Beachside inspired
By Alyssa Schmitt
In one of Beachwood’s most bustling areas lies a residential haven that intends to offer its tenants a unique standard of luxury living. Welcome to The Hiatus, where the goal is to combine resort-style living with all the comforts of home.
Even with a busy suburban environment outside, the apartment complex at 3800 Park East Drive offers a calming setting. Svetlana Kertesz, COO of My Place Group which owns and manages the property, notes The Hiatus was inspired by a vacation to Miami where she stayed at the 1 Hotel with her husband, Chad Kertesz, founder and CEO of My Place Group.
The design elements they saw on that vacation drove their mission to infuse the essence of the tropical resort, reminiscent of a destination more than a thousand miles away, into Beachwood. Their vision begins to unfold in The Hiatus lobby, where residents are welcomed by a striking two-story living wall, complemented by coastal-inspired accents and chic, neutral-toned furnishings.
“(You) walk in and have it feel like you’re at a resort or you’re on vacation – but (you) live here,” Svetlana Kertesz says.
Building an oasis
Living at The Hiatus, few apartment floor plans match one another. The reason is the building used to be occupied by Park East Center, a nursing home that closed in 2019.
Kertesz says while a few modifications have been made to the complex – like walls taken down or added in some areas – they have kept the original configurations of the rooms. This allows the complex to offer 43 floor plans, ranging from 400 to over 1,200 square feet. Due to those limited alterations, distinctive features such as vaulted ceilings in ground-floor units and ADA-compliant apartments have been made available to tenants.
The complex encourages tenants to find their oasis in a studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment with monthly rates ranging from $1,299 to $2,800. It also includes a penthouse apartment measuring around 1,200 square feet and costing about $4,500 and includes a personal patio that leads to the building’s rooftop deck.
The complex’s concrete frame, preserved during renovations, also plays a key role in fostering a sense of tranquility throughout the premises. As Kertesz explains, the complex was constructed during a time when concrete was the preferred material for four-story buildings. That practice shifted over time and modern constructions of similar sizes typically use wooden frames. However, the enduring concrete frame of The Hiatus contributes to enhanced soundproofing, ensuring a quieter and more peaceful environment for residents to enjoy.
When designing the apartment units and selecting materials to use, the Kerteszes take a hands-on approach. For The Hiatus, this led them to continue looking for coastal-inspired ambiance through their curated design elements – with carpets evoking soft, beachy vibes and large windows filtering in sunlight. Embracing a palette of soothing neutral tones, each residence invites a sense of relaxation, allowing the serene atmosphere of coastal living to flow throughout the complex.
Further enhancing the units are new appliances, and adding a touch of visual interest are the two-toned cabinetry displayed in some units. Together, these elements create a harmonious and inviting environment that reflects the timelessness of beachside living.
Tranquility in a busy world
Nestled within Beachwood’s Chagrin Highlands area, the apartment complex is surrounded by some of the city’s most prominent businesses like Eaton Corporation and University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center, making it a compelling location to live for those working nearby. It is also a short drive to the Pinecrest mixed-use development in Orange, downtown Cleveland and Chagrin Falls, in addition to all the offerings on Chagrin Boulevard as well as nearby grocery stores.
The complex was originally set to open in spring 2023, but because of COVID-19-related challenges, construction finished that summer, and residents were able to start moving in during the fall.
Kertesz explains many Hiatus residents are former residents of downtown Cleveland who had been wanting to move to the east side.
“Say they have family that lives on the east side and they live downtown, and they chose downtown because there is something nice and new and exciting, but there was never an option for resort living or luxury apartments on this side of town,” she says. “So now that we have The Hiatus and it’s available, it’s like, ‘well, I want something nice that I can have downtown but without all the hassle that is involved with downtown.’”
At the time of Jstyle’s interview with Kertesz in March, The Hiatus was sitting at about 80% occupancy. Kertesz says she expected that number to reach 100% within the next 30 to 60 days, especially as Match Day recently took place – the annual nationwide event where medical students learned which residency program they will attend.
This is the first project My Place Group has embarked on outside of Cleveland, says Kertesz, who is Jewish. Yet, this is only the beginning of its expansion endeavors, as evidenced by its recent purchase of the former DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland East, also on Park East Drive in Beachwood. That location is set to transform into Park Place – a fusion of luxury apartments, a boutique hotel and restaurant, office and retail space.
All-inclusive resort
From its inception, The Hiatus was conceived as more than just a collection of apartments – it was envisioned as an all-inclusive resort where residents could feel like they’re always on vacation, Kertesz says.
“I think coming out of COVID too – but even without COVID being in place – it’s like, what can we do in terms of helping provide an environment for our residents where they feel like they’re on vacation?” she says. “(And to feel that), all they have to do is just go upstairs or go back inside to their apartment.”
As one navigates through The Hiatus, the breadth of amenities unfolds, adding to the idea of an all-inclusive resort.
“None of the buildings around here have all of the amenities that we offer,” Kertesz says. “They may have some of them, but they won’t have all of the amenities that we offer.”
Included in those amenities is a state-of-the-art media room, along with the conference rooms, which provide professional spaces for residents to conduct business meetings within the complex seamlessly.
Highlighting its resort features are the complex’s outdoor pool area with cabanas, fire pits and a grill; a fitness center with a Peloton bike; and saunas. If residents venture to the roof, they’ll be able to relax in the top-floor lounge and rooftop observation deck, taking in the views of Beachwood surrounding it.
For those seeking more entertainment, a fully equipped game room promises fun with vintage-looking arcade games and a billiards table. Pet-friendly features include an off-leash dog park and grooming station. Cyclists might also find convenience in the bike storage room, which includes a bike repair station.
“There are other luxury-type communities that are in Beachwood or in the neighboring suburbs, and we sat down (and) we brainstormed,” Kertesz adds. “We have the space for it, let’s try to make this as amenity-packed and as much fun as possible. If I were to move here, I want to stay here. We’re not leaving the resort.”