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Terminal Tower lobby

Key Information

Terminal Tower is a 52-story, 708 ft (216 m),[5] landmark skyscraper located on Public Square in the downtown core of Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Built during the skyscraper boom of the 1920s and 1930s, it was the second-tallest building in the world when it was completed. Terminal Tower stood as the tallest building in North America outside of New York City from its completion in 1927 until 1964.[6] It was the tallest building in the state of Ohio until the completion of Key Tower in 1991, and remains the second-tallest building in the state.[6] The building is part of the Tower City Center mixed-use development, and its major tenants include Forest City Enterprises, which maintained its corporate headquarters there until 2018, and Riverside Company.[7]

Ownership

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The tower, owned by Forest City Realty Trust since 1983, was purchased by Cleveland's K&D Group on September 15, 2016 for $38.5 million (equivalent to $49.2 million in 2024).[8] K&D added a mixed-use element to the building, converting 11 of the lower, larger floors to residential use, with 293 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Many other historic downtown buildings are undergoing similar conversions. K&D is the largest privately held owner/manager of apartment buildings in the area and maintains the tower's upper floors as office spaces.[9]

Architecture

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Built for $179 million by the Van Sweringen brothers, the tower was to serve as an office building atop the city's new rail station, the Cleveland Union Terminal. Originally planned to be 14 stories, the structure was expanded to 52 floors with a height of 708 feet (216 m). It rests on 280-foot (85 m) caissons. Designed by the firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the tower was modeled after the Beaux-Arts New York Municipal Building by McKim, Mead, and White. The Terminal Tower was completed in 1927 and opened for tenants in 1928, though the Union Terminal complex was not dedicated until 1930.

It remained the tallest building in the world outside of New York City until the completion of the main building of Moscow State University in Moscow in 1953; it was the tallest building in North America outside of New York until the Prudential Center in Boston was completed in 1964.

In the late 1960s through 1980s, radio station WCLV maintained studios on the 15th floor. The transmitter was on the 43rd floor with transmission line running up the outside of the building to the antenna assembly attached to the flagpole atop the building. In the tiny cupola, which is technically the 52nd floor, there was equipment for the antenna heaters and a small telephone.

Black and white image of the Terminal Tower in Public Square at night
Cleveland's Terminal Tower in Public Square at night

At one time, many two-way radio and microwave radio systems were also located on the floors above the observation deck.

In the 1980s, developers sought approval to make their proposed BP Building taller than the Terminal Tower, but city officials forced them to scale it down. The Terminal Tower remained the tallest building in Ohio until the 1991 completion of Society Center, now Key Tower.

Observation deck

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On a clear day, visitors on the observation deck can see 30 miles (48 km) from downtown Cleveland.[10]

After a 1976 incident involving a man with a gun,[11] direct access to the floor was removed. The observation deck reopened after Chessie left the building.[citation needed]

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the observation deck was again closed to the public. In 2007, a proposal was brought to Forest City to reopen the deck. The proposal included a renovation of the deck and the addition of an express elevator to take visitors to it. This was to be done after the upper floors were renovated and the scaffolding removed. In 2010, Forest City Enterprises finished renovating the complex's elevators, upper floors, and spire. The observation deck reopened on July 10, 2010[12][13] for a limited period, with plans to expand public access.[14][15]

To reach the observation deck, visitors take the elevator to the 32nd floor and then transfer to another elevator to reach the 42nd floor. Before its original closure, the deck was open only on weekends to prevent disruption to the law firm that has offices on the 32nd floor.

In 2018, the Observation Deck was open on weekends from noon to 4 pm, with reservations. It had been renovated to its look in the 1930s.[16] in 2024, the Observation Deck is open on weekends in the afternoon, closed in winter except for the holidays, and tickets are reserved online.[17]

External lighting

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Terminal Tower lit up in holiday colors for Winterfest Cleveland 2020

The Terminal Tower was lit when dedicated in 1930. A strobe light on top of the tower rotated 360 degrees. It helped ships in Cleveland's port[18] and airplane pilots landing at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The external spotlights that lit the tower at night were turned off as a safety measure at the beginning of World War II.[18] They were not turned on again until September 22, 1974. They were relit on the same day that the annual Greater Cleveland United Torch Drive (a precursor to the United Way) began. Lights were installed on the 44th, 48th, and 52nd floors.[19] In the 1960s, the strobe was retired and replaced with conventional aircraft warning lights. The tower only once went dark, during the 2003 blackout.

