BP Tower, Cleveland
The BP Tower, now officially known as 200 Public Square, is a prominent skyscraper located in the heart of Cleveland. Completed in 1985, the building reaches 45 stories and stands at 658 feet (201 meters), making it the third-tallest building in Cleveland and the fourth-tallest in Ohio. With 1.2 million square feet of office space, it has served as a major business hub in the city for decades.
The skyscraper was originally built as the Sohio Building for Standard Oil of Ohio and designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum in a postmodern style, aligning with Euclid and Superior Avenues. Initially intended to be taller than the Terminal Tower, the design was modified after city officials intervened. Renamed the BP America Building in 1987 after BP acquired Sohio, it was sold in 1998 and later renamed 200 Public Square. Despite these changes, locals still call it the BP Tower or Sohio Building.
The construction of the BP Tower required the demolition of two historical Cleveland landmarks: the Cuyahoga Building, designed by Burnham and Root in 1892, and the Williamson Building, designed by George B. Post in 1900. Today, the tower stands as a testament to Cleveland’s evolving skyline and serves as the regional headquarters for Huntington Bancshares, which moved in 2010 and added its logo to the top of the building in 2011.
The tower’s presence in Cleveland’s Public Square is complemented by notable artistic additions, including Claes Oldenburg’s Free Stamp sculpture, which was originally intended to stand in front of the building. However, after BP decided it did not align with the company’s image, the sculpture was relocated to Willard Park near Cleveland City Hall.
The skyscraper was originally built as the Sohio Building for Standard Oil of Ohio and designed by Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum in a postmodern style, aligning with Euclid and Superior Avenues. Initially intended to be taller than the Terminal Tower, the design was modified after city officials intervened. Renamed the BP America Building in 1987 after BP acquired Sohio, it was sold in 1998 and later renamed 200 Public Square. Despite these changes, locals still call it the BP Tower or Sohio Building.
The construction of the BP Tower required the demolition of two historical Cleveland landmarks: the Cuyahoga Building, designed by Burnham and Root in 1892, and the Williamson Building, designed by George B. Post in 1900. Today, the tower stands as a testament to Cleveland’s evolving skyline and serves as the regional headquarters for Huntington Bancshares, which moved in 2010 and added its logo to the top of the building in 2011.
The tower’s presence in Cleveland’s Public Square is complemented by notable artistic additions, including Claes Oldenburg’s Free Stamp sculpture, which was originally intended to stand in front of the building. However, after BP decided it did not align with the company’s image, the sculpture was relocated to Willard Park near Cleveland City Hall.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cleveland. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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BP Tower on Map
Sight Name: BP Tower
Sight Location: Cleveland, USA (See walking tours in Cleveland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Cleveland, USA (See walking tours in Cleveland)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Cleveland, Ohio
Create Your Own Walk in Cleveland
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cleveland is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Museums in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio, boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums comprising some of the best in the American Mid-West, catering to a wide range of interests.
Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) stands out as a hub for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. MOCA features thought-provoking exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Among these, the Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland (MOCA) stands out as a hub for modern and contemporary art enthusiasts. MOCA features thought-provoking exhibitions, showcasing the work of both emerging and established... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Cleveland Introduction Walking Tour
The City of Cleveland dates back to 1796 when the Connecticut Land Company laid out the area into a township. They named the new town after their leader, General Moses Cleaveland.
With its waterfront location, the city became a major center for trade and commerce over the next few decades. When the railroad arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, the town began to evolve into a central... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
With its waterfront location, the city became a major center for trade and commerce over the next few decades. When the railroad arrived in the area in the mid-19th century, the town began to evolve into a central... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Little Italy Walking Tour
Whether you’re new to the Cleveland area or a lifelong resident, there’s plenty to explore in the dynamic “Forest City.” And if you’ve never been to local Little Italy, you’re in for a treat. Apart from historical landmarks and delicious plates of pasta, in this lovely urban enclave you will find plenty of culture.
One of the neighborhood's central features is the Holy Rosary... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
One of the neighborhood's central features is the Holy Rosary... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles