April 2, 201411 yr I honestly had a dream last night that I got a Playhouse Square Thread e-mail, clicked the link to come to this page, and someone (I don't know who) just posted "here you go" with a YouTube link. The video was of the chandelier all lit up at night, then it wandered around the square showing all the sights and sounds. I was so excited in my dream that I bought a bus ticket to Cleveland immediately, ran out the door, and boarded a bus 20 mins later. When I got to Cleveland, it was about 8pm and the square was alive with excitement. I didn't have a ticket to any shows, so u just got a coffee and sat in Star Plaza for a few hours to people watch. It was a really odd dream, but I've been so excited to see all of that lit up. I LOVE bright, active public squares. Everything from Times Square to Dundas Square to that crazy building on Broad and High in Columbus. Last time I was in Cleveland, Playhouse Square was already bright enough to make me excited. With all of these improvements, it will be that and so much more. I can't wait to make my dream a reality by seeing it in person. Keep the pics coming.
April 2, 201411 yr I don't really see what the concern is w the orange What are those things on the sidewalk?? I remember seeing them before all that cold white stuff started flying. Nice pic, BTW. I like you using the tree and branch to help frame your shot and give it more depth. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 2, 201411 yr This is easily the boldest and most exciting neighborhood branding campaign in Cleveland history, and may very well be the boldest neighborhood identity campaign nationwide right now. I'm very excited for Playhouse Square. I cannot wait to see the finished product, and I'm even more excited for the press the unveiling should generate nationwide, continuing PHS's already highly regarded theater district revitalization story.
April 2, 201411 yr There are so many small details on all of the signs. I'm surprised to see the plain gold band at the top of the chandelier.
April 2, 201411 yr I can't wait to go back home to Cleveland at some point this summer and check this out for myself. Are arches corny? Sure. Is a retro sign corny? Kind of. Is a 20' tall chandelier gaudy? Absolutely. But all of this in the best, most appropriate way imaginable. I already loved Playhouse Square and this additional livelihood is only going to make it stand out even more than it already did. It's going to be great.
April 2, 201411 yr ^Noooooo we need more places to put people. It doesn't sound like attracting residents is the problem. The Hanna building was fully leased before it opened.
April 3, 201411 yr ^I think he means people on the sidewalks. EDIT: I really like Clueless's photos because the pedestrians and bikers are great to see.
April 3, 201411 yr ^I think he means people on the sidewalks. EDIT: I really like Clueless's photos because the pedestrians and bikers are great to see. We'll see a lot more as the weather gets nicer. I was out and about yesterday and saw plenty of people strolling around and watching the construction workers. A lot of CSU students seemed to be hanging around star plaza. The re-opening of Dynomite seemed to draw a crowd too. One thing I do think the square needs is an outdoor restaurant guide. I've been stopped on the street a lot recently by visitors asking where to grab a bite near the theaters. Btw, I stumbled across a better perspective of the chandelier construction on Instagram from user @nomadicanomaly.
April 3, 201411 yr Getting some national love.... COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Cleveland’s Thriving Theater Hub Lures Residents APRIL 1, 2014 CLEVELAND — When a national tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” played here last month, Vincent Wil Hawley walked from his apartment at Residences at Hanna, a new 102-unit conversion in a renovated office building annex, and was in his seat five minutes later. “It’s basically like you’re living in the middle of Broadway,” said Mr. Hawley, 30. “It’s fun to have so much culture outside your door.” Residents of Midtown Manhattan are accustomed to walking to the Theater District to see what’s new on Broadway. But Mr. Hawley’s trip to and from Cleveland’s gilded Palace Theater was something much more significant. It was a sign, decades in the making, that this city’s efforts to create a thriving residential real estate market in its downtown core was starting to look more like a box-office hit than a flop. READ MORE AT: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/02/realestate/commercial/clevelands-thriving-theater-district-makes-downtown-living-alluring.html?_r=0 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 3, 201411 yr ^I think he means people on the sidewalks. EDIT: I really like Clueless's photos because the pedestrians and bikers are great to see. Yeah the streets downtown were pretty packed yesterday late afternoon/evening. That picture was about 530 or 6 PM. The pre-concert crowd for Billy Joel, warm weather, and specifically to PHS....Dyno-mite burgers opening on Star Plaza, felt like an early summer day. Euclid Ave was relatively vibrant from Pub Sq to well into CSU with pedestrians.
