Topic: Cleveland: Uptown (UARD) in University Circle

[lonelyCity]

Personally, Crocker Park does it for me   

Welcome to the board.  Take cover

I'll start:  If Crocker Park does it for you, then let me redirect you: www.surburbanohio.com

Like I said- a lot of generic options there.  But in terms of being able to walk to a lot of things, i.e. NYC, Crocker Park most closely resembles the convenience of everything grouped together.  When I first moved here from NYC, it's ridiculous how I have to drive everywhere for the same things- a bank, a grocery story, a mailbox, and on and on.  It's a headache.  At Crocker Park, you can go eat dinner, catch a movie, go grocery shopping, chill at a book store, do some shopping, and they even have farmer's markets on the weekend, all without a car.  I like doing that. 

That being said, Is it generic?  Yup.  Is the culture there bland compared to an Ohio City or Tremont?  Hells yeah.  Is it overpriced?  Definitely.  Crocker Park is a stepford wives version of what city life should be.  It's an isolated, suburban version of what city life is.  But it is convenient and you don't need a car everywhere you go and that's a big reason why I like it.   

Anyways, that's that and this is about uptown- I signed on for a 1bd room since it's close to work, new, and I always wanted to live in a trendy looking place.   


 

[BelievelandD1]

Personally, Crocker Park does it for me   

Welcome to the board.  Take cover

I'll start:  If Crocker Park does it for you, then let me redirect you: www.surburbanohio.com

Like I said- a lot of generic options there.  But in terms of being able to walk to a lot of things, i.e. NYC, Crocker Park most closely resembles the convenience of everything grouped together.  When I first moved here from NYC, it's ridiculous how I have to drive everywhere for the same things- a bank, a grocery story, a mailbox, and on and on.  It's a headache.  At Crocker Park, you can go eat dinner, catch a movie, go grocery shopping, chill at a book store, do some shopping, and they even have farmer's markets on the weekend, all without a car.  I like doing that. 

That being said, Is it generic?  Yup.  Is the culture there bland compared to an Ohio City or Tremont?  Hells yeah.  Is it overpriced?  Definitely.  Crocker Park is a stepford wives version of what city life should be.  It's an isolated, suburban version of what city life is.  But it is convenient and you don't need a car everywhere you go and that's a big reason why I like it.   

Anyways, that's that and this is about uptown- I signed on for a 1bd room since it's close to work, new, and I always wanted to live in a trendy looking place.   

You just summed up why we hate Crocker Park.  Everything you see there should be in our city.  The suburbs have the people, money and a lot of influence.  I, personally, hate the place.  It takes me 30 minutes to park with every out of touch goofball suburban driving me out of my mind.   I would rather be on my bike on the near west side and i can get where i need to go equally as convenient.

That being said, so i can contribute to that topic.  UARD will have a bank, restaurants, store and is a great step towards retrieving all of that back into the city.

[StrapHanger]

^^Cool, our first "inside man" at uptown! When are the units going to be ready for occupancy?

lonelycity, I totally understand the appeal of Crocker Park that you describe, and it just highlights the need for better options in the city that can compete (e.g., new units, super walkability, retail and dining options, etc.).  Uptown is definitely a huge step in that direction. Would be awesome to get a report about what it's like living there once you're settled in.

[willyboy]

^^Cool, our first "inside man" at uptown! When are the units going to be ready for occupancy?

lonelycity, I totally understand the appeal of Crocker Park that you describe, and it just highlights the need for better options in the city that can compete (e.g., new units, super walkability, retail and dining options, etc.).  Uptown is definitely a huge step in that direction. Would be awesome to get a report about what it's like living there once you're settled in.

Agreed.  Lonely city, I certainly get what your saying and I certainly dont disagree.  I think most on here sort of loath CP since it is just a replication of what the city was and should be (except minus the diversity of people). 
But yeah as far as the Cleveland area goes, walkable shopping and the others things you mention, CP is likely and unfortunately the best option.  Hopefully that wont be the case in the future.     

[MyTwoSense]

Personally, Crocker Park does it for me   

Welcome to the board.  Take cover

I'll start:  If Crocker Park does it for you, then let me redirect you: www.surburbanohio.com

Like I said- a lot of generic options there.  But in terms of being able to walk to a lot of things, i.e. NYC, Crocker Park most closely resembles the convenience of everything grouped together.  When I first moved here from NYC, it's ridiculous how I have to drive everywhere for the same things- a bank, a grocery story, a mailbox, and on and on.  It's a headache.  At Crocker Park, you can go eat dinner, catch a movie, go grocery shopping, chill at a book store, do some shopping, and they even have farmer's markets on the weekend, all without a car.  I like doing that. 

