C Cleveland

The Arcade, located downtown between Euclid and Superior Avenues near Public Square, is one of America's first indoor shopping malls. Built in 1890, it was designed by John Eisenmann and George H. Smith. The $875,000 cost was financed by wealthy Clevelanders, including John D. Rockefeller and Marcus Hanna.


Arcade circa 1940


This unique structure consists of two 9-story brick and masonry towers, one facing Euclid Avenue and one on Superior Avenue. The towers are connected by a 5-story atrium with a 100-foot high glass skylight ceiling. The inspiration for the Arcade was the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, Italy.


Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

The atrium is adorned with elaborate metalwork and railings, and the top floor is decorated with a series of gargoyles.


Arcade gargoyles

It was the first Cleveland building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Original staircase

The Art deco influence of the 1940's was seen in the renovation of the Euclid Avenue facade and the Superior Avenue staircase. The Euclid Avenue facade was altered to allow two sculpted medallions of Charles F. Brush (the creator of the arc light, the first streetlight) and Stephen Harkness. Both men were former presidents of the Cleveland Arcade Company.


Arcade medallion for Charles F. Brush

The suburban flight of the 70's caused many merchants to leave the Arcade and it was actually threatened with demolition until a new owner had the sense to maintain the grandeur of days gone by.

The Arcade underwent another renovation in 2001 when a public/private partnership between Related Midwest and the Hyatt Corporation worked to renovate this gem at a cost of $60 million.





The Hyatt Regency redeveloped it into a hotel. The Regency occupies the two towers and the top three floors of the atrium. The lower floors remain open to the public with retail merchants and a food court. The atrium area is also rented out for events and weddings.


Hyatt Regency


Hotel suites top levels



Suite at the Hyatt


Detail of staircase


Detail of facade


Detail of metalwork


Bridge



The Arcade is truly one of Cleveland's architectural wonders!