Kimpton Schofield- Cleveland, OH
Kimpton Schofield really isn’t a historic hotel. It wasn’t a hotel at all until pretty recently, which the interior of the building makes patently obvious. It is however an interesting example of the restoration of a historic façade, which allowed the past to reemerge from prior ill conceived exterior updates, thus returning the building to the beauty it once was, and its relevancy to the city.
Designed by Levi Schofield, who was also responsible for Cleveland’s iconic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, the building was completed in 1902. Built on the site of the former Schofield family residence, the fourteen story masonry and terra cotta clad office building, with a modern steel skeleton, represented Cleveland’s future.
Despite several controversies during its construction, including a lawsuit filed by Schofield’s sister, and his arrest for a worksite accident, the building’s 429 rooms were quickly filled by the city’s leading banking and trust firms. In addition to housing brokers, lawyers and bankers, in 1946 the largest jeweler in the country, J.B Robinson, took over the entire 8th floor. From 1946-1960, the building housed Cleveland’s first gay friendly bar, the Cadillac Lounge.
In 1969, in an effort to modernize the building, the Nelson Facade company covered the upper floors with fiberglass panels and metal trim. Following the 1980 purchase of the building by Citizens Federal Savings & Loan association, the building was further modernized by architect Raymond S. Febo.
Febo, in an attempt to match other banking buildings in the area, chose to clad the lower levels of the structure in polished gray sequoia granite, and install panoramic windows, dramatically altering its appearance.
In 2009, renovation was slated for the Schofield. The metal facade and windows were removed, then the recession hit. The building remained in scaffolding for three years, until conditions improved. In 2013, Kimpton committed to converting the property to a 122 room hotel, with 52 luxury apartments above.
Aside from the original marble and the iron staircase, the entire interior was rebuilt. Opened in 2016, the hotel reflects a mid-century modern aesthetic in the lobby, with somewhat spartan rooms. That said, the exterior restoration was beautifully done, and adds to the area’s interesting architecture. Overall, it’s a fun space, with a great location- just don’t expect much in the way of original details inside.
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