That being said, Is it generic?  Yup.  Is the culture there bland compared to an Ohio City or Tremont?  Hells yeah.  Is it overpriced?  Definitely.  Crocker Park is a stepford wives version of what city life should be.  It's an isolated, suburban version of what city life is.  But it is convenient and you don't need a car everywhere you go and that's a big reason why I like it.   

Anyways, that's that and this is about uptown- I signed on for a 1bd room since it's close to work, new, and I always wanted to live in a trendy looking place.   


 

As a native Clevelander who also lives/works in NYC, I disagree and would like to ask where you currently live.  Where exactly in NYC did you live and where in Cleveland do you live?

[8ShadesofGray]

^ Before the mods put a kibash on the non-Uptown talk, I'd argue that both Shaker Square and the Market District have as dense a mixed use fabric with access to most daily needs, including banks and groceries, as Crocker Park. Maybe not Abercrombie or Urban Outfitters, but lots of retail, restaurants, etc. ... And actually connected to our public transit system, which is the big plus that Crocker Park is unlikely to have anytime soon ... I am not exaggerating when I say that a random, one-off trip from Asiatown to Crocker Park on a bus on a Sunday took me 2.5 hours ... one way. And FWIW, living in Asiatown, I'm two blocks from a full-service grocery store and have access to 5 other full-service Asian groceries, a bank, 3 bodegas, dry cleaners, laundry-by-the-pound, art galleries, 24 restaurants, a brewery, etc. ... All in a neighborhood that's not exactly top-of-mind for the car-free. My point is mainly that in a lot of our city neighborhoods, we do have access to a broad mix of sought-after amenities in very small, walkable districts, but just not in quite as visually obvious a way as at Crocker Park. I think we've clearly moved leaps and bounds on that front over the last decade, and Uptown is a clear step in the right direction.

[Htsguy]

^I too don't want to take this off topic (but of course I cannot help myself) but I would add Coventry to that list. Apartments, grocery store, banks, dry cleaners, hair salons, clothing stores, different types of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, library, antique stores, convenience store, hardware store, gas station and revolutionary bookstore

[StrapHanger]

I think we can all just agree that there are indeed some wonderful walkable neighborhoods in the Cleveland area, and Uptown means we can firmly add University Circle to that list.  And hopefully someday we'll have enough retail at Uptown, downtown, or elsewhere in the city that 8Shades will never have to take a bus to Crocker Park.

Though that reminds me... would be very awesome if MRN recruited a few zip cars to Uptown.

[willyboy]

But where does one go to go clothes shopping in the Cleveland area?  I usually see CP as the only option other than some icky malls......

[Htsguy]

^If you are talking national chains then malls or Crocker Park, Legacy or Eton.  If you are talking local independents, they tend not to be grouped together except maybe Chagrin Falls which is of course more of an authentic "urban experience" (although it is a far out suburb) than something like CP and much more interesting.

[clvlndr]

I think we can all just agree that there are indeed some wonderful walkable neighborhoods in the Cleveland area, and Uptown means we can firmly add University Circle to that list.  And hopefully someday we'll have enough retail at Uptown, downtown, or elsewhere in the city that 8Shades will never have to take a bus to Crocker Park.

And let's not forget, Uptown is adding these walkable, urban amenities to a neighborhood that already has a close-knit cluster of top museums, art, performance, educational & medical institutions that is unsurpassed anywhere in this country (and whose project includes yet another great museum)... and all this in a drop-dead gorgeous, park-like setting ... As a person who loves cities and authentic urban experiences as I do, there's a reason why I've never bothered to get in my car and go check CP out... (and why I've visited both Chagrin Falls and Hudson several times, with the latter being nearly as far away as CP from where I live).

[8ShadesofGray]

But where does one go to go clothes shopping in the Cleveland area?  I usually see CP as the only option other than some icky malls......

I'm a bit of a fashion nut (which destroys all my street cred, I know), and I honestly do almost all of my clothes shopping online ... It's just not that great a market for upscale men's clothing anywhere. Stuff is starting to pop up, though, on the indie front. Native Cleveland and CLE Clothing are bringing it on the t-shirt front. There are some great hat and accessory shops in the Arcade. Yellowcake in Gordon Square is toying with launching a full men's line and has offered a couple of pieces, and until recently, Cloud9 was another independent fashion line running from Waterloo. ilthy is a streetwear company that has launched in Detroit Shoreway. The city has without doubt the best local vintage clothing options, particularly in Detroit Shoreway and Edgewater.

