I am considering moving my business to the city to Cleveland from Mentor to be closer home in Cleveland Heights.  We need 5000-10000 sq ft of office space and 1000+ office space.  Have some funds available for rehab, but the building must have good bones.

 

We would prefer to be in an area that is stable or on the rise.  Near east or west side preferred.  Does anyone know of any vacant property or parcel of land that might meet these requirements?  This is a wholesale operation, so visibiliy/foot traffic is not needed.

 

I know that a commercial realtor could help, but getting advice from someone without a financial interest in pushing a property would be nice.

There are a few properties on Lorain just west of the West Side Market that might work. Ohio City Near West Development Corp (the neighborhood CDC) would probably have info on these and other properties. Lots of great places near by for lunch or a drink after work!

I'd take a stroll, or drive, down East 40th St and some of the intersecting streets between Chester and Lakeside and down Lakeside Ave and Hamilton from the East 30's to East 55th  All of that is on the near east side, close to Cleveland's main asian neighborhood, and close to Downtown.  If you look at Google Earth, or any aerial photo website, you can get a pretty good idea of where all the old factories are.

 

Also, you should look into Tyler Village-it's at Superior and about East 38th, in the same basic neighborhood I've suggested.  It's an entire complex being done in the manner you're interested in.  We have a thread on it here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4058.0.html and someone affiliated with it is an active forumer on this board.

 

edit- also check out Superior Ave between East 18th and the Innerbelt- that's got some amazing old industrial loft space as well, and is very close to (or in depending on how you want to define it) Downtown.

+1 on Tyler Village.  Could be a perfect fit.

That area east of downtown, either in Asiatown or near it, certainly is a target-rich environment when it comes to brick warehouses! The toughest thing might be trying to choose which one is best. You should also contact the councilman for that area -- Joe Cimperman as well as the St. Clair-Superior Community Development Corp. Cimperman is very energetic! He and the CDC can give you some insights on which warehouses might work, and what city incentives and programs might be available to assist you. If anything, it's wise to let the Cleveland councilperson and the CDC know what you are looking for in their given area. Most don't meddle, but they do like to know who's coming and going.

cdogz.  There are various programs through the City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development that will assist with something like this and possibly offer incentives.  The neighborhood CDC's and councilman should also be helpful in directing you as well, but keep in mind that Cleveland has various incentive programs in the forms of grants and loans that would be beneficial to know about. 

 

Some of them are listed on this page from the city's website.

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Business/BusinessResources/LoansGrants

 

You can pm me if you need a contact in the department of Economic Development. 

^ Yes, I second contacting the City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development. They have resources to lend and refer you to some good potential sites.

Although I have no real suggestions, I would love to work at an office in Ohio City and be so close to the West Side Market, Great Lakes Brewery, etc for lunch and happy hour!

I just sent you a PM (I think, let me know if you did not receive it).  I highly recommend having representation.  Signing a lease or buying property is a complex transaction and it only benefits to have representation (not to mention that landlords and sellers pay commission, not tenants and buyers).  I can't tell you how many times I have seen a lease and just by looking at it could tell that the tenant did not have representation.

there is a building at 58th and Herman, looks like it might fit the bill, it is in the same neighborhood as Battery park.

 

google maps

 

58th and herman cleveland ohio

 

then do a street view....you can see the Available sign on the building.

"I know that a commercial realtor could help, but getting advice from someone without a financial interest in pushing a property would be nice."

 

We do have a standing rule on the forum that anyone offering a service (such as realtors) should fully disclose who they are or the company they work for. We don't discourage or prohibit legitimate offers of assistance, but we do ask that everyone exercises common sense (no spamming, etc.) It just keeps everything on the up and up.

 

That said, CorySnyder (who has told us he's with Allegro Realty) does make a good point - especially if this is your first time looking for property to rehab. Let us know how everything turns out :-)

Thank you to everyone that has offered advice and information in our search. 

 

We are a growing high tech company that has been in business for 30 years.  We believe the in the future of this area and want to be a part of Cleveland's rightful place as a great place to work and live.  I will keep everyone posted on our progress.  Thanks again!

Thanks for letting us help you to whatever extent we did. We look forward to hearing about your continued success.