LAKEWOOD, Ohio — The former Lakewood Hospital site in downtown Lakewood will be redeveloped with a $119 million project that includes housing, retail space, parking and outdoor community space, the city announced in a press release.

What You Need To Know

  • The site of the former Lakewood Hospital is going to be redeveloped

  • They will break ground in 2025

  • The redevelopment will include housing, retail space, parking and outdoor community space

The Lakewood City Council approved the redevelopment project on Dec. 16. The redevelopment will be handled by a team at CASTO Communities and North Pointe Realty.

Construction will start next year.

“The City of Lakewood is excited to have a final agreement in place that achieves the goals our residents established during the initial visioning process for this site,” Lakewood Mayor Meghan George said in the release. “This development will deliver hundreds of housing units with diverse options; thousands of square feet of new commercial space; new jobs and income tax revenue; a welcoming public space; high quality architectural and environmental design; historic preservation of the Curtis Block; and increased activity in the heart of Downtown Lakewood.”

In total, the redevelopment will include:

  • 305 housing units (293 apartments, seven townhomes, five renovated units)
  • Around 25,000 square feet of retail space
  • 17,000 square-foot plaza/community space
  • 567 parking spaces (536 in a garage)

“The community’s goal for the Downtown Development has always been about maximizing, in every sense, the opportunity before us,” Lakewood City Council President Sarah Kepple said in the release. “Thanks to public involvement, the work of the Administration, and our development and school partners, this project not only creates a new tax base where none has ever existed, but also delivers historic preservation, affordable and accessible housing, public art and green space, and further bolsters the density and vibrancy of the heart of our city.”

The president of CASTO Communities, Brent Sobczak, said they are thankful to everyone who helped the project reach this point.

“It took a lot of perseverance and collaboration to work through all the challenges associated with the project,” he said. “Ultimately, all the hard work and patience will pay off with a development that we can all be proud of.”

George thanked the city council and Kepple as well as boards and commissions in the city.

“We view this project as a collective win for the City of Lakewood and the School District, and appreciate the leadership and support of Superintendent Maggie Niedzwiecki, Board of Education President Michael J. Callahan and their respective staff and board members as well, for partnering with the City on a mutually beneficial compensation agreement that allows the city and school district to share equally in the project," she said in the release. "Lastly, we cannot be more grateful for CASTO and North Pointe and their leadership team or ask for a better development partner in this project and for their investment in the City. This process required tremendous patience, dedication, and creative solutions to get to today’s approval, and we look forward to seeing the site come to life again as construction begins in 2025.”