And to bring this back to Uptown (I'm getting anxious that that UrbanOhio axe is about to come down ), Ari Maron has showcased a good willingness to incorporate clothing offerers spots within his developments, including Dredgers, Room Service and CLE Clothing, although they haven't typically been the first focus. I wouldn't be surprised to see something similar happen with Uptown, although the development costs associated with this specific development probably make it less likely that it's a local clothing line.   

[lonelyCity]

I'll try to steer this back to uptown, since my statement about the development that shall not be named kinda started this.

The building north of euclid- with B&N and the Veizon store is actually open, which I'll refer to as UTN.  The leasing office said that there were already a few units with tenants and that they are finishing up the apts as they get rented out.  There weren't any reasonably priced apts left in the UTN.  The building south of euclid (UTS) is not ready.  The leasing agent said that it wouldn't be ready until late June and again, they would be finishing the units as they get leased out.  So they have studios apts and 1bd rooms in the $1000-$1100 range, this is for 550? sqft or less.  They have slightly larger units for $1300 and then the $1800 units which are 930sqft.  Last I checked, they had a fair bit of empty apts available.  I got the 550? sqft apt for $1090.  Security deposit is 1 month rent. 

Uptown does have parking at $60/month.  BUT... it's on the southside of Euclid, so UTS has that advantage, it's not connected though, so you'll have to walk outside briefly to get to the lot.  The parking lot is ready and it's behind UTS and next to the art institute.   

Cable/internet is through Time Warner.  Uptown manages the utility bills so you pay them for rent and utility.  They have Bosch appliances. 

No pool, no gym, but on each section, if you drive by it, you'll see a section that looks like a ledge- that will be a balcony that's open to residents.  Inside of there is a large public area which they are planning to put some tables and chairs as sort of a public space. 

Does anybody know what is going in the retail space?  I can think of Verizon, B&N, Constantinos on UTN and Chipotle on UTS. 

[StrapHanger]

^Thanks for the report!  And congrats on the new unit, even if you won't be able to move in for a couple months. Bummer they didn't include even a small gym for the residents, even if just a few treadmills.  I think some of the Case/UH facilities are open to non-affiliates, but obviously not for free.

Other retail tenants announced are Panera, Scott Kim Asian fusion restaurant, a Jonathon Sawyer pizza place, a tavern by the ABC/XYZ people and...others?

[lonelyCity]

^Thanks for the report!  And congrats on the new unit, even if you won't be able to move in for a couple months. Bummer they didn't include even a small gym for the residents, even if just a few treadmills.  I think some of the Case/UH facilities are open to non-affiliates, but obviously not for free.

Other retail tenants announced are Panera, Scott Kim Asian fusion restaurant, a Jonathon Sawyer pizza place, a tavern by the ABC/XYZ people and...others?

I asked about the gym and they said that there were several gyms in the area so there was no need to add a gym. 

Oh, and it's not a parking lot- it's a parking garage from what I saw.

[clvlndr]

Haven't heard anything definite about Constantino's (they still are posting a "Coming Soon" message, both on their website and at the Uptown site), but it looks like they'll be open (soft opening) this weekend -- early next week at the latest... Yesterday, walked by and most of their shelves were stocked; they appeared to be training employees inside.  There was still a lot of cosmetic work going on outside, as workers were quickly affixing the last sheets of the white and grey aluminum plates.  All Constantino's outdoor signage appears in place.

[Clueless,Ohio]

Yeah I asked the staff at the W. 9th location several weeks ago about this location, and they said April 26.
They must've run into construction delays but it sounds very close to opening.

[Clueless,Ohio]

Constantino's Uptown opening soon...

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/constantinos-market-university-circle-opening-soon

[MuRrAy HiLL]

whoa on that beer and wine selection -- looking forward to it!

[Clueless,Ohio]

Constantino's opens this Monday (May 14)

[clvlndr]

whoa on that beer and wine selection -- looking forward to it!

Based on my experience with them on W. 9th, that seems to be their speciality.

[MuRrAy HiLL]

Sorry for no pics, but the new Circle Vistas have the construction site all staked and marked on E.115th.  I suspect we'll see the first floor begin to stick out of the ground very soon.

It seems the 6=story project is now called "Cotman Vistas" http://mahohio.org/

[clvlndr]

Constantino's opens this Monday (May 14)

I can't see how they are connected, but ya think Constantino's consciously decided to delay their opening to coincide with the opening day of the Casino?... or is it just pure coincidence?  I does seem like they've could have open some time earlier, at least a week ago, based on the stocking of their shelves and other finishing activities... just curious.

[Firenze98]

I'd say pure coincidence.  I doubt you'll see a Casino Total Rewards voucher for Constantino's anytime soon.

