Design + Build
When we last checked in with real estate developer Howard Grandon, he was kicking off renovations of a 9,000-square-foot Detroit Shoreway building into four apartments and five retail spaces. The structure, which had housed an illicit nightclub called "Cheerios," sat vacant for seven-plus years before he bought it.
That was then, this is now. Although it's taken him longer than he anticipated, two and a half years later the results are plain. Grandon's building offers some of the most creatively-designed small apartments in Cleveland, a trend that's catching on in major cities.
"Because we were working with green, repurposed materials, we had to fabricate everything. It was more expensive than we anticipated," he says. "That happens in real estate."
It was worth the wait. Grandon himself moved into the building, occupying one of the light-filled apartments overlooking the Gordon Square streetscape. His suite includes a clever nook for his bed, spacious walk-in closet, huge kitchen with a countertop built for entertaining, and exposed spiral ductwork that hugs the ceiling. He has a bathroom straight out of Dwell magazine, including a European-style toilet with hidden plumbing and a glass-walled shower with subway tile.
The apartments, which are all similarly designed, rent for about $850 per month. The rates are about 25 percent cheaper than downtown, and two of the four are occupied. Grandon has completed a third, and the fourth will be ready this year.
Grandon's project also features many green, sustainable features. The wood floors in the units are built from an old parquet floor reclaimed from a gym. Come spring, he'll create unique planters out of old chemistry lab sinks he bought on Lorain Ave.
Grandon says that he's tapping into a small-is-beautiful movement that's popular in our post-recession world. "People are interested in having less possessions and living more efficiently," he says, pointing to huge kitchen counters that make dining room tables redundant and murphy beds that drop from the walls.
Perhaps the most radical feature of Grandon's units is that there are no walls except for the closets and bathrooms. It makes 800 square feet feel entirely liveable.
Grandon's next step is to begin renovating the storefronts. To do that, however, he needs to find willing entrepreneurs who are also bankable. Stay tuned for the next installment in our series covering this creative entrepreneur's endeavors.
Source: Howard Grandon
Writer: Lee Chilcote
That was then, this is now. Although it's taken him longer than he anticipated, two and a half years later the results are plain. Grandon's building offers some of the most creatively-designed small apartments in Cleveland, a trend that's catching on in major cities.
"Because we were working with green, repurposed materials, we had to fabricate everything. It was more expensive than we anticipated," he says. "That happens in real estate."
It was worth the wait. Grandon himself moved into the building, occupying one of the light-filled apartments overlooking the Gordon Square streetscape. His suite includes a clever nook for his bed, spacious walk-in closet, huge kitchen with a countertop built for entertaining, and exposed spiral ductwork that hugs the ceiling. He has a bathroom straight out of Dwell magazine, including a European-style toilet with hidden plumbing and a glass-walled shower with subway tile.
The apartments, which are all similarly designed, rent for about $850 per month. The rates are about 25 percent cheaper than downtown, and two of the four are occupied. Grandon has completed a third, and the fourth will be ready this year.
Grandon's project also features many green, sustainable features. The wood floors in the units are built from an old parquet floor reclaimed from a gym. Come spring, he'll create unique planters out of old chemistry lab sinks he bought on Lorain Ave.
Grandon says that he's tapping into a small-is-beautiful movement that's popular in our post-recession world. "People are interested in having less possessions and living more efficiently," he says, pointing to huge kitchen counters that make dining room tables redundant and murphy beds that drop from the walls.
Perhaps the most radical feature of Grandon's units is that there are no walls except for the closets and bathrooms. It makes 800 square feet feel entirely liveable.
Grandon's next step is to begin renovating the storefronts. To do that, however, he needs to find willing entrepreneurs who are also bankable. Stay tuned for the next installment in our series covering this creative entrepreneur's endeavors.
Source: Howard Grandon
Writer: Lee Chilcote
As the number of cyclists and pedestrians on the near west side grows and car traffic remains relatively flat, urban planners are giving several streets a "road diet" to make them friendlier for bikers and walkers while still accessible to drivers.
The result will be some of the city's first model green streets.
"We're starting to create all this connectivity," says Ward 15 Councilman Matt Zone, who has helped push green initiatives through city hall, including the "complete and green streets" legislation that passed last year. "The city is realizing they have to accept and build out and incorporate all modes of transportation."
