Blog

Behind the Scenes of Playhouse Square Real Estate

In March 2020, as the world paused, CRESCO Real Estate took its first steps into the Playhouse Square District, partnering with one of Cleveland’s most iconic neighborhoods. Led by Connor Redman and Alex L. Russo, SIOR, the team secured office listings at a time when most were scaling back. What began as a leap of faith … Continued

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Recharge Retail: Rethinking Retail as Community Infrastructure

Retail today isn’t just about shopping — it’s about building stronger communities. Healthcare, wellness, and service-focused retail are redefining what success looks like, helping cities attract new residents, stabilize neighborhoods, and create places people want to live at every stage of life. In Northeast Ohio, we’re seeing the shift firsthand. New healthcare facilities, fitness centers, … Continued

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Black Friday’s Impact on Retail Real Estate

Black Friday 2022 was undoubtedly one for the books. Despite concerns about inflation, Black Friday sales raked in a record $9.12 billion worldwide. What’s more, in-person shopping increased nearly 3% this year compared to last, and visits to physical stores on Thanksgiving Day alone leaped 19.7%.   Each holiday season is crucial to retailers’ success. … Continued

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Storefronts and Retail Space: 3 Reasons They Are Here to Stay

While the COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging retail businesses in 2020 and into 2021, many assumed that the increase of e-commerce would change the retail landscape, thus eliminating the need for storefronts and retail space. In the first two quarters of 2022, retailers have opened more than 4,200 stores, exceeding this year’s store closings by 240%. … Continued

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What on Earth is Going on in the Flats South?

We’ve been promised revitalization of the Flats South and the city of Cleveland is ready for it. The gentrification of a rust belt neighborhood written off as an urban casualty needs something to prime the pump and establish it as a destination. And that something is whiskey! Enter Cleveland Whiskey. In 2020 the local distiller … Continued

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Resilience of Retail

Everybody loves retail. It’s the most tangible, most visible, most experienced form of commercial real estate. From teens loitering at a coffee shop to Grandma’s visit at a bakery, everyone has an insight about “what they should do” when it comes to retail. E-commerce and COVID demonstrated retail’s resilience; it’s a stronger asset class today … Continued

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Warehouse Space in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

When it comes to real estate investment, the Northeast Ohio area is not lacking in warehouse space. It’s not a secret that the pandemic has led to some major retail stores closing their doors, causing a shift in the need for retail space to a need for other types of commercial spaces such as warehouses.  … Continued

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Greater Cleveland Shopping Centers: Key Retail Real Estate Trends

Simon Caplan, a partner at CRESCO Real Estate, recently sat down with Smart Business to discuss the current commercial real estate market, including the state of retail and Cleveland  shopping centers. He discusses how some retail spaces were converted to warehouses or used for non-retail purposes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how retail property … Continued

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Cleveland Property Spotlight: The May Company Building

Property Address: 200 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113 The historic May Company Building is one of Cleveland’s architectural gems. Listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the building opened its doors in 1915 as the May Department Store. At the time, it was said to be the third-largest store in the nation.  The … Continued

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A Retail Tenant’s Market: COVID-19’s Impact on CRE

The pendulum has swung. Just a few short months ago, the future of commercial real estate looked bright and landlords had little trouble keeping their vacancy rates low. Now, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, tenants have the upper hand.  As economic uncertainty sweeps across the nation, small businesses are being hit hard. Many … Continued

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Blend and Extend Lease Amendments

Navigating lease terms in the face of large-scale economic uncertainty can be immensely challenging for both Northeast Ohio commercial landlords and tenants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many discussions about rent reductions, abatements, and evictions. Commercial tenants and landlords alike are concerned about declining income, and many are unsure how to move forward … Continued

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