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RTA HealthLine Grand Opening Event

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) HealthLine grand opening celebration is happening this Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Cleveland. Zaremba Homes, a sponsor of the grand opening event, has three communities in proximity to the HealthLine: WoodHaven, The Avenue District and, in partnership with MRN Ltd., Uptown in University Circle.

Event highlights include a free concert by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks Saturday evening, a scavenger hunt in conjunction with the many tours and activities at stops along the Healthline, and free rides on the HealthLine and all Greater Cleveland RTA public transportation throughout the weekend.

The RTA HealthLine, formerly known as the Euclid Corridor project, spans 7.1 miles of Euclid Avenue from Public Square in downtown Cleveland to the Stokes Rapid Transit Station at Windermere in East Cleveland.

According to the HealthLine Website, the system connects the central business district at Public Square (the region's largest employment center) with the University Circle area (the second largest employment center) and major cultural, medical and educational districts. The main objectives of the project are improving transit service and supporting increased development along Euclid Avenue.

The $200 million project, that began in March 2006, incorporates environmentally friendly components including the use of hybrid technology in a unique 62-foot transportation vehicle, and the addition of 1,500 new trees along the line.

The HealthLine will officially open at 2:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at East Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue. For more event details, check out the Cleveland.com post, or visit www.RTAHealthLine.com for more information.

Work Continues on East 12th Streetscape

Work continues this fall on the East 12th Streetscape project in The Avenue District neighborhood. Designed by Paul Volpe of City Architecture, in collaboration with The City of Cleveland and Zaremba, Inc., East 12th Street is being redeveloped from Lakeside Avenue to Superior Avenue. It is expected to take approximately three years to complete.


This close up view of Streetscape construction, looking south down East 12th Street, includes The Avenue District garage entrance and side view of the 10-story Cleveland condo building.


This view is looking south down East 12th Street toward St. Clair Avenue, with The Avenue District building in the left of the photo.

This photo shows the view looking north down East 12th Street at St. Clair Avenue. The Avenue District building is on the right.

The East 12th Streetscape Project At a Glance

• The cost for infrastructure improvements is approximately $7 million, and the City of Cleveland is paying for the public components of the construction.
• Plans integrate public transportation, bicycle lanes and new on-street parking spaces.
  
• East 12th Street is being narrowed, creating essentially a pair of one-way streets, separated by a low, landscaped median.
• The new median will be designed to make street crossing easier for pedestrians.
  
• Amenities will include: benches, smaller-scaled light fixtures, public art, abundant landscaping, wider sidewalks and, “Outdoor living rooms” or special paving areas constructed out of alternating colors and textures, referred to as “area rugs.”

The Avenue District Townhomes Site Map

The graphic above shows Block 3 of The Avenue District at East 15th Street and Rockwell Avenue. The location of the 10 new E-Unit Townhomes, along East 15th Street, is highlighted in yellow.

For more info on the E-Unit Townhomes, check out the Sept. 29 blog post by Plain Dealer real estate reporter Michelle Jarboe, in the Crib Notes blog on Cleveland.com.

The Avenue District Adds 10 Units to Downtown Cleveland Townhomes

Zaremba, Inc., developer of The Avenue District, a $300 million walkable neighborhood in downtown Cleveland, has released plans for a new set of 10 townhome units on the development’s southeastern edge along East 15th Street.

The E-Units introduce a new floorplan and price point at The Avenue District, bringing the total number of living units at Block 3 to 30.

“The addition of the 10 E-Units to our existing 20 townhomes, gives prospective buyers more opportunities to live in dowtown Cleveland townhomes,” said Nathan Zaremba, president of Zaremba, Inc. “The price point and layout also open the living option to a wider audience.”

The E-Units feature a new 1,400-square-foot floorplan, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper level. Residents will have the option, early in the planning process, to build one parking space and a bonus room, or two parking spaces. There is a unique end unit available that has three-sided window exposure. All units have a rooftop balcony.

The E-Units start at $264,900, which is the lowest price point at The Avenue District Cleveland condos. Currently, five of the 10 E-Units are available for pre-sale. Visit the The Avenue District Website to view details and floorplans of available townhomes.

Owner orientation and occupancy began in late July for The Avenue District’s second 10-unit townhome building, nearing the finishing stages of interior buildout, exterior finishing and full landscaping. The first townhome building began occupancy in October 2007.

Rent-To-Own: NOW AVAILABLE

http://www.theavenuedistrict.com/zaremba/rent-to-own/

Get into The Avenue District like never before with our Rent To Own program! Earn equity while living in Downtown Cleveland's best neighborhood. Contact Frank Lalli at (216) 589-8524 and find out how soon you can be living the green urban lifestyle you need!

