Ok, fixed.

(Your name was there yesterday)

http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2011/05/allen_theatre_renovation_updat.html

 

Allen Theatre renovation update: New seating levels in place; second stage structure begins

Here is an update on the Allen theater from Fresh Water Cleveland (with some new pictures):

 

play house move to rebuilt allen theatre will further boost playhousesquare

Lee Chilcote | Thursday, June 23, 2011

 

Last year, PlayhouseSquare, CPH and CSU joined forces to undertake an ambitious $32 million fundraising campaign to renovate and expand the Allen Theatre. Since then, CSU and CPH have worked out an elaborate schedule to share the complex.

 

"It's complicated, yes, but it works," says Mauldin. "For an undergraduate theatre program to partner with the oldest regional theatre in the U.S. housed in the second largest performing arts center… it's absolutely unparalleled."

 

The theatre's renovations themselves, designed by the Cleveland firm of Westlake Reed Leskosky, are dramatic works of art that will change downtown theatergoers' experience. Gone is the "gerbil tube" that funneled visitors into theatres from the main parking garage. It is being replaced by an elegant 51-foot "inner streetscape." And the two new theatres, which Moore calls the "second stage" and "lab theatre," are sure to wow patrons with their sleek, sophisticated architecture.

 

To the north, patrons will enter a grand lobby that's been expanded by absorbing some of the historic Allen. After admiring the ornate plasterwork that's been preserved on the ceilings, they'll enter a plush, intimate theatre boasting great sight lines from every seat.

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/allentheatre062311.aspx

And a side story...way to go CSU!

 

head of csu's theatre department is thrilled to join playhousesquare

Thursday, June 23, 2011

 

Before Mauldin was hired in 2006 to breathe new life into the moribund Dramatic Arts Program, the school had only 21 majors. Campus officials had even considered canceling it. Today,CSU's theatre program boasts 85 majors -- and counting.

 

Today,CSU's theatre program boasts 85 majors -- and counting.

 

"We're poised to become a destination theatre program in the coming years," Mauldin predicts. "That's not hubris -- there's some very solid work being produced here."

 

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/devnews/csutheatredepartment062311.aspx

Another storefront filed in Playhouse Square! and with good company...

 

Zack Bruell to open restaurant in Cowell & Hubbard building near PlayhouseSquare

Published: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 8:00 PM

Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer By Joe Crea, The Plain Dealer

 

A former gem on downtown Cleveland's retail landscape is about to gain new luster. This fall, the longtime flagship location of Cowell & Hubbard Co. jewelers will become home to Zack Bruell's fifth restaurant in the city.

 

With its 18-foot ceilings and expansive windows, the space at 1305 Euclid Ave. will be converted into a modern French-themed dining room. Architect Ron Reed of Westlake Reed Leskosky will oversee design of the 6,500-square-foot space.

 

To honor its legacy, the restaurant will be named Cowell & Hubbard.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/dining/index.ssf/2011/06/zack_bruell_to_open_restaurant.html

Awesome to hear!

I've always been surprised that area has so few quality restaurants. Good to see the guy is filling it up.

Now THIS is great news! Love his restaurants, Table 45 is one of my favorites. Just what Playhouse Square needs!

Now THIS is great news! Love his restaurants, Table 45 is one of my favorites. Just what Playhouse Square needs!

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Table 45

And let's not forget a side note that is buried in the article:

 

" In addition to tenants and workers in nearby buildings, PlayhouseSquare draws an estimated 1 million patrons each year. New homes for the Cleveland Playhouse and Case Western Reserve University's graduate acting program, and Cleveland State University's drama, dance and art classes and galleries will increase the population. Visitors to the city's future casino and Medical Mart will boost the numbers. Together, all these factors translate into a built-in audience of hungry guests. "

 

Playhouse Square is definitely getting a major boost and has so much needed momentum.  So when will we get the announcement for more residential? ;)

Now THIS is great news! Love his restaurants, Table 45 is one of my favorites. Just what Playhouse Square needs!

