Cleveland Arcade, Cleveland (must see)
The Cleveland Arcade, located in downtown Cleveland, is a remarkable Victorian-era structure that stands as a testament to the city鈥檚 architectural heritage. Completed in 1890, the Arcade was officially opened on Memorial Day, May 30, 1890. It is recognized as one of the earliest indoor shopping arcades in the United States and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1975.
The Cleveland Arcade, designed by John Eisenmann and George H. Smith, was inspired by Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It features two nine-story office buildings linked by a five-story iron-and-glass arcade, with a striking 100-foot-high skylight made of 1,800 glass panes. This blend of lighted court and shopping street makes it a rare gem among U.S. arcades.
The Arcade鈥檚 architecture is characterized by its ornate interior and grand scale, with four levels of balconies encircling a 300-foot-long covered light court. The building鈥檚 original Hummelstown brownstone, Richardsonian Romanesque-style arched entrance on Superior Avenue remains intact, while the Euclid Avenue entrance underwent significant remodeling in 1939 by the firm Walker and Weeks.
The arcade itself is not aligned in a straight path; rather, it follows a 23-degree angle off the Euclid entrance, leading to a rotunda at the southern end of the structure. The verticality of the interior columns, combined with the immense glass skylight, creates a spacious and luminous environment that evokes a sense of grandeur.
In 2001, the Hyatt corporation redeveloped the Cleveland Arcade, transforming it into the city鈥檚 first Hyatt Regency hotel. The hotel now occupies the two office towers and the top three floors of the atrium area, while the two lower floors remain open to the public and house retail merchants and a food court. This redevelopment preserved the historical essence of the Arcade, including the replacement of the iconic skylight.
The Cleveland Arcade not only serves as a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture but also continues to be a vibrant part of Cleveland鈥檚 downtown landscape, blending historical charm with modern utility. Its design even inspired the Peachtree Arcade in Atlanta, constructed in the 1910s, reflecting the influence and reach of this iconic Cleveland landmark.
The Cleveland Arcade, designed by John Eisenmann and George H. Smith, was inspired by Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It features two nine-story office buildings linked by a five-story iron-and-glass arcade, with a striking 100-foot-high skylight made of 1,800 glass panes. This blend of lighted court and shopping street makes it a rare gem among U.S. arcades.
The Arcade鈥檚 architecture is characterized by its ornate interior and grand scale, with four levels of balconies encircling a 300-foot-long covered light court. The building鈥檚 original Hummelstown brownstone, Richardsonian Romanesque-style arched entrance on Superior Avenue remains intact, while the Euclid Avenue entrance underwent significant remodeling in 1939 by the firm Walker and Weeks.
The arcade itself is not aligned in a straight path; rather, it follows a 23-degree angle off the Euclid entrance, leading to a rotunda at the southern end of the structure. The verticality of the interior columns, combined with the immense glass skylight, creates a spacious and luminous environment that evokes a sense of grandeur.
In 2001, the Hyatt corporation redeveloped the Cleveland Arcade, transforming it into the city鈥檚 first Hyatt Regency hotel. The hotel now occupies the two office towers and the top three floors of the atrium area, while the two lower floors remain open to the public and house retail merchants and a food court. This redevelopment preserved the historical essence of the Arcade, including the replacement of the iconic skylight.
The Cleveland Arcade not only serves as a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture but also continues to be a vibrant part of Cleveland鈥檚 downtown landscape, blending historical charm with modern utility. Its design even inspired the Peachtree Arcade in Atlanta, constructed in the 1910s, reflecting the influence and reach of this iconic Cleveland landmark.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cleveland. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Cleveland Arcade on Map
Sight Name: Cleveland Arcade
Sight Location: Cleveland, USA (See walking tours in Cleveland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cleveland, USA (See walking tours in Cleveland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cleveland, Ohio
Create Your Own Walk in Cleveland
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cleveland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Museums in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio, boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums comprising some of the best in the American Mid-West, catering to a wide range of interests.
Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) stands out as a hub for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. MOCA features thought-provoking exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) stands out as a hub for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. MOCA features thought-provoking exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Little Italy Walking Tour
Whether you鈥檙e new to the Cleveland area or a lifelong resident, there鈥檚 plenty to explore in the dynamic 鈥淔orest City.鈥� And if you鈥檝e never been to local Little Italy, you鈥檙e in for a treat. Apart from historical landmarks and delicious plates of pasta, in this lovely urban enclave you will find plenty of culture.
One of the neighborhood's central features is the Holy Rosary... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the neighborhood's central features is the Holy Rosary... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Cleveland Introduction Walking Tour
The City of Cleveland dates back to 1796 when the Connecticut Land Company laid out the area into a township. They named the new town after their leader, General Moses Cleaveland.
With its waterfront location, the city became a major center for trade and commerce over the next few decades. When the railroad arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, the town began to evolve into a central... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
With its waterfront location, the city became a major center for trade and commerce over the next few decades. When the railroad arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, the town began to evolve into a central... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles