Downtown living was not on the radar for Kim Santa Maria. She commuted to the city center from Aurora to work for Stark Enterprises, clocking a good 60 miles daily in the car. In the evening, she went home to her daughter.
Once the nest emptied, she reconsidered her suburban home and got in at the ground floor of The Beacon’s opening in 2019. At the time, the property was the first residential high-rise constructed since 1974, located on Euclid Avenue minutes from her office. She toured the 14th floor, 1,100-square-foot unit and was immediately hooked.
“It was a big move,” she says. “But when I took a look at the views, it was like, ‘Oh, wow. This is amazing!’”
She calls the complete lifestyle switch “totally random,” though it really wasn’t. “It saves me two hours a day driving, I have made friends in the building, and I love trying out the new restaurants and walking everywhere.”
From Santa Maria’s view, you can see all three stadiums, Lake Erie, the bustle on Euclid Avenue and East 4th Street — and fireworks, of course, during the Guardians season. Floor-to-ceiling windows usher in downtown’s energy.
For Santa Maria and many other residents there, it’s not just about the amenities inside the apartment home. The Beacon is a community. The building hosts weekly events, from Wine Down Wednesdays in the indoor sky lounge to bonfire pool parties with s’mores and drinks, along with Sunday Sounds featuring local musicians and refreshments.
(Photo courtesy Heather Linn Young)
The luxury building includes The Beacon Rooftop, with an indoor lounge containing a full kitchen, media and dining- and living-room furniture. The Beacon Backyard is home to a pool, fire pits, grills, lounging space and a ping-pong table, along with other outdoor games. “Residents can bring guests, and it’s like having a backyard but in the middle of Cleveland,” says Jessica Juker, the building manager.
The pet-friendly environment includes a dog spa, and there is a rooftop dog park. Because the apartments are built on top of a parking garage, you don’t have to cross a street to access your vehicle.
A typical day for Santa Maria is the usual wake-up and walk to work. After hours, she heads to The Beacon’s gym or walks the neighborhood. On weekends, it’s dinner out and often entertaining friends or her daughter.
And the beauty is, she can “go out” and stay in because of the amenity spaces. As for in, Santa Maria’s open floor plan apartment is one bedroom and one bathroom. She appreciates the roomy foyer area, having transitioned from a home. “I love the long foyer and airy space,” she says.
Santa Maria chose the building’s blonde color scheme — the other option was cooler grays. White quartz countertops are functional and modern, and a roomy island provides ample seating for guests. Stainless steel appliances and linear fixtures align with the space’s minimalist feel, which Santa Maria appreciates.
She selected furniture and accessories from Wayfair for her apartment. The Beacon is a fresh next-chapter start, and a luxury one, at that.
“Living in the city is great — I love it!” she says, taking a lunch break from her nearby office, knowing she won’t be sitting in a logjam to get home.
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