Its definitely cliche. However, for visitors to Cleveland it should definitely draw them in to explore which is the whole point.  It'll be fine.

To you.  Public art and space definition is key for residents, tourist and businesses that reside in that district.  It brings exclusivity to a building or area.

At least on Euclid (and of course I want to wait and see until they are actually up before final judgment) but I like the idea that they sorta define or encompass the area and hopefully make what is basically a "street" suggest more of a "square" (or am I asking too much?)

I wish the patina of the canopy for the Allen Theatre was cleaned up to match the new sign color above.  The 2 appear disjointed.  Btw thanks for all the photo updates.

 

I have to agree.  While I like the style of the new signs quite a bit, the olive green-like color does little to complement or enhance the canopies for the Allen or Palace theatres, both of which are an oxidized copper color. 

Looks like they're starting work on the 14th street arch tonight. They just closed it off to traffic and brought in a semi and a lift. If they have it all up by morning, I'll be sure to get some pics.

 

 

 

Sorry for the crappy shots. I had a hard time getting an angle of the street up on my floor.

 

Another shot, this time with the crane extended.

Ooooh, action shots.  Cool! 

They were working into the early morning hours last night, I kept waking up at various times due to their bangs and clangs. Hopefully the end result looks as good as the renders.

 

Anyways, just like on Huron, they ended up getting the supports up, but the arch was just placed on the sidewalk. Below are a couple of shots I took on my walk to work.

 

Wow they are huge! I know some people hate it and think its over the top and gaudy... and I say YES! SO WHAT... We need something over the top.  I think Playhouse Square is going to look amazing after all this is done.

Plays are very often over the top and gaudy (in a god way). Making the district over the top and subjectively gaudy is appropriate. I'm excited to see this in person when finished.

They'll look less massive when they are up in position, too.

I take it the design of the arches was to celebrate our steel making heritage?

Huron arch is up.

 

LOVE IT!!

Looks good!

Thanks for the pics ya'll. Can't wait to come back and see in person!

 

Looks great in person. They really are huge.

Is the lettering or any other portion of the gateways planned to be lit?  Some silhouette lighting behind the PHS lettering would look cool.

 

Edit:  looking a few pages back they are LED lit channel letters.

 

Is the lettering or any other portion of the gateways planned to be lit?  Some silhouette lighting behind the PHS lettering would look cool.

 

Edit:  looking a few pages back they are LED lit channel letters.

 

Yeah, they have electrical wiring going up the supports.

I don't think they are going to be back lit, but rather the letters be fully lit.

The sign on E14th is MASSIVE!  I can't wait to see that one go up.  The signs on Euclid are probably going to be even bigger!  I think Euclid is wider than E14th?

 

Looking at the Huron sign, it is kind of odd that the wording is also on the sign as you are leaving the area.  As I thought about it, it would probably look really bland if there wasn't anything on that side though so this is probably for the better.

 

I really think these signs are awesome and help convey "You are here" in a branding/marketing sense.

 

You look mahvelous.

 

Signed,

the (unhappy and suffocating) Bulkley Building cornice

 

In the Playhouse Sq. Email newsletter today they said the 14th St. arch is the biggest.

The 14th street arch is up.

 

 

Instagramized:

 

I took a few pics before I went to bed of them raising it. I ended up falling asleep before the good part.

 

 

Bonus pic of one of the new finished video boards, just not turned on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a time lapse video of the 14th st arch going up on the WKYC website:

http://www.wkyc.com/story/local/2014/01/01/6157057/?storyid=6157057

Sorry for the crappy angle. They just lit up the 14th st arch.

That didn't take long to light that up! Nice!

 

That didn't take long to light that up! Nice!

 

Yeah, I didn't realize that they'd both light each letter and have backlighting across the entire arch.

 

They're still working as I write this (so much forklift beeping), so there may be more work to be done tonight. Perhaps they'll get the concrete bases covered.

The sign on E14th is MASSIVE!  I can't wait to see that one go up.  The signs on Euclid are probably going to be even bigger!  I think Euclid is wider than E14th?