[cleanup]

There wouldn't happen to be anyone here who's already moved into Uptown North, by chance? I pre-leased a one-bedroom unit at the South tower and was told it would be ready by the time I move to Cleveland (mid-July), but am really getting the cold-shoulder a lot from some of the leasing agents and other representatives at Uptown/MRN.

I'm coming from a large metropolitan city (Toronto) to study at Case, so Uptown was really the only option for me to get some semblance of walkable city life in Cleveland; close to school, work, and food at the very least. I know I won't be doing much discretionary shopping anymore, unfortunately, since it's just not nearby. Lots of online shopping for me I suppose.

Has anyone swung by University Circle recently to take some pics of the Uptown development? I'd love to see how construction is going. I'll dig backwards in the thread to see if I can find any photos.

[Clefan98]

^Not to get off topic, but it's not like you're moving to Siberia.  There are tons of shopping areas nearby.

[Clueless,Ohio]

Hi cleanup!
I took these end of last week, hope they help. Welcome to Cleveland!

Pics follow my walk...I started on Mayfield Rd looking into the Alley, then I walked behind the high-rise Triangle bldgs, over to CIA area and looked into the Alley from the other side.
Final pic of Constantino's across the street...opening today

[CleveChiNola]

Well, lets give him or her the benefit of the doubt.
Cleanup, there are other options for walkable neighborhoods near case, like Little Italy. 
Look for posts from our resident UC/Case expert, MurrayHill, they can fill you in on all the details.

Welcome to Cleveland

[KJP]

If you are looking for tips on other walkable places near CWRU to live in, check out: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/board,30.0.html

Please use this thread to discuss and share updates on construction of Uptown. I know that's what cleanup was looking for, updates on the project. So if you're looking for suggestions and thoughts on nearby places to live, shop, play, etc., click on the link I just shared. Thanks.

[StrapHanger]

Awesome photos, Clueless.  The redone bay on the old Triangle building looks good.  Those towers are pretty hard on the eyes, so anything they do to improve them is much appreciated.

[McLovin]

Hi cleanup!
I took these end of last week, hope they help. Welcome to Cleveland!

Pics follow my walk...I started on Mayfield Rd looking into the Alley, then I walked behind the high-rise Triangle bldgs, over to CIA area and looked into the Alley from the other side.
Final pic of Constantino's across the street...opening today

So are they re-doing the entire building, just the porches, or what? I think they look great by the way

[cleanup]

If you are looking for tips on other walkable places near CWRU to live in, check out: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/board,30.0.html

Please use this thread to discuss and share updates on construction of Uptown. I know that's what cleanup was looking for, updates on the project. So if you're looking for suggestions and thoughts on nearby places to live, shop, play, etc., click on the link I just shared. Thanks.

Thanks for the link; I'll be sure to check it out! I didn't mean to offend in my first post. I know Cleveland has a lot to offer but I also know that it won't necessarily be what I'm used to. I've lived in the heart of Toronto for 5 years and before that I lived in Shanghai and NYC. I am simply used to very large cities, and although I know Cleveland isn't Siberia, as someone pointed out, I also know it'll take a bit of adjusting for me to find my groove, particularly because I won't be owning a car.

Thanks everyone for the help! Would love to see more progress pictures as construction continues.

Have you been to Cleveland before, specifically this area?

Only to the area around Case when I visited. I honestly didn't notice the Uptown construction across the street. And I didn't really get a chance to walk around Little Italy or any of the other surrounding neighbourhoods unfortunately! I was there on a tight schedule and only had time for academic affairs. So I'm operating on a blind eye and advice from native Clevelanders like you guys!

[StrapHanger]

^The brown brick building(s) is indeed part of "The Triangle," which was a hideous 1980s residential/commercial development. Uptown is doing a pretty good job making lemonade with those awful lemons though, which is great to see.

[Clueless,Ohio]

Thank you so much for the photos, Clueless! Presumably these are of the South building? I'm hoping there won't be too much construction left by the time I move in!

Out of curiosity, what's the brown brick building in the first few photos? Is that the Triangle?

No problem.
Yes these are all of the South Bldgs (where the "Alley" will be). When I read your post early this morning, it was a 'funny you should ask' moment for me.
I took the pics but I wasnt going to post them. It turns out Im glad I took them.
A lot of the consstruction should be winding down by the late summer, early fall. But happily...very happily... construction should be starting across the way at CIA. I've been waiting on that one forever.

^The brown brick building(s) is indeed part of "The Triangle," which was a hideous 1980s residential/commercial development. Uptown is doing a pretty good job making lemonade with those awful lemons though, which is great to see.

Yes, I like the way they're looking.

[ClevelandOhio]

Thanks for the pictures Clueless