Playhouse Square Neighborhood Guide

Playhouse Square is Cleveland’s vibrant theater district.

The neighborhood is home to the U.S.’s largest performing arts center outside of New York. It became famous for renovating five historic theaters that date back to the 1920s.

Over a million people visit the area’s glamorous theaters every year to enjoy concerts, dance, Broadway shows, comedy, opera, and children’s programming.

Residents and guests here get to marvel at the GE Chandelier, the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, and the massive marquees that characterize the district. The neighborhood also showcases upscale restaurants and cafes where guests get to dine before and after the impressive shows.

Dubbed as the 24/7 Downtown District, Playhouse Square also showcases office spaces, apartment buildings, retail spaces, and major industrial and commercial facilities – most of which are managed by the Playhouse Square Foundation.

Most of the residential projects in the neighborhood aim to make the area an exciting destination that combines performing arts and affordable commercial real estate.

Playhouse Square is home to about 743 people who contribute to making the district a thriving business, entertainment, and technology hub. The area’s strong arts and cultural scenes continue to generate new employment and revenues from millions of visitors every year.

About 82% of employees in the area work in white-collar jobs. Most of the residents work in the performing arts industry, digital media, software technology industries, sales occupations, accountancy, architecture, and law offices.

The district has a high population of young professionals and artists. About 19% of adults in the area have a graduate degree, and 20% have a bachelor’s degree.

Schools in and around Playhouse Square are well-known for integrating the arts with learning, and for fostering partnerships with various performing arts communities.

Many of the schools partner with the Playhouse Square Center to help students learn and grow in any field of theatre interest. Students get opportunities to attend classes hosted by visiting artists or cast members of touring productions.

The classes include training in voice, dance, improvisation techniques, and creating special effects on stage. Students also attend shows, watch street performances, and create various handicrafts.

Playhouse Square Center also offers various personal and professional development programs for teachers to help them incorporate the arts into the curriculum.

While there is an emphasis in theatre and production, the schools in and around the area also adhere to high academic standards that encourage students to nurture their curiosities in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Playhouse Square is a cultural and entertainment district where about 60% of properties are occupied by renters.

The district is home to office buildings, retail spaces, bank buildings, and industrial facilities – most of which are owned and operated by the Playhouse Square Foundation. The organization continues with its mission to redevelop the neighborhood and showcase affordable commercial real estate, urban development, and performing arts.

The five main properties in the district are the Hanna Building, the Idea Center, the Bulkley Building, 1309 Euclid Avenue, and 1317 Euclid Avenue.

These buildings feature a minimum of two up to 16 floors and serve as homes to companies seeking to raise their visibility in a prime location. Tenants include major non-profit organizations, sales organizations, law offices, television and radio studios, technology companies, and schools.

Residents here get convenient access to a historic environment, destination restaurants, and conference and training rooms.