In 2018, leading developers and city visionaries invested nearly $42 million in restoring and rehabilitating six historic downtown Akron buildings into what is now The Bowery District neighborhood: 92 luxury apartments, 74,138 square–foot (36,000 sf retail space and 4,000 sf office space), pet-friendly residential housing community in the heart of Akron.

And it’s so much more than just a place to live! It’s also home to some of Akron’s newest cultural, dining and work opportunities. It includes a mix of studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as commercial space for lease. The suites have a modern interior with a historical shell, large historical windows with amazing views of the surrounding city and include luxury finishes combining quartz counter tops, soft close cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and various porcelain tiles. The Akron Savings & Loan Building, the 12-story building built in 1923, serves as the cornerstone.

The Bowery attracts residents with the waterfront area, a walkable neighborhood with nearby businesses, restaurants, retail, University of Akron, Akron Civic Theater, Lock 3, Rubber Ducks Stadium, and other cultural/entertainment venues.

The largest impact of the project stems from the redevelopment of prime real estate in the center of the greater Akron area from a previously unutilized/unuseable space into a desirable, liveable and playable destination.

An Economic Development study (completed by the Department of Economics at the University of Akron and Kent State) predicted that over the next 5 years, it will produce $44 million and will create or support 400 jobs. The economic benefits to Summit County for construction alone was over $69 million and created/supported nearly 500 jobs. In 20 years, this economic impact will grow to over $175 million and 1,600 jobs.

In total, the Bowery Project will generate well over $113 million and over 850 jobs in Summit County in just 5 years. In 20 years, that number will total well over $245 million and just over 2,000 jobs. Every $1 of the $42 million investment results in $2.71 in total output after 5 years as well as $5.84 after 20 years.