In August, construction was wrapping up for the second time on the 139-unit second phase of The Marquee at Cedar Lee (Harrison Whittaker). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Cleveland Hts development got 2nd chance
The first call came in at about 7:30 p.m. on a frigid Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. Cleveland Heights’ under-construction second phase of The Marquee at Cedar Lee, about 75 percent completed, was on fire.
Without sprinklers or even much of the plumbing activated due to their exposure to the cold winter, flames got an uncontested head start on the building’s wood walls and floors. Soon, the structure was completely engulfed in flames.
Despite fire departments from 17 Greater Cleveland communities converging on the blaze, just across Cedar Road from the high school, the building was nearly a total loss. Fortunately no one was hurt in the fire that took 20 hours to fully extinguish. No cause for the fire was found, but arson was ruled out.
“I remember the fire like it was yesterday,” wrote Cleveland Heights Mayor Jim Petras on social media, following yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “My mom had been unexpectedly hospitalized in Pennsylvania, and I watched the whole thing on my phone from the hospital waiting room.”
Community officials and development team members joined together yesterday to cut the ribbon on the second phase of The Marquee at Cedar Lee — a ceremony delayed by a massive January 2025 fire (Mayor Jim Petras).
As noted above, the fire damage wasn’t total. The building’s foundations and elevator shafts could be reused. They offered a solid base on which the decision was made to rebuild the 139-unit apartment building.
For the rebuild, which began in July 2025, the architectural and construction plans remained identical. Because the foundations and elevator shafts were structurally sound, it saved significant time and resources.
When the fire happened, the 67-unit first phase of the project by Indianapolis-based developer Flaherty & Collins had just opened on Lee Road south of Tullamore Road. Previously it was called the Cedar Lee Meadowbrook development.
Both phases of the development would share a 20-year-old parking garage, located in between them. And there is 8,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space among both phases.
Fire crews and equipment from 17 Greater Cleveland communities responded to help put out the Jan. 24, 2025 fire at The Marquee at Cedar Lee. This view looks west down Cedar Road from the front yard of the Cleveland Heights High School (City of Cleveland Heights).
“Thanks to our Cleveland Heights firefighters, police, and public works teams, and to the 16 neighboring communities that came to help, no one was hurt and no other building was damaged,” Petras said. “Thank you also to Flaherty & Collins for rebuilding with us.”
The Marquee at Cedar Lee is a $60 million mixed-use development with 206 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments offering custom finishes like granite and quartz countertops, LED lighting, and stainless-steel appliances.
Residents will have access to a variety of amenities, including a resort-style saltwater pool, fire pits, grilling stations, a pet spa and bark park, a fitness center, co-work office space, a yoga studio, and a sky lounge.
Studios list for $1,642, one-bedroom units at $1,777 and two-bedroom suites at $2,302 to $2,394. Residents began moving in in September. Leasing interest is reportedly active.
Site plan for The Marquee at Cedar Lee, then called the Cedar Lee Meadowbrook development. The second phase outlined in red is the portion that caught fire, was substantially demolished and rebuilt (City Architecture).
“We are very excited to welcome residents to The Marquee at Cedar Lee and to the city,” Petras added. “We’re looking forward to the boost this provides to the Cedar Lee area especially as it launches its rebrand as an arts district.”
The Marquee is the second major project the city completed with Flaherty & Collins. In 2021, the development, construction and property management firm completed The Ascent at Top of the Hill in Cleveland Heights’ Cedar-Fairmount neighborhood.
“The Marquee is a great example of what can happen when a community and development partner share a vision for the future,” said Deron Kintner, vice president of development and special advisor for Flaherty & Collins Properties and lead project developer.
“Our partnership with the City of Cleveland Heights has been instrumental in bringing this project to life, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone together,” he said. “This mixed-use development is designed to add new housing, commercial opportunities, and energy to the Cedar Lee District.
A new street was being constructed in August next to The Marquee at Cedar Lee, with Cedar Road to the far left and the development’s parking garage at far right (Harrison Whittaker).
Although one of Cleveland Heights’ many developments, the Marquee’s presence in the Cedar Lee Arts District is highly anticipated by residents and business owners alike, said Jon Foreman, operator of the historic Cedar Lee Theatre.
“It’s such a breath of fresh air to see the construction fences come down, the building completed, and the leasing process begin,” Foreman said.
“It’s a nice thing that has happened to the district,” he added. “Ultimately, the businesses will benefit, and the perception of the district will improve. This will only be a good thing.”
The project’s financial partnership included First National Bank of Omaha which provided the construction loan for the project, Snavely Group serving as the general contractor, and City Architecture and Project Management Consultants as project partners.
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