FAQ

Upstairs at Van Aken offers 19 floor plans spanning studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites, plus one- and two-bedroom penthouse residences reaching up to 1,940 square feet. Layouts are organized into three suite styles, Signature, Moreland, and Penthouse, so there is a footprint for efficient studio living and for expansive top-floor residences alike. Visit the Floor Plans page to compare layouts, square footage, and in-home features side by side, or contact the leasing office for current availability and to schedule a tour of the suite style that fits you best.

Scheduling is simple; use the Schedule a Tour page to self-schedule, submit an inquiry through the Contact Us page, or call the leasing team directly at (216) 446-1036. A tour will answer any questions you may have about current availability, all three suite styles, penthouse options, the rooftop lounge and terrace, and the Van Aken District dining and retail that sits directly downstairs.

Once you choose your preferred apartment home at Upstairs at Van Aken, you will complete the online application, submit the application fee and holding deposit, and provide any required documentation. Applications are reviewed for income, credit, rental history, and public criminal records. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements, the holding fee will be refunded.

Most applications are processed within 1 to 3 business days once all required documents have been received. Timing depends on verification needs, whether an applicant's background screening is in-state or out-of-state, and how quickly supporting information is submitted. Our leasing team follows up as soon as a decision is ready so you can start planning your move above the district.

Upstairs at Van Aken generally offers lease terms ranging from 3 to 15 months. Please contact the leasing office or submit an inquiry online for current lease term options, including flexible terms that align with academic calendars, residency start dates, and relocation timelines.

Yes. If your preferred apartment layout is not currently available, you can join the priority waitlist by submitting an online application, a $75 application fee per person, and a priority reservation deposit. The leasing team will contact you when a matching home becomes available. With 19 floor plans in the building, our team can also point you toward comparable suites while you wait.

Our address itself is the difference. Upstairs at Van Aken is not simply near Van Aken District; the residences sit directly above the district's restaurants, Market Hall, shops, wellness studios, and everyday services, so dinner or errands are an elevator ride rather than a drive. Layer on a rooftop lounge and terrace overlooking the district, a boutique building with 19 floor plans and three distinct suite styles, heated underground garage parking, exclusive offers at local merchants, and the Van Aken & Warrensville Rapid station roughly a 2-minute walk away, and you have a Shaker Heights apartment that no other communities in the area can match.

Rent varies by floor plan, location within the community, and current availability, and penthouse residences are priced separately from Signature and Moreland suites. Please visit the Floor Plans page or contact the leasing office for the most up-to-date pricing and availability.

Utilities are not included in the monthly rent at Upstairs at Van Aken. Residents are responsible for electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash. High-speed internet and cable service are available through AT&T and Spectrum and are arranged directly with the provider. Please contact the leasing office for utility setup details.

Security deposit amounts range from $150 to one month's rent based on screening results. Please contact the leasing office for deposit requirements specific to your application.

A $75 non-refundable application fee is required per person to process your application. A $300 holding fee will also be held until your application is approved. Once approved, the holding fee will be applied to your move-in costs. Should an applicant not meet the eligibility requirements, the holding fee will be refunded. Additional fees and deposits can vary based on credit screening results. For more information, please contact our sales team directly by phone or through the Contact Us page of our website.

Yes, renters insurance is required for all residents at Upstairs at Van Aken with a minimum liability coverage of $100,000. Our on-site renters insurance program gives residents a convenient enrollment option if you do not already carry a policy. Please contact the leasing office for policy requirements and available options.

Yes. Upstairs at Van Aken participates in a Preferred Employer Program that extends savings to employees of participating area organizations, including staff at the nearby Cleveland healthcare campuses. We also honor the Stars & Stripes Military Rewards Program for service members and veterans, and every resident receives exclusive offers at local Van Aken District merchants. Contact the leasing office to confirm current eligibility and available incentives.

Absolutely. Upstairs at Van Aken welcomes up to two pets per apartment, which makes it one of the most accommodating pet-friendly apartment options in Shaker Heights.

Pet owners pay a one-time non-refundable pet fee of $350, plus monthly pet rent of $25 per pet. The pet fee is collected with your move-in costs, and pet rent is added to your monthly ledger.

Pets are welcome up to a 100-pound weight limit, and breed restrictions apply. Our leasing team is happy to review the current restricted breed list with you before you submit an application so there are no surprises during the approval process.

