Cleveland Public Theatre will undergo a transformation this year that will change the look of the Gordon Square Arts District. 

In November, the Cleveland Landmarks Commission gave the go-ahead for much of the proposed facade and streetscape designs, with a request that the project managers return to the commission for approval on a few items in the proposal.

Act One:

The makeover will unify several buildings on Cleveland Public Theatre’s campus, clarify the main entrance, and change the overall visibility of the theatre area, project representative Peter Bohan of Perspectus Architecture told the commission. 

Commissioners approved the removal of the two trees on Detroit Avenue that currently block the theatre’s signs and banners. Project managers plan to meet with the city’s Urban Forestry Commission to discuss exactly what to do about those trees. 

“We’re more than willing to plant trees elsewhere, so that there’s a net gain of trees in total,” Cleveland Public Theatre CEO Raymond Bobgan told Signal Cleveland. 

Intermission

The large windows in the front of the theatre complex will feature transparent LED screens showing images taken mostly from stage performances and other theatre programming. 

“The content will essentially be images from our stages and graphic images, almost in a slow slideshow fashion to communicate what is happening inside the building,” said Bobgan. “Predominantly, it’s going to be the people inside the building that are shown on the outside.”

Proposed new streetscape in front of Cleveland Public Theatre.

Project executives are still working out the specifics of the window film materials and content. Bobgan said he had seen one example of the window LED screens he was not happy with – too bright and too pixelated – and is seeking out other completed projects around the country to view before finalizing plans.     

“Whatever we figure out for these windows,” said Bobgan, “it’s going to have to be something that matches the neighborhood aesthetic. This is not a Times Square of Cleveland, and, you know, I’m thinking of this more like, SoHo area or something, just a little bit more funky, a little bit less flashy, and more substance.” 

Cleveland Public Theatre will return to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission for approval on the LED window films at a later time. 

Act Two:

The current neon script sign for the Cleveland Public Theatre on the front of the structure will be moved to the west-facing side of Parish Hall, overlooking the complex’s parking lot.

Banners for shows will be hung on the east-facing side of the Gordon Square theatre building, also overlooking the parking lot. 

The marquee that still requires employees to climb a ladder to switch out plastic letters will be changed to a programmable LED screen. 

A large new blade sign, a replica of the original, will stand high above the roof, announcing the theatre’s location from far down Detroit.

The Landmarks Commission approved these exterior changes with a request for project managers to return with more specific details on the marquee and blade sign. An LED strip combining the two north-facing buildings is still in question.   

Still to come…

The renovation plan continues inside. The main entrance at the Cleveland Public Theatre will become the single entrance for the entire theatre complex. The front entryways of the Gordon Square and Levin theatres will be combined. 

Bobgan said one of the challenges to merging the theatres’ entryways is the differences in the structures, which were built decades apart. There is a 9- to 12-inch difference between the highest point in the Gordon Square theater’s first floor and that of Levin, he explained. The solution is a continuous ramp that will go where one of the front restrooms is now to connect the properties. The grand staircase in the front of the building will also be removed. 

“In the future,” he added, “there’s going to be eight bathroom restrooms in the Gordon Square theatre for patrons, all on the first floor with wheelchair accessibility and more open space.” 

Cleveland Documenter Maria Shuckahosee has more from the Nov. 13 Cleveland Landmarks Commission meeting, including:

  • New and improved public art coming to Tremont
  • The African American Cultural Garden received approval of a revision to its phase two designs

In addition to the changes at the theaters, the church and Parish Hall on CPT’s campus will undergo major renovations. The church will be redone to expand classroom space for the theatre’s education and outreach programs. 

Construction crews have begun setting up in the theatre’s parking lot, waiting to begin facade work while permits are still processing. Major construction on the $12 million upgrade is expected to begin in the spring of 2026 and be completed before Labor Day.

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