1927 - Artist's conception of proposed Shaker Square development

 

 

1966 - Original CSU campus master plan

 

 

1967 - Architect's model of buildings in the Chagrin Boulevard-Lee Road area of Shaker Heights

 

 

 

1967 - "A tree-lined Van Aken Blvd. is envisioned by architects Don Hisaka and Leonard Styche. Van Aken would go beneath Warrensville Center Rd., shown by the bypass in the background. A high-rise office building at Farnsleigh and Van Aken also is shown in the background." --from Cleveland Press caption

 

 

1957 - Lakeside Avenue development

 

 

 

 

 

1948- West Side Market Square

 

 

1929 - Architect's drawing of City Club headquarters on Vincent Avenue

 

 

1961 - Riverview Terrace architectural drawing

 

 

1935 - Lakeview Terrace housing development

 

 

1967 - Cleveland Trust expansion project

 

 

1981 - Drawing of the BP Building

 

 

1982 - Drawing of BP Building

 

 

1930 - New Cleveland Clinic building on E. 93rd Street near Euclid avenue

 

 

1923 - Rendering of Richman Brothers factory

 

 

1992 - Artist rendering of Gund Arena

 

 

? - Euclid Ave. water scene???

Ameritrust Center (cancelled in 1991):

 

 

 

Model of Progressive Tower:

 

 

Rendering for unbuilt project at East 9th and Euclid (current site of Schofield Building and City Club):

 

Model for North Point Complex:

 

 

Rendering for Ohio World Trade Center (West 6th and St. Clair):

 

 

ClevelandOhio, those were absolutely priceless! I'd never heard of those plans at Van Aken-Lee and Van Aken-Warrensville. Both would have done much for the ridership of the Blue Line. They also make you realize that unrealized plans are a fact of life in any era.

 

Great additions, MayDay!

WOW I am in love with the beautiful art deco Cleveland Clinic building... wish that wouldve been realized

WOW I am in love with the beautiful art deco Cleveland Clinic building... wish that wouldve been realized

 

No you don't, because the Clinic would have demolished it by now and we'd all be angrier about that. ;)

MayDay, must you haunt us with the AmeriTrust and Progressive renders all of the time. Haven't even had my coffee yet...

Awesome.

1964 - Rendering of Erieview Tower

 

 

1964? - Erieview Urban Renewal Plan

 

 

1987 - Tower City Center Master Plan

 

 

1989 - The Gateway at Landmark Rendering

Gateway at Landmark... that would make for a fine casino!

These are all so interesting... some of the late 1950's and 60's renderings leave a lot to be desired...  :-o haha but still cool.

Recently I found out that somewhere in the 90's I believe, the Renaissance Hotel was going to expand and get rid of that hideous parking structure, plus fill in the empty corner at the end of the block.  Now THAT would be something.  I saw it in a book, if I can find it ill have to post it here.

These are all so interesting... some of the late 1950's and 60's renderings leave a lot to be desired...  :-o haha but still cool.

Recently I found out that somewhere in the 90's I believe, the Renaissance Hotel was going to expand and get rid of that hideous parking structure, plus fill in the empty corner at the end of the block.  Now THAT would be something.  I saw it in a book, if I can find it ill have to post it here.

 

I hope you find it!

1927 - Artist's conception of proposed Shake Square development

 

 

Shake Square?  Really?  HUMP!!  :x

1927 - Artist's conception of proposed Shake Square development

 

 

Shake Square?  Really?  HUMP!!  :x

 

Woops! Shaker HEIGHTS ;) Thanks for pointing that out.

 

Hahaha, I added the "r" now.

Found this while looking for something else......

 

http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/press&CISOPTR=4178&CISOBOX=1&REC=10

 

"Drawing of R-story building that First Union Realty Investments wanted to build on Superior Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio."

Cleveland Press

1977

 

 

 

 

^Where at?

 

Its a shame a lot of these buildings are gone today. \/

 

1932- Drawing of proposed western approach for Lorain-Carnegie Bridge

 

 

 

^Where at?

 

Its a shame a lot of these buildings are gone today. \/

 

 

I have no idea. I was hoping someone might know of this proposed building and shed more light on it. But it was never built so it was never "gone".

