Lakewood Center North Begins Transformation Into City’s Largest Mixed-Use Building

The overhaul of Lakewood Center North is the latest transformational project to break ground in Downtown Lakewood. Construction has begun on the multi-million project set to transition Lakewood’s largest office building into the city’s largest mixed-use building, to be re-branded as Center North.

Center North, located at 14600 Detroit Avenue, is a 15-floor tower featuring more than 260,000 square feet. Once completed, the building will feature 153 high-end apartments; the top two floors will remain commercial office space, and the first floor will remain retail, which is currently occupied by Forage Public House.

The completion of the city’s newest housing option, a privately invested project, will add as many as 250 residents to Downtown Lakewood.

To see the architectural renderings, click here.

“In Lakewood, our housing market largely drives the local economy, with more than 32,000 residential units of all sizes, types and price points available throughout the city,” said Bryce Sylvester, the city’s director of planning and development.

“This is the kind of project that not only satisfies the housing needs of our community, but is part of a large transformational shift in our Downtown corridor.”

Across the street at Belle and Detroit avenues, the Cleveland Clinic is investing $34 million in its new state-of-the-art Family Heath Center, with 24-7 Emergency Department.

At the adjacent property, an entire city block that is the former Lakewood Hospital, another development opportunity awaits. The city recently released a Request For Qualifications for that 6-acre project.

And, two blocks away, a $35 million overhaul of the Westerly campus is underway, expected to be completed within a year.

Lakewood has a 100-year history of mixed-use buildings with hundreds of apartments over retail space all along Madison and Detroit avenues, Lakewood’s two major commercial corridors. Built in the early 1970s, Lakewood Center North was part of the high-rise commercial development boom in that era.

Kowit & Company Real Estate Group, the firm redeveloping and leasing the property, cited several amenities that new residents will enjoy as the first high-rise apartment tenants in Downtown Lakewood. Among them are the desirable location, views of Lake Erie and Downtown Cleveland, and all of the neighborhood offerings — from dining to shopping.

In addition, the building is less than a 10-minute walk to the Solstice Steps, and just footsteps away from the 55 RTA bus line, conveniently shuttling potential commuters to downtown Cleveland.

With more than 52,000 residents in less than 5.5 square miles, Lakewood is the most densely populated city in Ohio — making the area desirable for those seeking urban lifestyles in safe neighborhoods.

“Lakewood is known as the City of Homes,” said Lakewood’s Mayor Mike Summers, “This strategic shift to include housing at Lakewood Center North will only serve to strengthen our diverse housing offerings for years to come.”

Construction is expected to begin soon. Minor traffic changes on Detroit and Belle avenues will be posted on the city’s social media platforms, however, traffic will be maintained in both directions.

The first phase of construction is expected to be completed by late summer of 2017.