of paper towels wont be practical.  If they get some office business that will be gravy but they are smart business people and aren't counting on that.  Cleveland is becoming a real urban place and people will have to do things differently like take a taxi to shop in place of pulling a huge open parking lot.  That is exactly why people chose to live downtown so they can walk or take a taxi to the store.