District History
History: The Rise and Fall of Playhouse Square
Between February 1921 and November 1922, five opulent theaters opened along the stretch of Euclid Avenue between East 14th and East 17th streets. Four of the new theaters – Allen, Ohio, State, and Palace – were contiguous on the north side of Euclid; across the street, the Hanna was lodged in the Hanna Building.
The area was dubbed “PlayhouseSquare,” but some considered the tag frivolous. A civic organization called the Euclid Square Association convened and resolved to christen the district “Euclid Square.” However, its efforts were in vain, as the public vernacular continued as “PlayhouseSquare.”
The theaters presented silent movies, legitimate theater and vaudeville until the Depression ensued and demand grew for cheaper entertainment, therefore movies began to predominate. But the post-World War II flight to the suburbs and the rise of television sent the downtown theaters into a death spiral that accelerated throughout the 1950s and 1960s. While the Allen, Ohio, State and Palace had opened in a 19-month span, it took just 14 months (from May 1968 to July 1969) for all four to close. The Hanna limped along for almost two more decades.
The grand old theaters that closed fell prey to neglect and vandalism. No one foresaw their renovation and reopening, especially when suburban cinemas consigned downtown movie palaces to the ash heap. But gradually, a bold plan evolved to rescue the four shuttered theaters and meld them into a fine arts and entertainment center.
The planners formed a group known as the PlayhouseSquare Association, which gained formal nonprofit status in 1970. Led by a dynamic visionary named Raymond K. Shepardson, the association launched a vigorous grass- roots campaign to save the theaters.
History: PlayhouseSquare Today
In PlayhouseSquare Foundation’s expansive vision, the arts and entertainment district throbs with life 24-hours a day, year- round. The Foundation continues to play a leading role as a developer of its own holdings and as a catalyst for independent projects that add to the vibrancy of the area. Among the improvements, both completed and planned, which are transforming a once dormant neighborhood into a thriving urban district are:
Star Plaza, the beautifully designed urban park doubles as PlayhouseSquare’s unofficial “ninth stage,” accommodating a growing array of outdoor concerts, live performances and special events.
Giant video boards on the façades of the Hanna Building and nearby Wyndham Hotel, and a high-tech news ticker on the Hanna, broadcast live and pre-recorded programming.
The Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare, established through the partnership between PlayhouseSquare Foundation and Ideastream as a state-of-the-art broadcast and arts education facility.
The 14th Street Theatre, in a specially remodeled area in the Hanna Building, perfect for long-running shows.
New housing investment that has added 345 market-rate rental units to the area. (The Foundation is exploring the feasibility of additional housing development, including for-sale units.)
August, 2003 the Theater District launched the newest trend in wireless technology at Star Plaza. Wi-Fi, which stands for Wireless Fidelity, features Internet access and network connections from laptop computers and palm pilots.
The Cleveland District of Design will be the focal point of the design community in Northeast Ohio, with an underlying objective of establishing global thought leadership in design and product development.
The core of the district, along the Euclid Corridor downtown, will be comprised of street-level consumer product showrooms, highlighting the product offerings of regional consumer product companies for retail /wholesale buyers.
Amenities
Hotels/Accommodations. Includes five hotels within the district, with a total of over 600 beds and 22,000 feet of meeting space. An additional 4,000 rooms and meeting spaces are within a short walk of the district.
Arts. Within the core of the district are PlayhouseSquare, the nation’s 2nd largest performing arts complex, as well as artist studios and galleries.
Music. In addition to the Playhouse Square venues, the district is minutes from live shows at Peabody’s Entertainment Complex, the House of Blues, Masonic Auditorium, the Agora, Quicken Loans Arena and the Wolstein Center.
Media. Within the district are the Idea Center, home of WVIZ/PBS and WCPN 9 0.3 (featuring a broadcast and arts education facility with digital studios, classrooms, per forming spaces and a dance studio), the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and the ABC television affiliate.
Sports. Adjacent to the district is the Gateway complex, home to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians, plus The Wolstein Center home to Cleveland State University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Dining and Entertainment. Within PlayhouseSquare, the district and vicinity are over 70 establishments ranging from upscale dining to delis.
Conference Facilities. Adjacent is The Wolstein Center which has a 10,000 square foot conference center and annex area capable of hosting banquets and meetings, 13,610 seat theater, 40,000 square-feet of storage and 9,000 parking spaces within walking distance. Other facilities are available at hotels, Cleveland State University, the Cleveland Foundation, and Ideastream.
Transportation
Air travel
The district is a 20-minute drive (rental car or shuttle) or 25-minute direct rail link from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Hopkins services 320 nonstop daily flights to 80 destinations, including non-stop flights to the U.K., France, Mexico and Canada. In addition, it is a 5-minute drive from Burke Lakefront Airport, which specializes in corporate and charter flights.
Interstates
There are multiple access points and interchanges located within the distr ict connecting to I-90, I-71, I-77 and State Route 2.
Train
Amtrak passenger trains arrive four times daily at a depot just over one mile from the district. Trains service Chicago, New York City, Boston and Washington D.C.
Light Rail/Bus. The district is served by the Health Line Bus Rapid Transit, connecting Public Square and University Circle, and the free downtown ‘Trolley’. Buses connect to three light rail lines connecting downtown to the suburbs and the airport.
Current Resources (estimates)
The following list details some of the many resources available within the District of Design:
Design
7 graphic design, web design and industrial design firms
Photography
29 commercial photography and video studios
Architecture
17 design and architectural engineering firms
Interior Design
5 interior and construction design firms
Galleries
11 art and craft
Advertising
6 marketing and advertising agencies
Supply Chain
38 printing, manufacturing, music production, data specialists, arts supplies, motion pictures, textiles, staging, bookbinding, lighting, signage, web design
Miscellaneous
42 construction, landscaping, television, metal works, publishers, acoustics, media, printing, artists, recycling, office furniture, metal industries, paper supplies, specialty products, jewelry, metalworking, brass instruments