So what does a "road diet" look like? The recently-completed plan for W. 65th Street between Denison Avenue and the lakefront shows curb bumpouts with additional landscaping, striped sharrows for road riders, and a 10-foot-wide multimodal path for peds and cyclists who prefer not to ride in the street.
If the pretty pictures become a reality -- a process that will take several years and require an application to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for millions in federal dollars -- it could result in a "healthier" street that better connects the investments happening in near west side neighborhoods.
"This is the main north-south thoroughfare between West Boulevard and W. 25th," says Zone. "We can build off the momentum we've created here. You'll eventually be able to bike from Edgewater Beach to the zoo via W. 65th."
Among the assets in the area, Zone cited the Gordon Square Arts District, the new Max Hayes High School scheduled to break ground this year, the EcoVillage, major employers and eight schools. The W. 65th project will cost about $6 million.
Most importantly, Zone says, streetscape projects like the W. 65th Street re-do make roads safer for kids who walk to school and families without access to a car.
Other green-street projects on the near west side include bike lanes on Detroit Avenue (which will be striped this spring), the planned Train Avenue corridor greenway, the creation of bike lanes on W. 41st and 44th streets in Ohio City (to be completed this year), a new streetscape for Denison Avenue (a few years away) and a planning process for Lorain Avenue (launching this month).
The West 65th Street corridor study was completed by Environmental Design Group, which has offices in both Cleveland and Akron.
Source: Matt Zone
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The result will be some of the city's first model green streets.
"We're starting to create all this connectivity," says Ward 15 Councilman Matt Zone, who has helped push green initiatives through city hall, including the "complete and green streets" legislation that passed last year. "The city is realizing they have to accept and build out and incorporate all modes of transportation."
So what does a "road diet" look like? The recently-completed plan for W. 65th Street between Denison Avenue and the lakefront shows curb bumpouts with additional landscaping, striped sharrows for road riders, and a 10-foot-wide multimodal path for peds and cyclists who prefer not to ride in the street.
If the pretty pictures become a reality -- a process that will take several years and require an application to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for millions in federal dollars -- it could result in a "healthier" street that better connects the investments happening in near west side neighborhoods.
"This is the main north-south thoroughfare between West Boulevard and W. 25th," says Zone. "We can build off the momentum we've created here. You'll eventually be able to bike from Edgewater Beach to the zoo via W. 65th."
Among the assets in the area, Zone cited the Gordon Square Arts District, the new Max Hayes High School scheduled to break ground this year, the EcoVillage, major employers and eight schools. The W. 65th project will cost about $6 million.
Most importantly, Zone says, streetscape projects like the W. 65th Street re-do make roads safer for kids who walk to school and families without access to a car.
Other green-street projects on the near west side include bike lanes on Detroit Avenue (which will be striped this spring), the planned Train Avenue corridor greenway, the creation of bike lanes on W. 41st and 44th streets in Ohio City (to be completed this year), a new streetscape for Denison Avenue (a few years away) and a planning process for Lorain Avenue (launching this month).
The West 65th Street corridor study was completed by Environmental Design Group, which has offices in both Cleveland and Akron.
Source: Matt Zone
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The Ohio City developer who successfully turned around the long-struggling block of buildings on W. 25th Street north of Bridge Avenue is turning his attention to two big new real estate projects.
Tom Gillespie, who also owns Gillespie Environmental Technologies, is starting work this month on turning the gutted former Jay Hotel into market-rate apartments. He also recently purchased the shuttered building at 2030 W. 25th Street south of Lorain Avenue that once housed Club Argos.
The Jay Hotel, which was slated to be turned into condos by developer Gordon Priemer before the recession took him out of the game, will benefit from state and federal historic tax credits, funding from the City of Cleveland's vacant properties initiative, and a loan from nonprofit lender Village Capital Corporation. Gillespie says it will house eight apartments and 6,000 square feet of commercial space.
"I want to see it done by the end of 2014," he says. "We bought the mortgage three or four years ago, and it went through foreclosure. It took a long time. The weather started to affect the building, so we also had to do some stabilization."
Suffice it to say that the building will be in tip-top shape by the time renters move in sometime next year. The total leveraged investment will be about $2.6 million.
Gillespie also recently finished renovating the old Near West Woodworks building on W. 25th and Jay into three commercial spaces. The once-blockaded front of the building has been opened up with welcoming storefront windows. Elegansia moved there last year, and a high-end salon will move in later this year.
