CLEVELAND — Exciting new things are coming to Playhouse Square, as Clevelanders will soon be able to live in apartments above the historic Allen Theatre.
The organization on Thursday announced plans to convert four floors of its Euclid Avenue headquarters into residential space. President and CEO Craig Hassall says changes to workplace habits brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic left Playhouse Square with a bit more options to play with.
"With our partners at CRESCO [Real Estate], we have been exploring uses for available office space in the Playhouse Square District," Hassall said in a statement. "We all know the past few years have changed how and where people work. Some of the employers in our buildings need less space; some actually want more. These shifts open up exciting possibilities."
The 84 apartments at the Bulkley Building are expected to hit the market by the fall of 2024, with studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units available. Select spaces will also be set aside for cast and crew members of shows appearing downtown.
"Playhouse Square has been researching this idea since 2018, and now we get to make it a reality," said Hassall. 'Touring productions come with actors, musicians, crew members and management. They all need accommodation and these new apartments will help them feel at home in Cleveland while being a sound financial investment for us."
Besides the apartments, public relations firm Dix & Eaton will move its offices into Bulkley's eighth and ninth floors, and there will be upgrades to elevators and the outside façade. Playhouse Square and CRESCO have also remade the fourth floor of the Hanna Building into a new workspace called "Backstage at PSQ."
