East 4th Street Blog

Prepping for the Holidays in the City!

Holidays in the city are coming up!  Downtown Cleveland and East 4th Street are places that are normally jam-packed with people during the holiday season.  This year may look a little different.  To keep everyone safe, while also trying to celebrate the coziest season of them all, we’ve put together this list of things to do to help prepare for holidays in the city: 2020 edition!

Prepare single-serving foods!  If you’re having healthy circles of friends or family over to share a meal, consider making something that doesn’t have a shared serving spoon.  Sliders, sandwiches, pre-plated baskets of finger food, and individual pot pies are great options for an entree! This ensures that your guests get a hearty meal without having to move around the room too much or touch the same utensil as everyone else.  Biodegradable, disposable flatware is also a must for keeping everything sanitary and making cleanup a cinch!  For snacks, providing a scoop or individually measured cups is a great way to keep things hands-free.  For dessert, there’s nothing better than a slice of pie except your own individual pie!  Meals like this may seem more distant than usual, but finding ways to come together through food is always a fun way to enjoy the holidays.

Schedule simultaneous mini parties!  Are you missing the atmosphere of a huge family gathered around a packed kitchen and competing for seating space?  Try having multiple mini parties!  Gather a couple members of your group and schedule a time to celebrate at the same time as another small segment as your group.  Divide the party up, but keep it going together by connecting virtually!  Games can still be played with teams, stories can still be shared, and best of all is the feeling of having friends and family around...even if you have to get creative!

Plan outdoor holiday celebration activities!  Nothing fits the holiday season better than a warm cup of cider or hot cocoa and a walk to see the scenery!  Whether you’re taking in the leaves, looking at Christmas lights, or just looking for something to do outside of the house, a good walk with a warm cup is always fun to do solo or with friends.  So bundle up, pour yourself something steamy, and get some steps in during the holidays!

No matter how you choose to celebrate the holidays, Downtown Cleveland and East 4th Street always have plenty of options. Take a stroll down city streets today to find something to do, or call East 4th Street today to see what it’s like to live here all year!

Fall Restaurant Week is something everyone can get behind - fun, food, and fall!  Every year, restaurants put their best feet forward and prepare a menu and specials to share with their local patrons in celebration of the awesome talent in their kitchens.  What better place to celebrate local fare and support the community than East 4th Street, Cleveland!  This particular year, this event will be helping to promote and uplift many of Downtown Cleveland’s businesses when they truly need it most.  Read on to learn more about what restaurant week is and why you should check it out!

This year, from September 28th through October 4th, Downtown Cleveland will be buzzing with new restaurants to explore, old favorites ready to serve you another day, and people ready to eat!  Should you come in with an appetite, all restaurants participating are taking precautions to provide a clean committed dingin experience so everyone can safely and fully enjoy everything Restaurant Week has to offer.

There are so many ways to enjoy an event like this throughout more of Cleveland as well!  Make plans with friends to take a Downtown Trolley or scooter if the weather is nice.  Add on to the experience by making reservations for a rooftop deck or even check out an outdoor eating option in Public Square.  Try bookending a trip to the museum with appetizers and a little dessert.  There is no shortage of options when it comes to all that eateries have to offer on Restaurant Week!

Looking for something fast and casual?  Butcher and the Brewer has great options for even the pickiest of eaters with a fun and casual atmosphere.  In need of some energy and maybe a little more fun?  Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is never short on good times and good eats!  Does something more leisurely and sophisticated sound good?  Blue Point Grille is sure to satisfy and delight with exceptional food and service.  No matter what group you’re rolling with, where you might be headed, or what the palates prefer, there are great choices for all.  East 4th Street Cleveland is always a great starting or meetup point.  As an added bonus: some of the best food and drinks can be found on this little alley or nearby as well!

At a time when local businesses could use some community support - and the community could use more good times and good food - get out and experience Fall Restaurant Week with friends and family.  Whether coming by in-person, grabbing some take-out, or having delivery come to you, Downtown Cleveland Fall Restaurant Week is here to please!!

Best Places in Downtown Cleveland to Get a Workout

If you’re itching to get out of your apartment, and you’re feeling particularly motivated to get out and get moving, you may be feeling like you need to get a workout in!  Especially right now, everyone could use some extra endorphins and some extra healthy habits in their lives.  As we all know, “working out” is just another way of saying to exercise in a way you enjoy for your health.  The beauty of a work out is it can be done anywhere in any way you like!  Let’s explore some excellent spots for a workout in Downtown Cleveland and around East 4th Street.

Alpha Legends Gym and Fitness Center - This space is meant for anyone that needs an area to workout!  A gym for anyone that wants one is easy to find in Alpha Legends in Downtown CLE.  This location also offers tanning if that’s something you’re looking for!  It’s always great to get everything done in one place.