 

FOX 8 stated that the Huron arch is 45ft long, the Euclid arches are 70ft long, and the E14th arch is 90 feet long.

I'm a big fan of the arches.

 

p.s. Seems the parking garage across from the Hanna would be an awesome candidate for some 1st floor retail.

not an arch fan, but those do look nice.

 

I'm a big fan of the arches.

 

p.s. Seems the parking garage across from the Hanna would be an awesome candidate for some 1st floor retail.

 

We need to fill up all of the first floor retail spaces in the hanna annex first!

 

I know, i know another arch picture but i thought it was timely with the Irish flags out on the Osborne Bldg for St  Paddys day.

 

Even more timely (and hopefully true)...as I was taking these pics a construction worker stopped to talk to me and he said he was working on the PHS lighting projects. He said that the assembly starts tonight for the retro-signage on the top of the Cowell & Hubbard bldg, and should be done by this weekend. He also said that the Euclid Ave arches will be put up the week of MArch 24. I guess we'll know soon.

 

Retro sign starting to go up.

 

Glad to see that gentleman yesterday was right!

 

 

Glad to see that gentleman yesterday was right!

 

Indeed he was.

 

 

Noticed that one of the new marquee signs was turned on when I walked by earlier. I have to admit, it didn't look too great in the sun.

 

 

They've made progress on the others as well.

 

 

Drove through on Saturday night the 15th and am excited about all these projects.

 

 

Keep the photos coming.  I'm watching from afar and loving the progress.

They must have turned the brightness up. I was actually able to see the signs in the distance today.

 

 

 

THese look great at night, (as well they should).

I love that handrail in the photo above.  Closing the street from the sidewalk is important to me in some urban settings, and this is one.  6 inch vertical curb doesn't cut it here.

Man I love Euclid Ave!!

I love that handrail in the photo above.  Closing the street from the sidewalk is important to me in some urban settings, and this is one.  6 inch vertical curb doesn't cut it here.

 

I might be wrong, but I think the handrail only looks like it's closing the street from the sidewalk due to the perspective. I think the rail is on a retaining wall that runs parallel to the sidewalk below, and from this angle you can't see the sidewalk.

Plus there is a stage there so I'm guessing that protects an overzealous guitarist rifting into Euclid.

^It's a safety feature for if the guitar is turned up too loud, a la "Back to the Future".

 

I love that handrail in the photo above.  Closing the street from the sidewalk is important to me in some urban settings, and this is one.  6 inch vertical curb doesn't cut it here.

 

I might be wrong, but I think the handrail only looks like it's closing the street from the sidewalk due to the perspective. I think the rail is on a retaining wall that runs parallel to the sidewalk below, and from this angle you can't see the sidewalk.

 

There isn't really much of a sidewalk there. The plaza was designed in a way which attempts to divert pedestrians away from the street.

 

I was standing on the outdoor stage when I took that, the handrail is on the back of the stage.

 

Btw, here's a pic with some of the letters up on the retro sign.

I think the retro sign will look great at night. However, I'm not a fan of the supports. Just looks too busy...I think it would luck much better if they somehow put a billboard type display up to cover it and have the design work with the lit lettering. Who knows maybe I'll think differently when it's complete.

I think the retro sign will look great at night. However, I'm not a fan of the supports. Just looks too busy...I think it would luck much better if they somehow put a billboard type display up to cover it and have the design work with the lit lettering. Who knows maybe I'll think differently when it's complete.

 

I actually don't think it's that bad.  I just hope the supports can look good after a few years of weathering.  One thing that may give it a more busy look is that it's atop a two-story building and the sign is rather large.  But again, this is PHS creating a new image for the district.  Not everyone is going to like the chandelier or large signage, but it's a nationally recognized theatre district and this will only add to its feel as a neighborhood.

I think the retro sign will look great at night. However, I'm not a fan of the supports. Just looks too busy...I think it would luck much better if they somehow put a billboard type display up to cover it and have the design work with the lit lettering. Who knows maybe I'll think differently when it's complete.

 

the supports are what make it "retro".

Another view from @freshwatercle