Cleveland Arcade opens

Background. The Cleveland Arcade is a complex of three structures: two nine-story office buildings facing Euclid and Superior Avenues, connected by a five-story iron-and-glass-enclosed arcade. This Victorian-era structure features a glass skylight spanning over 300 feet along four balconies. The building is identified as one of the earliest indoor shopping arcades in the United States and remains one of the few remaining arcades of its kind.

Construction. Erected in 1890, the Arcade was built by Detroit Bridge Co. The construction cost was $867,000, equivalent to approximately $31,100,000 in 2025 dollars. The company was run by Stephen V., though the supplied passage truncates the surname, so the full personal name cannot be confirmed from the retrieved evidence.

Significance. Nicknamed Cleveland's "Crystal Palace," the five-story Cleveland Arcade, also known as the Old Arcade, is recognized as one of the earliest indoor shopping arcades in the United States. It is one of the few remaining arcades of its kind in the country. The structure serves as a significant historical landmark in downtown Cleveland.