Renovations for the 1916 Templin Bradley Company building, 5700 Detroit Avenue, are nearing completion, with 30 new apartments that will be available for move-in as early as July 1.

"It's on the eastern edge of Gordon Square Arts District," says Greg Baron, housing director for the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO). "We really trying extend the district out further east and west, so this is our first major project in that section of the neighborhood."

All units are currently leasing. They include nine one- and 21 two-bedroom units, although four of the spaces are two-story live/work units, for which square footages range from 1,500 to 1,900. The other units go from 690- to 950-square-feet. Fifteen of the apartments are priced at market rate and 15 are designated affordable, which was a condition for part of the project's funding. Those leasing the affordable units must fall within a certain income level. Monthly rents go from $500 to $1,100.

The fruition of the Templin Bradley Lofts represents a trifecta win for the city by hitting three development goals: adaptive reuse, historic preservation and mixed-income housing. The $8 million project was financed by a complex array of sources, including federal and state historic tax credits, a low income housing tax credit through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), a $600,000 loan from the City of Cleveland's Housing Trust Fund, a $500,000 OHFA Housing Development Assistance Program grant and a permanent mortgage.

"We're the developer and the owner," notes Baron of the DSCDO project.

DSCDO purchased the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 2014 for $210,000. Long vacant, it previously housed a wire manufacturing company. Construction on the new lofts began in June 2014. Marous Brothers Construction was both the general contractor and architect on the project. Coral Management will manage the building.

The building features secure indoor parking, views of downtown and the lake, and a convenient Gordon Square location with access to Edgewater Park via the West 65^th Street pedestrian.

Perhaps most unique, however, will be the installations around the building's green space.

"On the front lawn, they're going to replicate the original test garden for Templin Bradley Seed Company," says Baron. "We're going to have a historic marker out front as well as a piece of public art."

"Garden Mirrors" is a 22-foot-high stainless steel pole with sculpturally re-purposed security mirrors that face down, not unlike flower petals. The artist and fabricator is Steve O'Hearn. The installation will allow passers-by to enjoy the garden, which is a living nod to the building's rich history, from the street.

"The idea is to bring the beauty of the front lawn garden onto Detroit Avenue and the Gordon Square Arts District," says Baron.

On June 25 from 4 to 7 p.m., the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization will host a ribbon cutting and open house at the new Templin Bradley Lofts. Until then, persons interested in lease information may call the Coral Management Company's Gordon Square office at 216.635.0130.