The bullish developer says he plans to restore 2030 W. 25th using Cleveland's Storefront Renovation Program. He's trying to attract another high-quality food retailer -- possibly a donut shop -- or "anyone who's a good fit." Gillespie promises "something that's market-driven" and fits in with the street's redevelopment.
The developments will fill some of the few remaining empty spaces on the West 25th checkerboard, which now has an occupancy rate of nearly 100 percent.
Source: Tom Gillespie
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Tom Gillespie, who also owns Gillespie Environmental Technologies, is starting work this month on turning the gutted former Jay Hotel into market-rate apartments. He also recently purchased the shuttered building at 2030 W. 25th Street south of Lorain Avenue that once housed Club Argos.
The Jay Hotel, which was slated to be turned into condos by developer Gordon Priemer before the recession took him out of the game, will benefit from state and federal historic tax credits, funding from the City of Cleveland's vacant properties initiative, and a loan from nonprofit lender Village Capital Corporation. Gillespie says it will house eight apartments and 6,000 square feet of commercial space.
"I want to see it done by the end of 2014," he says. "We bought the mortgage three or four years ago, and it went through foreclosure. It took a long time. The weather started to affect the building, so we also had to do some stabilization."
Suffice it to say that the building will be in tip-top shape by the time renters move in sometime next year. The total leveraged investment will be about $2.6 million.
Gillespie also recently finished renovating the old Near West Woodworks building on W. 25th and Jay into three commercial spaces. The once-blockaded front of the building has been opened up with welcoming storefront windows. Elegansia moved there last year, and a high-end salon will move in later this year.
The bullish developer says he plans to restore 2030 W. 25th using Cleveland's Storefront Renovation Program. He's trying to attract another high-quality food retailer -- possibly a donut shop -- or "anyone who's a good fit." Gillespie promises "something that's market-driven" and fits in with the street's redevelopment.
The developments will fill some of the few remaining empty spaces on the West 25th checkerboard, which now has an occupancy rate of nearly 100 percent.
Source: Tom Gillespie
Writer: Lee Chilcote
huffpo discusses vacant school building uses
In a Huffington Post report titled “Cities have hundreds of empty schools,” Philip Elliott writes of the nation’s largest cities struggling to sell valuable property while still incurring costs to keep them secure while empty.
Elliot notes that Cleveland already has found uses for 25 former buildings, bulldozed seven other buildings to turn into parks, but still has 27 additional properties up for grabs.
“The number of idle buildings does not include properties that the districts are holding on to but are not using. Cleveland, for instance, kept several buildings at the ready to fill in for others they plan to renovate in the future, officials there said.”
Read the full report here.
Elliot notes that Cleveland already has found uses for 25 former buildings, bulldozed seven other buildings to turn into parks, but still has 27 additional properties up for grabs.
“The number of idle buildings does not include properties that the districts are holding on to but are not using. Cleveland, for instance, kept several buildings at the ready to fill in for others they plan to renovate in the future, officials there said.”
Read the full report here.
cleveland named by msn as 1 of 10 coolest cities in the midwest
In an MSN slideshow titled “10 coolest cities in the Midwest,” Chelsea Lin proclaims our fair city of Cleveland as one of them due to its musical history and art. Oddly enough, nothing about the phenomenal dining scene is mentioned as a factor of coolness.
In proclaiming what’s cool: “There’s more than just rock ’n’ roll culture at play. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland’s brand-new mirrored digs, is a lesson in modern art itself, a stunning piece of interesting architecture.”
Read the full blurb and check out the other cities on the list here.
In proclaiming what’s cool: “There’s more than just rock ’n’ roll culture at play. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland’s brand-new mirrored digs, is a lesson in modern art itself, a stunning piece of interesting architecture.”
Read the full blurb and check out the other cities on the list here.
Heights Arts ' executive director Peggy Spaeth is retiring, but that doesn't mean the nonprofit community arts organization will be taking it easy along with her.
The group currently is searching for a replacement for Spaeth, who helped found Heights Arts in 2000 and has led the organization ever since. Since late January, the group has received 40 responses from those hoping to carry on the "creative renaissance" that Spaeth launched over a decade ago, says Heights Arts' board president Sharon Grossman.