April 3, 201411 yr Thought I'd share another awesome Instagram post from @nomadicanomaly. He managed to sneak in and get a peek at the chandelier.
April 10, 201411 yr Make Huron The Next East Fourth A couple weeks ago I was finishing up a bike ride heading north on E. 14th from Slavic Village. After passing the sprawling madness of the Innerbelt and its on and off ramps, I finally came to a tad more scenic setting for a welcoming to Downtown Cleveland. Rolling past Erie Cemetery toward Prospect, I saw the Playhouse Square arches had risen. Riding underneath, it felt like I had actually entered a city. Unlike the aforementioned highway monstrosity, Playhouse Square is distinctively Cleveland. Similar arches had been put up at Huron and Prospect; a setting that I believe has great potential for a pet dream of mine. That dream is to close Huron from Prospect to Euclid in a bid to create the next East Fourth pedestrian thoroughfare. Cleveland is less than half its peak population, yet we have the road infrastructure of our glory days. At the same time, Downtown is the region’s fastest growing neighborhood. I can think of no better nod to this welcomed trend than to begin strategically selecting roads in our core that are overbuilt and underused for road diets or rezoning entirely to make the most of our infrastructure in a way that supports sustainability and vibrancy. Let’s start with Huron. Huron, especially between Euclid and Prospect, serves little purpose for Downtown Cleveland. The only action it sees is during rush hour when cars try to essentially cut lines to the highway off E. 9th. The result is a bottleneck that forces the city to send out traffic cops to help continue the flow of overeager drivers trying to flee the city. Is this really the best use of our resources? Methinks not. Read more: http://www.coolcleveland.com/blog/2014/04/make-huron-the-next-east-fourth/ https://www.instagram.com/cle_and_beyond/https://www.instagram.com/jbkaufer/
April 10, 201411 yr Closing Huron East makes a lot of sense, actually. Delivery entrances are all on secondary streets nearby (I think?) and there's only a parking garage entrance to consider - and I think that one has an entrance on prospect, too. Interesting idea, but given that most of the buildings are still occupied, it's not as compelling a target for an MRN-like entity.
April 10, 201411 yr PlayhouseSquare Dazzle the District Celebration Update Important Neighborhood Information Friday, May 2, 2014 PlayhouseSquare is dazzling the district and making history in a one-time-only spectacle that will change the face of downtown Cleveland forever. On May 2, the lights come on with a special lighting ceremony and celebration. We hope you plan to join us! Please share this important information with all of your tenants, businesses, vendors and co-workers. Here’s what you should know about Dazzle the District schedule of events that are free and open to the public: 5 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Happy Hours! Neighborhood bars and restaurants open “Taste of PlayhouseSquare” with food and beverages available for purchase on East 14th Street Live music on Star Plaza with Revolution Brass Band 8:30 p.m. National sensations Hot Chelle Rae Concert on the Euclid Avenue University Hospitals Main Stage 9:30 p.m. Spectacle! Dazzle! Surprises? Lighting ceremony Hot Chelle Rae returns to the stage immediately following the ceremony Event Entrances Enter the event from any of following entrances: E. 13th and Euclid – E. 14th and Prospect (also a handicap drop-off site) – E. 17th and Euclid and Huron Rd. at Star Plaza Neighborhood Road Closures Euclid Avenue between East 13th Street and East 14th Street will be closed after morning rush hour on Wednesday, April 30. On Thursday, May 1, after evening rush hour, Euclid Avenue will close between East 13th Street and East 18th Street. East 14th Street will close between Euclid Avenue and Prospect Avenue. East 17th Street will close between Prospect Avenue and just north of Euclid Avenue. Road will re-open during the early morning hours on Saturday, May 3. Questions? Please visit PlayhouseSquare on Facebook or tweet us @PlayhouseSquare using hashtag #DazzleCLE. If you have a question that needs immediate attention on the day of the event, please call 216-771-8403. Visit Dazzle the District website at www.playhousesquare.org/dazzle!
