The Van Sweringen brothers, master planners of the city, wanted to create a treelined
escape away from the urban pulse. And so they did, but here’s the thing: Can’t
we have our trees and the energy of an urban center? The Van Aken District says,
emphatically, that the answer is yes.
A NEW KIND OF HOUSING
Over the last several years, Shaker residents have become accustomed to the ongoing
construction bustle at the Van Aken site – careful planning and construction of new
utilities and streets have meant years of work – but the shape of the final product can
still appear a bit mysterious to the average Shakerite.
I recently met with Jason Russell, neighborhood general manager of the Van Aken
District, who walked me through what it will be like to live in the District. Russell
works for RMS Corporation, which is redeveloping the heart of the Van Aken District
in cooperation with the City.
Upstairs Van Aken is nearing completion. That’s the five-story building that marks
the southwestern edge of the redevelopment. The rear of the apartment building –
which will have 103 units – faces the Blue Line Rapid for easy access to a 26-minute
train ride to downtown Cleveland, and also allows for a short stroll to the existing
shops across the street on Chagrin Boulevard.
Just outside the front door of Upstairs is the so-called “Living Room” of the Van
Aken District – a park to gather, eat, and play. Among 20-foot trees that will be planted,
the plaza will feature café seating for restaurants, access to retail storefronts and a
Market Hall (think: coffee shop vibe with multiple vendors and retailers), and a natural
play-and-gathering area whose style
Russell compares to that of the playscape
at Horseshoe Lake Park. Regular events
– from yoga in the park to festivals – will
take place in the Living Room.
WHAT’S UPSTAIRS?
When residents have had enough of the
buzz in the Living Room, home is just
steps away. That home might be a onebedroom,
two-bedroom, or penthouse
suite. A variety of layouts is available,
and prices vary accordingly, but plan
on prices starting at $2 per square foot,
says Russell. Model units will be ready to
tour in May, and occupancy available in
mid-August.
“There are smaller units that would
be ideal for the young professional or
resident,” Russell says, “but also some
of the larger units might be for folks
who own larger houses in Shaker but are
looking to downsize and may be tired of
maintaining a century-old house.”
Everything Upstairs, of course,
will be brand-new. Finishes will range
from the Standard Finish up to the
Penthouse Finish – which simply means
some variations in cabinet design,
cabinet material, countertop material,
appliance packages, and flooring. All the
kitchens will be sleek and modern. Each
apartment will have en suite laundry, so
never mind hauling hampers down to the
basement and back.
Below
and right:
An amenity
room on
the rooftop
level can be
reserved by
residents for
private use.
WWW.SHAKER.LIFE | SPRING 2018 57
/WWW.SHAKER.LIFE