Developers Unveil Plans for Studio West 117, a Nonprofit Project and Complex to Support Cleveland's

Developers Unveil Plans for Studio West 117, a Nonprofit Project and Complex to Support Cleveland's LGBTQ Community


On the Lakewood/Cleveland border, two developers, Betsy Figgie and Daniel Budish, have been amassing close to 100,000 square feet of real estate over the last few months. The reasoning behind the acquisition? To form a brand new LGBTQ ecosystem for community members and businesses.

Studio West 117 will focus on philanthropy, health and wellness, arts and culture and entrepreneurship in a response to the needs of the local LGBTQ community. The space will house LGBTQ-oriented entertainment and dining venues alongside other LGBTQ businesses and social services.

Co-developer Daniel Budish, son of Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, states, “This project will feature LGBTQ entertainment and drag on a large scale (think drag performances and brunches, dancing, and a new fieldhouse for sports and recreation), which will generate foot traffic and resources that can support LGBTQ businesses and services - ultimately increasing the ‘philanthropy pie’ for LGBTQ+ causes throughout Cleveland."

He cited the closure of Bounce as one motivation for wanting to create something new that could provide the sense of community and support the bar once did in Ohio City.

Read more: https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/06/23/developers-unveil-plans-for-studio-west-117-a-nonprofit-project-and-complex-to-support-clevelands-lgbtq-community