CLEVELAND — The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced that it has received a total of $7 million in gifts to help support its expansion and renovation plans.
According to the Rock Hall, a $4 million gift from Ken and Martha Taylor will go towards the museum's $135 million expansion project. The Taylor family, which owns and operates Ohio CAT and Ohio Peterbilt, will be recognized for their gift with naming of the community park that is part of the expansion.
KeyBank Foundation awarded the Rock Hall $2 million to continue the CLE VIP program. The CLE VIP program, which was launched 2018, provides free admission to the museum all year long for all City of Cleveland residents.
Also, the Cleveland Foundation awarded the Rock Hall $1 million to support the expansion of educational opportunities and additional community green space in North Coast Harbor. "The foundation will be recognized in the All-Access Café – a dynamic hub for gathering on the entrance floor which will remain unticketed and open to the public," the Rock Hall noted in its release.
“We’re very grateful for the gifts from these trusted and long-time partners,” said Rock & Roll Hall of Fame President and CEO Greg Harris in a statement. “All three major gifts will play a vital role in continuing the exceptional relationship between the Rock Hall and the Cleveland community.”
The Rock Hall says the gifts come at a "pivotal time" in its history.
Last October, a ceremonial groundbreaking launched the museum's massive expansion project, which has an estimated completion date of sometime in the middle of 2026.
The project is highlighted by a 50,000 square-foot addition to the existing pyramid structure that was originally designed by architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1995. The addition was designed by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) under the leadership of Vishaan Chakrabarti, "taking cues from the visual language of Pei’s original 1995 signature glass pyramid while preserving its distinct identity as a Cleveland landmark and activating the surrounding streetscape and lakefront."
Where the two structures converge, a large publicly accessible interior atrium welcomes visitors, drawing in passersby with circulation pathways that connect the street to an exterior lake promenade.
The new addition on the west side of the building will allow for more programming spaces, which can be used for the following:
- An additional 10,000 square feet for large-scale traveling exhibits
- A 6,000 square-foot multipurpose venue for indoor performances, community gatherings and private rentals
- Relocation of the administrative offices from the lower level
- A new entrance lobby that will improve the flow of visitors
- A state-of-the-art education center
- On-site archives for visitors to access the Rock Hall's unique collection
In addition, the expansion project also creates a "museum campus" alongside the neighboring Great Lakes Science Center, with greenspace that will allow the public to engage with the lakefront.
You can see renderings in the gallery below and follow the progress of the expansion here.
PHOTOS: Renderings of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion
"The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s historic and transformational expansion will drive economic impact, increase public access and activation, increase educational and community program space, increase museum exhibition space by 40%, and create an indoor multi-purpose space," the museum noted in its release.
The Rock Hall adds that "more than half a million guests visit the Museum each year, generating an annual regional impact of $225 million. Since 80% of these visitors live outside of the region, the Museum generates more than $140 million in direct spending to support Ohio businesses, supports 1,800 jobs, and generates $21 million in state and local taxes annually. The expansion will generate at least an additional $20 million in economic impact, adding 150 jobs, an additional $97 million in state and local taxes, and an additional $1.1 million in new state and local tax revenues."
Earlier this month, the Rock Hall received an additional $7 million from the state of Ohio as part of the Strategic Community Investment Fund that was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine.