Affordable Downtown Living - Part 3 of 3

For those looking at buying a downtown property, or transitioning from renting to buying, there are plenty of resources available, including educational tools and affordable finance options.

For example, Zaremba offers a financial savings calculator with each available floorplan on TheAvenueDistrict.com, that estimates monthly payments using four different mortgage scenarios. Check out the townhomes page and click on Savings Calculator to the right of each floorplan for details. There are also many 'Renting Versus Buying" automated calculators available online, such as Yahoo Real Estate or Ginniemae.gov.

Zaremba recently launched a rent-to-own financing option for The Avenue District, designed to help renters achieve home ownership. Qualified program participants, with loan pre-approval, can select any available inventory home, lock in the purchase price and start to build equity. Depending on the individual monthly payment for the home, 50 to 65 percent of the payment will be applied towards the down payment for a 12-month period.

“With our rent-to-own option, home ownership in The Avenue District is more attainable than ever before, all with the added benefits and convenience of living in a downtown walkable neighborhood,” said Nathan Zaremba, president of Zaremba, Inc.

Affordable Downtown Living - Part 2 of 3

The online video below, courtesy of The Downtown Cleveland Alliance, takes a look into the lives of Cleveland residents Greg and Becky. The video discusses the affordable aspects of urban living as well as the advantages of buying versus renting in downtown Cleveland. Click here to watch the video on the Downtown Cleveland Alliance Website.

Affordable Downtown Living - Part 1 of 3

Today, people are starting to look at downtown living in a new and affordable way. Among other benefits, including the convenience of being close to work and entertainment, and the health aspects of a walkable neighborhood, residents are embracing the ways that city life can help save money and build futures.

This three-part blog series will examine the economical aspects of urban living.

The following article from the Fresh Greens blog by US News and World report writer Maura Judkis, explores affordability of downtown living with housing and transportation costs set against percentage of household income. Check out the full article and access the affordability index tool by clicking on the links below.

City Mouse, Country Mouse: Who Spends More?

By Maura Judkis, Aug. 20, 2008

For decades, people have chosen life in the 'burbs because of the lower cost of housing, the extra space, and the family-friendly atmosphere. Gas prices, however, could change everything about suburban life—and a great tool that analyzes the true cost of suburban living can show us how...

...The Center for Neighborhood Technology, Brookings Institution, and Center for Transit-Oriented Development have come up with an affordability index that maps the true cost of suburban life vs. urban life by combining census data about income, housing, and transportation. The index found that city living, which many people consider to be too expensive, can actually be more economical than life in the suburbs.

Said Maria Stamas of the Rocky Mountain Institute: "Among the findings, people who live close to transit, jobs, schools, and retail—typically in cities and inner-ring suburbs—spend up to $2,100 less per annum on gasoline than residents of outer-ring suburbs."...

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS HOUSING + TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY INDEX

Photos of 1211 St. Clair Ave. - July 28, 2008

The following 1211 St. Clair Ave. photos, courtesy of Shawn Hoefler and ClevelandSkyscrapers.com, were taken July 28, 2008.

PD Feature on The Avenue District; East 12th Streetscape Development

The Avenue District and East 12th Streetscape project (depicted in rendering above) were featured in a Saturday, July 19, story by Plain Dealer architecture critic Steven Litt.

As the Avenue rises in Cleveland, the city's future looks up

"...That's great news for anyone who cares about the future of Cleveland. By 2015, Zaremba hopes to finish 486 apartments in 15 buildings -- half of them small townhouse clusters -- on four blocks on the east side of downtown Cleveland.

The core of the project is on three corners of the intersection of St. Clair Avenue and East 12th Street, where open lots have been used for parking for decades.

The lots were cleared following the city's adoption of the 1961 Erieview Plan by architect I.M. Pei. He envisioned more than 200 acres of office towers and apartment blocks stretching from East Ninth Street toward the Inner Belt, and from just north of Euclid Avenue to Lakeside Avenue.."

Click here for full story

Cool Cleveland Videos Capture The Avenue District

Click on the photos below to view Thomas Mulready's Cool Cleveland video interviews at The Avenue District.

Fred Brace & Lauren Buerkle - The Avenue District

Mike Caito - City Architecture

Lawrence Carter & Kevin Schmotzer - The Avenue District

Joe Del Re - The Avenue District

Ellen Evans - The Avenue District

Click here to view Windows movie
Click here to view Mac movie

The Avenue District Walk Score=95

According to walkscore.com, The Avenue District, centered at 1211 St. Clair Ave. in downtown Cleveland, scores a 95/100 in walkability. Addresses with scores in the range of 90-100 are dubbed a Walkers' Paradise with most errands able to be accomplished on foot.

Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by mapping nearby stores, restaurants, entertainment and more. Click on the graphic below to check out Walk Score.

Looking Up: Cleveland Real Estate News

This past year has brought monumental change and uncertainty to the real estate industry and economic environment. From the mortgage crisis, to the housing market, to today’s rising fuel costs, consumers feel the pressure at every turn.

During this time, there are those choosing to shift their thinking toward the return to urban cores, reducing reliance on automobiles and promoting healthier lifestyles through walkable neighborhoods.

Across the country, and here in Cleveland, new developments are underway, the real estate forecast is starting to brighten, but more importantly, people are taking action and gaining control of their futures by investing in downtown living.

The Plain Dealer has recently taken note of the progress in Cleveland, and reader interest in the topic, with the launch of a Real Estate News section on Cleveland.com. Here reporters Shaheen Samavati and Michelle Jarboe guide readers through news and notes about construction and communities in Northeast Ohio, including some of the timely selections below:

Guided tour of Northeast Ohio's new home construction projects

Check out the video on that highlights new construction in Northeast Ohio and features The Avenue District.

Home building in Greater Cleveland

Cleveland area housing prices up first time in year

Shaheen Samavati
June 25, 2008

"Home prices in the Cleveland area increased in April for the first time in almost a year, with improvement across all price levels, according to data released Tuesday.

The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index looks at existing single-family homes sold in 20 major markets, including the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor area.

Nationally, the index dropped 1.4 percent from March to April. But the Cleveland-area index rose 2.9 percent, marking the first month-to-month home price increase here since May of last year -- and the biggest one-month gain in the 20 metro areas..."


You can view the full article, and other articles and blog posts, at http://www.cleveland.com/realestatenews/

Costs of Commuting Part Three: Driven to the Brink?

In his June 25, 2008 New York Times article "Rethinking the Country Life as Energy Costs Rise," writer Peter S. Goodman features a Colorado family contemplating a move to downtown Denver from their current country home with scenic views.

"Suddenly, the economics of American suburban life are under assault as skyrocketing energy prices inflate the costs of reaching, heating and cooling homes on the distant edges of metropolitan areas..." Click here for full story.

Also, below is an online video, "Driven to the Brink," that shows a fresh take on the relationship between the price of gas and the price of homes.

Costs of Commuting Part Two: Influence

The reality of rising gas costs, combined with relatively steady home values in downtown cores, are influencing today's homebuyers to consider downtown living. New information, including that found in the graphic to the right, was released June 18 from a Coldwell Banker real estate survey, published in the follow AP article and accessed through MSNBC.com:

Cost of gas is influencing housing purchases
Urban, homes near commute options holding value better than suburbs:Click here for story

Also, view the video below on NBC Nightly News with Matt Williams on how skyrocketing fuels costs are influencing people on where to live.

East 4th Street Thursday Patio Parties

WHAT: Thursday Patio Parties - Live music, food and drink specials
WHERE: East 4th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
WHEN: Thursdays starting at 5 p.m.

Costs of Commuting Part One: Tracking National Trends

The rising costs of commuting are driving Americans back to downtown living.

The Avenue District, located at East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland, is designed as a walkable neighborhood, placing residents in walking distance to shopping, dining, arts, work and more. Its central proximity to several major Cleveland districts is a strong advantage for those looking to eliminate their dependence on cars, and make the lifestyle change from suburban to urban living.

The Avenue District is not alone in this transformation, as there are multiple revitalization projects underway throughout Cleveland, that will connect segments of downtown and set the stage for a thoroughly walkable metropolis.

The following three-part blog series will take a look at the financial, environmental and health advantages of walkable neighborhoods, and the significance of downtown Cleveland taking this first step in bringing residents back to the City.


PART ONE: TRACKING NATIONAL TRENDS

On any given day, media coverage is dominated by the topic of rising fuel costs. In addition to the impact on peoples’ wallets, and the trickle-down effect throughout the economy, new emphasis is being placed on the ongoing environmental issues of fuel consumption and non-renewable energy sources.

Suburbs a Mile Too Far for Some - Demographic Changes, High Gasoline Prices May Hasten Demand for Urban Living
Jonathan Karp - Wall Street Journal
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

"In recent years, a generation of young people, called the millennials, born between the late 1970s and mid-1990s, has combined with baby boomers to rekindle demand for urban living. Today, the subprime-mortgage crisis and $4-a-gallon gasoline are delivering further gut punches by blighting remote subdivisions nationwide and rendering long commutes untenable for middle-class Americans..."