Today, the tower's external lights include 508 LEDs that can be configured into various color schemes, such as red and green during the Christmas season and red, white, and blue for various federal holidays.[18][20][21]

Many Cleveland social and medical groups light Terminal Tower for their causes. In February, Terminal Tower is red for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women campaign, and pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. Some of Cleveland's ethnic groups have had the Terminal Tower lit in their traditional colors, such as green on Saint Patrick's Day. On Polish Constitution Day, usually May 3, Cleveland's Pol-Am community lights the tower in white and red (Polish flag colors), and the tower goes red, green, and white (Italian flag colors) for Columbus Day.

Terminal Tower also sports the colors of the various sports teams in town, such as red, white, and blue for the Cleveland Guardians, orange and brown for the Cleveland Browns, and wine and gold for the Cleveland Cavaliers.[22] During the 2014 Gay Games, the tower was lit in a rainbow pattern (representing the gay pride flag).[23] In January 2015, Terminal Tower was lit in scarlet and gray in support of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the football team's National Championship run as Cleveland has a large OSU fan and alumni base.[24]

Terminal Tower was lit in teal blue on Friday, May 15, in honor of the Class of 2020 Cuyahoga Community College graduates.[25] The Tower was lit with blue and yellow in support of Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[26]

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Cleveland travel brochure from 1930, featuring the newly dedicated Terminal Tower
  • Held annually since 2003, Terminal Tower hosted a "Tackle the Tower" stair-climb charity race from the Tower City mall concourse to the observation deck.[27]
  • The tower appeared in the climactic scene of the 2001 movie Proximity, starring Rob Lowe. Lowe's character led his pursuers from the RTA rapid station to the shopping concourse.
  • The tower is featured in the films The Fortune Cookie (1966), The Deer Hunter (1978), A Christmas Story (1983), and Major League (1989).
  • Cleveland-based art-punk band Pere Ubu titled their 1985 compilation of early singles and B-sides Terminal Tower.
  • The tower can be seen in some scenes from Spider-Man 3 (2007), The Avengers (2012) and Superman (2025), parts of which were filmed in Cleveland. It is also seen in parts of Welcome to Collinwood (2002) and The Oh in Ohio (2006).
  • On August 20, 1938, as part of a publicity stunt by the Come to Cleveland Committee, Cleveland Indians players Hank Helf and Frankie Pytlak successfully caught baseballs dropped from the tower by the Indians' third baseman Ken Keltner.[28] The 708-foot (216 m) drop broke the 555-foot, 30-year-old record set by Washington Senators catcher Gabby Street at the Washington Monument.[29] The baseballs were estimated to have been traveling at 138 miles (222 km) per hour when caught.[28]
  • The Terminal is visible in several episodes of The Drew Carey Show.
  • Terminal Tower is featured in the opening credits of Hot in Cleveland.
  • Graphic artist Harvey Pekar, writer of American Splendor, regularly featured the tower in his comics.
  • Terminal Tower is displayed and mentioned among other Cleveland attractions on a season 1 episode of 30 Rock, titled "Cleveland," during a musical montage of the city.
  • The tower is featured in cartoon form on the logo of the now defunct Yellow Cab Company's "I Like Cleveland" logo on the fleet of vehicles.[30]
  • Terminal Tower was famously photographed by noted photo journalist Margaret Bourke-White.
  • The tower is prominently featured on the Cleveland That I Love clothing line.
  • Terminal Tower is regularly presented on the cover of the Cleveland Magazine, in fact the last section of each issue which recalls past triumphs, tragedies and tales about the city of Cleveland, is entitled Terminal Tower.
  • The Terminal Tower features heavily in the 2017 detective noire thriller book called The Noir Evil which retells the events of the Cleveland Torso Murderer investigation with elements of Lovecraftian horror

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Terminal Tower

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from Grokipedia
Terminal Tower is a 52-story Beaux-Arts located at 50 Public Square in , , standing 708 feet (216 meters) tall and serving as a central component of the Cleveland Union Terminal complex. Topped out in 1927 and formally opened in 1930 after construction began in 1924, it was designed by the Chicago architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White in a Beaux-Arts style influenced by Roman sepulchral monuments, featuring elements like Roman arches, Ionic columns, and a grand barrel-vaulted lobby. It was the tallest building in outside from its completion until 1964 and remained the second-tallest in the United States until 1964. Developed by real estate brothers and Van Sweringen as part of a visionary 17-acre "city within a city" project, the tower integrated rail transportation, offices, retail, and amenities like the adjoining Hotel Cleveland and Higbee's department store, transforming Public Square into 's bustling civic heart. The $150 million endeavor, the city's largest construction project of the 1920s, opened on June 29, 1930, amid the , symbolizing industrial ambition and serving as a vital rail hub that connected to major U.S. cities. During , it facilitated massive troop and supply movements, underscoring its role in national infrastructure. Today, Terminal Tower anchors the mixed-use development, encompassing a , office spaces, and entertainment venues, following a $40 million renovation in that restored its terracotta facade and added energy-efficient features. Upper floors have been converted to luxury apartments since 2016, while the 42nd-floor observation deck, offering panoramic views of and the city skyline, reopened to the public in and features LED lighting installed in 2014 for illuminated displays. Listed on the since 1975, it endures as an iconic emblem of Cleveland's resilience, pride, and architectural heritage, frequently appearing in media like the 2012 film The Avengers.

History

Planning and Development

The , Oris Paxton and Mantis James, played a pivotal role as developers of the Terminal Tower project, envisioning it as a grand union terminal combined with a towering to consolidate Cleveland's fragmented rail lines into a single, efficient hub. Their ambition stemmed from earlier successes in , particularly the development of Shaker Heights, where they sought to extend connectivity to , enhancing urban accessibility and commercial potential. This vision positioned the tower not only as a transportation nexus for major lines like the New York Central's Twentieth Century but also as a symbol of Cleveland's growing metropolitan stature. In 1923, the brothers announced the project, marking a significant step in their expansion from suburban development to transformation. They secured voter approval in for consolidating rail stations and proceeded to acquire approximately 17 acres of land encompassing Public Square and surrounding areas, Cleveland's central civic space, to anchor the development. This acquisition was crucial for integrating with existing infrastructure while maximizing the site's prominence. The planning unfolded amid Cleveland's economic boom in the , a period of rapid industrialization and that fueled ambitious urban projects. The Terminal Tower initiative emerged as the city's largest construction endeavor, with an estimated cost of $179 million—equivalent to over $3 billion in 2025 dollars based on adjustments. In 1925, the brothers selected the Chicago-based Graham, Anderson, Probst & to design the structure, drawing inspiration from the Beaux-Arts style of the New York Municipal Building to create a monumental, classically inspired edifice.

Construction and Opening

Construction of the Terminal Tower began on July 13, 1926, with the erection of the steel framework following initial site preparation and excavation that started in 1924. The project, part of the larger Cleveland Union Terminal complex, involved significant engineering challenges, including the demolition of more than 1,000 buildings in the area and the sinking of foundations up to 250 feet deep to reach for stability. A large , numbering over 1,000 workers at peak times, labored on the site amid these demanding conditions, contributing to the rapid progress of the 52-story structure. The tower's structural completion was achieved on August 18, 1927, marking a key milestone in what was then one of the most ambitious urban development projects . This phase established the building's height of 708 feet (216 m) to the roof, making it the tallest structure in outside of upon its full realization. The construction adhered to Beaux-Arts principles in its design, though the focus remained on the engineering feats that supported its towering presence. The grand opening took place on June 29, 1930, drawing thousands of attendees, including city dignitaries and officials, who gathered to celebrate the completion of the Terminal Tower as the centerpiece of Cleveland's revitalized transportation hub. The event highlighted the building's status as an architectural and engineering triumph, with speeches and tours underscoring its role in modernizing the city's infrastructure. At that time, the Terminal Tower stood as the tallest building in outside , holding the record until 1964 when it was surpassed by the 750-foot in .

Early Operations and Significance

Upon its opening in 1930, the Terminal Tower served as the centerpiece of the Cleveland Union Terminal, a vast transportation hub that consolidated services for five major railroads: the New York Central, , Big Four, Erie, and Baltimore & Ohio. The subterranean station was designed to accommodate up to 24 tracks and handled about 80 trains per day at its peak during the early years of operation. This high volume of rail activity, including intercity trains and the Shaker line, positioned the terminal as a vital for regional and national travel, facilitating the movement of people, mail, and freight through Cleveland's industrial heartland. The tower's upper floors quickly attracted prominent tenants, including law firms, financial institutions such as banks, and railroad offices, with the maintaining significant operations tied to the terminal's rail services. These occupants, alongside retail shops and restaurants on the level, generated substantial economic activity, drawing commuters and visitors to the complex and bolstering downtown Cleveland's commercial vitality during . By late 1928, over 60% of the office space in the tower was leased, underscoring its immediate appeal as a prestigious address. The profoundly affected the terminal's early years, as economic downturns and the growing popularity of automobiles led to declining and passenger rail services, reducing overall traffic volumes from their initial highs. Rail activity rebounded during , reaching its zenith with intensified wartime travel demands, though the tower's exterior spotlights were extinguished in 1942 as a security measure to prevent potential enemy bombings during blackouts. These lights remained off for decades after the war, symbolizing a period of amid shifting transportation priorities. As a towering emblem of Cleveland's industrial might—standing 708 feet tall and the tallest building in outside until 1964—the Terminal Tower encapsulated the city's ambitions in the interwar era. Key innovations included the pioneering use of over the rail yards for , enabling extensive facilities that accommodated hundreds of vehicles underground and supported the complex's role as a multimodal hub. Electrified rail operations, powered by P-Motors from 1930 to 1953, further exemplified engineering advancements that kept the station smoke-free and efficient.

