CLEVELAND — Located on 44th and St. Clair, The Brownhoist is a building that has had multiple lives. Today, it's a home for community, and co-working, and an in-demand event space and host to Cleveland creatives of all kinds. Brownhoist proprietor Adam Whiting says his personal journey led to the founding of the space.
"I'm originally from Portland, Oregon....[and ended up at] the Cleveland Institute of Music. Got a double master's in piano performance accompanied with a side of cello. But it wasn't until I called dibs on my home on Wade Park Avenue that the neighbors there showed me this sense of welcome that I just hadn't experienced before."
As Whiting met more Clevelanders, he noticed that while many people were doing amazing things, they were too often working in silos.
"And so the thought occurred me, what would happen if we all got together under one roof?" he recalled. "I think we would all thrive, and Cleveland would prosper."
So Adam began a search looking for the perfect space to house collaboration gatherings and shared passions. After around 10 years, a listing would finally appear that would take his breath away,
"Right there in spot number one was this big, beautiful building for a price that I couldn't believe," he said. "[I figured] oh, this must be a total wreck inside. I clicked on it. No, it's gorgeous inside."
An over 100-year-old building originally known for producing crane equipment, The Brownhoist soon became Adam's perfect metaphor for what he wanted to accomplish in the community.
"It is old and warm and grand. The craftsmanship and creativity that went into the construction of this building, I think is a fantastic foundation for the creativity that I would love to help bring together to happen here. Now we're beginning this new chapter, creative community, a creative co-working space for music and art and photography, and theater and dance games and more."
Adam says he often compares the space to Marvel Comics' Xavier Mansion.
"Home to a school for gifted youngsters where the quirky and the weird would come together and hone their abilities to save the world."
This space of belonging now hosts live events, dedicated spaces, and monthly memberships, and Adam says, he is committed to allowing it to be a place where all people can take their time and value process.
"It's easier to go to Temu to pick up something mass produced, then it is to find a real living local artist, meet them, greet them as a person, and hand them an idea, and then see the magic happen."