Is America's suburban dream collapsing into a nightmare?
Lara Farrar - CNN
Monday, June 16, 2008

"Instead, they are looking for what Leinberger calls "walkable urbanism" -- both small communities and big cities characterized by efficient mass transit systems and high density developments enabling residents to walk virtually everywhere for everything -- from home to work to restaurants to movie theaters.

The so-called New Urbanism movement emerged in the mid-90s and has been steadily gaining momentum, especially with rising energy costs, environmental concerns and health problems associated with what Leinberger calls "drivable suburbanism" -- a low-density built environment plan that emerged around the end of the World War II and has been the dominant design in the U.S. ever since..."

Market blamed for fuel costs
Bob Dart - Cox News Service
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

“Gasoline should cost about $2.25 a gallon at the pump, and everything above that is "funny money" largely tacked on by speculation and manipulation in the energy markets, a consumer advocate told a Senate committee Tuesday…”

As gas prices rise, commuters hop on mass transit wagon
Sarah Karush - Associated Press
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

"Around the country, high gas prices are pushing more people to leave their cars at home and crowd onto trains, buses and subways…”

Small cars overtake Ford trucks
Dee-Ann Durbin - Associated Press
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

“U.S. auto sales in May brought the starkest signs yet that gas prices have dramatically shifted the market to smaller cars, as the top-selling Ford F-series truck was dethroned by cars from Toyota and Honda…”

AIA Developer Series - The Avenue District (June 26)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Cleveland AIA (American Institute of Architects) Urban Design Committee Developers Forum: Zaremba and The Avenue District.

Location: AIA Cleveland Chapter Office, 1001 Huron
Time: 6:30pm social, 7pm program
Email: aiadocs@aiacleveland.com
Contact: 216.575.1242

Reservations are required as seating is limited.

The Avenue District Insider: Exterior Update

Exterior skin build-out of 1211 St. Clair Ave. at The Avenue District is scheduled for completion in early July 2008. The 10-story condo building, situated on the northeast corner of East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland, is the cornerstone of Zaremba Inc.'s $300 million walkable neighborhood.

The Avenue District is being finished with a variety of building materials, from metal panels that are durable, state-of-the-art, low maintenance and energy efficient, to stone and brick, which are produced locally, thus adding another green element to the project by reducing carbon emissions.

"The most important aspect is that the building's superstructure is concrete, which means it's extremely durable and soundproof, and offers high-quality construction," said Paul Volpe, The Avenue District architect and president of City Architecture, a Cleveland-based firm specializing in urban design. "Plus, the building is conceived with wonderful proportions and rhythms that interplay with natural light."

To date, the concrete has been poured for both the floors and ceilings, and installation of the metal stud wall framing and substrate along the exterior perimeter is complete. Masonry work on the lower floors started in early February.

Glass is being incorporated throughout the 10 floors to create a contemporary design that accommodates the living units, as well as the shopping district at the building's first floor.

The building's base is caste stone and features large pieces of glass to expose storefronts and show windows at street level. The upper nine floors of the building are primarily brick with stone accents and metal railings, as well as metal trim and panels.

The picture below, taken in April 2008, shows a close up view of exterior materials.

The Avenue District Insider: Interior Build-Out

The interior build-out of 1211 St. Clair Ave. in The Avenue District has begun on the lower floors. The 10-story condo building, situated on the northeast corner of East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland, is the cornerstone of Zaremba Inc.'s $300 million walkable neighborhood.

To date, the metal framing is complete and electricity has been wired throughout the building. The drywall installation has begun with most of the interior finishes still in the rough stages. The move-in date for residents is set for the fall of 2008, with a building completion date scheduled for spring 2009.

"The living units are ultramodern and include premium fixtures," says Nate Zaremba, project manager for The Avenue District. "We really put some more thought into the design to create interest."

Notable interior amenities include expansive glass, patios, near 10-foot ceilings with drop-soffits, wood flooring in designated areas and granite kitchen countertops. The unit bathrooms feature premium materials including Corian countertops, ceramic tile floors and tiled showers, instead of the standard acrylic.

"What really separates the building from others is the superstructure," said Zaremba. "It's modeled after buildings in cities like New York, Chicago and Miami that use concrete post tension as opposed to a lightweight steel structure, making it a premium build."

The post tension construction allows for higher ceilings and larger spaces that are not split up by obtrusive support beams.

The first floor is designed to accommodate retail users, built with large pieces of glass to expose the storefronts and show windows at street level. The upper nine floors are living units, with penthouses on the top two levels, and the fifth floor is divided into eight corporate suites.