Architecture and Design

Exterior Features

Terminal Tower exemplifies with prominent neoclassical elements, designed by the Chicago firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White to evoke grandeur and symmetry. The structure rises as a 52-story , reaching 708 feet (216 meters) to its roofline, with an additional 63-foot (19-meter) antenna extending the total height to 771 feet (235 meters). The exterior features a robust base clad in and , transitioning upward to a limestone-faced shaft that emphasizes verticality and monumentality. Setbacks occur in a series of progressively narrower stories above the main shaft, culminating in a that caps the tower with a distinctive conical profile. Ornamental cornices delineate the levels, while the facade includes a monumental entrance on Public Square featuring five archways flanked by Ionic columns. The design draws inspiration from ancient Roman sepulchral monuments, incorporating Roman arches and Ionic columns to convey permanence and civic pride. The design draws direct inspiration from the New York Municipal Building (1913) by , adapting its Beaux-Arts proportions to Cleveland's context for a sense of permanence and civic pride. Situated at the southwest corner of Public Square, the tower integrates seamlessly with the surrounding , its symmetrical massing enhancing the urban ensemble without overwhelming the plaza.

Interior Layout

The ground-level of Terminal Tower forms a grand entrance connecting directly to the underlying , featuring expansive spaces designed for efficient passenger flow and commercial activity. The main concourse measures 238 feet long by 120 feet wide, with a height of 42.5 feet, clad in Botticino walls supported by fluted columns and floored in matching , beneath a skylit ornamental that enhances the monumental scale. Adjacent is the , 162 feet long by 52 feet wide and 20.5 feet high, with a floor and Botticino wainscoting, contributing to the interior's restrained Beaux-Arts elegance. The public entrance from Public Square, 153 feet long by 36 feet wide and 47 feet high, includes vaulted ornamental ceilings, Botticino walls, a floor, and seven paintings, creating a seamless transition from exterior to interior grandeur. Above the concourse, the tower's functional divisions prioritize office and commercial use across its 52 stories. Floors 2 through 51 were primarily dedicated to office spaces, with lower levels accommodating executive suites and financial institutions such as the Union Trust bank, which occupied 15,000 square feet. The base also housed retail areas, including approximately 175,000 square feet of Harvey shops offering services like restaurants, a drug store, and a barber shop, integrated to serve both commuters and tenants. Amenities extended to the adjacent Hotel Cleveland, completed in 1918 and connected to the terminal complex, providing lodging as part of the original "city within a city" vision. The tower's total floor area approximates 580,000 square feet, optimized for high-density occupancy through advanced vertical circulation within the broader 17-acre Cleveland Union Terminal complex footprint. Efficient movement is facilitated by 23 elevators, enabling rapid access throughout the structure and supporting its role as a mixed-use hub.

Engineering Innovations

The Terminal Tower's foundation system addressed the challenges posed by Public Square's unstable soil through the use of deep caissons sunk into to bear the immense weight of the 708-foot structure. Sixteen caissons, each extending approximately 200 feet deep, were completed by July 31, 1926, providing a stable base deeper than those of comparable buildings like Chicago's . This innovative approach ensured the tower's longevity on challenging terrain without compromising the surrounding urban layout. Structural engineer Henry D. Jouett, drawing from his prior experience at New York City's , played a pivotal role in the project's technical oversight starting January 1, 1922, coordinating designs for functionality and efficiency. Jouett's contributions included specifying a encased in for enhanced fireproofing and structural integrity, a method that protected the building's skeleton while allowing for the tower's ambitious height and mixed-use demands. This concrete-encased system not only met early 20th-century standards but also contributed to the rapid erection of the 52-story framework. A key engineering feat was the subsurface integrated beneath street level, featuring 12 through station tracks that facilitated efficient passenger handling while minimizing surface disruption in . This underground configuration, part of the broader Cleveland Union Terminal complex, allowed trains to access platforms without interfering with street traffic, supported by electrification to reduce emissions. Complementing this was an innovative system that transmitted essential documents, such as sleeping car diagrams, directly to arriving trains, streamlining operations akin to mail delivery networks of the era. Construction techniques emphasized speed and precision to complete the tower's core structure within a year despite its scale, with excavated material efficiently transported by and to nearby fill sites. Large derricks and pre-fabricated components enabled modular assembly of the , allowing structural work to progress from foundation to completion between 1926 and 1927. These methods exemplified early engineering, balancing the project's complexity with the need for uninterrupted urban activity above ground.