Your pet will have a routine here, too. Our community includes an on-site pet park for off-leash time and a pet washing station that keeps muddy paws out of your bathroom. Downstairs, the sidewalks and outdoor patios of Van Aken District make everyday walks easy, and the tree-lined streets and green space of Shaker Heights give you plenty of room to roam.

Kitchens center on speckled white quartz countertops with a matching white quartz backsplash, stainless-steel Whirlpool appliances, a stainless-steel undermount sink, a gooseneck faucet with retractable sprayer, LED task lighting, and custom pendant fixtures. Select homes include textured teak melamine cabinetry, an eat-in waterfall kitchen island, a gas range with hood, glass open shelving above the sink, additional pantry storage, and a designated dining area.

Bathrooms carry the same refined material palette as the kitchen, with ivory porcelain tile, spacious countertops, oversized mirrors, and linen closet storage throughout. Select residences step things up further with dual vanity sinks, a walk-in shower with a glass door, or an elegant soaking tub.

Yes. Every apartment and penthouse at Upstairs at Van Aken includes an in-unit Whirlpool washer and dryer, so laundry stays in your home rather than a shared room. Select layouts place laundry en suite for added convenience, and the community also offers on-demand dry cleaning services for the pieces that need professional care.

Storage is built into the design rather than added as an afterthought. Homes include linen closets, generous cabinetry, and intentional storage solutions that keep everyday living organized. Select layouts add walk-in closets with built-in shelving systems from Container Store, additional pantry storage, and an entry foyer with a coat closet. Additional on-site storage is available within the building for seasonal items, luggage, and gear.

Floor-to-ceiling energy-efficient windows draw daylight deep into each residence and frame neighborhood views across Shaker Heights and the district below. Interiors pair 7-inch wood-inspired flooring in the living areas with neutral carpeting in the bedrooms, soft white walls, and Mecho roller shades for light control and privacy. Select homes include a Juliette balcony that opens directly toward the energy of Van Aken District.

Each residence comes equipped with central air conditioning and heating, a Nest thermostat for scheduling and remote adjustments, and keyless FOB entry at the door. AT&T and Spectrum high-speed internet access is available for residents to set up. Penthouse residences add zoned HVAC with a humidifier for finer climate control across a larger footprint. Select homes also include accessibility features.

Yes. Select floor plans include a dedicated flex space that functions well as a home office, study, or creative room, and larger one- and two-bedroom layouts offer designated dining areas that double as workspace. Homes are wired for AT&T and Spectrum high-speed internet, and the rooftop lounge gives you a change of scenery when you need to step away from the desk.

The penthouse collection features 7 distinct one- and two-bedroom layouts ranging from 1,389 to 1,940 square feet on the building's top floor. Finishes are upgraded throughout, including gray veined quartz countertops with matching backsplash, high-gloss white kitchen cabinetry, stainless-steel KitchenAid appliances, a gas range with hood, 5-inch weathered oak wood-inspired flooring, white quartz bathroom countertops, gray veined porcelain tile, and 9-foot 8-inch ceilings. Penthouse residents also enjoy rooftop terraces, walk-in closets with custom Container Store storage systems, en suite laundry, zoned HVAC with a humidifier, and controlled access to a dedicated penthouse lobby and private corridor.

Apartments are offered unfurnished, but the leasing team can connect you with third-party furnishing providers if needed. Residents relocating to Shaker Heights on a short timeline, including medical residents and traveling professionals, often use this option to settle in quickly.

The rooftop lounge and terrace is the signature shared space at Upstairs at Van Aken, delivering sweeping views over Van Aken District and the surrounding Shaker Heights neighborhood. Outdoor grilling stations make it easy to cook and gather outside, and the lounge works just as well for a quiet morning coffee as it does for an evening with neighbors or friends.

Yes. Residents have 24-hour access to the community fitness center, so an early workout before a hospital shift and a late session after work both fit the schedule. Cyclists have indoor bike storage plus an on-site bike repair and wash station, and additional fitness and wellness destinations sit downstairs in the district.

Upstairs at Van Aken offers heated underground garage parking, which keeps your car out of Northeast Ohio winters and eliminates scraping ice before work. Guest parking is available for visitors, and the building operates as a controlled access community. Contact the leasing office for garage rates and space assignment details.

Day-to-day logistics are handled on site. Residents have 24-hour on-demand package receiving, dry cleaning services, additional on-site storage, and an online resident portal for payments, maintenance, and communication. A professional management team is on site, and 24-hour emergency maintenance services are available for urgent issues.