This photo shows a hallway in the 10-story condo building.


The photo above shows the future location of a kitchen. You'll note the red and blue pipes (hot and cold water lines) connected to the island area.


This view looks down the elevator shaft currently under construction.

PD Article on Downtown Retail Vision

In a June 1 Plain Dealer business article, The Avenue District was featured among four downtown Cleveland areas currently under development, including the East and West banks of the Flats, Euclid Avenue and the District of Design, and the Warehouse District. The article, written by reporter Michelle Jarboe, focused on the retail vision for the developments.

Range of retail planned for downtown Cleveland
Plain Dealer
Michelle Jarboe
June 1, 2008

"...Retail -- both stores and restaurants -- plays an important role in most of the major downtown projects in the works or scheduled to open within the next few years. But in a challenged center city, during tough economic times, developers have their own vision of what type of businesses will succeed..."

Click here or on the graphic below to view the full story and Cleveland.com blog post.

The Avenue District Photo Update: 1211 St. Clair Ave.

The following photos, courtesy of Shawn Hoefler, show progress on the 10-story condo building at 1211 St. Clair Ave. and views from multiple positions on the ninth floor. Click on the photo below to view the full collection.

Trend Tracker - Cleveland's District of Design

The following article posted by Tom Breckenridge of the Plain Dealer on May 15, details proposed plans for a District of Design in the eastern portion of downtown Cleveland. The published map shows the proposed District's reach into The Avenue District, with the northwestern edge at East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue.

Cleveland's District of Design moves beyond being a concept

"The Cleveland District of Design is moving from promising concept to a proposal with meat.

Property owners around Playhouse Square gathered with prospective tenants Wednesday evening to hear the latest on creating a world-class district of consumer-product showrooms and design centers on downtown's eastern flank.

First proposed in 2006 by two college honchos, the idea went into a quiet phase.

Playhouse Square's real estate management group prospected for ground-level showrooms along Euclid Avenue, centered at the plaza at Huron Road and Euclid Avenue."

Click here for full story.

Earth Day and Urban Revitalization

Earth Day was celebrated around the globe April 22 in the form of festivals, educational programs, and overall environmental awareness, including the need for commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world.

A week earlier, WEWS/ABC Channel 5 meteorologist Jason Nicholas visited The Avenue District for an April 21 news segment about environmentally friendly aspects of urban development.

Check out the links below to learn how urban revitalization can have a positive effect on the environment, including the benefits of walkable neighborhoods and redeveloping existing land to reduce sprawl.

Research Report - Growing COOLER: The Evidence on Urban Development and Climate Change

The Principles of New Urbanism

Brookings Institution Report - Bruce Katz - "The Goal for Ohio Metros: 43,000 residents"

Nathan Zaremba Joins Panel for April 23 City Club Event

The City Club of Cleveland will present “Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner in Downtown Cleveland,” this Wednesday, April 23, at noon.

Nathan Zaremba, president of Zaremba, Inc. and developer of The Avenue District, will join Doug Price, CEO of The K&D Group and Scott Wolstein, chairman and CEO of Developers Diversified Realty, as event panelists. Joe Roman, president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership, will serve as moderator.

According to the City Club Website, “Cleveland Plus: Turning the Corner” is a four-part series, in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Partnership, that focuses on physical and economic development projects that are helping the Cleveland Plus economy “turn the corner” toward sustainable, long-term prosperity.

Future programs include University Circle Area Development (7/23), Infrastructure and Transportation (9/10), and Transforming the Region's Economy (12/17).

The program is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. For reservations, call 888-223-6786 or (216) 621-0082.

PD Profiles Downtown Living

The following April 17 Plain Dealer article by reporters Melissa Hebert and Brenda Junkin profiles people that moved to downtown Cleveland, from empty nesters, to urban professionals, to transplanted residents.

Many are making the move to live downtown
Growing number of residents making the move downtown, with more housing units coming

The article states:
“Approximately 10,000 people call downtown Cleveland -- bordered by Lake Erie to the north, the Inner Belt to the east and south, and the Cuyahoga River to the west -- home, according to the Downtown Cleveland Alliance...” Click here for the full article

The article included a map with 42 locations of condos, apartments and under-construction living options in downtown Cleveland. Click on graphic below to view map on Cleveland.com.

I Love Downtown! open house this Sunday

The Avenue District is among 18 downtown residential and commercial properties to be featured in the “I Love Downtown!” trolly tour, 1-5 p.m., Sunday, April 20.

