Abandoned Property Reimagined into Lakefront Eatery
After sitting abandoned nearly eight years, and more than two years of design and renovation work, the Summer House restaurant opened its doors in March. The lakefront eatery is quickly earning a reputation as a popular spot in Northeast Ohio.
Located on the ground floor of the Carlyle on the Lake condominium complex in Lakewood, Ohio, the building had been vacant since the iconic Swingos on the Lake restaurant closed its doors in 2009. When the property fell into forfeiture with nearly a half a million dollars owed in back taxes and significant condo association fees, and after no bids were offered in foreclosure, the Cuyahoga Land Bank stepped in to ensure the property was returned to productive use. A local developer (The George Group) invested more than $1.5 million in demolition and renovation, furniture, fixtures and equipment in the restaurant.
“Thank you to the Cuyahoga Land Bank for its involvement in the Swingos property!” – Carlyle on the Lake resident
