Commercial Real Estate News

Blue Abyss may build $250m research center here

By Ken Prendergast / March 26, 2023 March 25, 2023

A British company, Blue Abyss Diving Ltd., is pursuing the development of a new research center devoted to deep sea and space research in the Cleveland suburb of Brook Park on land next to NASA Glenn Research Center. The project, with a total estimated price tag of $250 million, could be one of the most significant business investments resulting from the presence of the NASA facility. It could also be nearly identical to a major research center Blue Abyss is building in the United Kingdom county of Cornwall.

It’s official: Lakewood Center West sells

By Ken Prendergast / March 20, 2023 March 20, 2023

While Lakewood waits on the Downtown Lakewood development, a mostly residential development could come to this inner-ring suburb’s former office and current retail district even sooner. According to Lakewood city officials and Cuyahoga County records, a Brooklyn, NY-based developer has acquired the seven-story Lakewood Center West at the northeast corner of Detroit and St. Charles avenues for $2.4 million. The developer told NEOtrans that they envision 60-70 apartments on the upper floors and will retain the ground-floor and basement commercial tenants.

Half of Bulkley Building to be residential

By Ken Prendergast / March 17, 2023 March 21, 2023

A significant building in downtown Cleveland’s theater district is proposed to undergo a transformation that would convert nearly half of the structure to residential and add a high-profile office tenant. The Bulkley Building, or simply The Bulkley, 1501 Euclid Ave., is not only owned by the Playhouse Square Foundation but is also the site of the foundation’s offices.

Casket maker brings factory to life

By Ken Prendergast / March 11, 2023 March 15, 2023

Construction permits were filed this week with Cleveland’s Building Department to retrofit a west-side factory so Victoriaville & Co. of Victoriaville, Québec, Canada can open its first manufacturing operations in the USA. The plant will manufacture what’s called “death care merchandise” — namely caskets and urns in what is a growing market as the oldest Baby Boomers approach 80 years of age.

Downtown Lakewood work starts for new bank

By Ken Prendergast / March 10, 2023 March 10, 2023

Persons visiting or passing through downtown Lakewood have likely noticed the demolition of a small bank branch-turned-bagel restaurant and wondered what is going to replace it. The answer is that another bank branch will return to that site but with a more pedestrian-friendly approach to the building’s design this time around. And while the new structure will be bigger than its predecessor, the amount of floor space in the building isn’t as much as the new structure makes it appear.

Cleveland Clinic to raze ex-TRW HQ

By Ken Prendergast / March 7, 2023 March 8, 2023

Two significant structures on a large piece of land in Cleveland’s eastern suburbs, whose prominence is owed to the industrial giants of Gilded Age Cleveland, face very different fates. One, the 106-year-old, 45-room Frances Bolton Mansion, will be preserved. The other, the 1985-built, former TRW headquarters with its four office wings radiating from a glassy central atrium, is proposed to be demolished by the end of the year.

Seeds & Sprouts XXVII – Downtown apts groundbreaking due, Factory to be artist studios, Urgent Care tosses Pizza Hut

By Ken Prendergast / February 23, 2023 February 23, 2023

Groundbreaking is due in mid-March for The Apartments At Bolivar in downtown Cleveland. A former factory on East 45th Street in Asiatown is being renovated into the Belden Building artist studios. And the Pizza Hut at Detroit Avenue and West 117th Street will be demolished for an Urgent Care Center.

East Cleveland on track for $100M project

By Ken Prendergast / February 16, 2023 February 19, 2023

Cuyahoga County Council’s approval yesterday of a property sale to a New York City-based developer could lead the way toward a “significant” development in the heart of East Cleveland. The site, at Euclid and Superior avenues, is just one-half-mile from the eastern edge of University Circle and set between stations on the HealthLine bus and Red Line rail rapid transit routes.

MLK Plaza bought by DC developer

By Ken Prendergast / February 16, 2023 February 19, 2023

Continued redevelopment of Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood was put into play last week following the acquisition of 4.45 acres of property which has hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, 9300 Wade Park Ave., since 1972. Purchasing the MLK Plaza on Feb. 6 for $2.75 million was an affiliate of Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures (NREUV), according to Cuyahoga County records.

Downtown Lakewood back to drawing board

By Ken Prendergast / February 11, 2023 February 11, 2023

After two years of seemingly endless meetings surrounding the redevelopment of Lakewood’s former hospital site, Roundstone Insurance has not only left the development project but decided to leave the inner-ring suburb entirely. Currently located in the former First Church of Christ Scientist, 15422 Detroit Ave., the headquarters of this fast-growing insurance firm with up to 240 employees and $17.5 million in annual payroll is due to leave Lakewood in April 2024, according to Mayor Meghan George’s administration.