When Knez Homes broke ground last spring on the first phase of Breakwater Bluffs (high-end townhomes on the shores of Lake Erie at W. 58th Street and Breakwater Boulevard), the Gordon Square Arts District was just coming into the spotlight as one of Cleveland’s hot new redeveloped neighborhoods.

A little more than a year after construction began, Breakwater Bluffs completed phase one about two months ago—featuring five traditional homes (known as The Bluffs) and nine townhomes (known as Skyline). According to Bo Knez, the first homeowners began moving in at the end of 2017; all of the traditional homes have now sold, and all but two of the Skyline townhome units have sold.

“Everything was pre-sold before it was completed,” Knez says. “The Vista units [in phase two] are just going vertical now, and we just put them on the market.”

Phase two’s Vista units have two bedrooms and a bonus room; range between 2,139 and 2,189 square feet; and include a deck. Knez says the three-story homes will sell in the low $400,000 range. All units in the development feature Energy Star-rated stainless steel appliances, two car garages, and a 15-year tax abatement.

Knez says Breakwater Bluffs’ many amenities in the $10 million project have drawn homeowners to the area, as well as the neighborhood’s ever-growing offerings in thriving Detroit Shoreway and Gordon Square.

“On 58^th Street, you have unobstructed views of the downtown skyline, and, basically, you can walk out your front door and have access to the Towpath,” Knez says. “And through the viaducts, you have access to Edgewater [Beach], the marina, and Whiskey Island. If you’ve seen Edgewater lately, it’s amazing what the Metroparks has done.”

Knez, who grew up in Cleveland, says he is pleased to see underutilized former industrial land being transformed into new, vibrant developments. “I’ve seen it go from a good area to a not-so-good area, and now it seems to be better and better,” he says. “I just think it’s a great thing for Cleveland.”