April 10, 201411 yr Closing Huron East makes a lot of sense, actually. Delivery entrances are all on secondary streets nearby (I think?) and there's only a parking garage entrance to consider - and I think that one has an entrance on prospect, too. Interesting idea, but given that most of the buildings are still occupied, it's not as compelling a target for an MRN-like entity. This was tried before and did not work.
April 10, 201411 yr Video "stylon" powered up. Wow that was fast, I was there just 2 hours ago and they were still putting it together!!! Looking good
April 10, 201411 yr Closing Huron East makes a lot of sense, actually. Delivery entrances are all on secondary streets nearby (I think?) and there's only a parking garage entrance to consider - and I think that one has an entrance on prospect, too. Interesting idea, but given that most of the buildings are still occupied, it's not as compelling a target for an MRN-like entity. The city being at half its peak population and downtown being at half of its peak population are two different things. Between workers, visitors, and residents, there is still high volume downtown. I wouldn't feel comfortable advocating for closing the street based on observation, alone.
April 10, 201411 yr Closing Huron East makes a lot of sense, actually. Delivery entrances are all on secondary streets nearby (I think?) and there's only a parking garage entrance to consider - and I think that one has an entrance on prospect, too. Interesting idea, but given that most of the buildings are still occupied, it's not as compelling a target for an MRN-like entity. Huron probably cannot be completely closed -- the Wyndham hotel for one has their loading dock on Huron. But I would like to see it closed to through traffic. Easy enough to do -- add some concrete bollards or move a couple of planters into Huron to prevent cars from getting by.
April 10, 201411 yr What's with all the talk of closing every street downtown from Playhouse Square to Public Square (& Euclid is hardly a great way for people in cars to get into town.) - ? You know it is a city after all, and closing every other street can also be a vitality killer. I don't even own a car myself because I bike and cab and transit around DC, but to my own mind closing every other street is hardly the way to go. Access for cars and cabs to drop people off curbside is not the worst thing that ever happened to a town. East 4th Street is a unique experience that doesn't have to be perfectly replicated a few blocks away. I can hardly think of a closed street in all of central DC, but it is vibrant at all hours with lots of traffic, and the entertainment districts seem to do just fine. Think a little harder about it before jumping to close more downtown streets. Cleveland hardly has the luxury of traffic congestion compared to other major cities. I'd give the closure of Huron some serious review before pushing too hard.
April 10, 201411 yr ^Agreed, and let's keep this thread for actual construction news, folks. clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
April 10, 201411 yr You really get a sense how large he chandelier is with the large video stylon and the chandelier assembly in the same photograph. Looks great
April 10, 201411 yr Are those upper windows of the Hermit Club broken? The diamond-shaped panes appear to be at slightly different angles and thus appear to be reflecting light differently. Glad to see HH construction underway. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 11, 201411 yr The snap of a few sparks, a quick whiff of ozone, and the lamp blazed forth in unparalleled glory...
April 11, 201411 yr I didn't catch that they were lighting the support structure...sweet! Did you happen to see if it's a constant purple or does it change color?
April 11, 201411 yr via @SEG_7 h/t @TowerLightsCLE https://twitter.com/SEG_7/status/454588899659374592/photo/1
April 12, 201411 yr http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/playhousesquare-chandelier-frame-goes-up-friday-morning-on-euclid-avenue
April 14, 201411 yr This really looks good imo. THe view after walking out of the delish Rothschild Farms yesterday
April 14, 201411 yr Great pic and street scene. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 14, 201411 yr Thanks for all the photos. Beside the crystals on the chandelier, what is left to be done in the transformation in this district?