Rise Nation - This unique style of workout involves workout machinery and a class that shows you how to climb to new heights!  If you’re looking to get your heat pumping, this class is sure to be one that will do the trick.  With three different levels, there is something for everyone at this Euclid Avenue location.

Reform Physical Therapy and Pilates - If you’re looking for a more rounded approach to fitness and wellness, look no further than Reform Physical Therapy and Pilates.  Physical therapy can be beneficial to anyone looking to improve their range of motion, increase strength safely, and keep their body in tip-top shape at all times.  Pilates is a form of fitness involving low-impact strength, endurance, and flexibility exercises.  Both together will help round out any fitness regimen and this Prospect Avenue location is a great place to start!

Yoga Strong - If being well rounded - body, mind, and soul - is your goal, you may want to check out yoga!  Yoga Strong on Prospect Avenue is a studio that you can go to begin or continue your journey with yoga.  Yoga truly is a journey for anyone that tries it out or makes it a part of their everyday routine.  This Cleveland location also houses a Barre Fly house!  Barre Fly is a form of exercise involving suspending yourself on long pieces of fabric hanging from the ceiling and doing ballet-based exercise moves.  What a fun and exciting way to get moving!

Voinovich Bicentennial Park - Whether practicing yoga at sunrise, doing a quick cardio circuit, or jogging around Downtown Cleveland, Voinovich Bicentennial Park is a great place to squeeze in an outdoor, waterfront workout!  Stop by this scenic spot for views of Cleveland and Lake Erie while you get your sweat on!

Where You Live - What better than to live somewhere with a home gym? Whether you live in a house or an apartment, having a private space that’s virtually just for you is a wonderful convenience.  In Downtown Cleveland, East 4th Street Apartments have great options - maybe even an indoor space for you to workout in store!

As we all know, the last few months have presented themselves to be a very unique time.  This has been a time of rest, change, connection, realization, and concern.  Everyone has collectively been either waiting or helping to end this time.  Many found themselves working from home - or unfortunately not working at all - and having to adapt to new schedules, new expectations, and new surroundings.  Some have been continuously working hard to ensure the rest of us can have a safe and secure time in waiting.  Overall, it’s a period where you may find yourself thinking, “When will all this end?”

Well, it may not be over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel!  Life is slowly coming back to Cleveland and many other places around the globe.  There are less restrictions, less limits, and more opportunities to celebrate this time in all our lives.  Where’s the best place to do some of that celebrating? Downtown Cleveland is the place to go!

People choose to play, work, and live downtown for a number of reasons.  There is a vibrant scene of culture, unique and exciting businesses, and experiences to be had!  There is SO MUCH MORE to the downtown Cleveland area than just restaurants and dining out - although that is a great benefit!  Anyone that enjoys a run or jog would appreciate the running routes past the lake, over the bridge, and throughout the open spaces.  The Public Square and the Mall are both open areas as well for people to get out and stretch their legs and minds.

If the restaurant scene is more of what you’re there for - while things are still opening up - many downtown restaurants are still offering takeout and delivery options!  You can still get your favorite meals in your favorite areas.  A picnic is a great way to enjoy some local cuisine while staying safe.

You know the best part of working from home?  No commute!  What’s better than living where you can work?  A spare bedroom or fitness space in your apartment can double as - or transition to - a home office if needed!  Check out our blog on creating the ultimate home office to get some tips and tricks for your perfect workspace. 

Get a change of scenery! Were you looking to make some changes in your life before the world stopped turning? Moving is able to be done safely right now and the weather is perfect for carrying boxes!  With everything else, touring of places like homes and apartments became more creative during the past few months.  There are more ways than ever to see the perfect place, make a decision, and make a change!

There are many great things to do now that the world is starting to find its new normal.  Make sure you continue to be safe, respectful of others, and enjoy yourself as much as you can.

Lastly, what better place to be when things open up than one of the coolest places in Cleveland? Check out openings on East 4th Street today and come back to reality with a bang!

To our Cleveland Community,

We are saddened by the senseless death of George Floyd and so many others before him. We cannot begin to understand the pain, anguish and hopelessness that these events bring up and all too often. We have such great respect for those who do their civic duty by voicing these emotions, particularly their anger, publicly.

For the past 20 years we’ve been working to build a diverse and community driven neighborhood in the heart of the city of Cleveland. We’ve housed residents of diverse backgrounds, employed hundreds of Clevelanders and tried to inject new life into what not long ago was a forgotten alley in the city.

The destruction of this past weekend is born of pain. It is understandable in this often unforgiving society we live in. As residents and developers of the city of Cleveland we vow to redouble our efforts to continue to build community, create jobs, and most importantly listen to one another.  We hope that these actions help drive the change our society desperately needs. 

