J-Roc Proposes New Apartment Project Near Battery Park

This article was published through an exclusive content-sharing agreement with neo-trans.blog.

J-Roc Development is one of those Cleveland real estate firms that, when they advance an idea into construction, it’s advisable to look around to see what they’re planning to build next. The reason? They aren’t content to sit and collect rent from their last project.

Sure enough, as their Shoreway Tower rises up out of the ground at the north end of West 78th Street, overlooking Edgewater Park, their next project is fresh off the drawing boards and is proposed be built nearby.

Targeted for the southeast corner of West 73rd Street and Battery Park Boulevard in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood, the Battery Park Apartments got a look-see on Feb. 6 at the City Planning Commission. Battery Park Apartments is a working title for now.

The commission is being asked to approve the schematic plans which conform to the site’s multifamily and local retail zoning, density and height limitations, according to J Roc. Normally, less detailed conceptual plans are submitted first with increasingly detailed, schematic and final plans submitted later after commission input is received.

However, city planning staff have seen these plans and offered their suggestions and comments, which shaped the schematic version which is now public for the first time. The plans are certain to spur some discussion.

Why? Another thing J-Roc is known for is “modern architecture and forward-thinking urban design” according to its company profile. And just about everyone has an opinion about architectural designs, especially those that are intended to push the envelope.

Contained within irregular, multi-angular structures would be 82 apartments and, in interior courtyards, 76 parking spaces plus a central, dedicated bike room. The proposed development would be set on 1.1 acres that J-Roc acquired one year ago for $660,000, county records show.

While most of the development would be along and east of West 73rd, the equally irregular shape of the property involves putting a smaller building at West 70th Street and Battery Park. In it will be six apartments and the bike storage. J-Roc’s design intent is spelled out in its draft presentation to the commission.

“(To) create a hybrid typology that blends the economy of walk-up units with the ability to foster a strong tenant community typically only found in larger multi-family projects,” noted a project summary by designer Evident Architecture Office (EAO) of Portland, OR.

EAO was the architect for J-Roc’s most recent, big projects — the 13-story, 110-unit Shoreway Tower, four-story, 102-unit The Driftwood Apartments, 1111 Fairfield Ave. in Tremont, and the four-story, 124-unit Electric Gardens, 425 Literary Ave., also in Tremont. J-Roc’s offices are next door on Literary.

In addition to most units at Battery Park Apartments having balconies, there will be “communal porches” with seating areas that connect the two main structures along West 73rd. The connections will be above driveway and parking areas, creating a more cohesive multifamily development.

“It is anticipated stronger communities are formed where informal gathering spaces are interspersed along daily circulation routes,” EAO added. Another design goal is to “Create high-quality units that have ample access to fresh air and sunlight by weaving the landscaping through the individual structures.”

The parking courts will also double as part of the site’s stormwater management with drainage and retention below the parking areas, which will be gated for residents only. Existing on-street parking in the immediate area will be for visitors.

This site has been vacant since 2019 when the city acquired part of it to extend Battery Park Boulevard east of West 73rd. The city demolished the last building on the site which was owned and used by Elite Medical Transportation/Mobile Martin EMS.

The land to the south of it, now owned by J-Roc, was previously owned by an affiliate of Marous Development Group of Willoughby. Marous led the creation of the Battery Park redevelopment of a former Eveready Battery plant more than 20 years ago.

Before J-Roc bought it, its land hosted construction staging for The Station 73 apartments by a Columbus developer Avenue Partners. South of J-Roc’s land along West 73rd, there have been several attempts at developing a vacant property to no avail. That property has been on the market for 17 months.

For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.

Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.