Earlybird admission is $20 through today (April 16) and $35 thereafter. The tours start at Bricco, Cleveland Chophouse & Brewery and Pickwick & Frolick. Complimentary beverages will be provided. Parking is $1 at three downtown locations: Tower City Center garage, the AMPCO lot at East 17th Street and Euclid Avenue, and Network Parkingat West Ninth Street and St. Clair Avenue.

For tickets and event details, call (216) 771-1994, or visit the I Love Downtown! and Downtown Cleveland Alliance Websites.

The Avenue District 1211 St. Clair Ave. Photos (taken 3.29.08)

The photos below of The Avenue District 10-story condo building at 1211 St. Clair Ave. were taken 3.29.08 (courtesy of Shawn Hoefler).

The Avenue District Townhome Photos (taken 3.29.08)

Check out the March 31, 2008 Urban Ohio post for photos of The Avenue District townhomes. The roof of the second townhome building is scheduled to be complete in the next two weeks. The second building is scheduled for completion in summer 2008, and will add 10 new housing units to the existing 10 units at East 15th Street and Rockwell Avenue.

Click on the photo above to see the full Urban Ohio post (courtesy of Shawn Hoefler).

Reader Response to Avenue District News Article

Part Four in The Avenue District Empty Nester blog series

On Feb. 14, Cleveland Plain Dealer writer Michelle Jarboe posted her feature story on The Avenue District – “Buyers sign up for Zaremba's downtown homes in Avenue District” – on the Cleveland.com business blog. The article drew several positive comments from online readers, including from the Empty Nester demographic:

Posted by nycleveland - 02/15/08 at 9:26AM
This is great news! My husband and I keep looking for reasons to move back to Cleveland from NYC, but we have zero desire to live the suburbs. Knowing that downtown will be a good option will bring us and others back that want urban living.

Posted by quetalamigo - 02/15/08 at 11:51AM
I would love to live downtown. As soon as my youngest graduates from high school I am going to look into it.

Click on the links below to view the Cool Cleveland interview with Avenue District buyer and Empty Nester, Ellen Evans:
(Windows Media Player)
(Quicktime)

Part Three: Confessions of an Empty Nester
Part Two: Second Homes Get Closer to Home
Part One: Empty Nesters Filling Downtown Spaces

Confessions of an Empty Nester

Part Three in The Avenue District Empty Nester blog series

In March 2007, Sabra Davis, administrator of the Zillow real estate blog at www.ZillowBlog.com, gave a detailed personal account titled, “Confessions of an Empty Nester,” describing the new life her and her husband pursued after her children grew up.

“…Now our family is grown, and my husband and I decided the next chapter in our lives would be more exciting and invigorating if we said goodbye to The House. And so we did…”

“…Our everyday lives have changed in every way imaginable. We don’t own a car, so we walk everywhere, including to and from work. We use the bus or ferry if we want to go farther afield. This has had a profound effect on how we interact with people. We realize now that the cocoons of our cars kept us well insulated from the people around us. Our genuine interactions were with family and coworkers, the only people who saw us stripped of the metal that clothed and protected us. Our neighbors, we discovered, were virtually strangers…” Click here for full post.

Part Two: Second Homes Get Closer to Home
Part One: Empty Nesters Filling Downtown Spaces

Second Homes Get Closer to Home

Part Two in The Avenue District Empty Nester blog series:

In a 2006 article on second-home purchases, Walter Molony, of the National Association of Realtors, stated that second-home purchases less than 100 miles from a primary home rose significantly from 2002-2005 from 33 percent to 47 percent.

The article continues, “In fact, more than one-third of recent second-home purchases are within 25 miles," Mr. Molony added. "We're hearing about more and more people who keep a condo in the city and spend their quality time — whether or not they call it vacation, weekend or dual — at their second houses." Click here for full article.

A 2006 survey of second-home owners by the National Association of Realtors® shows baby boomers continue to dominate the market and second-home purchases for vacation and investments are growing: Click here for the full article.

• The median age of an investment owner is 55, with an income of $98,600
• 75 percent of investment owners are married couples
• Investment property is located close by, within a median distance of 10 miles.
• Six out of ten investment properties are located within metropolitan areas.
• Half are single-family homes
• 13 percent are condos in a building with five or more units
• 8 percent a townhouse or row house
• 34 percent of vacation second homes were less than 100 miles from their primary residence
• Eight out ten drive to their property, and half of vacation homes are located within the same state as the owner's primary residence
• Eighty-three percent of vacation homeowners are married couples

Part One - Empty Nesters Filling Downtown Spaces

Empty Nesters Filling Downtown Spaces

With the kids grown up and moving out, many Baby Boomers are making the decision to downsize the nest, and upgrade their lifestyle in downtown dwellings. As part of a national trend, it’s no surprise that The Avenue District is welcoming buyers from this demographic at its luxury 10-story condo building at East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue, and townhomes at East 15th Street and Rockwell Avenue.