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Table 45

 

I was just waiting for MTS to chime in with his mutual love of table 45..

Now THIS is great news! Love his restaurants, Table 45 is one of my favorites. Just what Playhouse Square needs!

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Table 45

 

I was just waiting for MTS to chime in with his mutual love of table 45..

 

LOL HUSH!

OH MY GOD SOMETHING IS GOING IN THE CREEPY EMPTY CORNER BUILDING THAT MAKES ME HATE WALKING DOWN 13TH.......  OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD.

 

So I'm excited, yeah!

I was having a bad day....this news really helps...very much thrilled.

What ever happened to the proposed development located next to Bricco on the corner of Euclid and 17th?

Allen Theatre renovation nears completion at Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare

Published: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 1:18 PM    Updated: Thursday, August 11, 2011, 2:14 PM

Joanna Connors, The Plain Dealer By Joanna Connors, The Plain Dealer

 

The plush new seats are in. The ingeniously designed acoustic panels have been installed. The lights are being set on the new catwalks crossing high above the house.

 

With opening night just a month away, the Allen Theatre is almost ready for its close-up as the flagship performance venue for the Cleveland Play House and the dance and drama departments of Cleveland State University.

 

The dust from months of construction work remains, as does an army of workers finishing up the yearlong renovation. The project, a three-way collaboration by PlayhouseSquare, the Play House and CSU, was designed by the Cleveland-based architecture firm Westlake Reed Leskosky to create a new, contemporary theater within the old Allen, while preserving its historic shell and dazzling vintage finishes.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/2011/08/clevelands_allen_theatre_renov.html

I am fascinated to see this re-imagination of the space.  The photographs from the article are hard to see how much of the historic architecture you really see through the added skins.  The Hanna Theatre seems a bit more on a blend of old and new. 

 

Some outside shots of the Allen Theatre construction:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjames0408/?saved=1

 

New era begins downtown tonight at the Allen with CPH's "Life of Galileo".  :clap:

Awesome!!!

 

Awesome!!!

 

 

hahahahahaha never seen that one before

 

great video showing the re-imagined Allen Theatre space.  A job well done

 

Great vibe at Playhouse Sq all weekend. Added patrons to the mix all helps to attain critical mass in the area and that will be bolstered still by the Second Stage and Lab Theater opening this Winter and aslo later by the Middough Bldg just down 13th St.

 

Looks like work has recently begun on Zach Bruell's Cowell & Hubbard. I wonder if they'll be open before the end of the year?

Also, that Starbucks at the corner of 14th St is the best in NEO.

 

City of Cleveland

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

October 10, 2011

 

POSTPONED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

 

10:30

 

Ward 3

Calendar No.11-148:

    1222 Prospect Avenue                         

Joe Cimperman

 

 

9 Notices

RTN Limited Partners, owner, and David Parker, prospective tenant, appeal to establish use as a bar with live entertainment in an existing two-story building on a flag shaped corner parcel in an E5 General Retail Business District, located within 500 feet of the Hanna Theater, and under Cleveland Codified Ordinance 347.12(a)(2), no such use, as described in Section 343.11, shall be established within 500 feet of another amusement use.  (Filed 8-5-11; no testimony taken.)

First postponement requested by the Councilman for information from adjacent neighbors.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2011/crr10-10-2011.html

^Hmmm anyone know if this would be a strip club?  From mrnyc's photos a few weeks back, looks like this storefront is now "Xecutive Lounge" (http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,26246.msg577645.html#new).  Not sure what other kind of "live entertainment" a place with such a classy name would offer.  I'm sure Playhouse Square Foundation would be thrilled to add this to its list of attractions :/

I do believe I have dealt with Mr. Parker once and was told he has a business connection to the wonderful SIN night club on W.6th. Just what the Playhouse ordered.

