Charles Fazio & Associates was hired to redesign a condominium unit in the Bratenahl 2 residential tower overlooking Lake Erie. The original layout did not take advantage of the lake views. The redesign opened up the space by eliminating two bedrooms and reconfiguring rooms to maximize water views. Rich woods, custom furnishings, and architectural details were used to create a transitional contemporary design. The renovation improved the functionality of the space to better suit the owners' needs.

1. Residential Revival
Charles Fazio & Associates revives condo at opulent Bratenahl 2
By Diane DiPiero | Photos by Beth Singer
T he owners of an opulent condominium in Bratenahl 2, one of a pair of residential towers over-
looking Lake Erie, contacted Charles Fazio & Associates about giving a whole new look to the
place. “It was configured like a bunch of cubes. The kitchen was tucked on the inside, and the living
room was the only room with a view of the lake,” says Charles Fazio, owner of the architecture firm.
Fazio suggested reworking the space For this project, reconfiguring the Fazio. By determining their needs and
to maximize lake views. Also important space was the first step in creating a tran- lifestyle, the firm was able to create a
was to give greater prominence to the sitional contemporary setting. Charles space aptly suited for them.
kitchen. “The owner is a wonderful Fazio & Associates’ construction man- “This was a three-bedroom condo, but
cook,” Fazio says. Tying together this agement arm, H Construction, worked the owners only needed one bedroom,”
new look would be rich woods, custom on the project, creating a streamlined Fazio says. “We were able to open up the
furnishings and architectural details that and straightforward process for the space and the entry area by eliminating
would make the inside of the condo as owners, according to Fazio. two of the bedrooms.” The reconfigura-
stunning as the view from the windows. “With our construction management tion allowed for lake views from just
The redesign of this Bratenahl condo team, everything is open-book,” he says. about every area of the condo, including
illustrates Charles Fazio & Associates’ The owners were able to see the different the kitchen.
expertise in transitional contemporary bidders for various projects and view any Setting the stage for the opulent
architecture, a style for which the firm change orders that happened along the redesign is the foyer, which employs
has earned a solid reputation over the way. “And a contract manager is able highly custom details for a distinctive
last ten years. “It’s not so typical,” Fazio to give any savings back to the client,” look. The oval outline of an inlaid
says of transitional contemporary. “We Fazio says. sundial on the wood floor is gently
started to blend styles and use a mixture The owners were very involved mimicked in the ceiling above. Exotic
of woods, and people really loved it.” throughout the project, according to Anigre wood sheathes the foyer wall,
www.propertiesmag.com 61

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62 Properties | August 2010

3. ROOM TO RELAX The bedroom boasts a
custom bed by Vogue Furniture and a host
of pampering features. A TV is built into the
foot of the bed, for example.
which has a gentle curve to reinforce
the themes on the floor and ceiling.
A built-in niche with custom lighting
adds just the right amount of design
detail to the wall.
From the foyer, the space opens up to
reveal more custom details that hand-
somely frame the lake views beyond
the windows. The kitchen is light and
bright. “We minimized upper cabinets so
the owners can better view the outside,”
Fazio says. The architecture firm also
took advantage of high-tech features to
keep the space uncluttered. The micro-
wave, for example, comes out of a drawer
rather than sit on the counter. Light
woods on the cabinets and flooring and
a long oval island/table lend a feeling of Michigan, designed the furniture to be soft glow on objets d’art throughout the
added spaciousness in the kitchen. both unique and highly inviting. Tiger room. Maple flooring is nicely offset by
The living room is awash in custom maple, birds-eye maple and mahog- custom dark-wood furnishings, such as
details. Vogue Furniture of Royal Oak, any bring texture and diversity to the the zebra wood dining table in a corner
living room. of the room.
Built-in niches and a custom- The bedroom boasts a custom bed by
We Were proud to be designed entertainment center are Vogue Furniture and a host of pampering
a part of the team complimented by soffits that give the features. A TV is built into the foot of
eight-foot ceilings a sense of greater the bed, for example, and the blinds are
WIth Charles fazIo & height and custom lighting that casts a operated by remote control.
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www.propertiesmag.com 63

4. Refreshing
Changes
Off of the bedroom, his DINING DESIGN Light woods lend
and her bathrooms cater to a feeling of added spaciousness in
the owners’ desire for spa-like the kitchen.
features. In his bathroom, the
large mirror above the sink has completed the renovation
a TV behind it. Her bathroom of a Tudor home in Shaker
gives way to large closets that Heights. Fazio says that his
can accommodate a four-sea- firm has been able to weather
son wardrobe. the current economic down-
Despite the many custom turn. “We’ve stayed busy
features in the condo, the con- through this economy, and
struction manager was able to we’ve had no layoffs,” he says.
keep costs reasonable. “The Fazio notes that it’s a team
doors in the condo are custom effort – architect and client –
but they’re not overly expen- that leads to a successful job.
sive,” Fazio says. “We try to In the case of the Bratenahl
find quality people who don’t condo, “there was synergy with
charge a lot of money.” the client.”
Working on the 11th floor of a The owners agree. Their
building presented its challenges. Charles Fazio & Associates continues newly redesigned condo has
“The elevators are small, and a lot of the to deliver transitional contemporary given them richer details, a sense of
furniture had to be carried up 11 flights architecture to Northeast Ohio and greater space and a stronger connection
of stairs,” Fazio recalls. Nevertheless, the many other parts of the country. The with the lake. The owner sums it up in
project ran smoothly and was completed firm is working on a 12,000-square- a single sentence: “It feels really good
in about nine months, he says. foot house in Waite Hill and recently to be at home.” P
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64 Properties | August 2010