David Adjaye redesigns Cleveland’s riverfront

Sir David Adjaye, supported by the real estate company Bedrock, has unveiled his master plan for the Cuyahoga Riverfront, for an estimated investment of $3.5 billion and with a construction period of 15-20 years.

Redesigning the 35 acres surrounding the downtown Cleveland riverfront, the project will provide public access to the Cuyahoga Riverfront for the first time, while connecting the area to downtown. The masterplan includes both public and private land, subdivided to accommodate 2,000 residential units, approximately 79,000 square meters of office space, new parking, more than 12 acres of public spaces and hospitality services, as well as retail and entertainment venues.

“Our redevelopment strategy for downtown Cleveland draws on the city’s lost legacy, establishing a new relationship between the urban core and the waterfront,” explains the architect. “As I immersed myself in the project, the need to build a more moderate flow of movement through the city became immensely clear.”

The west side of the Cuyahoga Riverfront development is joined by accessible green spaces that draw on the “City of Forest” heritage as a link to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park system. To complete the loop, a water viewpoint gives way to a neighborhood park with public green spaces and gardens. As the key components of the master plan evolve, collaboration with public, private and non-profit stakeholders will remain crucial.