I understand the concerns, but PHS could use some smaller venues and a wider array of entertainment offerings.  It's always been tilted a bit toward retirees and bused-in schoolkids.  And if I'm remembering the sign correctly, Xecutive seems to be aiming for a mature and professional clientele.  Perhaps not Frankie-Vali-era mature.  But adding some mainstream appeal may be a good thing for PHS in the long term.

 

Regarding 347.12, don't we want "amusements" to be clustered a bit?  Under this zoning PHS itself would be illegal.  Too many theaters within 500' of each other.  Does city hall really need to approve every little thing?  This building already was a bar, in a theater district, but the new owner needs to pass through Cimperman and the BZA just to bring in live music?  That doesn't seem too friendly from a business standpoint.  I could understand if this were in the middle of a bunch of houses, but it isn't. 

Somebody told me a while back that Xecutive Lounge "wasn't for white people".  I wish I remembered the context of that conversation and who it was with - I just remember being kind of flabbergasted to be told something like that.  Seriously, what year is it?

^^Eh... I think PHS is important enough to deserve some light scrutiny.  At least then the opportunity to reject is there.  As you noted, it seems that not many rejections occur or else the entire neighborhood would be out of code.

 

^Pretty sure this place is or has a strong connection to Ultra... the place on Prospect.

 

Ultra? I dont think the space you are thinking of has been called that for a while.

It became known as View (or Viewbar) and is no longer in business.

 

PHS doesnt need WHD entertainment. It can and should go down the older, more mature road. CSU is right next door for college-age stuff and potential nightclub stuff (which it actually needs to have more of). How PHS unfolds (apart form the obvious theater/live stage niche) will be up to really one councilperson and some commercial building owners until there are more full-time residents on Euclid Ave and Prospect Ave (on the "Theater District" portion of those streets, i.e. east of E. 9th... to E. 17th).

^ Thank you....  Some of us who are over the teenie tiny teenie scene would like a mature classy dressy place to entertain without feeling like our shoes will be puked on.  Afterall, those in...you know.... that "forgotten" age bracket of 35 to 55 are spending the most in the economy, are not quite ready for the nursing home......so give us a place. Marketing may just have to come up with better sales pitches to lure us, and not the typical bozo ones that cater to the easy sell.

What the area needs is a wine & martini lounge for the after show drink.  Like previously mentioned, it doesn't need an oomph oomph oomph type night club. 

^Isn't that what Corks is? 

Yup...that's exactly what it is. Right across the street. Here is their website for those who don't frequent downtown or PHS...http://corkswinebar.com/

Ah thanks!  I frequent downtown but was unaware of the bars in the area.

What the area needs is a wine & martini lounge for the after show drink.  Like previously mentioned, it doesn't need an oomph oomph oomph type night club. 

 

And thats what Hamiltons was supposed to be...  I wonder what happened to that?

 

Oh and docbroc, the Xecutive Lounge, is primarily for/caters to the black community, so yes in a sense it "isnt really for white people", and the converstaion happened on here somewhere. 

 

I'm not really sure what your flabbergasted about though, this is done all the time in the black community?   

 

 

I'm with you Docbroc.  What year is it really?  I say we go check it out when it opens.  Anybody up for a UO happy hour?

I say go for it.  but the Xecutive lounge has been open for some time now....  Remember, we were talking about the spelling of the name....  Make sure to report back!

I'm with you Docbroc.  What year is it really?  I say we go check it out when it opens.  Anybody up for a UO happy hour?

 

Hey, dance with my date all you want.... I'll take that over Willy's preferred scene:

 

But at least we're not Detroit:

Geez, I am so sorry for starting this.

This is the article,

http://www.thegrio.com/specials/the-black-agenda/entrepreneurs-help-state-of-black-unemployment-in-cleveland.php

 

And the quote I think people are remembering from it:

 

Still, Parker chose to get involved. He attended meetings about downtown revitalization. He met the movers and decision-makers in the city, and he hoarded profits from his maintenance business to invest in a black-centric nightclub with an upscale appeal.