Lastly, a special note of thanks to all those who came out to help clean up on Sunday morning. Your efforts were invaluable and you reminded us of the greatness of this city and why we do what we do.

Sincerely,

Ari and Jori Maron

Owners, East 4th Street

Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Coming to E. 4th Street to visit our restaurants and shops has never been easier.  Self park your car at the 515 Garage and take advantage of a great promotion.    Stay for 2 hours and pay $4.00 plus $.75 or a linger longer for 4 hours and pay $8.80.  Follow the QR code or click here prior to your arrival and enjoy this great rate for downtown parking!  

Working From Home? Create the Ultimate Home Office!

Sometimes, in this new and unusual time we all find ourselves in, we have to find ways to adapt to our environment and circumstances in creative ways!  One new environment we are all looking to try and navigate differently is the workplace.  Many of us are getting into all new territory trying to balance the work-from-home life with our normal lives.  Working from home can seem like a break from the norm.  However, adding kids, pets, home-life distractions, and other variables into the mix doesn’t always make for the most productive workday.  Here are some ways to turn your space into the ultimate home office and maximize productivity!

First and foremost, establish the “home office space”.  You may not have an entire extra room you can dedicate to this purpose, so pick a corner or area in your space that feels like it can be just yours.  This could be your reading nook, a corner of your living room that isn’t currently being used, or a space in your kitchen that feels inspiring.  One of the best parts of not being confined to your normal office is that you can get creative and really make it your own!

Try adding some entertainment for your eyes! During the workday, it’s easy to get distracted while working at home.  Instead of immediately jumping onto Facebook or TikTok to get a mental break, try adding some inspiring or sentimental artwork where your eyes drift away from your computer screen! This will be a nice mental break with your thoughts instead of the social media rabbit hole.

If you have kids or pets distracting you, try playing games that get them out of your hair for a few minutes at a time!  For instance, dogs love looking for things.  Give your dog some mental stimulation - and yourself a break - by hiding a handful of their food around your place.  Let them go find it while you squeeze in some productive time and repeat!  If you have a toddler around that is also needing something to do, play a sorting game! Tell them to find everything in your space that is a certain shape or color and bring it to you.  Toddlers are EXPERT sorters.  Once they bring it all back, thank and congratulate them before asking them to put it all back!  This will take them a little more time than finding it did, and it will give you a few minutes.  This is a great hack if you need to sort some laundry as well ;)

Lastly, make your area feel FUN.  Do you work well while listening to music? Gone are the days of putting in your headphones at your desk! Feel free to bring out a speaker or play something out loud.   Do you feel most productive after small breaks? Bring your hand weights over and get some reps in between emails! Might as well get some physical exercise in as well.

Any space can be made into the ultimate home office because it is meant to be YOUR ultimate home office! 

Have you ever had a dream of living in a big city, but in a renovated historic apartment, across from a bowling alley/bar, above one of Cleveland’s most well-known destinations, all within walking distance of amazing food, fun, and possibly your office? Look no further than the Windsor Building on East 4th Street!

This building checks every box above and then some.  An urban vibe in a historic building lends a lot of character to the building itself while the location is unbeatable.  Indoor parking is just one of the awesome perks that come with living in this dream apartment community.  You never have to worry about water bills as they are included with the rent, as is trash removal. Your heat is all electric and will be the only bill you have to worry about !  Depending on what size apartment you need, anything from a one bedrooms up to a multi-level with private rooftop patios decks can be found in this unique building.

Some of our renovated apartments will also feature beautiful new cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, and a few other great upgrades!  You also get gated/controlled access to the underground parking garage, , high ceilings, and the amazing location.  Imagine walking across the street to the Corner Alley for some dinner, drinks, and bowling with friends only to have your “walk home” be a few feet.  Think about working in the heart of the city and not having to worry about city parking because your car is safely parked back at your apartment just a block or two away.  Retail therapy can be found below your apartment and just a short walk down the alley to CLE Clothing Co.  The Windsor Building is in the heart of everything you need in Cleveland.

Renovated historic buildings, like this one, have so much to offer in terms of location, living style, and community.  A community benefits whenever a building like this is renovated and used for something beneficial rather than torn down.  Cleveland’s character and past can be felt throughout the walls, while every resident can know that they are living in a building that is part of preservation rather than more expansion.

East 4th Street will always be ready for anything.  The Windsor Building is ready for you. 

 

Virtual Living!

In this day and age, it’s no longer unusual to work from home, video chat with someone thousands of miles away, or get your groceries delivered right to your door.  These are conveniences we have established over the years to make our lives a little simpler.  However, what if they turn into our only option to accomplish normal, everyday tasks?

