This office and warehouse at 8110 Lake Ave. on Cleveland’s west side is near to being acquired by the George Group of Lakewood to apparently remain a commercial use in a neighborhood with lots of residential development (NEOtrans). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Site may be used for business purposes
ARTICLE UPDATED APRIL 10, 2025
A high-profile businessman is near to acquiring a piece of property between Cleveland’s stable Edgewater neighborhood to the west and the fast-growing Gordon Square neighborhood to the east. But despite the number of new residential developments emerging nearby, this commercial site is apparently going to stay commercial.
On behalf of Lakewood businessman Thomas “Tony” George, Independence-based Revere Title Agency received from the Cleveland Building Department on Monday two requested certificates of disclosure for two parcels that were part of the same for-sale listing. The principal property is a single-story 25,560-square-foot warehouse with a small office on 0.65 acres at 8110 Lake Ave.
The other is a 0.14-acre grassy lot at 1280 W. 83rd St. which was advertised as offering the potential for up to 32 parking spaces. They were both listed for sale as a package, with the owners Agostino and Jill Iacullo of Lakewood seeking $1.1 million. The purchase amount is unknown as the deal has not yet closed.
Although George was listed on the certificate as the buyer, he did so by listing the Westlake address and office suite number for Awakening Angels. That is a nonprofit organization working to fund biomedical research and initiatives to improve the quality of life of those affected by developmental disabilities, Down syndrome and autism.
George lost his son Michael to cancer at the age of 16 in 2019. Michael also had Down syndrome. A place of respite called the Michael T. George Family Great Room at University Hospitals was created in his honor.
A birds-eye view of the Lake Avenue property Tony George is acquiring. In the distance is Lake Erie and, next to the brick building at right in the background is where the Shoreway Tower is starting construction (LoopNet).
But despite the address reference in public records, Annie Artiste, executive director of Awakening Angels, said her organization is not part of the property acquisition. “Awakening Angels is not involved in the purchase of the property at 8110 Lake Avenue,” she said in an e-mail. George confirmed the pending sale but declined to discuss his plans. He said the link to the charity was only because their office handles mail to all tenants of that building, including his office.
A source familiar with the matter who spoke to NEOtrans on the condition of anonymity said George “is going to use the warehouse for his business.” George also owns the Summer Place restaurant in Lakewood, the Harry Buffalo restaurant chain and other businesses.
Given the number of large residential developments nearby, this site could have gone residential. Construction is underway are the Shoreway Tower, 1200 W. 76th St., and pending at the Watterson Lake Apartments, 1422 W 74th St., or Karam Senior Living and Walz Library, 7918 Detroit Ave.
A certificate of disclosure is a public record sought during many commercial property transfers as part of the buyer’s due diligence into a property’s history. The certificate reveals liens and other legal baggage that a property might carry.
While the city requires a certificate of disclosure for residential transactions, it is not legally required for commercial ones although many lenders insist on seeing one. But such certificates don’t always list the buyer on them. This one did.
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