Cleveland Union Terminal Complex

Integration with Transportation Hub

The Terminal Tower was designed as the prominent office and gateway structure atop the Cleveland Union Terminal's massive underground concourse, consolidating passenger rail services for several major railroads including the New York Central Railroad, Nickel Plate Road, Big Four Railroad, Erie Railroad, and Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This integration transformed the tower into the vertical centerpiece of a comprehensive transportation hub, where the concourse below facilitated seamless passenger flow between intercity trains, local rapid transit, and later bus services. The tower's base directly encased the station's main entrances, providing immediate access to the subterranean facilities and emphasizing its role as both a commercial office building and a vital rail gateway. In the 1930s, the facility operated at peak efficiency, handling over 80 daily and serving thousands of passengers, with integrated connections to the Shaker Rapid Transit subway system and bus lines for multimodal travel. Architecturally, the linkage extended through a network of tunnels and ramps from the tower's lower levels to the 12 station tracks located about 50 feet below street level, allowing for efficient movement of passengers and baggage while minimizing surface disruption in . This subterranean design, spanning over 700 feet in length, supported the hub's capacity to process high volumes of , including electric-powered via dedicated viaducts approaching from the east and west. Following World War II, the dominance of automobiles and commercial air travel led to a sharp decline in intercity rail usage at the Terminal Tower complex. By the late 1960s, most long-distance services had ceased, culminating in the introduction of limited Amtrak operations in 1971, which further reduced to just a few routes before the last intercity passenger train departed in 1977. The tower's transportation role then shifted primarily to commuter rail and rapid transit, preserving its foundational integration amid broader changes in mobility.

Evolution of the Surrounding Complex

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Union Terminal complex surrounding Terminal Tower began a major transformation under the ownership of Forest City Enterprises, which acquired the property in 1982 and initiated extensive renovations to adapt the aging rail hub into a modern . This effort addressed the site's deterioration amid downtown 's economic challenges, converting underutilized rail yards and historic structures into new commercial spaces while preserving key architectural elements. By the mid-1980s, expansions included the construction of , a 45-story office tower completed in 1985 as the headquarters for Standard Oil of Ohio (later BP America), which added significant office capacity to the complex and overlooked Public Square. In 2024, was sold for $54 million to , reflecting continued adaptation amid market shifts. Forest City's 1980s renovations featured a prominent glass-enclosed atrium with a massive skylight in the emerging retail area, known as The Avenue, and a multi-level parking garage built on former train storage yards to accommodate growing vehicular access. These changes centralized the (RTA) rapid transit station, integrating lines more efficiently with the surrounding urban fabric and facilitating pedestrian flow from trains to retail and offices. The full evolution accelerated in the late 1980s and 1990s, with groundbreaking for occurring on September 28, 1988, leading to the grand opening of The Avenue shopping mall on March 29, 1990, which included over 100 stores, an 11-screen cinema, and a . By early 1991, the project was largely complete, encompassing additional towers and the 11-story One Center, which housed the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, transforming the site into a comprehensive retail, , and transit hub. Further connections in 1994–1995 linked the complex to the nearby Gateway sports district via pedestrian bridges, enhancing its role in regional entertainment and commerce. As of 2025, Tower City Center operates as a mixed-use destination with retail, offices, hospitality, and transit facilities, including the former building—originally constructed in 1931—which was repurposed into in 2012 after the store's closure in 2001. However, the complex faces ongoing challenges from declining mall foot traffic, with post-pandemic visitor numbers remaining low—around 300,000 monthly in recent years—due to shifts and reduced vibrancy, prompting calls for renewed development and improved rail access. Throughout its evolution, the surrounding complex has bolstered urban connectivity by serving as a central node for RTA's , , and Blue light rail lines, which carry millions of passengers annually and promote pedestrian-friendly linkages to Public Square and beyond, revitalizing pedestrian activity in .