April 14, 201411 yr Thanks for all the photos. Beside the crystals on the chandelier, what is left to be done in the transformation in this district? I believe there's supposed to be some signage to identify "star plaza" that isn't there yet. Other than that, I think the only remaining item is the big party!
April 14, 201411 yr I'm still really disappointed with the chandelier. They put so much detail into everything else, I don't understand why there's not more ornamentation on the gold bands and support beams of the chandelier to match. I'm hoping that small little details like that will be a finishing touch after they put the crystals on.
April 15, 201411 yr I would guess that the crystals are going to literally outshine any detail they would have put on the base. But I also suspect they are worries about the chandellier's ability to survive Cleveland winters without wear and tear. The more details you put on it, the harder that will be.
April 15, 201411 yr I would guess that the crystals are going to literally outshine any detail they would have put on the base. But I also suspect they are worries about the chandellier's ability to survive Cleveland winters without wear and tear. The more details you put on it, the harder that will be. They'll have a string of crystals wrapped around the outside of one of the rings. My reaction at first to most of these improvements have been "meh", but then "wow!" after they each are finished. I trust it'll be the same for the chandelier. Can't wait.
April 15, 201411 yr This really looks good imo. THe view after walking out of the delish Rothschild Farms yesterday
April 15, 201411 yr I definitely don't like the advertising in the clock. The design however is great! Maybe it's the red font I don't like.
April 15, 201411 yr Me no likey the dial Same. I like the exterior of the clock, but the styling on the face doesn't match.
April 15, 201411 yr Yeah, the sponsorship sucks, but it is a sign of our times (no pun intended). Regardless, every time I see a new pic of a part of the district in detail, or see an element driving by, I enter a state of awe. It is so nice to see such attention to detail where form is equal to or above function.... FINALLY!!!
April 16, 201411 yr PlayhouseSquare mourns the passing of Ray Shepardson PlayhouseSquare is heartbroken to learn of the death of founder Raymond K. “Ray” Shepardson on Monday, April 14, 2014. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and all those who knew him. Re-posted from: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,17658.msg704410.html#msg704410
April 18, 201411 yr Well now we know what's going in the old A Cafe space http://m.clevescene.com/cleveland/blogs/Post?basename=health-focused-phuel-caf-to-open-in-the-heart-of-playhouse-square&day=03&id=scene-and-heard&month=04&year=2014
April 18, 201411 yr I'm not sure if this has been posted yet, but a little more information on the upcoming May 2 lighting ceremony: WORTH THE DAZZLE http://cbcmagazine.com/2014/03/19/in-the-green-4/ Befitting of a theater district, the event will feature pyrotechnics set to music, Cheplowitz says. A not-yet-announced national recording star will entertain. Cheplowitz says the event will go beyond merely creating a spectacle and commemorating how much the theaters have accomplished. It will also make a statement about environmental concerns. Each of the lights used in the chandelier and other structures will be LEDs, meaning they will use considerably less energy than more conventional lights. Each of the restaurants that will be serving food during the event are being asked to use sustainable/recyclable materials while also providing recycling bins.
April 18, 201411 yr I'm not sure if this has been posted yet, but a little more information on the upcoming May 2 lighting ceremony: WORTH THE DAZZLE http://cbcmagazine.com/2014/03/19/in-the-green-4/ Befitting of a theater district, the event will feature pyrotechnics set to music, Cheplowitz says. A not-yet-announced national recording star will entertain. Cheplowitz says the event will go beyond merely creating a spectacle and commemorating how much the theaters have accomplished. It will also make a statement about environmental concerns. Each of the lights used in the chandelier and other structures will be LEDs, meaning they will use considerably less energy than more conventional lights. Each of the restaurants that will be serving food during the event are being asked to use sustainable/recyclable materials while also providing recycling bins. Said recording artist is the pop group Hot Chelle Rae. Here's the itinerary posted on the Dazzle the District Facebook event page.
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