Massive Fire Destroys Under-Construction Luxury Apartment Complex in Cleveland Heights
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — A massive fire tore through an under-construction apartment complex in Cleveland Heights’ Cedar Lee district Friday night, leaving the $66 million Marquee at Cedar Lee project in ruins. The blaze, which started around 7:30 p.m., required assistance from 11 neighboring fire departments and lasted more than 20 hours before being fully extinguished.
Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren confirmed in a Facebook post Saturday afternoon that no injuries were reported. “The building impacted by the fire is still under construction and was set to be completed this summer. It does not have residents living in it. The cause of the fire is under investigation,” Seren wrote, expressing gratitude for the efforts of first responders who prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings.
The fire destroyed one of two apartment buildings in the development, which had been heralded as a transformative project for the Cedar Lee district. Designed to include over 200 luxury apartments and retail spaces, the development was part of a broader revitalization effort to attract new residents and businesses.
Lt. Marty O'Connor of the Cleveland Heights Fire Department highlighted the challenges firefighters faced, including freezing temperatures that caused water to turn to ice and a lack of operational sprinklers in the unfinished building. "They were up against lightweight building materials. A sprinkler system that was not activated yet. So it was an uphill battle and a lot of issues with the ice and the weather,” O'Connor said.
By Friday night, flames were visible from miles away, and smoke moved north toward Heights High School, forcing the cancellation of school events. The Cedar-Lee intersection and parts of Cedar Road remained closed until Saturday evening as crews continued to monitor for hot spots and ensure safety in the area.
Destiny Burns, owner of CLE Urban Winery, located near the fire scene, expressed concern over the long-term impact on the community. “I’m feeling a lot of gratitude [towards the firefighters]. I’m feeling uncertainty. I’m scared. I’m really scared about what’s going to happen to our district and our businesses here,” Burns said.
The winery played a key role in relief efforts, distributing food and beverages donated by local businesses to first responders. "It was such an honor and blessing to be able to do something positive in this time of fear, loss, and uncertainty," Burns shared in a Facebook post.
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District also supported emergency crews by providing access to the high school grounds for firefighting operations. Meanwhile, the Cedar Lee Theatre, a nearby landmark, reported smoke damage and remained closed through the weekend.
The project, spearheaded by Flaherty & Collins Properties, had been years in the making. Construction began in May 2023 after the financial and real estate agreements were finalized in March of that year. Mayor Seren had previously described the development as “transformative” for the area, offering housing options and economic benefits.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Officials stated that access to the structure would remain restricted until investigators could safely examine the site.