Whether drawn to the downtown lifestyle and walkable neighborhoods, or simply purchasing a second home in the city for investment or personal use, Empty Nesters are quickly becoming a force in downtown living.

In a Feb. 27, 2008 article on FoxBusiness.com, Kyle Ezell, author of “Retire Downtown: The Lifestyle Destination for Active Retirees and Empty Nesters,” was quoted on the topic. The article states:

“The number of Americans over age 50 is expected to triple in the next 10 years. That increase means a larger retired population in most U.S. cities, as today’s 50-and-over crowd seeks convenience and close proximity to health care and entertainment, according to CityRetirement.com”

“There is a growing percentage of empty-nesters who have lived in the suburbs all their lives and are ready for the action they’ve been craving,” said Ezell. “It’s a niche market for those ready for fun and entertainment.”

Click here for full article

Avenue District Sales Office Has Moved

In late February, The Avenue District Sales Office made its move from inside the Galleria at Erieview, to an onsite trailer at 1238 St. Clair Ave., giving visitors an up-close and personal view of progress on the 10-story condo building at 1211 St. Clair Ave.

The new location is just a three-minute walk to the Site 3 townhomes at East 15th Street and Rockwell Avenue. Here you can view the first townhome building in its completion and the second townhome building in progress next door.

For more information, call sales manager Frank Lalli at (216) 589-8524, or visit www.TheAvenueDistrict.com.

Urban Living = Healthier Lifestyle?

Is Your House Making You Look Fat? Allison Arieff, the former Editor in Chief of Dwell magazine, and author of New York Times opinion blog “By Design,” posted “Is Your House Making You Look Fat?” Feb. 18. The post revolves around the idea of building community – as opposed to commuting - as well as national urban living trends and environmental issues.

“...Contrary to popular belief, the pace and proximity of urban living can actually contribute to more healthful lifestyles, while lower-density communities tend to have a higher incidence of cardiovascular and lung diseases, including asthma in children, as well as cancer, diabetes, obesity, traffic injuries and deaths; these are exacerbated by an increase in air pollution, gridlock and traffic accidents, and by a lack of physical activity. The study recommended that people seek out cities and towns with reliable public transportation systems, bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths, ones that have schools, businesses and stores within walking distance...”

Click here for full text

Hard Hat Fridays at The Avenue District - Open to the Public

The Avenue District is hosting Hard Hat Tours of 1211 St. Clair Ave., with the next tour scheduled for Friday, March 7. The tours will take place every other Friday from 2 - 4 p.m, and include up-close views of progress on the 10-story condo building.

In addition, The Avenue District is hosting Hard Hat Tours on the last Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Space is limited to 10 per tour, so be sure to reserve your spot.

To schedule a tour, contact Frank Lalli at (216) 589-8524, or stop by The Avenue District Sales Office, recently relocated from The Galleria to 1238 St. Clair Ave.


March Hard Hat Tour Dates:

• Friday, March 7
• Friday, March 21
• Saturday, March 29
  

10 Stories in 10 Seconds - The Avenue District Construction Video

This time lapse video shows the construction of The Avenue District 10-story condo building at East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland. The video begins in September 2007 and ends with the top off in February 2008. The footage was captured by The Avenue District Webcam.

Sun News Tours The Avenue District

Loft condos are newest neighbors in downtown

Thursday, February 14, 2008
By Ken Prendergast
Brooklyn Sun Journal

"CLEVELAND It took some imagination to picture comfortable living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms in each loft condominium when 30 mph gusts sent sheets of snow through the building's 10th floor.

By the end of the one-hour tour, the cold made it difficult to speak. Despite the tough conditions, 80 construction workers were making progress on the Avenue District's 10-story loft condo building at East 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue downtown. . . ."

Full Article

Avenue District Featured in Plain Dealer

The Avenue District headlines the Business section of the February 15, 2008 Plain Dealer - "Developer hopes others buy into downtown life." The article also can be found at Cleveland.com. Check out the article introduction and link below:

Buyers sign up for downtown homes

February 15, 2008
By Michelle Jarboe
Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer

"Nearly 16 months into building the Avenue District neighborhood, it appears that Nathan Zaremba's bet that downtown residents want to own homes - and not just rent them - might pay off.

