LAKEWOOD CENTER WEST APARTMENTS
Client: Argyle Management
Location: 14650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio
Size: 84,000 SF
Status: Completed, 2026
Photography: Vincent Michaels
Constructed as the smaller twin within a 1983 office and retail development, the mostly vacant seven-story structure was acquired in 2023 and reimagined as modern residential space in the center of downtown Lakewood. The design team worked closely with the local building commissioner and the State of Ohio Board of Building Standards to overcome significant code shortcomings such as stacked egress stairways, lack of proper shaft pressurization, and a host of infrastructure issues related to its vintage and former office use. Rezoning the parcel was also a critical component of the entitlement process to ensure the redevelopment could proceed as envisioned.
Inside the precast concrete-clad building, 64 units fan out from the core to capture lake and city views. The exposed post-tension concrete floor plates provide nearly eleven-foot ceiling heights, compensating for the sparse and narrow windows that line the perimeter. A complete overhaul of the elevator, fire protection, electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems was also necessary.
The result is a unique renovation that reenergizes an important intersection in the city and serves as a case study in the ongoing conversation about transforming an oversupply of office space into new and productive uses in the region.
