With downtown apartment buildings near capacity, those with an eye for the urban are looking for places to live in nearby neighborhoods. To meet the demand, developers are breaking ground and rehabbing historic buildings in neighborhoods from Edgewater to University Circle. A new generation's ideas about quality of life are fueling the growth spurt, says Jenny Spencer of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization. "[They like] being near the lake, walkability, being near downtown," she says. Here are your keys to these up-and-coming developments.
Fifth Church
West 117th Street and Lake Avenue, Edgewater
Eleven townhomes will replace the vacant Fifth Church of Christ Scientist. The Brickhaus Partners project will use pieces of the building to construct an arch at the corner. "[It] pays homage to the original church," says Andrew Brickman of Brickhaus, "and also serves as an entryway to the city of Cleveland."
Timetable → Fall 2015 completion
Shoreway Lofts
1200 W. 76th St., Battery Park
The 45 Shoreway Lofts are carved out of a warehouse built in 1918 as the Globe Machine & Stamping Co. One apartment has retained the fireplace from the company's break room, and even second floor units have enviable lake views.
Timetable → August 2014 completion
Breakwater Bluffs
Breakwater Avenue, Detroit Shoreway
Approximately 300 suites and townhomes will make up this complex situated on a bluff overlooking the lake. Edgy, but comfortable, the design will integrate some of the area's past. "We're going with what we call a warm industrial theme," says Aaron Pechota, of the NRP Group.
Timetable → Construction to begin in early 2015
Templin-Bradley Co. Lofts
5700 Detroit Ave., Detroit Shoreway
Among these 15 market-rate and 15 subsidized rental lofts with views of Lake Erie and downtown will be four two-story live-work units. "We wanted to develop and expand housing options, particularly for artists or others that would consider themselves part of the creative class," says Matt Lasko, of Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization.
Timetable → Spring 2015 completion
Harbor View Townhomes
West 54th Street and Herman Avenue, Detroit Shoreway
Harbor View's seven townhomes will offer views of downtown, Lake Erie, the Flats and FirstEnergy Stadium from a fourth-floor roof deck and are only a five-minute walk from Gordon Square Arts District's attractions. "When you move in, all you're bringing is your clothes and furniture," says developer Mike DeCesare.
Timetable → First units to be complete by December 2014
The Lofts at West Side Community House
3000 Bridge Ave., Ohio City
The 19 lofts in the historic West Side Community House are designed as the city's first bike-friendly apartments, with bike racks on the wall and membership to Bike Cleveland included. "It's a smart way to build healthy communities: design around bicycling," says developer Damon Taseff.
Timetable → October 2014 completion
Starkweather Place Townhomes
Starkweather Avenue, Tremont
Tremont's dense, walkable neighborhood has little room for housing growth, so the 31 Starkweather Place Townhomes offer two or three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths in 1,700-to-1,900-square-feet. "We want to maximize living space with a small footprint," says Keith Sutton of Sutton Builders.
Timetable → 19 complete, with additional units completed beginning December 2014
The Preserve: Upper Chester
10001 Chester Ave., University Circle
Expansions by the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University have created pent-up demand for new housing, and these 177 apartments will be less than a 10-minute walk to the hospital and CWRU's planned performing arts center at Temple-Tifereth Israel.
Timetable → June 2015 completion
One University Circle
Euclid Avenue and Sterns Road, University Circle
Expected to be the tallest all-residential building in the city at 260 feet or more, the apartments at Sterns and Euclid avenues are on or near several major bus routes and blocks from the RTA's Red Line. They start at 720 square feet, but the largest of the 280 units will be more than 4,000 square feet.
Timetable → Fall 2017
Intesa
Mayfield Road and Circle Drive, University Circle
Originally announced two years ago, the development will include two-story, townhouse-style penthouses, conventional apartments and affordable, 300- to 500-square-foot microsuites designed to make urban living accessible where space comes at a premium.
Timetable → March 2016 completion
University Place Townhomes
East 118 Street, University Circle
The 19 University Place Townhomes, with garages and rooftop decks, will be a rare for-sale opportunity in a neighborhood used to apartments. "We felt that people wanted to make an investment," says Michael Cantor of Bluewater Capital Partners.
Timetable → First units to be complete by October 2014
