The 9Developer: Geis Companies Owner: Geis Properties LLC Location: ClevelandGeis Properties LLC received the 2015 Historic Development that Best Exemplifies Major Community Impact award for redeveloping three historic structures into a mixed-use facility in Cleveland. The development, The 9, provides mixed-use residential, retail, theater, dining, grocery and hotel space. The 9 consists of three historic structures spanning two city blocks in the heart of downtown Cleveland. The site includes the Cleveland Trust Tower, a 29-story, 400,000-square-foot brutalist office tower designed by Marcel Breuer as the headquarters for Cleveland Trust in 1971; the Cleveland Trust Rotunda, a 38,000-square-foot historic structure built in 1905 with a stained glass dome above a main floor and two mezzanine levels; and the 1010 Euclid Building, a 14-story, 120,000-square-foot office building built in 1910. Eric Brubaker, director of acquisitions at state tax credit investor Foss and Company Inc., said that at the time of development, the complex was vacant and dilapidated. Today, The 9 includes the Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel, 194 luxury rental apartments, a 30,000-square-foot Heinen's grocery store, restaurants, nightclubs, an indoor dog park, a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and 10,000 square feet of commercial office space. Brubaker says Heinen's is one of few full-service supermarkets in downtown Cleveland. Brubaker also said that since opening, The 9 has had a positive effect on the local community. The development served as a major catalyst for other community developments in the surrounding area, including the renovation of 500,000 square feet of previously vacant buildings in a three-block radius, with several more developments planned in the near future. Brubaker says the development as also created 300 hospitality, food and beverage jobs. Additionally, The 9 employs green building and sustainability initiatives throughout the complex, including adopting a zero-waste recycling program, as well as using an Omega HRP water source heat pump. "Impressive project in all respects: [the] major endeavor … nicely restored and remodeled beautiful/classic structures … It created affordable and market-rate housing … [as well as[ a needed food store … construction jobs and … permanent jobs and related tax revenues, all with [an] impressive public/private capital stack, including federal and state HTC." – Michael Saad, Squires Sanders |