Ownership and Management

Historical Ownership Changes

The Terminal Tower was initially developed and controlled by the brothers Paxton and James Van Sweringen, who spearheaded its construction as the centerpiece of the Cleveland Union Terminal complex, completed in 1930. The Van Sweringens, prominent developers and railroad magnates, envisioned the tower as a hub for transportation and commerce, retaining ownership through their extensive holdings in the system and related entities, including the Cleveland Terminals Building Company. However, the severely impacted their financial empire, leading to their bankruptcy in 1935, after which control of the tower shifted to a of railroads that had leased the underlying terminal facilities. From the mid-1930s through the early , the railroad syndicate, comprising major lines such as the New York Central and , managed the property amid fluctuating rail traffic and economic pressures, including the decline in passenger services post-World War II. This period saw the tower serve primarily as an office and operational hub for the railroads, with maintenance focused on functionality rather than expansion. A significant event during the railroad era was the 1974 relighting ceremony of the tower's exterior illumination, which had been dimmed during earlier cost-saving measures, marking a symbolic effort to highlight the landmark's enduring prominence in the skyline. Ownership transitioned in 1983 when Forest City Enterprises, Inc., a Cleveland-based firm, purchased the Terminal Tower along with adjacent properties including the station and former train yards. This acquisition occurred against the backdrop of Cleveland's urban decline in the 1970s and early , characterized by population loss and in areas. Forest City prioritized preservation of the historic structure, implementing minor updates such as improved lighting and facade maintenance in the , while laying groundwork for larger-scale redevelopment to adapt the tower to modern commercial uses.

Current Ownership and Renovations

Following its acquisition by K&D Management on September 15, 2016, for $38.5 million from previous owner Forest City Enterprises, the Terminal Tower entered private ownership for the first time in decades. This transaction, announced by the Cleveland-based firm, initiated a comprehensive plan aimed at modernizing the landmark while preserving its historical integrity. A key component of the renovations involved converting 11 lower floors (primarily floors 4 through 14) into 297 luxury apartments known as the Terminal Tower Residences, with construction starting in 2018 and completing in 2020. These residences offer studio, one-, and two-bedroom units equipped with gourmet kitchens featuring appliances, countertops, in-unit washers and dryers, and high ceilings, alongside building-wide amenities such as a 24/7 fitness center, a community lounge with free , and a rooftop deck. The project leveraged federal and state historic tax credits to ensure compliance with preservation guidelines, allowing for of the structure without compromising its Beaux-Arts features. The upper floors (16 through 41) have been retained as Class A office space, accommodating tenants including law firms like Nicola, Gudbranson & Cooper LLC, which leased space on the 28th and 29th floors in 2023. As of January 2025, the building's overall occupancy stands around 80%, reflecting stable demand for its 581,400 square feet of rentable office area amid Cleveland's recovering downtown market. Under K&D's stewardship, sustainability initiatives have included the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the residential units and common areas, contributing to reduced operational costs while aligning with practices. These efforts complement the historic preservation mandates, ensuring the tower's longevity as a mixed-use icon in .

Visitor and Public Features

Observation Deck

The Terminal Tower's observation deck is located on the 42nd floor, approximately 668 feet above street level, providing visitors with a 360-degree panoramic view of on clear days extending up to 30 miles. This vantage point encompasses the downtown skyline, the , district, to the north, and surrounding suburbs. The deck's elevated position, enabled by the tower's overall height of 708 feet, allows for unobstructed sightlines that highlight the city's urban layout and natural features. Originally opened to the public in 1930 shortly after the tower's completion, the offered free access for decades, attracting crowds to its interior until a 1976 hostage incident on the same floor led to its closure. It remained shuttered to the general public following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks due to heightened security concerns. The deck reopened on July 10, 2010, after extensive renovations that restored its 1929-era design elements and incorporated modern safety measures to accommodate visitors securely. As of November 2025, the operates seasonally on weekends from early April to mid-December, with additional access on select holidays including December 2025 pop-up events that sold out quickly; requiring advance reservations through online platforms like . Tickets cost $5 per person plus a small processing fee, totaling around $6.27, and are not available on-site to manage crowd flow (holiday events may have different pricing). Managed by K&D Group, which acquired the property in , the deck includes interpretive panels detailing Cleveland's history and transportation heritage to enhance the visitor experience. These features, combined with post-2010 security enhancements such as improved access controls, ensure a safe and educational outing for up to several hundred visitors per day during peak times.

External Lighting

The Terminal Tower's exterior lighting system dates back to its opening in 1930, when it featured a rotating at the top to guide ships and aircraft, along with external spotlights that illuminated the facade, making it a prominent nighttime landmark in . These lights were extinguished during from 1942 to 1944 as part of wartime blackout measures to prevent potential enemy bombings. The tower remained dark for decades afterward due to maintenance issues and the city's economic challenges, until it was relit in 1974 as part of efforts to revitalize 's image. In 2010, as part of a major facade restoration completed between 2005 and 2010, the lighting system was upgraded to 508 computer-operated LED fixtures installed from the 30th to 52nd floors, enabling dynamic color-changing effects across the upper portion of the structure. These LEDs, provided by Color Kinetics, allow for a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, supporting illumination for holidays, sports events, and civic occasions. Examples include red and green for , red and blue for games, wine and gold for Cavaliers games, and orange to honor Cleveland Browns-related causes such as awareness. Since acquiring the property in 2016, the K&D Group has managed the lighting programming, using software from Vincent Lighting Systems to coordinate daily and event-specific displays via a remote app. Annual themes incorporate community input through a public application process, featuring rainbows for and purple for initiatives like to support LGBTQ+ youth. During the 2024 , the tower was illuminated to enhance the event's visibility as totality passed over . The displays are visible from up to 10 miles away, contributing to the tower's role as a skyline . The LED upgrade significantly improved energy efficiency, saving approximately $21,000 annually compared to the previous system, while simplifying maintenance and enabling more versatile programming.

