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The Forest City

Cleveland architecture

Cleveland is the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a glass-pyramid landmark designed by I.M. Pei on the shores of Lake Erie. The city earned its nickname 'The Forest City' in the 19th century due to its sophisticated park system and thousands of mature trees.

  • 15Landmarks
  • 1890Oldest · The Arcade
  • 289 mTallest · Key Tower
  • 15Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoHopkins International (CLE)

    Hopkins International holds a significant place in aviation history as the first airport in the world to feature a dedicated radio control tower. It was also the first airport in the Western Hemisphere to be connected directly to a city's rapid transit rail line.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish

    Speech in Cleveland carries a neutral Midwestern tone with a slight Great Lakes 'twang' on certain vowels. It is a humble and resilient linguistic style that reflects the city's industrial pride and its deep-rooted passion for local sports.

  • Getting aroundThe Rapid

    Cleveland had the first direct airport-to-city rail link in the Western Hemisphere. The HealthLine is a world-class Bus Rapid Transit system that connects Public Square to University Circle. Historic lakefront trolleys provide a nostalgic way to navigate the North Coast Harbor district.

15 landmarks in Cleveland

  1. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
    Photo: GordonMakryllos, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

    1100 Rock and Roll Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44114

    This striking geometric composition of glass and steel sits prominently on the shore of Lake Erie. The design features a massive glass pyramid connected to a cantilevered theater and a sleek cylindrical tower. It was specifically designed to echo the raw energy and rebellion of rock and roll music. The architect utilized bold angles and a 'collision' of different shapes to create a constant sense of movement. It has since become a global pilgrimage site for music fans and a landmark of modern museum architecture.

    Built
    1995
    Architect
    I.M. Pei
    Style
    Postmodern / Geometric
    Height
    49 m (161 ft)
    Stories
    7
    Today
    Museum
  2. Terminal Tower
    Photo: Erik Drost Derivative work: LakeCityCle, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Terminal Tower

    50 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113

    The crown jewel of Cleveland’s skyline, this Beaux-Arts skyscraper was once the second-tallest building in the world. It was ingeniously built atop a massive train terminal, serving as a functional 'city within a city' for commuters. The iconic spire is illuminated with different colors at night to celebrate local sports teams and civic events. It remains the most recognizable symbol of Cleveland's industrial golden age and historical wealth. Even today, the observation deck offers the most comprehensive panoramic views of the entire metropolitan area.

    Built
    1930
    Architect
    Graham, Anderson, Probst & White
    Style
    Beaux-Arts / Neoclassical
    Height
    216 m (709 ft)
    Stories
    52
    Today
    Mixed-use / Office
  3. The Arcade
    Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Arcade

    401 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114

    Often referred to as 'Old Man's Faith,' this was one of the first indoor shopping centers in the United States. It consists of two nine-story towers connected by a spectacular five-story skylight made of iron and glass. The ornate brass railings and Victorian detailing make the space feel like a grand European palace. It survived decades of urban change to eventually become the centerpiece for a luxury Hyatt Regency hotel. The central atrium is a popular venue for weddings due to its timeless elegance and dramatic natural lighting.

    Built
    1890
    Architect
    John Eisenmann / George Smith
    Style
    Victorian / Romanesque Revival
    Height
    34 m (112 ft)
    Stories
    9
    Today
    Hotel / Retail
  4. Guardian Building (668 Euclid)
    Photo: Eli Pousson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Guardian Building (668 Euclid)

    668 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114

    This building shares the same heroic spirit as the 'Guardians of Traffic' sculptures found on the nearby Hope Memorial Bridge. Originally built for the National City Bank, it features a prestigious pink granite facade and grand arched windows. The incredible lobby is a masterclass in banking-era opulence, filled with rare marble and polished bronze fixtures. It has been meticulously converted into luxury apartments that preserve the original architectural integrity of the structure. Residents now live within the former executive offices and vault spaces of Cleveland's financial past.

    Built
    1950
    Architect
    Walker & Weeks
    Style
    Art Deco / Modernist
    Height
    38 m (125 ft)
    Stories
    9
    Today
    Residential
  5. Peter B. Lewis Building
    Photo: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Peter B. Lewis Building

    11119 Bellflower Rd, Cleveland, OH 44106

    Part of Case Western Reserve University, this building is a swirling masterpiece of stainless steel and red brick. It features the signature curving, 'crumpled' metal surfaces that have made its architect world-famous. The interior is designed to be equally fluid, with an open atrium that encourages spontaneous interaction between students. This Deconstructivist approach challenges the traditional, rigid layout of typical academic and office buildings. The reflective exterior creates a dynamic visual experience that changes based on the angle of the sun.

    Built
    2002
    Architect
    Frank Gehry
    Style
    Deconstructivism
    Height
    26 m (85 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Management School
  6. Cleveland Museum of Art
    Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Cleveland Museum of Art

    11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106

    The museum is a seamless blend of a 1916 Greek Revival temple and a futuristic glass expansion. The centerpiece is the 'Ames Family Atrium,' a massive glass-enclosed courtyard that connects the historic wings. This addition utilizes black-and-white striped granite to create a sophisticated and modern aesthetic throughout the space. It serves as one of the largest indoor public squares in the country and is free to all visitors. The architecture successfully bridges a century of design while providing a light-filled home for world-class art.

    Built
    2012
    Architect
    Rafael Viñoly
    Style
    Neoclassical / Contemporary
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Museum
  7. West Side Market
    Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    West Side Market

    1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113

    Cleveland's oldest public market is instantly recognizable by its 42-meter yellow brick clock tower. The interior features a majestic vaulted ceiling covered in Guastavino tile, which is a hallmark of grand American public spaces. It has survived city-wide fires and major economic shifts to remain a bustling food hub for over a century. The architecture is as much a draw as the diverse vendors selling fresh meat, produce, and baked goods. Visitors can head to the balcony for the best view of the market's incredible scale and tilework.

    Built
    1912
    Architect
    Hubbell & Benes
    Style
    Neoclassical / Byzantine
    Height
    42 m (138 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Public Market
  8. Cleveland Trust Company Building
    Photo: Ohio Office of Redevelopment, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Cleveland Trust Company Building

    900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115

    This breathtaking example of a domed bank branch features a massive rotunda topped with a stained-glass dome. The interior is decorated with thirteen significant murals by Francis Millet depicting the early history of Cleveland. After sitting empty for many years, it was saved and repurposed into a high-end Heinen's grocery store. The original bank vaults have been creatively reimagined and are now used for wine and beer tasting. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful commercial interior spaces in the entire Midwest.

    Built
    1908
    Architect
    George B. Post
    Style
    Beaux-Arts
    Height
    28 m (92 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Grocery / Food Hall
  9. Key Tower
    Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Key Tower

    127 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44114

    As the tallest building in Ohio, Key Tower is a postmodern skyscraper that dominates the regional landscape. Its crown features a distinctive pyramidal peak that glows with a soft light every night. The building’s design draws heavy inspiration from the elegant Art Deco spires of the 1920s. At the street level, the tower is integrated into the historic Society for Savings building to preserve local history. It stands as a symbol of Cleveland's modern corporate status and its continued growth as a financial hub.

    Built
    1991
    Architect
    César Pelli
    Style
    Postmodern
    Height
    289 m (948 ft)
    Stories
    57
    Today
    Office / Mixed-use
  10. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
    Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

    11400 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106

    This stunning mirror-finish building sits as a hexagonal anchor in the heart of University Circle. Its facade is clad in black stainless steel that reflects the surrounding urban environment and changing sky. This material choice makes the building appear to change shape and color throughout the day. The interior features a dramatic 'fire engine red' central staircase that serves as a bold focal point. It provides a minimalist and versatile backdrop for the most cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions in the region.

    Built
    2012
    Architect
    Farshid Moussavi
    Style
    Contemporary / Minimalist
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Art Museum

  11. Apple Crocker Park

    211 Market St, Westlake, OH 44145

    Located in Westlake's premier outdoor lifestyle center, this store perfectly embodies Apple's signature minimalist aesthetic. The storefront is defined by massive floor-to-ceiling glass panels that invite the outside in. Its clean, white facade stands out as a modern contrast against the park's traditional brick retail environment. The interior features large-scale sequoia wood tables and a dedicated video wall for community learning sessions. It serves as a vital technological hub for residents across the greater Cleveland metropolitan area.

    Built
    2005
    Architect
    Apple Inc. / Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
    Style
    Modernist / Minimalist
    Height
    10 m (33 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Retail (Apple Store)
  12. Cleveland Public Library (Main)
    Photo: Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Cleveland Public Library (Main)

    325 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114

    This majestic Renaissance Revival building is a cornerstone of Cleveland's historic civic 'Group Plan.' The interior is famous for its grand marble staircases and the awe-inspiring Brett Hall reading room. A stunning vaulted ceiling and elaborate murals create an atmosphere of quiet intellectual contemplation. Connected by an underground tunnel is the modern Louis Stokes Wing, representing a dialogue between eras. The library’s outdoor garden is a hidden urban oasis that features various changing sculptures and fountains.

    Built
    1925
    Architect
    Walker & Weeks
    Style
    Renaissance Revival
    Height
    35 m (115 ft)
    Stories
    6
    Today
    Library
  13. Severance Music Center
    Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Severance Music Center

    11001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106

    This elegant venue serves as the permanent home for the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. The building is a beautiful hybrid of Neoclassical exterior architecture and Art Deco interior design. The concert hall itself is famous for its silver-leafed 'lotus flower' ceiling and pristine acoustics. It was constructed during the Great Depression as a gift to the city's cultural soul. It was intended to be the most technologically advanced and beautiful music hall in the entire world at the time.

    Built
    1931
    Architect
    Walker & Weeks
    Style
    Neoclassical / Art Deco
    Height
    30 m (98 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Concert Hall

  14. Old Federal Building & Post Office

    201 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114

    This monumental Beaux-Arts structure stands as a masterclass in civic scale on Public Square. The exterior features giant Corinthian columns and elaborate stone carvings that convey national stability. Inside, the lobby is lined with rare marbles and features massive historic murals by Edwin Blashfield. It remains one of the best examples of the 'City Beautiful' movement found in the Midwest. The building was specifically designed to command respect and represent the power of the federal government.

    Built
    1910
    Architect
    Arnold Brunner
    Style
    Beaux-Arts
    Height
    36 m (118 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    U.S. Courthouse
  15. Playhouse Square (State Theatre)
    Photo: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Playhouse Square (State Theatre)

    1519 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115

    The State Theatre is a centerpiece of the largest performing arts center in the United States outside of New York City. It is world-famous for its 97-meter-long lobby, which was the longest in the world upon completion. The auditorium is a lush example of Italian Renaissance style, featuring heavy gold leaf and crystal chandeliers. Four massive murals by modernist painter James Daugherty decorate the grand entrance to the theater. It represents the absolute pinnacle of the 1920s 'movie palace' era and remains a vibrant cultural hub.

    Built
    1921
    Architect
    Thomas W. Lamb
    Style
    Italian Renaissance Revival
    Height
    28 m (92 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Theater

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