An awesome night!

 

 

 

And awesome photo DougNagy!

 

It looks like Euclid Ave is bumper to bumper in both directions.

I took this tonight. Traffic was definitely bumper to bumper on Euclid.

 

Edit: having issues uploading from my phone. Guess I'll wait til tomorrow.

That really looks like an amazing night; although I wonder about the durability of the chandelier to withstand really inclement weather. I assume they tested it under severe (albeit manufactured) conditions :|. I

Good quetion.  One thing's for sure, we won't have long to find out.

I saw a video somewhere where it was put from test to test, nothing lasts forever.

The testing was done up in Quebec and that's when they realized they couldn't use glass.

Exactly. I wish all of our media outlets were consolidated there as well. You would think the media would want more public interaction. But at least you have WVIZ, 98.5 and Channel 19 nearby. I love seeing PS getting the...love.

 

Good suggestion!!

FWIW - I spoke with a PHS tour guide yesterday and asked about the vacant lot at 17th and Euclid.  He mentioned that there have been talks of a high rise with student housing on the lower levels and market rate apartments on the upper floors.

Here's a panorama shot I took last night!! I can't wait to go back when there is less of a crowd and get more photos. :) Below is a YouTube video is as well of the lighting. Enjoy!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqx5nkJnn5w&feature=youtu.be

 

Just beautiful! Man the pics coming out of this event have me super proud and optimistic.

FWIW - I spoke with a PHS tour guide yesterday and asked about the vacant lot at 17th and Euclid.  He mentioned that there have been talks of a high rise with student housing on the lower levels and market rate apartments on the upper floors.

 

My hope and thought for that space would be an upscale movie theater. Something with about 4 screens that would complete PlayhouseSquare as a true entertainment district, with both stage and screen. It would also bring another marquee to the street which would look great at night. To me it would draw from PHS visitors/downtown residents/ CSU students next door. These new theatres offer a different experience with restaurant/bar capabilities. You see them open recently in Austin/Seattle/SF and other urban areas. It could also be used for movie premiers in place of ValleyView.

 

A couple examples:

http://www.cinepolisusa.com/Index.aspx?nl=1

http://dinein.amctheatres.com/how-it-works/cinema-suites

I always thought something like drafthouse in austin

^Don't forget that great theater in Columbus, Studio 35 (they recently renovated their bar and screens) that was around long before the Drafthouse. That is definitely the style of theater that would fit.

United's on board magazine has a Denver advertising section this month, in which they claim to have the 2nd largest performing arts center in the country, something PHS has touted for years.... I remember Dallas had a new complex opening a few years ago and was saying the same thing... PHS used to claim 2nd in number of seats as go how they were "2nd" technically I seem to recall. . Losing the full Allen didn't help.... I am sure this can be spun different ways but perhapsrhaps they should be the "largest historic performing arts center in the country"  -,that sounds better anyway..

I noticed a few cities touting the "2nd largest ---- behind Lincoln Center" also...  it comes down to a few words like theater, performing arts center, district, etc.  playhouse square's claim is 2nd largest theater complex.

Does anyone have any old photos (or have a link to old photos) of PHS when the theaters were in a state of disrepair? I feel like I've seen every picture ever posted on this forum over the last 10 years, but I don't ever recall seeing any of the theaters at the time they were slated for demolition.

There was a pbs doc that came out a year or two ago.

Does anyone have any old photos (or have a link to old photos) of PHS when the theaters were in a state of disrepair?

 

In 1975, PHS Foundation published their famous "Red Book". I was a volunteer and tour guide before any renovation occured, so in appreciation, they gave me one. I figure they're fairly rare since they were published to generate interest in hopes of donations, but they feature lots of photos of an un-restored theater complex.

Does anyone have any old photos (or have a link to old photos) of PHS when the theaters were in a state of disrepair?

 

In 1975, PHS Foundation published their famous "Red Book". I was a volunteer and tour guide before any renovation occured, so in appreciation, they gave me one. I figure they're fairly rare since they were published to generate interest in hopes of donations, but they feature lots of photos of an un-restored theater complex.

 

Thanks. My dad gave me and my sister a tour of the Palace Theater in the late 1970s before renovations started. I remember there were holes in the plaster ceiling, decorative elements broken or missing, and lots of chairs, tables and other stuff stacked and under plastic tarps in the middle of the stage, green room and other rooms. I assume the stacked items were under tarps for protection from dust caused by workers, but I didn't think the work had started yet. Something from deep in my memory tells me it may have been for protection from water leaks from the roof or plumbing. Perhaps you remember the details better, Barneyboy, since I was only about 12 years old then.

Nice piece on Gizmodo about the chandelier.

 

http://gizmodo.com/the-worlds-biggest-outdoor-chandelier-beckons-you-to-cl-1572262174

 

The World's Biggest Outdoor Chandelier Beckons You to Cleveland's Stage

Andrew Tarantola

 

 

For a time in the Vaudeville Era, few theater districts outside of Broadway were hotter than Cleveland, Ohio's. But as the decades rolled on and times changed, the district fell upon hard times. But now, after a concerted revitalization effort, the the crown jewel of the district is back in business—and it sports the world's largest outdoor chandelier to prove it.

^ Great article.  It seems to be getting a lot of reads rather quickly. 

LOL at the "least walkable city" comment. Have they been to other cities???? It's not at the top, but least...I think not.

^ yeah and "... than cleveland, ohio's" in the lead sentence? rilly with the ohio?? sheesh.

this was my contribution:

 

FlyovermeDC1988

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If I dropped you off at the House of Blues on a Saturday afternoon - other than the immediate pockets in and around 4th St, you're stranded, there's no where to go unless you get in a car. The real main issue is that there's no solid public transportation to connect parts of the city. I've long that it's an outright tragedy that I can't catch a train from the Q down to the Rock Hall. Or more importantly, that I can't catch a train in Mentor and take it to the West Side Market. That's a regional infrastructure issue, I know, but part of the same problem.

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well then you just aren't paying attention. From either end of E 4th st you probably saw a bus go by every 5 minutes you were standing there.

 

http://www.riderta.com/

 

Below tower city which is attached to the Q by a walkway, you can take the waterfront line (light rail) to the RR hall of fame.

 

There are also 5 FREE trolly bus routes operated by the local transit authority. 3 of which would take you from the Q/E 4th st to the RR hall of fame...another 1 would take you to the warehouse district and another that would take you to Playhouse square...all for FREE

 

http://www.riderta.com/routes/l-line

http://www.riderta.com/routes/c-line

 

http://www.riderta.com/routes/b-line

 

http://www.riderta.com/routes/e-line

 

http://www.riderta.com/routes/ninetwe...

 

Trolley service is "free with a smile". Trolley operators, called "ambassadors", are trained to help you with local information.

 

You can also get a red line (heavy rail) train in tower city to get you to Ohio City and the Gordon Square arts District as well as the airport going west and the Cleveland Clinic/art museum/little Italy/severence hall (home of the Cleveland Orchestra) going east....as will the Healthline.

 

The Green/Blue light rail lines take you east into more residential areas but Shaker Sq is on the route. Shaker Square has many restaurants/bars as well as a movie theater.

 

Those cost $2.25 1 way or $5 for an all day pass.

 

You could easily spend 3-5 days in Cleveland without a car. If you want to.

I get very frustrated when I hear people like FlyovermeDC1988 talk about Cleveland with the conviction of one who knows, when in reality they are clueless about Cleveland.  I get this a lot from people who hide in the suburbs. It is particularly annoying when I am traveling and run into someone from Cleveland who left years ago like FlyovermeDC1988.  Some of them continually talk trash to their friends, perpetuating the negative stereotypes with no basis in fact.

I can't believe the folks who hate the chandelier so much that they are actually angry about it. This guy in the comments of the gizmodo post is acting like the fact it was placed near his apartment is the worst thing to ever happen to him. I don't understand people sometimes...

The dollar amounts are disappointingly small, but this is similar to the program that helped seed many of the businesses in the 5th Street Arcades.  Could help land one or more interesting new retail tenants to PHS.

 

Playhouse Square seeks to fill empty retail spaces through small-business grant contest

 

Playhouse Square is targeting the Hanna Building, the Hanna Building Annex and the Keith Building -- two office buildings and a residential redevelopment where the upper floors are largely full but some street-level retail spaces sit vacant. The empty storefronts, on Euclid Avenue and East 14th Street, range from 420 square feet to 3,257 square feet.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/04/playhouse_square_seeks_to_fill.html

 

 

Cleveland public transportation isn't just plentiful, it can be awesomely scenic too. This picture taken Tuesday night on the East bank of the Flats. How cool is this ......

 

It does nothing for me, but I'm not angry about it. To me it's a case of "whatever, to each their own." I actually heard someone regret taking a job in Portland because of the chandelier. Yep, she wants to leave Cleveland because of the chandelier.... If so, then it's really not a chandelier that's caused her to want to leave. I suspect if something so trivial as a chandelier makes someone want to move 2,500 miles away, then I seriously doubt this person will be happy in her life no matter where she lands. A change of address is seldom a worthy substitute for therapy.

^^^AMEN!

 

I noticed signs up for Phuel today. I wish they could have matched the rest of the signage on the building.

Why, the rest of the signage is horrible.

 

Why, the rest of the signage is horrible.

 

At least it would be consistent. Right now the white Phuel logo looks out of place when every other sign on the building is gold.

 

The interior of the cafe looks fantastic, I just wish they would have given the same amount of thought and attention to detail with their branding.

The sign looks homemade. With all of the work PHS square put into the recent overhaul you would think they would be involved with any signage. They need to come up with a design standard for any future signs or streetscape improvement that would mesh with the recent renovation.

It might be temporary while the gold sign is being made

 

Hofbrauhaus site at the Hermit Club

 

 

 

^ I  can't wait. Though if they still go through with that cheap and cheeseball red aluminum shed-looking roof I'm going to be sad. At least until the 5 or 6 beers kick in ha ha.  I'll be taking RTA home from that place.

Looks like they are using ICF (insulated concrete forms) wall construction.  Maybe its desirable so they can install EIFS...blah.

 

http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/bza/agenda/2014/crr06-02-2014.pdf

 

Board of Zoning Appeals

June 2, 2014

 

9:30 Ward 3 Calendar No. 14-71: 1220 Huron Road Joe Cimperman

5 Notices

 

Playhouse Square Plaza LLC, owner, appeals to change the use of floors 2-11 or 113,480 square feet of an 11

story building located in an E5 Local Retail Business District, from business use to 80 residential apartments

contrary to the area regulations set forth in Section 355.04 (b) of the Cleveland Codified Ordinances which

states that in an ‘E’ Area District the maximum gross floor area cannot exceed 1.5 times the lot area or 16,988

square feet and 113,480 square feet are proposed; and pursuant to Section 357.08 (b) (2) a rear yard equal

to one-half of the height of the building, or 64 feet, is required and a rear yard of 0 to 12 feet is proposed and

subject to Section 357.09 (b) (2) © an interior side yard of ¼ the height of the building or 32 feet is required

and 0’ is proposed (filed May 12, 2014).

I'm unsure of the boundaries of Playhouse Square, but I see a shot of Hofbrauhaus construction here so I'll add my own.

 

I'm unsure of the boundaries of Playhouse Square, but I see a shot of Hofbrauhaus construction here so I'll add my own.

 

 

We've been discussing the Hofbrauhaus in this thread.

Once more for the record, if the roof of Hofbrau does in fact turn out like this, I say we have an UO storm the roof party. With pickaxes.

Some big light thingy...

 

 

i never thought of that perspective w/ the hanna in the bkgrd, wow

 

 

Chester Ave downtown

 

 

PlayhouseSquare launches public phase of largest fundraising campaign in its history

 

PlayhouseSquare on Friday, June 20, launched the public phase of the largest fundraising campaign in its history — a $100 million effort that so far has brought in $35 million, which includes a $9 million gift from the family of Sherwin-Williams CEO Chris Connor. In honor of the Connor family’s gift — the largest in the theater complex’s history — the Palace Theatre will be renamed the Connor Palace.

