Drawing of the what the completed Eleven River townhouses will look like once completed. According to the Web site condos.com, the asking price for a three-bedroom unit begins at $689,000.

Eleven River homes break ground
By Allison Pritchard
Rocky River
Published May 27, 2009

While many are afraid to invest in a new housing project, Eleven River execs are confident in the 11 new luxury townhomes soon to be built along the river. Not only that, but Riverdale Partners is contributing to one of the city’s biggest good causes, Relay for Life.

Andrew Brickman, Nate Barrett, Shari Caruso, Mike Mylen, John Male, Mayor Pam Bobst and Mary Blank dig in to the site of the new luxury townhomes, Eleven River. (West Life photo by Larry Bennet)

The groundbreaking ceremony was last Friday night, with words from Rocky River Mayor Pam Bobst, along with councilman Michael Mylen, and Eleven River executives at the construction site near the 18500 Lake Rd. Bridge Building. Donations to Relay for Life at the event were matched by Riverdale Partners, Remax realtor Lou Barbee said.

Nate Barrett, a partner of Riverdale Partners called Eleven River “one of the finest people-friendly,” eco-friendly  “communities of its kind,” adding that he has confidence the homes will sell out.

Along the same lines, “Despite all of the negativity out there, this is seen as an exciting adventure,” Chief Executive Officer of Parkview Federal Savings John Male said. Riverdale partner Andrew Brickman, another key player in the project, also spoke.

During the groundbreaking, Bobst thanked Riverdale for making such a large residential investment in the community and also investing in civic organizations. She also noted the unique location and luxurious amenities the homes will offer, such as plunge pools.

With the weekend’s Relay for Life celebration at the High School track, it’s fitting that as Eleven River’s charitable partners, the leaders of Rocky River’s Relay for Life, Shari Caruso and Mary Blank, spoke.

This year marks the 25th year of Relay for Life, Blank said, who stressed the importance of the cause. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. after heart disease, Blank said, and 35 percent of Americans will have possibility of developing it in their lifetime.

Eleven River had originally approached Blank about Relay for Life being its charitable partner, she said.

Barbee hopes the event also draws attention to River’s Relay for Life, she said. Eleven River is “glad to combine a number of purposes” during the event, officials said.

The company wants to be “responsible to the community” by joining up with nonprofits as well as being the first geothermal and eco-friendly homes in the area, Barbee said. Eleven River is gold certified as eco-friendly, she told West Life.

A carnival themed reception with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails followed, along with juggling, dancers and other entertainment. The St. Ignatius Circus Club and St. Joseph’s girl (dressed in clown suits) entertained. Cotton candy, popcorn and Remax hot air balloon rides were also a hit.

Those who chose to live at Eleven River will be able to also have their donations to Relay for Life matched.

“We believe in being involved in an ongoing and positive way in the communities where we are building,” Barbee said. Previously, Riverdale Partners joined with Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital when it opened its east side project, 27 Coltman in Little Italy, she said.

The fully-financed cluster of homes offers many amenities such as large decks, boat docks, two-car garages, private design time and oversized windows to take in the view.

Ten “opportunities” (homes) are left of the eleven, Barbee said. Visit 11river.com for more information.

On the Web:

• Eleven River