"We're just starting the process," says Grossman. "We would like to hire someone by late spring."
Spaeth will stay on board during the hiring period and help train the new executive director after the appointment takes place. The outgoing director said the decision to leave was made out of a desire to pursue other interests.
"We don't want to lose her, but this is an all-encompassing job," Grossman says.
It was also a job that Spaeth did well, adds the board president. As director, she brought public art projects to city streets and chamber music concerts to local living rooms. In 2011, Spaeth oversaw expansion of the Heights Arts Gallery on Lee Road, growing its floorspace and successfully stretching the organization's reach into the community.
"Peggy has great drive and an ability to see the big picture," says Grossman.
Spaeth established important relationships with local artists, also reaching out to public figures -- among them Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley and Cleveland Cinemas owner Jonathan Forman -- capable of supporting these artists.
Heights' Arts next leader will have challenges ahead, but the transition doesn't have to be rough.
"That person will have a chance to put their own stamp on the organization," says Grossman. "Change can be good."
SOURCE: Sharon Grossman
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
The group currently is searching for a replacement for Spaeth, who helped found Heights Arts in 2000 and has led the organization ever since. Since late January, the group has received 40 responses from those hoping to carry on the "creative renaissance" that Spaeth launched over a decade ago, says Heights Arts' board president Sharon Grossman.
"We're just starting the process," says Grossman. "We would like to hire someone by late spring."
Spaeth will stay on board during the hiring period and help train the new executive director after the appointment takes place. The outgoing director said the decision to leave was made out of a desire to pursue other interests.
"We don't want to lose her, but this is an all-encompassing job," Grossman says.
It was also a job that Spaeth did well, adds the board president. As director, she brought public art projects to city streets and chamber music concerts to local living rooms. In 2011, Spaeth oversaw expansion of the Heights Arts Gallery on Lee Road, growing its floorspace and successfully stretching the organization's reach into the community.
"Peggy has great drive and an ability to see the big picture," says Grossman.
Spaeth established important relationships with local artists, also reaching out to public figures -- among them Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley and Cleveland Cinemas owner Jonathan Forman -- capable of supporting these artists.
Heights' Arts next leader will have challenges ahead, but the transition doesn't have to be rough.
"That person will have a chance to put their own stamp on the organization," says Grossman. "Change can be good."
SOURCE: Sharon Grossman
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
fast co. looks at tech behind cma's gallery one
In a Fast Company piece titled “Local Projects and The Cleveland Museum of Art Use New Tech to Connect the Classics,” Cliff King explains the technological aspects behind the new Gallery One exhibit at the Museum and the role company Local Projects played in its development.
"Museums must compete for attention in a second-screen world," writes King in this richly illustrated feature. "One venue embracing the challenge is the Cleveland Museum of Art, which worked with Local Projects to design new interactive galleries."
Items of note:
A 40-foot screen displays every piece in the museum. When a work is touched, an iris opens to highlight broader relationships. You can then drag works to a provided iPad to create a custom tour.
By holding an iPad up to certain pieces, you’re presented with an overlay of information. Your focus remains directed on the art, not down at a plaque.
Check out the full story here.
"Museums must compete for attention in a second-screen world," writes King in this richly illustrated feature. "One venue embracing the challenge is the Cleveland Museum of Art, which worked with Local Projects to design new interactive galleries."
Items of note:
A 40-foot screen displays every piece in the museum. When a work is touched, an iris opens to highlight broader relationships. You can then drag works to a provided iPad to create a custom tour.
By holding an iPad up to certain pieces, you’re presented with an overlay of information. Your focus remains directed on the art, not down at a plaque.
Check out the full story here.
Will Tarter, Jr. stands out as a leader among Cleveland’s young professional community. As the charismatic head of the Cleveland Young Professional Senate, he champions causes and issues that impact this highly in-demand demographic, not to mention the long-term well-being of Cleveland.
Rene Polin founded his design consulting firm, Balance Inc., in Chagrin Falls. Yet as he grew, he felt cut off from creative opportunities in Cleveland. In October, he moved his eight-person, nine-year-old firm to 5,500 square feet of open, custom-built office space in the Tyler Village complex in St. Clair Superior.
"Tyler was the most interesting space we found," he says. "It had great character, an incredibly open floor plan and high ceilings. There was the opportunity to build the space exactly our way as well as to build a physical workshop for prototyping."
