Flats

Cleveland is on the come up as a city, a fact evidenced no more poetically than in the Flats. The low-lying lands where the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Erie have undergone several stages of transformation, evolving from an industrial hot spot to a nightlife hub that eventually fizzled into a veritable ghost town as its venues closed. But the Flats' 21st-century comeback has turned it into a surging entertainment destination backed by multi-million-dollar mixed-used redevelopment efforts.

The East Bank of the Flats has fast become a trendy spot to make your home base, so much so that the housing market rarely has availability, and only for a short time. The condominiums and townhomes in East Bank put you at the pulse of the Flat's activities, with plenty of bars and eateries just outside your door. But best of all is the view of the Cuyahoga River just to the west, making your $370,000 condo's balcony the best place to watch the sunset. The strip of approximately $570,000 townhouses in East Bank are sleek, modern homes both inside and out. Bright, spacious interiors are well-lit thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that transcend both stories of the primary living spaces. They also come with an attached two-car garage that makes this the closest thing to a stand-alone house in the Flats.

While you can likely catch a glimpse of the river from your East Bank home, you can't beat the proximity at Rivergate Park and Settler's Landing Park. Each green space hugs the bank of the Cuyahoga River as it snakes between the East and West Banks of the Flats. Rivergate Park is home to rowing clubs including the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association, which launch from Merwin's Wharf. Settler's Landing Park offers more green space than Rivergate, plus a dog park, all of which are just across the street from Riverbend Condos.

Head along the river toward Lake Erie and you'll find an active stretch of Cleveland's restaurant scene. "Punch Bowl Social is 27,000 square feet of adult fun," says Realtor Stacey Burnett with RE/MAX Crossroads, referencing their bowling lanes, karaoke reservations and vintage arcade. Burgers, tacos and punch are menu favorites to accompany a good game of Giant Scrabble or cornhole with friends. "That was really where all the East Bank revitalization stemmed from. It all really grew back from the presence of Punch Bowl."

There are plenty of popular spots for a meal out in East Bank — Truman's 216, Alley Cat Oyster Bar, The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar — "But my favorite is Collision Bend," says Burnett. "It has one of the best patios in the city. It's really spectacular. I like the atmosphere there." Collision Bend Brewing Company is named for the Cuyahoga River's narrow passages just outside the bar. Large commercial ships navigate these tricky waters, a feat you can watch from their array of outdoor seating.

Students must commute to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to attend school. Clark Elementary School and Campus International School are two options, the latter boasting impressively rated teachers with an A- rating on Niche.com. Cleveland School of Science and Medicine is another Cleveland Metropolitan School ranked by Niche as the 7th best magnet high school in the state. But once you're back in East Bank after class, everything else in this reinvigorated neighborhood is within easy walking distance, including a stroll of just a few blocks to where the Cleveland Browns professional football team plays downtown.

Written By

Maria Badillo

Photography Contributed By

Nile Vincz

Video By

Jeffrey Knight