Rhodes Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids James A. Rhodes Tower |
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CSU's Rhodes Tower from East 22nd
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| General information | |
| Type | Library and Staff Offices |
| Architectural style | Brutalist |
| Location | 2121 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Construction started | 1968 |
| Completed | 1971 |
| Opening | September 21, 1971 |
| Cost | $ 21.7 million |
| Owner | Cleveland State University |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 363 feet |
| Top floor | 20 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Rode, Guenther, and Bonebrake |
The James A. Rhodes Tower, first called University Tower, is a tall, 21-story building. It stands on the campus of Cleveland State University in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. This tower is very important to the university.
Standing at 363 feet (about 111 meters) tall, it is one of the tallest school buildings in the United States. It holds the university's main library on its first eight floors. Higher up, you'll find offices for many of the school's departments. The Rhodes Tower is the tallest building at Cleveland State University. It is also the tallest academic building in the entire state of Ohio. The tower was named after James A. Rhodes, a former Ohio Governor. He signed the law that created Cleveland State University in 1964.
Building the Tower
The Rhodes Tower was built between 1968 and 1971. The Cleveland company Rode, Guenther, and Bonebrake designed it. They used a style called Brutalist. This style was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. It often uses strong, blocky shapes and lots of concrete.
The building cost about $21.7 million, which includes a big update in 2001. It has a steel frame covered with 2,140 white concrete panels. When it was first built, there was a small issue. Some bolts did not fit perfectly, causing parts of the floors to shift. These bolts were replaced with new ones. This made the building safe and ready for use.
Where It Stands on Campus
The University Tower opened on September 21, 1971. It quickly became a main landmark for Cleveland State University. It helps shape the Downtown Cleveland skyline to the east. The tower is also almost exactly in the middle of the campus. This makes it a great reference point for students and visitors. They use it to find their way around the university grounds. The Cleveland State University Library is located on the first eight floors of the building.
Tower History
In 1981, the tower was renamed after Governor James A. Rhodes. He was honored for his role in starting the university. In 2001, the tower went through a major renovation. This work fixed problems like poor insulation and leaks that had been there since it was built. In 2002, Cleveland State University added signs to the top of the tower.
In 2011, university leaders talked about closing off parts of the building. This was because it needed very expensive repairs. However, a final decision on this plan has not been made. The top floors are still used for university administration offices today.