"Our offices in Chagrin Falls were a little formal, and we're really pretty informal," he adds. "This space is great because it allows us to run around a little more freely."
Polin has also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know his neighbors at Tyler Village, a place he describes as having the amenities of an industrial park, but "so much cooler." It's also a perk that food trucks regularly show up at chow time.
"The Tyler folks are genuinely interested in bringing forward-thinking companies into the space," he says. "They reach out to companies that are bringing something new. There's a certain vibe and energy you can’t find a lot of other places."
Balance Inc. is one of those forward-thinking companies. Polin, an East Cleveland native, majored in Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Balance works on products like Dirt Devil vacuum cleaners and Ninja kitchen gear.
When the work gets boring -- which we imagine rarely happens -- employees can now find inspiration simply in staring out the window. "We have a straight shot to the north, so we get some pretty incredible sky views. It's a pretty good vista."
Source: Rene Polin
Writer: Lee Chilcote
"Tyler was the most interesting space we found," he says. "It had great character, an incredibly open floor plan and high ceilings. There was the opportunity to build the space exactly our way as well as to build a physical workshop for prototyping."
"Our offices in Chagrin Falls were a little formal, and we're really pretty informal," he adds. "This space is great because it allows us to run around a little more freely."
Polin has also enjoyed the opportunity to get to know his neighbors at Tyler Village, a place he describes as having the amenities of an industrial park, but "so much cooler." It's also a perk that food trucks regularly show up at chow time.
"The Tyler folks are genuinely interested in bringing forward-thinking companies into the space," he says. "They reach out to companies that are bringing something new. There's a certain vibe and energy you can’t find a lot of other places."
Balance Inc. is one of those forward-thinking companies. Polin, an East Cleveland native, majored in Industrial Design at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Balance works on products like Dirt Devil vacuum cleaners and Ninja kitchen gear.
When the work gets boring -- which we imagine rarely happens -- employees can now find inspiration simply in staring out the window. "We have a straight shot to the north, so we get some pretty incredible sky views. It's a pretty good vista."
Source: Rene Polin
Writer: Lee Chilcote
Animatopoeia – currently on view at the Galleries at CSU – might be one of the most oddly compelling art exhibits to land here in some time. Subtitled "A Most Peculiar (Post Modern) Bestiary," the mixed-media works by international artists explore animal imagery as it relates to an obscure list of categories. Here's a sneak peek.
4 Walls, a Cleveland designer and manufacturer of digital wall coverings for residential and commercial markets, has partnered with Sherwin-Williams in a new program, SurroundDecor.
The program caters primarily to the health care, hospitality, retail and corporate markets, and features new original digital designs printed on premium recycled PVC-free material. Customers choose their designs, colors and sizes and SurroundDesign creates custom murals for their spaces.
4 Walls and Sherwin-Williams are long term partners, and SurroundDecor is a natural fit, says4 Walls founder Patrick Walker.
“We have a good and close relationship with the decor group at Sherwin Williams, and have for many years,” he says. “They are familiar with our commitment to quality in both product design and manufacturing. When we presented the program, they felt we'd be a great partner.”
Sherwin-Williams announced the program at its annual show last week. Their sales network will handle initial requests and quotes, then 4 Walls will take over. “They not only handle 100-percent of the sales process with their rep network, but they also field the incoming requests for quotes and information,” says Walker “As soon as the questions get more complex and technical -- things we like to handle and take off their plate -- they pass the calls to us. They are great to work with, and provide solid guidance regarding their needs, and those of their customers.”
Because one order can typically take between three and 12 months to complete, Walker anticipates sales in the SurroundDecor program to ramp up by second quarter of this year. “We are planning for 15 to 20 percent sales growth, and to hire one to two additional people,” Walker predicts. “This is our forecast, and is certainly achievable. Getting there will of course depend on both the overall economy and the trends in our industry. As always, we are cautiously optimistic.”
Source: Patrick Walker
Writer: Karin Connelly
The program caters primarily to the health care, hospitality, retail and corporate markets, and features new original digital designs printed on premium recycled PVC-free material. Customers choose their designs, colors and sizes and SurroundDesign creates custom murals for their spaces.
4 Walls and Sherwin-Williams are long term partners, and SurroundDecor is a natural fit, says4 Walls founder Patrick Walker.
