“On The Waterfront”
Written by Chris Allsop, New American Luxury Magazine
When he was first envisioning the Eleven River townhouses project, developer Andrew Brickman knew that the design sensibilities of Scott and Analía Dimit were a perfect fit. Brickman, of Abode Modern Lifestyle Developers, had been collaborating with Scott and Analía’s firm, Dimit Architects, for nearly 10 years, as both firms work in the Cleveland area.
“I like classic modern design,” Brickman explains. “So much of the modern architecture that I see constructed today seems dated before it is even finished. There’s a certain timelessness about Scott’s work that only great architects can manage- creating really functional, modern, eco-sensitive spaces that can stand the test of time.”
The northeast Ohio site for the Eleven River project is along the west bank of Rocky River on a private, picturesque peninsula directly across from the Cleveland Metroparks. “It’s a pretty spectacular site,” Scott Dimit says. “When Andrew showed it to Analía and me, we were thrilled at the prospect of designing new residences right on the waterfront.”
Brickman’s and the Dimit’s plans involved creating townhouses that offer easy-maintenance living for active families, boat owners, and empty-nesters that enjoy entertaining and want a dramatic waterfront location. To this end, each residence at Eleven River includes a private boat slip along the boardwalk in front of the residences.
The design of the townhouses evolved out of the special conditions of the site- leading with the view of the Rocky River. Scott Dimit notes that the design involved, “treating each unique view as a piece of art.”
Facing the road, the main entries to the residences are located on the same face as the garages. A dramatic two-story entry vestibule helps to create what Scott Dimit describes as a “wonderful entry sequence,” with the access corridor leading past the garage to a half level of stairs up to the main living room, which looks out to the river.
“We lowered the riverside decks below living-room level, so that instead of viewing the deck and outside furniture, you just have this beautiful wide view of the river and marina below,” Scott Dimit explains.
An experiment from a townhouse-design perspective was the choice to laterally step the partition walls between each unit; a design strategy that helps to hide the stairs upon entry. All the levels are connected by an open steel staircase that faces out toward the river; a detail that helped meet Brickman’s desire that the spaces should feel open and “flow.”
“Every day, as you step from level to level, you’re faced with this dramatic view down the stairs to the water,” Scott Dimit explains. The literal, crowning glory of the townhomes is their roof decks. Approximately 85 feet above the water level, Scott Dimit says that, because of how the river bends around the site, you almost feel as if you’re on the deck of a ship.
Eleven River is a gold standard project for the National Association of Home Builders. As such, all of the townhouses are powered by a geothermal HVAC system, and a lot of the materials used in the construction are locally sourced or recycled, such as the cement-board cladding on the exterior. Bamboo is a popular option for the floors, and wheatgrass cabinetry is also available.
“We love the view of Eleven River from the waterfront,” Scott Dimit says. “The building plays with the water and light, and we think the spaces are very inviting and modern. We’d love to live there!”