The Cleveland developer has sold a dozen townhomes along Superior Avenue, where the first handful of residents moved in late last year. Of the 58 or so lofts rising at St. Clair Avenue and East 12th Street, about 29 are spoken for - including penthouses priced between $835,000 and $1.2 million. . . ."

Full Article

Downtown Cleveland Townhomes Photo Update

The photos below, taken 1-31-08, show The Avenue District townhomes at East 15th Street and Rockwell Avenue.

(Above) In this photo, framing work continues on Building Two, future home to ten townhomes. In the center background, you'll notice the tower crane and construction of the ten-story Building One of The Avenue District at 1211 St. Clair Ave.


(Above) A view of the townhome block looking west down Lindazzo Avenue.


(Above) Townhome Building One, which features 10 completed units.

Chicago Tribune Covers Cleveland Dining Experience

World-famous food writer, Iron Chef judge and longtime Clevelander Michael Ruhlman recently gave Chicago Tribune reporter - Monica Eng - a true taste of life in Cleveland.

In the Jan. 16 article, Eng gives a first-hand account of a personal culinary tour with Ruhlman that featured such spots as Iron Chef Champ Michael Symon’s Lola and Lolita, Great Lakes Brewing Company, The Flying Fig, The Velvet Tango Room, Sokolowski's University Inn and the Westside Market, as well as an exquisite homemade breakfast cooked by Ruhlman.

Eng poses the following question in her article:

“So you might think that this dashing uber-foodie would make his home in a culinary capital such as New York, San Francisco or even Chicago, right? Nope. Cleveland.”

The article also states, “The national food press -- Gourmet, Food & Wine, Esquire and Playboy.com -- heaped praise on several Cleveland spots this year for best new restaurant, best steakhouse, best farm-to-table programs and great new neighborhood eateries.”

Ruhlman’s notable quotes include:

"What I love about Cleveland is that it is so eccentric...There's no other place like it. People are so quirky."

"Our move back here was supposed to be temporary, but I didn't realize how much of a draw this place has for me…I just like living in Cleveland. I know who I am here."

Cleveland?!?
Former Mistake by the Lake is getting national attention as a hot new dining city. So we sent our intrepid reporter, who had never been there, even to see the Polka Hall of Fame.
By Monica Eng, Chicago Tribune reporter
January 16, 2008
Click here for the full story

Fox 8 Features The Avenue District

Cleveland Fox 8 news reporter Angele Ringo visited The Avenue District on Thursday, Jan. 24, for a hard hat tour of 1211 St. Clair Ave.

Ringo conducted interviews with Nathan Zaremba, president of Zaremba, Inc., and Mark Panzica, Panzica Construction project manager, and reported live from The Avenue District for the 5 and 6 p.m. broadcasts. The Avenue District segment ran five times between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

Fox 8 News also provided links to the segment and The Avenue District Webcam on MyFoxCleveland.com. Click on the screenshot below to view the segment (available as of 1/28/08).

Townhome Building 2 Goes Vertical in The Avenue District

Downtown Cleveland’s premier walkable neighborhood continues to take shape. Foundation work is complete and framing work has begun on Building 2 at the townhomes site, which will bring 10 additional for-sale units to The Avenue District.


Demand remains strong for the townhomes, as many young professionals and Ruppies have been attracted to the urban living lifestyle with spacious three-story floor plans. Each townhome includes the convenience of a two-car garage, plus a rooftop deck with views of Cleveland’s skyline.


(Below: Construction of lofts and penthouses at 1211 St. Clair can be seen centered in the background.)


Meanwhile, the lofts and penthouses at 1211 St. Clair continue to draw interest from buyers as construction reaches the 10th and final floor.


Zaremba, Inc. and Panzica Construction are expecting to top off the mixed-use structure later this month, with occupancy scheduled to begin in fall 2008.

Penthouse Views from The Avenue District

Rising up into the downtown Cleveland skyline, construction of 1211 St. Clair at The Avenue District has reached the 10th and final floor. The 9th and 10th floors will feature eight penthouses ranging from 1,870 square feet to 2,700 square feet.

Following are images taken from the 10th floor on Friday, Jan. 11:

(Below: Looking east down St. Clair.)

(Below: A peek into Browns Stadium, just a few blocks away.)

(Below: Channel 3 headquarters, Burke Lakefront Airport and Lake Erie)

Meanwhile, Panzica Construction is making excellent progress on the 50 loft units at 1211 St. Clair. As you can see in the images below (also from Jan. 11), the first phase of mechanical, electrical and plumbing is underway on the 2nd floor.



Stay tuned for details on a top-off date announcement for 1211 St. Clair . . .