“We have a good and close relationship with the decor group at Sherwin Williams, and have for many years,” he says. “They are familiar with our commitment to quality in both product design and manufacturing. When we presented the program, they felt we'd be a great partner.”
Sherwin-Williams announced the program at its annual show last week. Their sales network will handle initial requests and quotes, then 4 Walls will take over. “They not only handle 100-percent of the sales process with their rep network, but they also field the incoming requests for quotes and information,” says Walker “As soon as the questions get more complex and technical -- things we like to handle and take off their plate -- they pass the calls to us. They are great to work with, and provide solid guidance regarding their needs, and those of their customers.”
Because one order can typically take between three and 12 months to complete, Walker anticipates sales in the SurroundDecor program to ramp up by second quarter of this year. “We are planning for 15 to 20 percent sales growth, and to hire one to two additional people,” Walker predicts. “This is our forecast, and is certainly achievable. Getting there will of course depend on both the overall economy and the trends in our industry. As always, we are cautiously optimistic.”
Source: Patrick Walker
Writer: Karin Connelly
In Cleveland's green-building scene, all eyes are on two new homes -- ironically called passive homes -- that take energy efficiency to jaw-dropping extremes. We wanted to see what it's really like to live in the city's greenest homes.
Wannabe downtown Cleveland residents who are on waiting lists for the hottest apartment buildings can expect some relief soon. MRN Ltd. plans to open the Lofts at Rosetta Center, an 85-unit building at 629 Euclid Avenue, within just a few short months.
The units, which start at $715 per month for a studio and climb to $1,600 for a spacious two bedroom, began pre-leasing on January 15. MRN already has accepted deposits on several units, and the first residents are expected to move in around March 29.
During a recent preview tour with Leasing Manager Tammy Oliver, Fresh Water observed drywalled units with sleek white kitchens, open loft-style living spaces, walk-in closets and large windows offering views of Euclid Avenue and Lake Erie. The building also has an on-site fitness center and game room, laundry available on every floor, and a tucked-away breakfast and lunch spot called Sammy's.
"We used Stanley Saitowitz, a San Francisco architect with Natoma Architects, who also designed the units in our Uptown project," explains Oliver. "It's a historic renovation project with super modern interiors and really efficient living spaces."
Indeed, the sales pitch holds true. There's little wasted space in these units, which feel roomy even when the square footage says otherwise. The lack of interior hallways and the presence of big, beautiful windows add to the airy, light-flooded feel.
In addition to studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms, the building also contains loft-style units with semi-open bedrooms (a floor-to-ceiling wall offers separation).
The most heartening trend Oliver has seen is that prospective tenants are coming from outside of downtown, not MRN's other buildings. She's received calls from apartment-seekers from Chagrin Falls, Strongsville, Columbus and other cities.
"We were a little afraid of doing the downtown shuffle, where our residents move to a newer building," she says. "But we're not poaching from other buildings."
Opening new buildings should also make the market more competitive. "The rents were being raised on existing stock faster than the Cleveland employment market could keep up," she says. "We want to offer units students can afford without breaking the bank, and give professionals options so they can move up."
Interested in checking out the latest in downtown living? MRN and Downtown Cleveland Alliance are hosting an open house on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 5-7 p.m. (NOTE: This event is now sold out, according to the event organizers.)
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
The units, which start at $715 per month for a studio and climb to $1,600 for a spacious two bedroom, began pre-leasing on January 15. MRN already has accepted deposits on several units, and the first residents are expected to move in around March 29.
During a recent preview tour with Leasing Manager Tammy Oliver, Fresh Water observed drywalled units with sleek white kitchens, open loft-style living spaces, walk-in closets and large windows offering views of Euclid Avenue and Lake Erie. The building also has an on-site fitness center and game room, laundry available on every floor, and a tucked-away breakfast and lunch spot called Sammy's.
"We used Stanley Saitowitz, a San Francisco architect with Natoma Architects, who also designed the units in our Uptown project," explains Oliver. "It's a historic renovation project with super modern interiors and really efficient living spaces."
Indeed, the sales pitch holds true. There's little wasted space in these units, which feel roomy even when the square footage says otherwise. The lack of interior hallways and the presence of big, beautiful windows add to the airy, light-flooded feel.
In addition to studios, one bedrooms and two bedrooms, the building also contains loft-style units with semi-open bedrooms (a floor-to-ceiling wall offers separation).