 

1932- Drawing of proposed western approach for Lorain-Carnegie Bridge

 

 

That. Is. Awesome!

^Where at?

 

Its a shame a lot of these buildings are gone today. \/

 

 

I have no idea. I was hoping someone might know of this proposed building and shed more light on it. But it was never built so it was never "gone".

I can't say for sure, but it sure looks like a modified version of it did get built at the corner of 9th and Chester.  At least it's built with a similar style (blocky shape, heavy white columns, wider base, narrower upper floors) so we have an idea how it would look in Cleveland.

^Where at?

 

Its a shame a lot of these buildings are gone today. \/

 

 

I have no idea. I was hoping someone might know of this proposed building and shed more light on it. But it was never built so it was never "gone".

 

1932- Drawing of proposed western approach for Lorain-Carnegie Bridge

 

 

That. Is. Awesome!

 

My bad for not making my post clear. I was speaking about the Ohio City buildings.

^Where at?

 

Its a shame a lot of these buildings are gone today. /

 

 

I have no idea. I was hoping someone might know of this proposed building and shed more light on it. But it was never built so it was never "gone".

I can't say for sure, but it sure looks like a modified version of it did get built at the corner of 9th and Chester.  At least it's built with a similar style (blocky shape, heavy white columns, wider base, narrower upper floors) so we have an idea how it would look in Cleveland.

 

That's what I was thinking, it looks very similar to the Ohio Savings Plaza building

Thanks for this awesome post.  This is the first time I've seen many of these renderings...  I've attached one of my all time favorites -

Well, it said the building was proposed to be put on Superior, and that office tower was very much the style back then. So I don't know where it was proposed.

 

While doing a quick look, it took me to this link of many plans and other drawings.....

http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=exact&CISOBOX1=Cleveland+Press&CISOFIELD1=collec&CISOOP2=all&CISOBOX2=drawings&CISOFIELD2=type&CISOROOT=all&t=s&CISOSTART=1,41&CISOSORT=title%7Cf

In 1994 the Renaissance Hotel while under Stouffers management, had these plans designed by Bojtos of a 19 story 362 room annex. The annex was to be done by 1996 but Renaissance Hotels' acquisition by Marriott put an end to the plan

I assume someone has the new vision for downtown which was on display in Tower City when it first opened?

I assume someone has the new vision for downtown which was on display in Tower City when it first opened?

 

Of course I do! :) I used to always pay it a visit in the early 90s and believe everything that was shown on it would get built. It was part of a learning process for me.....

 

 

 

BTW, I didn't realize we were calling plans from the 1990s as "vintage"! If so, here's another one that got away. This is the unrealized World Trade Center for Cleveland at Dock 20 where the aquarium was supposed to go (and where the foundations for a station on the planned Waterfront Line were ultimately built but never finished)....

 

In 1994 the Renaissance Hotel while under Stouffers management, had these plans designed by Bojtos of a 19 story 362 room annex. The annex was to be done by 1996 but Renaissance Hotels' acquisition by Marriott put an end to the plan

 

Thanks! I wish someone would bring this plan back today. West Superior needs a lot of work.

I am very glad the Sohio building was built with the revised top. The revision makes the entire building much more distinctive.

 

In 1994 the Renaissance Hotel while under Stouffers management, had these plans designed by Bojtos of a 19 story 362 room annex. The annex was to be done by 1996 but Renaissance Hotels' acquisition by Marriott put an end to the plan

 

Thanks! I wish someone would bring this plan back today. West Superior needs a lot of work.

 

Agreed.

 

 

Thanks for this awesome post.  This is the first time I've seen many of these renderings...  I've attached one of my all time favorites -

 

One of mine, too. Very Parisian!

I assume someone has the new vision for downtown which was on display in Tower City when it first opened?

 

Of course I do! :) I used to always pay it a visit in the early 90s and believe everything that was shown on it would get built. It was part of a learning process for me.....

 

 

 

BTW, I didn't realize we were calling plans from the 1990s as "vintage"! If so, here's another one that got away. This is the unrealized World Trade Center for Cleveland at Dock 20 where the aquarium was supposed to go (and where the foundations for a station on the planned Waterfront Line were ultimately built but never finished)....

 

 

Its interesting to see how the station interacted with the buildings.