Welcome to 2020! This is the year that no one expected.  When what would normally be luxuries or conveniences are now the best options to stay safe and healthy during an unpredictable time.  Thank goodness there are options!

Working from home is one.  Do you suddenly find your normal office has been swapped out for a corner of your apartment that you are squeezing a makeshift desk into?  First off, try moving some of your furniture around.  A dinette table up against a window makes for an excellent desk when needed!  This also gives you an opportunity to get some sunlight while you work.  Platforms like Google Hangouts and Zoom Meetings are also great options for telecommuting.  If your workplace hasn’t already set something up like this, or if you are the head of a business yourself, look into platforms like these for group video chatting.  Office settings can provide a sense that more will get done, but sometimes people can actually be more productive from home!  Without distractions from coworkers, and with the ability to control the environment around you, you can set up a space to feel at your most “zen” and zone in on your work!  Besides, sometimes the comfort of being in your sweatpants really lets your mind concentrate on what it should.

Getting hungry?  Takeout is a great option right now! Look into local restaurants and what partners they may use for delivery.  Some may deliver on their own, while others may pair up with companies like DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats to make sure their delicious meals get to their paying customers.  If you’re craving Asian cuisine, Great Taste Chinese Restaurant has partnered with Grubhub and will deliver some yummy food right to you!  Does Pizza sound better for the night?  Grubhub will also bring you a delicious pie from Pizza (216) Kitchen + Taphouse.  You’re thinking of some classic bar food? Uber Eats will bring you some Buffalo Wild Wings straight away!  You’ve had enough cooking lately anyways.

Need to get things done that seem impossible?  A lot of businesses are doing their best to bring their services to you.  Doctors are doing virtual appointments when possible, grocery stores are delivering even without delivery partners, and now it’s possible to (virtually) go to other locations when needed!  4th Street Cleveland has many options for touring.  Give us a call or inquire through our website today to set up a tour! We will accommodate you in any way you prefer and make sure you get to “walk through” and see your apartment before you lease!  Speaking of, you can lease all from the comfort of your current home with our simple online leasing.  It’s never been easier to live where you want to live!

Lofts are a type of apartment.  Loft living is a lifestyle.  Everyone wants to live in a cool, hip loft...but what is it really?

A loft style apartment is typically a large, open space without a lot of internal walls or rooms other than a bathroom.  They used to be most commonly found in old warehouses or storage buildings that were upgraded or converted into apartments, but nowadays lofts are everywhere (and thank goodness)!

Lofts typically have an open feel to them with some more industrial elements such as exposed brick, exposed piping, support beams and poles, etc.  These spaces can be combined into living and work spaces, or they can be used to fit any individual needs!  Lofts have turned into more of a creative living space for anyone that finds themselves wanting to live without walls.  Some apartments also have a lofted space within them almost like an internal balcony.  Either of these types of spaces provide opportunity for imagination in how they are utilized.

One mistake a lot of people make is thinking of a loft as a studio apartment.  The size alone is the main differentiator as loft-style apartments are MUCH bigger!  Other unique elements - such as high ceilings, different levels of flooring to separate rooms, and other architectural elements are things you will see in a loft that you will not necessarily see in a studio.

What would be the benefits of choosing one of these special spaces to live in?  Well, first on the list would be location!!  Unlike other styles of apartments which can be found anywhere, lofts are most typically found in urban areas and bustling cities because of the abundance of building space that is ideal for loft living!  Another great benefit of loft living would be the distinctive buildings they are built in.  Lofts are generally built in older and more historic buildings because of the space, size, and architectural elements that are all especially desirable for building lofts.  This makes a loft very different from your average apartment.

Historic buildings themselves are extremely desirable places to live!  There is an irreplaceable character that these structures have that many modern buildings seem to lack. It’s difficult to replicate the quality of material, construction, and attention to detail that historic buildings possess.   Modern properties are built with efficiency and cost-effectiveness in mind, rather than aesthetics and atmosphere.  These antique materials and construction efforts also make them incredibly durable.  Historic buildings have stood the test of time, and thus, your apartment will be ready for you and many others after you!

Living here gives you an opportunity to feel like you’re learning a history lesson while living within it!  Choosing to live in a building that has been around a long time, rather than a newly built one, helps to maintain the original character and nature of your city.  Picking one of these buildings as your new residence basically makes you a part of larger community preservation.  On the note of preservation, there is nothing more sustainable than choosing to live somewhere that has endured on.  In a day and age where sustainability is something we all need to be more conscious of, making a choice to live the message and be a part of the conversation only helps further our future. 

Luckily, Cleveland is home to many places that fit the bill.  4th Street Cleveland is home to numerous historic buildings, loft style apartments, and creative living opportunities.  Check out the apartments available on 4th Street to get yourself on the path to Loft Living today!