The most heartening trend Oliver has seen is that prospective tenants are coming from outside of downtown, not MRN's other buildings. She's received calls from apartment-seekers from Chagrin Falls, Strongsville, Columbus and other cities.
"We were a little afraid of doing the downtown shuffle, where our residents move to a newer building," she says. "But we're not poaching from other buildings."
Opening new buildings should also make the market more competitive. "The rents were being raised on existing stock faster than the Cleveland employment market could keep up," she says. "We want to offer units students can afford without breaking the bank, and give professionals options so they can move up."
Interested in checking out the latest in downtown living? MRN and Downtown Cleveland Alliance are hosting an open house on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 5-7 p.m. (NOTE: This event is now sold out, according to the event organizers.)
Source: Tammy Oliver
Writer: Lee Chilcote
horseshoe casino buzzed about in usa today
In a USA Today special titled “All in: Gambling options proliferate across USA,” Matt Villano discusses the increase in casino gambling and entertainment options across the nation.
As the numerous casinos vie for entertainment dollars, many are going a step beyond slot machines and gaming tables. For example, Cleveland’s Horseshoe Casino, currently housed in the historic Higbee building, gets props for its architecture.
“Smack in the middle of the Public Square neighborhood in downtown Cleveland, the Horseshoe's claim to fame is the building in which it occupies. The Art Deco Higbee Building dates to 1931, and was the city's first department store. The building (and surrounding Tower City Center complex) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.” Villano notes.
Check out the full piece here.
As the numerous casinos vie for entertainment dollars, many are going a step beyond slot machines and gaming tables. For example, Cleveland’s Horseshoe Casino, currently housed in the historic Higbee building, gets props for its architecture.
“Smack in the middle of the Public Square neighborhood in downtown Cleveland, the Horseshoe's claim to fame is the building in which it occupies. The Art Deco Higbee Building dates to 1931, and was the city's first department store. The building (and surrounding Tower City Center complex) was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.” Villano notes.
Check out the full piece here.
Northeast Ohio has a vibrant arts and culture ecosystem, so why not let its patrons be directly involved in growing that environment?
This was a question asked by nonprofit Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) when putting to a public vote which large-scale arts or culture projects will receive funding through the organization's new Creative Culture Grants program.
Starting February 1, voters will be able to pick two winning arts projects from a list of six finalists chosen by an independent panel of arts and culture experts. The project finalists, among them a multi-media ballet led by Dancing Wheels, a multi-faceted light installation from LAND studio, and a community-wide arts collaboration between Cleveland's East and West sides, were chosen based on their creativity and prospective ability to impact thousands of Cuyahoga County residents.
"We wanted something that would be a stretch for these groups; something they may not have tried otherwise," says CAC executive director Karen Gahl-Mills.
The winning projects will get up to $150,000 each through the nonprofit's grants program. County residents can vote in two ways: Online up until 11:59 p.m. EST on February 20 or by mail until 4:30 p.m. EST February 15. Paper ballots will be available for download or by calling 216-515-8303. CAC will announce the winning projects on February 25. The chosen projects will take place between March 2013 and August 2014.
Gahl-Mills views the vote as the public's opportunity to have a real say as to where community dollars are going.
"Any of the six projects can be terrific for the region," she says. "We want the community to help make that decision."
SOURCE: Karen Gahl-Mills
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
This was a question asked by nonprofit Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) when putting to a public vote which large-scale arts or culture projects will receive funding through the organization's new Creative Culture Grants program.
Starting February 1, voters will be able to pick two winning arts projects from a list of six finalists chosen by an independent panel of arts and culture experts. The project finalists, among them a multi-media ballet led by Dancing Wheels, a multi-faceted light installation from LAND studio, and a community-wide arts collaboration between Cleveland's East and West sides, were chosen based on their creativity and prospective ability to impact thousands of Cuyahoga County residents.
"We wanted something that would be a stretch for these groups; something they may not have tried otherwise," says CAC executive director Karen Gahl-Mills.
The winning projects will get up to $150,000 each through the nonprofit's grants program. County residents can vote in two ways: Online up until 11:59 p.m. EST on February 20 or by mail until 4:30 p.m. EST February 15. Paper ballots will be available for download or by calling 216-515-8303. CAC will announce the winning projects on February 25. The chosen projects will take place between March 2013 and August 2014.
