Public Auditorium, Cleveland

The Public Auditorium, also known as Public Hall, is a multi-purpose facility located in the Civic Center District of downtown Cleveland. Established in 1922, this iconic venue has served as a hub for performing arts, entertainment, sports, and large-scale exhibitions for over a century. Designed by architects J. Harold McDowell and Frank Walker of Walker and Weeks, the building features a neoclassical style that harmonizes with other nearby structures, forming a cohesive architectural ensemble known as the Group Plan.

Public Auditorium boasts a main hall with a seating capacity of 10,000, sharing its stage with the adjacent 3,000-seat Music Hall. Initially conceived before World War I and funded through public initiatives, construction of the auditorium began in 1920 and culminated in a grand opening on April 15, 1922. Upon its completion, it was the largest convention hall in the United States, with its main arena measuring 300 feet by 215 feet, and a height of 80 feet. Remarkably, the building's interior space is free of supporting columns, a significant architectural achievement for its time.

The auditorium's highlight is the E.M. Skinner pipe organ, Opus 328, with 10,010 pipes and 150 stops, making it one of the largest ever built. Public Auditorium hosted key events like the 1924 and 1936 Republican National Conventions, Eisenhower’s 1952 address, and the Cleveland Orchestra’s 75th anniversary in 1993. It also held a 1936 boxing match where Joe Louis knocked out Eddie Simms in 26 seconds. Music Hall, part of the complex, saw Django Reinhardt’s American debut in 1946 with Duke Ellington. Over the years, it welcomed rock icons like Elvis, The Beatles, and Hendrix, but the Wolstein Center’s 1991 opening led to a decline in its use as a concert venue.

Today, the Public Auditorium remains an enduring symbol of Cleveland’s rich cultural heritage, continuing to serve as a venue for various events, including the home games of the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League since 2024.