The Observation Deck

Any thoughts on a 75-100 room hotel in the middle of Lakewood on Detroit Ave? Pros, Cons? Good for Lakewood or not?

What would be it's purpose? Who would be the target consumer?

There was a similar topic on here recently, about marketing Lakewood as a cool/fun/quiet/[insert adjective] place to stay for people visiting Cleveland. There would have to be regular, direct transportation from the hotel to Tower City and back for that to work. It would help if LAKEwood had any beachfront.

I just think this would have to be a YES!!!! project, meaning overwhelming support and interest to go forward. It's too expensive and would take up too much prime real estate to be worth the risk otherwise.

My thought would be to add the last peice to making Lakewood a prime location for Weddings. We've got most of it already; young residents, close to airport, churches, bars, restaurants, Brennan's and Beck Center for reception but why do it here if your guests have to stay downtown, in Westlake or at the 150th Marriott? This would be a key element.
Other events would be funerals which again we have plenty of funeral homes which would make it a convenient proximity.
High school tournaments or events at the soon to be renovated Winterhurst. Why have the event then allow the dollars to go to surrounding communities? I'm sure that a city that hosts the Olympics wouldn't want the guests to all stay in the neighboring city.
The other that came up was out of town guests. Parents visiting their kids wouldn't have to crash on their couch, they could check in at the local hotel and enjoy their weekend in a bit more comfort than clearing a spot at Billy's bachelor pad. Also, again the senior centers. Adult children coming in to visit relatives at one of the many retirement centers could stay close rather than checking in 5 miles away.
Weekly occupancy is the one I can't quite figure out. But considering that 60% occupancy seems the expectation for a hotel to remain profitable, it may have a chance.

INA building?

Brad Hutchison wrote:I just think this would have to be a YES!!!! project, meaning overwhelming support and interest to go forward. It's too expensive and would take up too much prime real estate to be worth the risk otherwise.

The orginal Lakewood Center plans included a space for a hotel North of the parking garage. Top levels of the hotel/condominum/office/apartment would have specacular city and lake views.

I thought that there was a plan for a hotel near the Cliffs.....I seem to remember the discussion during the Westend nightmare, but I don't think it was tied to that development.

Anybody know what happened to that idea? Or was it akin to the people movers and bridge to Canada?

Jeff

so would the plans for the hotel related to the cliffs project or the west end project help or hurt the informal proposal of opening a hotel in the center of Lakewood? If based on the research to that point it was a consideration, can't this continue forward as an idea? If it meant retrofitting the INA building wouldn't it be more feasible than a new build?

...only if whatever hotel would consider Sweet Designs for their "mint on the pillow treatment." Mmmm, Sweet Designs.

Corey

Having worked in the hospitality industry for a good part of my career, I have thought about this a great deal over the past ten years. My fav place for a boutique hotel is that tutor style funeral home on detroit that sits for sale--do you know the one? PERFECT! Long ago when there were hints that Cleveland would get an Intercontintental Hotel thought Lakewood would be a perfect home, right by the Lake --but no go. But a hotel of that caliber would be perfect for us, don't you think?

Think a Hotel or two should definately be in Lakewood's grand plan for the future. We just need to seek out Hoteliers that will share our vision.

Shawn Juris wrote:so would the plans for the hotel related to the cliffs project or the west end project help or hurt the informal proposal of opening a hotel in the center of Lakewood? If based on the research to that point it was a consideration, can't this continue forward as an idea? If it meant retrofitting the INA building wouldn't it be more feasible than a new build?

Shawn

The hotel from what I remember was 20 or more stories, north of the Cliffs, it was the three properties on each side of the underpass. Maybe you could ask ask the Chamber what happened to this imporant piece of economic development in Lakewood. It would have seen like something LakewoodAlive would be pushing very hard for.

As for the Cliffs, I did find the Sun article to be a little upsetting. The Foran Group has money to develop in Cleveland but has decided to let the Cliff project wait for a better housing market! 2010? 2015? 2025? 2050? 3000?


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But Jim you miss the point of the quote that you listed. I think you must have seen that there is a monumental difference between building a brand new building which as you said was proposed at 20 stories vs retrofitting a mostly vacant piece of property. Should we not look for other options and focus on what isn't working out?