Yes. Upstairs at Van Aken hosts curated social events for residents throughout the year, and living above the district comes with exclusive offers at local Van Aken merchants. That combination turns the shops, restaurants, and services downstairs into an extension of our community rather than just a nearby convenience.

Upstairs at Van Aken is located at 20100 Walker Road in Shaker Heights, OH 44122, positioned directly above the retail, dining, and services of Van Aken District. This is not just a community near the district; our residences sit on top of it, so the shops, Market Hall, and restaurants below are reached by elevator rather than by car.

Nearly everything that makes Van Aken District a popular destination is a short walk away, including local restaurants, the Market Hall, outdoor patios, retail shops, fitness and wellness studios, coffee, and everyday services. Shaker Plaza and the Van Aken & Warrensville Rapid station are also within a few minutes on foot, which makes errands, dinner plans, and weekend outings feel built into the address.

The Van Aken & Warrensville Blue Line station sits approximately 0.1 mile from the building, about a 2-minute walk. RTA service from that stop connects residents across Shaker Heights, through Shaker Square and Larchmere, and into Downtown Cleveland, so car-free commuting is a realistic option here.

Downtown Cleveland is typically about 20 to 25 minutes away by car, depending on route and traffic. The RTA Blue Line offers a direct transit alternative from the station around the corner, which many residents prefer for workdays, games, and evenings downtown.

Chagrin Boulevard and Warrensville Center Road frame the district and feed quickly into the region's highway network, with I-271 roughly 3 miles east and I-480 a short drive south for travel across Greater Cleveland. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is approximately 20 miles away, generally a 25 to 30 minute drive outside of peak traffic.

Upstairs at Van Aken sits within an easy drive of the region's major healthcare employers. Approximate driving distances include Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital at 1.6 miles, Highland Springs at 2.1 miles, University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center at 3.5 miles, MetroHealth Cleveland Heights Medical Center at 4.8 miles, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus at 6.2 miles, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center at 6.3 miles, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, and UH Seidman Cancer Center at 6.4 miles, and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center at 6.8 miles. Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital, MetroHealth Main Campus Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital fall between roughly 8.7 and 14.2 miles.

Yes. University Circle is a straightforward drive or Rapid ride from the district, placing Case Western Reserve University, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance Music Center, University Hospitals, and Cleveland Botanical Garden within convenient reach. John Carroll University in neighboring University Heights and Cuyahoga Community College campuses are also accessible from this part of Shaker Heights.

The Market Hall downstairs handles prepared food, specialty vendors, and quick pickups, and Shaker Plaza sits just across the way. Grocery, pharmacy, banking, and everyday retail options line Warrensville Center Road and Chagrin Boulevard within a few minutes of the building, with the larger Chagrin Boulevard retail corridor and Beachwood shopping a short drive east.

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, Acacia Reservation, and Cleveland Botanical Garden are all within a reasonable drive, joined by the walking paths, landscaped boulevards, and neighborhood parks that define Shaker Heights. For a quicker dose of fresh air, the rooftop terrace upstairs and the district's outdoor patios downstairs are steps from your door.

The community is served by the Shaker Heights City School District. Several private and independent schools operate in the surrounding area as well, and Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Cuyahoga Community College are each a short drive away for higher education.

Residents can pay rent through the online resident portal using ACH or major credit cards. Please note that processing fees apply to debit and credit card payments. Personal checks and cashier's checks are also accepted.

Residents can submit maintenance requests through the online resident portal, where you can track progress and communicate with our on-site team. Emergency maintenance services are available 24 hours a day for urgent issues by calling the office.

If you need to break your lease, early termination fees apply. Please refer to your lease agreement or contact the leasing office for details. Our team can also walk you through transfer options within the building if a different suite style or penthouse layout is a better fit for your situation.

No, subletting is not permitted at Upstairs at Van Aken. However, leaseholder change agreements may be available; please contact the leasing office for details on that process.

Guests are welcome at Upstairs at Van Aken, but extended stays require prior approval from the leasing office. Guest parking is available on site for visitors. Please refer to your lease agreement or contact the team for full guest policy details.

Upstairs at Van Aken is a smoke-free community. The policy applies throughout the building, including individual residences and shared amenity spaces. Please review your lease agreement or contact the leasing office for the complete policy.