And for those who actually find anything of redeeming value about Shaker Square  :roll: here are some images and plans that were later altered, and the stories why.....

 

http://www.shakersquare.net/history/pd-octagon.htm

 

My favorite:

 

 

Planners rejected this 1927 design for Shaker Square that put retail and other offices inside the traffic roundabout. The design would limit future growth along the perimeter, they said.

Was there not a planned art deco building for the spot on which the BP buidling sits.  Then the depression killed it. 

Well, it said the building was proposed to be put on Superior, and that office tower was very much the style back then. So I don't know where it was proposed.

 

I'm pretty sure that building was slated for the north side of Superior, between West 3rd and West 6th aka the big parking lots. It wouldn't have taken up the whole site but it would have filled in a gap.

Well, it said the building was proposed to be put on Superior, and that office tower was very much the style back then. So I don't know where it was proposed.

 

I'm pretty sure that building was slated for the north side of Superior, between West 3rd and West 6th aka the big parking lots. It wouldn't have taken up the whole site but it would have filled in a gap.

 

Agreed.

Plans for a 450-foot tower for the SE corner of East 9th and Euclid were announced in August 1979, taking the place of the Schofield, City Club and Hippodrome buildings....

 

 

Sorry MayDay, I stole this from your site. :)

Plans for a 450-foot tower for the SE corner of East 9th and Euclid were announced in August 1979, taking the place of the Schofield, City Club and Hippodrome buildings....

 

 

Sorry MayDay, I stole this from your site. :)

 

And his post upthread! :)

Forgot that I have these from the Civic Vision Plan 2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgot that I have these from the Civic Vision Plan 2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

These make me want to cry

 

 

And his post upthread! :)

 

Oops, missed that!

 

And those Civic Vision models are impressive. Yes, it's disappointing that a couple of those buildings which had a realistic chance of getting built weren't built. But most of it was Urban Planners Gone Wild. Still, the level of detail and work that went into making that model was thorough and meticulous. I'm always impressed when I look at it.

Forgot that I have these from the Civic Vision Plan 2000:

 

 

 

 

 

 

These make me want to cry

 

 

Why?  I'm glad we don't have a lot of those buildings.  After the economy, I would hate for us to look like Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami or Vegas!  Nice skyline but tons of empty offices and residencies. 

no, if only it was just about the buildings being built and perhaps underused. unfortunately it turned out to be about what was torn down for what didn't happen anyway.

no, if only it was just about the buildings being built and perhaps underused. unfortunately it turned out to be about what was torn down for what didn't happen anyway.

 

Ameritrust tower, agree.  The other not so much.

There are certainly things on there that didn't get built, for better or worse.  There are also things that have gotten built that weren't on there.  CSU's campus is way more impressive than anything they imagined.  They imagined Scranton Peninsula redeveloped, but not the East Bank or Stonebridge. 

Was there not a planned art deco building for the spot on which the BP buidling sits.  Then the depression killed it. 

 

It was designed by Walker & Weeks, but there were a couple others designed for the same spot.

Here, let me re-size that. Along with a few others I found.

Thanks for that render of the original Ohio Bell building. I have often wondered why it never looked finished. Almost like there was more planned. I have never seen that rendering.

Barneyboy, thanks for posting all of those - quite a few I've never seen!

Those are great! I especially like those concepts for a building at the south end of the malls, although the one variation is too much of a Terminal Tower knock-off. I like the other one much better.

This thread is awesome!

 

One more contribution: Hubbell and Benes's proposed University of Cleveland campus at University Circle.  This envisioned WRU merging with Case decades before it actually occurred, with a monumental new administration building an axis with Euclid Avenue.  Some great images in Eric Johannesen's "Cleveland Architecture" and here: http://www.academia.edu/2055737/Cultural_Visionary_Frederic_A._Whiting_the_Cleveland_Conference_for_Educational_Cooperation_and_the_Planning_of_University_Circle

Here are a few more, including 3 renditions of the Renaissance on Playhouse Square. You'd think that after that much tinkering with the design they'd finally get it right, but I quess considering the fact that site had been a parking lot for over 50 years, you really can't complain.

Thanks for sharing. I love seeing all of these old renderings. Even the ones that were built