Hannah Lindesmith
Moving Downtown was an easy decision for Hannah Lindesmith, who relocated back to Cleveland from Chicago to be close to family. “I love the lifestyle of walking places,” she says.
Her priorities for a place to call home included proximity to sports stadiums, safety and an updated space with amenities in a historic building. She landed in the Residences at Leader in September 2020, following a pandemic lockdown that emptied the streets of Downtown’s usual bustle.
Then she watched the city center slowly come back to life, she says.
“It was cool to see,” she says, relating that her view of East Fourth was a front-row seat to Downtown’s recovery. “When you walk outside during lunch, you see a significant change — businesses are opening and people are back in the office. I love seeing all the flowers that have been planted and all the new apartment complexes and renovations underway.”
Lindesmith works remotely as a sales operations manager and has established offices of all kinds across town, such as Lion Heart Coffee and the Cleveland Public Library.
“Downtown is like its own small community,” she says, relating that she has met great friends who attend the same workout classes at Yoga Strong or enjoy happy hours before Guardians games. She finds easy connections with neighbors. “People who live Downtown truly love Downtown and want to continue to explore it with others who feel the same way. There is a very unique sense of belonging here.”
Hannah’s Downtown Go-Tos
Lunch on the Square: REBoL offers clean eats and a variety of bowls for noshing. When coworkers travel in to visit, Lindesmith finds a table at Fahrenheit’s new location at 55 Public Square.
Dinner and Drinks: Cordelia mixes fresh cocktails and offers a “Bellie Up” tasting menu with six or seven plates of kitchen-selected fare. Lindesmith’s go-to is the Burger Box. “I recommend the pimento cheese snack and a cinnamon churro for dessert,” she says.
Awestruck by Architecture: From the historic, ornate rotunda at Heinen’s to the fact that Lindesmith’s home is in a former newspaper building, downtown’s variety of architectural gems and preservation projects feed her love for the built environment.
Jess Wallace
Jess Wallace calls her move Downtown “a kismet thing.”
She had worked Downtown from 2005 until the pandemic shutdown, retreating to home in Shaker Square for a year and a half of Zoom. “I really missed being Downtown — and I always wished that I lived there,” says Wallace, who is now an executive assistant at Downtown Cleveland.
Two years ago, the timing seemed just right to uproot her digs.
Admittedly, Wallace was a little hesitant. She had lived in the same apartment for 17 years. The sheer accumulation of things was a bit overwhelming, too.
A colleague gave her the nudge she needed to check out an available unit at the Residences at 1717 and encouraged, “Go for it!” Here’s where the kismet thing happened. “I utilize a wheelchair for mobility. After looking at the unit, we were exiting and I looked at the door. The peep hole was at my level.”
Turns out, the unit where she now lives is semi-accessible. Plus, the unit number includes her favorite numeral: eight.
Wallace laughs, “It was meant to be!”
She made the decision that day and since then, her two-block commute is a game changer.
“I refer to all of Downtown as my backyard,” she says. “I have everything I need right here — groceries, the pharmacy, places to shop and eat out. I can get all of my errands done on my way home.”
This was a bold move for Wallace, who says, “I don’t do well with change. But I took a leap of faith, I went for it, and it was the best decision.”
Downtown is incredibly accessible, she adds. “Our ambassadors help keep Downtown clean and safe, and, in the winter, they make sure the curb cuts and crosswalk areas are cleared so it’s easy to navigate.”
A bonus: Wallace’s view is prime for watching fireworks following Guardians wins.
Snapshots of CLE
Wallace is an avid photographer and often spends Sunday afternoons exploring Downtown with her camera. Here are some sweet spots and impressive backdrops.
The Real Farmville: Just outside the Huntington Convention Center, across from First Energy Stadium, is an urban farm operated by Levy Restaurants. It started with some bees and expanded to pigs, chickens, goats and a host of produce. In late summer through early fall, echinacea flowers attract pollinators and butterflies. Wallace has captured shots of Monarchs during migration season.
Bar 32 Cleveland: Located on the 32nd floor of The Hilton Cleveland Downtown, “It’s a great panoramic vantage point of the lake and all of Downtown,” Wallace says.
Terminal Tower: Awash in color after sundown, the ever-changing symbolic building is a bright source of inspiration.
Mall A: “The Fountain of Eternal Life is a great picture spot,” Wallace says of the 35-foot bronze figure.
Kathy Ode
In 2017, I was Downtown for an Indians game with my adult son. I have season tickets and enjoy a few beers at the game. We would take an Uber from the suburbs. As we were enjoying Downtown before the game, my son wondered why I didn’t just buy a condo there. I thought it was a genius idea! I also have season tickets to the Browns and the Cleveland Monsters, so I’m Downtown a lot!
I bought a two-bedroom condo on East Fourth Steet and found I spent way more time than I expected in our great city. I have friends join me for games and events or just to hang out. But there always seemed to be someone sleeping on my couch. I decided it was time to upgrade to a three bedroom.
I’m retired and not fond of the idea of an apartment — I also wanted to stay in the Gateway District. I had reached out to Kristin Rogers at Howard Hanna, and she introduced me to the Residence at the Guardian. I purchased the three-bedroom condo and moved in the beginning of March. I love the quality finishes in the kitchen and baths. The views are stunning! I also love the outdoor space on the roof. Interestingly, I have friends who still sleep on the couch because it’s so comfortable!
