In Cleveland’s Playhouse Square, the neon glow of the neighborhood’s namesake performing arts center illuminates walks to dinner and a show. This cluster of theaters and concert venues hosts more than 1,000 events each year, attracting hordes of tourists and arts-loving locals to this vibrant slice of downtown. Those who make a home here enjoy walkability to restaurants and entertainment within a flashy, yet historic setting. "Playhouse Square has a New York Broadway vibe to me," says Stacey Burnett, a Realtor with Re/Max Crossroads Properties and a longtime Cleveland resident. "Those lights and LED displays? You could be standing in Times Square."
Steps from historic theaters and the Cleveland Guardians
This theater district has a dramatic flair, with an enormous chandelier hanging over Euclid and 14th streets and an LED sign reading “Playhouse Square.” There are five main theaters here, each built in the early 1920s featuring ornate interiors. The longest running is the Tony Award-winning Cleveland Play House, founded in 1915. These performance spaces host a diversity of entertainment, from touring comedy acts to ballet and new dramas to classic musicals.
For as arts oriented as Playhouse Square can be, the neighborhood is mere steps from Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse is also next door, hosting Monsters hockey and Cavalier basketball games. Fans of Cleveland State University sports can walk to the Wolstein Center on campus.
Night time means it's "show time" in Playhouse Square.
Playhouse Square residents have a short walk to Cleveland's professional sports venues.
1/2
Playhouse Square's vibrant nightlife
Playhouse Square has a robust nightlife scene, busy with theatregoers and students at nearby Cleveland State University. Hofbräuhaus was founded in Munich in 1589 and has a Cleveland location within the neighborhood that serves classic German favorites in a sprawling indoor and outdoor setting. The beer hall hosts live entertainment such as polka bands on weekends. “Some weekends it fills up with nothing but college kids, maybe once a month, but the age range here is anything from 21 to 90,” says bar manager Jen Martin. “Everyone’s up on the benches doing shotskis, it’s an experience.”
For a more low-key vibe, Becky’s is a neighborhood bar with arcade games, wings and pierogies. Sports fans pack into Wild Eagle Saloon to use the self-serve beer bar and watch the Browns, Cavaliers or Guardians play.
Residents can pick up necessities at Heinen’s Grocery Store, housed in an ornate former bank building. The 5th Street Arcade, a historic indoor shopping and dining street, is a short walk away.
Hofbräuhaus, a lively beer hall near Playhouse Square, boasts live music and tasty Shot-skis.
5th Street Arcade features multilple restaraunts and boutiques near Playhouse Square.
1/2
Limited inventory of Playhouse Square condos
A small handful of condo buildings are tucked into the neighborhood’s dining and entertainment scene. Units typically range between $160,000 and $500,000, depending on how renovated the property is. Playhouse Square is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the architectural landscape harkens back to turn of the 20th century, when the area was first developed. Inventory is limited and demand is high: units here typically sell after 23 days on the market, much faster than the national average of 44 days.
Condominiums are hard to come by in Playhouse Square, so act fast when they show on the market.
High rise apartments are the primary residences found around Playhouse Square.
1/2
Strolls through historic Erie Street Cemetery
Erie Street Cemetery breaks up the urban landscape, offering a verdant space to walk and visit the graves of local historical figures, including John Malvin, an activist in the Underground Railroad. Locals can also visit Perk Plaza, which has shaded benches and hilly pockets of grass. In the summer, the park hosts Walnut Wednesday, a weekly lunchtime event with food trucks and live music.
For a quiet walk, head to Playhouse Square's historic Erie Street Cemetery.
Playhouse Square residents often walk their dogs at Perk Plaza.
1/2
A walkable neighborhood close to Tower City Rapid Station
Playhouse Square residents are already in the heart of the city, putting much of downtown Cleveland within walking distance. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 94 out of 100. Tower City Center, a hub for local transit authority RTA, is less than a mile from the neighborhood. From the Tower City station, locals can catch a bus to destinations throughout the Cleveland area, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport 12 miles away. Buses also stop on most streets in the neighborhood.
Euclid Avenue is a major throughway and intersects with Interstate 90, which is just east of Playhouse Square.
Cleveland State University partners with local schools
Cleveland State University bumps up against the neighborhood, infusing the area with more than 14,000 students. Locals can expect larger crowds at their favorite bars, especially during the school year.
The university partners with local public schools, including Campus International School, serving kindergarten through high school on Cleveland State University’s campus. The school is divided into lower and upper campuses and has International Baccalaureate programs for every grade level. Niche gives it a C-plus. Cleveland Metropolitan School District offers school choice, granting students a wealth of educational options.
Playhouse Square, next to Cleveland State University, is ideal for student housing and outings.
Students in Playhouse Square are offered a great education at Campus International High School.
1/2
High crime scores in downtown Cleveland
Playhouse Square has a crime score of 10 out of 10 on the CAP Index, significantly higher than the national average of 4. The neighborhood sees heavy foot traffic as an urban tourist center. Car break-ins are a particular concern among residents here.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Gennaro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Fort Huntington Park
Voinovich Bicentennial Park
Canal Basin Park
Settler's Landing Park
Scranton Flats
Bike Trails
Trails
River
Heritage Park
Trails
River
Parking Lot
Transit
Airport
Cleveland-Hopkins International
22 min drive
Bus
Chester Ave. & E. 12th St. (Nw Corner)
Bus
Chester Av & E 17th St
Bus
Chester Ave. & E. 13th St. (Ne Corner)
Bus
Chester Ave. & E. 9th St. (Ne Corner)
Bus
Chester Av & E 12th St
Bus
Euclid Av & E 9th St Station
Bus
Cleveland Bus Station
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Playhouse Square
US
Homicide
8
4
Sexual Assault
10
4
Assault with Weapon
10
4
Robbery
10
4
Burglary
10
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
10
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Playhouse Square, Cleveland sell after 10 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Playhouse Square, Cleveland over the last 12 months is $189,900, down 33% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Urban chic one bedroom, one bath, freshly painted condo. Granite countertops in the updated open kitchen. Appliances include stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and in-suite washer & dryer. Owner pays water & trash. Tenant pays electric and internet. Parking is available at an additional cost. Property is a non-smoking location. Conveniently located on public transportation near major
WINNER OF THE 2016, 2017, 2019 & 2020 BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX by Cleveland Scene!The most iconic address in downtown living is located in the vibrant Gateway District in Downtown Cleveland and features Sky, Luxury & Boutique 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments. Each apartment at The 9 features: granite counter-tops, eat-in kitchens, gas cooking, custom cabinetry, walk-in closets, BOSCH stainless
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Gennaro,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,472
Median Age
31
Population Density
44 ppl/acre
Population under 18
15.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$48,732
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$59,350
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
89%
College Graduates
55.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
66.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
33''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
64''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
62/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
75/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