Cultural and Economic Impact

Terminal Tower has made notable appearances in several films, often serving as a recognizable backdrop for scenes set in . In (1983), the tower is visible in outdoor sequences filmed on Public Square, capturing the holiday bustle near the department store. It stands in as a landmark in (2007), appearing in the background during the armored car chase with on Euclid Avenue. Similarly, the tower features in (1966), where it represents the exterior of law firms in scenes involving a football game injury plot. On television, Terminal Tower recurs as a Cleveland skyline element in The Drew Carey Show (1995–2004), appearing in establishing shots that highlight the city's industrial character. It also graces the opening credits of Hot in Cleveland (2010–2015), symbolizing the urban setting for the sitcom's ensemble cast. Beyond screen media, the tower has been central to publicity stunts and cultural works. In 1938, Cleveland Indians catchers Hank Helf and Frankie Pytlak attempted to catch baseballs dropped from the tower's 708-foot height in a organized by the Come to Cleveland Committee, with one ball clocked at 138 mph upon impact; the event drew about 10,000 spectators and set a vertical drop record. In literature, the tower inspires poetic reflections, such as Diane Kendig's "Two Takes from the Terminal Tower," which contemplates urban perspectives from its heights, and Jau Billera's Terminal Tower: Collected Poems (1967), a volume dedicated to the structure's looming presence. As an iconic symbol, Terminal Tower appears in advertisements and music performances, including DJ E-V's 2020 charity live set broadcast from its rooftop, featuring electronic music against the , and Pere Ubu's Terminal Tower, named after the building to evoke Cleveland's post-industrial vibe.

Influence on Cleveland's Identity

Terminal Tower has served as a pivotal economic anchor for downtown Cleveland, contributing significantly to the area's revitalization efforts following periods of industrial decline. The development of the surrounding Tower City Center in the late 1980s and early 1990s transformed the site into a mixed-use hub that spurred further urban renewal projects, including the construction of nearby sports facilities like the Gateway complex. In the 1990s, the retail component alone achieved average sales of approximately $300 per square foot across 361,000 square feet of space, exceeding projections and injecting substantial economic activity into the city core, while catalyzing increased transit ridership by 30%. The complex bolsters Cleveland's post-deindustrialization economy as part of broader downtown resurgence initiatives. Symbolically, Terminal Tower embodies Cleveland's endurance and architectural ambition, having stood as the tallest building in the United States outside from its completion in 1930 until 1964, at 708 feet. Even after the 1991 opening of , which surpassed it at 947 feet to become Ohio's tallest structure, Terminal Tower retained its position as the state's second-tallest, maintaining its iconic presence on the skyline. This enduring stature was highlighted in 2025 during the building's 95th anniversary celebrations, which featured media retrospectives and public events underscoring its role as a timeless emblem of the city's resilience. As a cultural landmark, Terminal Tower's inclusion on the in 1976—as part of the Cleveland Union Terminal—affirmed its architectural and historical significance, preserving its Beaux-Arts design amid Cleveland's economic challenges. The structure has inspired local pride during eras of , serving as a beacon of perseverance and community identity in a city that faced population loss and manufacturing decline in the late . Its media appearances in films and broadcasts have further amplified this visibility, reinforcing its status as a symbol of Cleveland's . Looking ahead, Terminal Tower holds potential for additional mixed-use adaptations as part of Cleveland's ongoing , including recent conversions of lower floors into 297 residential units to foster a live-work-play environment. Broader plans for the 35-acre Tower City area, announced in 2025, aim to integrate further retail, housing, and transit enhancements, positioning the tower at the heart of sustainable downtown growth.