Gahl-Mills views the vote as the public's opportunity to have a real say as to where community dollars are going.
"Any of the six projects can be terrific for the region," she says. "We want the community to help make that decision."
SOURCE: Karen Gahl-Mills
WRITER: Douglas J. Guth
art daily talks up cma's tech-heavy gallery one
In an Art Daily article titled “Gallery One: A new, unique and interactive gallery opens at the Cleveland Museum of Art,” the journal highlights the level of technology and its role in art appreciation in the new exhibit.
“Throughout the space, original works of art and digital interactives engage visitors in new ways, putting curiosity, imagination and creativity at the heart of their museum experience. Innovative user-interface design and cutting-edge hardware developed exclusively for Gallery One break new ground in art museum interpretation, design and technology.”
It is certainly a break from the standard observation and appreciation of artistic pieces enjoyed in the traditional manner.
“It’s very important to us that visitors interact with real objects, rather than digital reproductions,” David Franklin is quoted in the piece. “We want visitors to look closely at original art works and to make personal connections to what they are seeing.”
Check out the full story here.
“Throughout the space, original works of art and digital interactives engage visitors in new ways, putting curiosity, imagination and creativity at the heart of their museum experience. Innovative user-interface design and cutting-edge hardware developed exclusively for Gallery One break new ground in art museum interpretation, design and technology.”
It is certainly a break from the standard observation and appreciation of artistic pieces enjoyed in the traditional manner.
“It’s very important to us that visitors interact with real objects, rather than digital reproductions,” David Franklin is quoted in the piece. “We want visitors to look closely at original art works and to make personal connections to what they are seeing.”
Check out the full story here.
Phil Alexander and Mohit Ahluwalia realized something when they were earning their MBAs at CWRU: that people in all segments of businesses are charged with creating presentations at some point in their careers. However, not everyone has the talent -- or budget to hire an agency -- to create an eye-catching presentation.
“Thirty million PowerPoint presentations are made every day across America,” says Alexander.
So Alexander and Ahluwalia thought about starting a business that would help customers create their presentations.
“We wanted to do something with digital media,” recalls Alexander. “We were looking to figure out if we could automate the process and avoid paying the high rates of agencies.”
The two applied to LaunchHouse Accelerator last summer and developed Quick2Launch, a company that creates great visuals for any presentation. The company officially launched last week with its ConceptDrop technology.
With the company’s ConceptDrop, users login, upload their content outlines and fill out a creative brief questionnaire describing their presentation. They are then presented with a selection of pre-approved templates and themes, and Quick2Launch takes it from there and creates the visuals to go along with the content. The end result is a complete, professional presentation.
“We’re just trying to hold their hand throughout the creation of the presentation,” says Alexander. “We’ve tried to make it so it’s really simple.”
Quick2Launch partners with Reality Premedia Services, which provides access to 150 graphic designers. The company is about a month away from launching its business-to-business platform.
Alexander says they hope to hire a sales team and in-house designers soon. “The goal is to completely build our own entity,” he says. “We really want to be the all-in-one stop for presentations.”
Source: Phil Alexander
Writer: Karin Connelly
“Thirty million PowerPoint presentations are made every day across America,” says Alexander.
So Alexander and Ahluwalia thought about starting a business that would help customers create their presentations.
“We wanted to do something with digital media,” recalls Alexander. “We were looking to figure out if we could automate the process and avoid paying the high rates of agencies.”
The two applied to LaunchHouse Accelerator last summer and developed Quick2Launch, a company that creates great visuals for any presentation. The company officially launched last week with its ConceptDrop technology.
With the company’s ConceptDrop, users login, upload their content outlines and fill out a creative brief questionnaire describing their presentation. They are then presented with a selection of pre-approved templates and themes, and Quick2Launch takes it from there and creates the visuals to go along with the content. The end result is a complete, professional presentation.
“We’re just trying to hold their hand throughout the creation of the presentation,” says Alexander. “We’ve tried to make it so it’s really simple.”
Quick2Launch partners with Reality Premedia Services, which provides access to 150 graphic designers. The company is about a month away from launching its business-to-business platform.
Alexander says they hope to hire a sales team and in-house designers soon. “The goal is to completely build our own entity,” he says. “We really want to be the all-in-one stop for presentations.”
Source: Phil Alexander
Writer: Karin Connelly