 

“We feel a great responsibility to ensure that PlayhouseSquare remains strong, secure and enjoyable for future generations,” said Art J. Falco, president and CEO of PlayhouseSquare, in a news release. “The core need is to provide for the preservation of the beautiful gems that are our historic theaters. We also have objectives to support the arts education and production initiatives that are part of our not-for-profit mission.”

 

In honor of the Connor family’s gift — the largest in the theater complex’s history — the Palace Theatre will be renamed the Connor Palace. New signage is expected to be in place by the end of September.

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140620/FREE/140629969/playhousesquare-launches-public-phase-of-largest-fundraising

 

 

PlayhouseSquare launches public phase of largest fundraising campaign in its history

 

PlayhouseSquare on Friday, June 20, launched the public phase of the largest fundraising campaign in its history — a $100 million effort that so far has brought in $35 million, which includes a $9 million gift from the family of Sherwin-Williams CEO Chris Connor. In honor of the Connor family’s gift — the largest in the theater complex’s history — the Palace Theatre will be renamed the Connor Palace.

 

“We feel a great responsibility to ensure that PlayhouseSquare remains strong, secure and enjoyable for future generations,” said Art J. Falco, president and CEO of PlayhouseSquare, in a news release. “The core need is to provide for the preservation of the beautiful gems that are our historic theaters. We also have objectives to support the arts education and production initiatives that are part of our not-for-profit mission.”

 

In honor of the Connor family’s gift — the largest in the theater complex’s history — the Palace Theatre will be renamed the Connor Palace. New signage is expected to be in place by the end of September.

 

 

http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140620/FREE/140629969/playhousesquare-launches-public-phase-of-largest-fundraising

 

 

This may be an easier read:  http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140620/FREE/140629969/playhousesquare-launches-public-phase-of-largest-fundraising

I'm happy for the generous donation, but I'm sorry it had to come with the egotistical addition of his family name to the marquis. I guess that's the way of things now, but I wish it weren't. Connor Palace sounds awful, and incredibly self serving.

I'm happy for the generous donation, but I'm sorry it had to come with the egotistical addition of his family name to the marquis. I guess that's the way of things now, but I wish it weren't. Connor Palace sounds awful, and incredibly self serving.

 

That's the nature of gift-giving. Many do it so they can be immortalized.

I'm not necessarily in favor of the "Connor Palace"... - and who knows if the donor asked for this or PHS thought it was a fitting touch...?

 

With that said, I recall the theater was originally the "Keith's Palace" Theater, named after the owner of the chain of vaudeville theaters... So a person's name in front of "Palace" in CLE isn't unprecedented...

 

Thank goodness it's not the "Cadillac Palace" as happened a few years back in Chicago... or some other corporate name.

I am surprised by the name change after an extensive rework of all marquee signs were just revealed. Lastly wouldn't it be most fitting to rename the theatre The Sheperdson Palace ?  After all he was the man responsible for saving these theatres.  Anyone can write a check, maybe not 9 million,.  But does writing that check earn your name on the marquee? 

I'm happy for the generous donation, but I'm sorry it had to come with the egotistical addition of his family name to the marquis. I guess that's the way of things now, but I wish it weren't. Connor Palace sounds awful, and incredibly self serving.

 

That's the nature of gift-giving. Many do it so they can be immortalized.

 

And I get that. It's this particular phrasing that sticks in my craw. It doesn't just honor a benefactor, it transfers ownership.

I'm happy for the generous donation, but I'm sorry it had to come with the egotistical addition of his family name to the marquis. I guess that's the way of things now, but I wish it weren't. Connor Palace sounds awful, and incredibly self serving.

 

That's the nature of gift-giving. Many do it so they can be immortalized.

 

And I get that. It's this particular phrasing that sticks in my craw. It doesn't just honor a benefactor, it transfers ownership.

 

Ownership or Sponsorship?  Many theaters now have and seek this type of funding, due to the cost of extensive renovations.

This is where I was when I read news of The Return. We were having lunch al fresco at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. Love the old-school directional "stone" pointing to Elyria, et al.....