The Cleveland Group Plan of 1903
Cleveland Board of Education Building
Back side of the Board of Education Building, with the statue of Abraham Lincoln, 1932.
Facade of the Board of Education Building at night, 1962.
Construction of the Board of Education Building, 1930.
Artist rendition of the Board of Education Building, 1930.
- Designed by: Walker and Weeks
- Completed in: 1931
- See more images of this building
The Cleveland Board of Education Building was designed by the architectural firm of Walker and Weeks and is a six story example of Beaux-Arts style influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The Cleveland schools sold the property at auction to the St. Louis-based Drury chain in 2013 and after a $52-million renovation, the building re-opened on April 29, 2016 as the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland.
In terms of artwork, the building is noted for the Holden Murals, painted by Cleveland artist Cora Holden in the main lobby. With the subjects of "Progress of Education" and "Branches of Education" the panels each measure 12 by 16 feet. At the front entrance to the building (facing the Mall) is a statue of Abraham Lincoln by Max Kalish, financed by the pennies of Cleveland schoolchildren. The text of the Gettysburg address is inscribed on the base.
For Further Reading:
- Brief slide show of the building's exteriors - From D. H. Ellison Co.