References

  1. https://case.edu/ech/articles/c/cleveland-union-terminal
  2. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/21
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  4. https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/7c4a8a3a-0b0e-4e5a-9f3e-5b0a5b0a5b0a
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  6. https://americanbusinesshistory.org/forgotten-empire-builders-clevelands-van-sweringen-brothers/
  7. https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/
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  10. http://www.clevelandmemory.org/cut2/gamut.pdf
  11. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/12/who-lights-up-terminal-tower-and-how-do-they-pick-the-colors.html
  12. https://www.ideastream.org/community/2024-07-02/who-lights-clevelands-terminal-tower-and-why-was-the-iconic-building-dark-for-decades
  13. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/terminal-tower/1338
  14. https://www.clevelandmemory.org/cut-coll/book/dedbk.pdf
  15. https://www.kanddrealestateservices.com/our-properties/terminal-tower
  16. http://clemem-test.ulib.csuohio.edu/speccoll/gamut/1983w/ctt/gamut9.html
  17. https://www.icri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CRBNovDec10_TerminalTower.pdf
  18. https://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/2014/10/7_facts_and_figures_on_85th_an.html
  19. https://www.chicagorailfan.com/stbccle.html
  20. https://casestudies.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/C024001.pdf
  21. https://case.edu/ech/articles/t/tower-city-center
  22. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2024/04/one-of-clevelands-tallest-buildings-just-sold-for-54-million.html
  23. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/306
  24. https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/higbee-building
  25. https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/23
  26. https://neo-trans.blog/2025/03/21/tower-city-center-lacks-coherent-future-without-more-development-rail-access/
  27. https://case.edu/ech/articles/v/van-sweringen-oris-paxton-and-mantis-james
  28. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2016/09/terminal_tower_sold_to_kd_grou.html
  29. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/forest-city-completes-sale-of-terminal-tower-office-building-300328963.html
  30. https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20160915/NEWS/160919895/kd-group-buys-terminal-tower-for-38-5-million
  31. https://www.terminaltower.com/about-kd
  32. https://ocpcoc.com/projects/the-terminal-tower-residences
  33. https://www.kandd.com/the-terminal-tower-residences/default.aspx
  34. https://www.novoco.com/periodicals/articles/iconic-skyscraper-bring-new-housing-downtown-cleveland
  35. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/nicola-gudbranson-cooper-llc-inks-terminal-tower-lease
  36. https://www.crainscleveland.com/real-estate/clevelands-downtown-office-market-shows-signs-life
  37. https://www.rentcafe.com/apartments/oh/cleveland/the-terminal-tower-residences/default.aspx
  38. https://clevelandtraveler.com/visiting-terminal-tower-observation-deck/
  39. https://www.cleveland.com/goingout/2010/07/terminal_tower_observation_dec.html
  40. https://www.thisiscleveland.com/locations/terminal-tower
  41. https://nextmoveclevelandohio.com/observation-deck-at-terminal-tower/
  42. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g50207-d527276-Reviews-Terminal_Tower_Observation_Deck-Cleveland_Ohio.html
  43. https://www.clevescene.com/food-drink/terminal-tower-observation-deck-holiday-pop-up-offers-stellar-views-festive-vibe/
  44. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2010/08/hundreds_savor_the_view_and_th.html
  45. https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/about-town-how-did-the-terminal-tower-change-cleveland/
  46. https://www.fearthesword.com/2015/4/17/8430383/all-of-the-lights-a-cavs-chat-with-terminal-tower-lights
  47. https://www.colorkinetics.com/global/showcase/terminal-tower
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t12P-R_H_Y
  49. https://glaad.org/iconic-landmark-in-downtown-cleveland-lights-up-for-lgbtq-youth/
  50. https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2024/04/see-breathtaking-eclipse-photos-over-downtown-cleveland-skyline.html
  51. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/036063258301300309
  52. https://www.cleveland.com/insideout/2015/11/9_fun_facts_about_terminal_tower_photos.html
  53. https://vault.si.com/vault/1985/03/11/when-baseballs-fell-from-on-high-henry-helf-rose-to-the-occasion
  54. https://www.litcleveland.org/anthology-works/two-takes-on-the-terminal-tower
  55. http://www.deepcleveland.com/clevelandpoetryarchive/cleveland_poets_aj.htm
  56. https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/clevelands-dj-e-v-takes-over-terminal-tower-delivers-wild-light-spectacle.html
  57. https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/articles/2021-01-legacy-innovation-how-leaders-cleveland-reimagined-rebuilt-their-city-after-decades-decline/
  58. https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/ohio/historic-feat-of-engineering-cle
  59. https://www.wkyc.com/article/opinion/columnists/leon-bibb/cleveland-terminal-tower-95-years-leon-bibb-then-and-now/95-3433390e-1df8-449e-a9e9-9ee14c90b387
  60. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/cleveland-city-of-lights-city-of-magic-it-calls-to-me/
  61. http://clevelandconstruction.com/general-contracting/projects/terminal-tower-residences/
  62. https://www.enr.com/articles/60691-adaptive-reuse-projects-bring-new-life-to-older-buildings-in-cleveland
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