Yeah that was the one.  See, they've been open since the spring, but they are just applying to have live entertainment now.

 

I'm still not sure what you mean by "what year is it".  Like I said there are black centric things done all the time (bars, clubs pageants etc.) 

If you have an issue with it I certainly would suggest going or even better, having the next UO happy there.   

 

I don't think the "black centric" description is what set that off.... but rather the description that it "isn't really for white people".  There is a difference.  Sort of like if I was to tell you to stay away from Barfly because it "isn't really for gay people"

 

So is the similarity in name with the former Ultra Xecutive Lounge just a coincidence?  Or is this place connected somehow.  I also wonder if there is an increased age limit for males, something we used to see at the black centric clubs that described themselves as more upscale.  IIRC, the Mirage had a 25 and up requirement for males for many years and that always struck me as a well laid strategy but potentially gender discrimination as well

I don't think the "black centric" description is what set that off.... but rather the description that it "isn't really for white people".  There is a difference.  Sort of like if I was to tell you to stay away from Barfly because it "isn't really for gay people"

 

Of course it was what set it off.  It was discussed here back in March.  I would take "Black Centric" as catering to blacks (so yes not primarily for white people).  If a white person isnt comfortable with that, that is their perogative (I personally wouldnt have a desire to go just because Im not a fan of hip hop or that culture) . 

Just like a straight person not being comfortable going to a gay bar (because its primarily for gay people), thats understandable to me, and I dont see why it would that be an issue?

 

Barfly, I have no idea about and a non-issue for me because it really wouldnt be my age group or genre.  But certainly there are redneck type bars that I would guess (would be smart anyway) for gay people to not go to.       

When you add in 'primarily', then I don't find the line so objectionable.  I don't care for your "or that culture" comment because, again, it is painting with such a broad brush..... sort of like me saying I don't like nipple clamps or that gay culture.  But, regardless, best to get back on topic or face the axe

Has anyone notice whether construction has started in the Cowell and Hubbard building for the new Bruell project?

I'm not sure why you would find it objectionable that somebody wouldn't be a fan of hip hop culture, or a place that caters to a black hip hop crowd?  For whatever reason as mentioned in the Ohio City thread, gun violence and hip hop clubs/culture just seem to go hand in hand.  So whats wrong with somebody not caring for that culture?

 

Again, (as mentioned in the discussion in March), I'm hoping this guy can be successful with his club and operate with a higher standard than we have seen with others, because there really needs to be an example of non-violent hip hop club.

BTW, its OK to not be a fan of nipple clamps or gay culture (yet that's all you seem to talk about), I'm not a big fan myself.   

 

Bottom line, I think Doc-Broc may have been unaware that it was actually a club that does cater to the black community.   

Has anyone notice whether construction has started in the Cowell and Hubbard building for the new Bruell project?

 

Very soon.

Heres a nice article that was in Cleveland Magazine....  Was planning to open in December but sounds unlikely:

 

With its ornate columns, 18-foot ceilings and cracked tile floor, the former Cowell and Hubbard jewelry store near PlayhouseSquare looks like the inside of a deserted castle. If Bruell has his way, by December the place will become the site of his newest restaurant, a modern French-American bistro.

"We want the place to look well-worn but with a polish to it," he says. The menu, which now exists only in his head, consists of rich, succulent dishes such as a truffle cauliflower broth served with sea scallops, espresso-dusted calf liver with pickled carrots, and beef ceviche.

 

But Bruell is unsure whether he will meet his self-imposed opening deadline. Because the building is more than 50 years old, Bruell is working with the state historic preservation board as he moves forward with construction — a detail that is giving him many headaches.

 

http://clevelandmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=E73ABD6180B44874871A91F6BA5C249C&nm=Article+Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=1578600D80804596A222593669321019&tier=4&id=BF460484C7E342DA93F6044A3447584B