Krause Building-Otto Moser's Cafe
Why it's listed
Built in 1912-1913 for theatrical costumers William and Charles Krause, this six-story brick building on East 4th Street in downtown Cleveland is only 25 feet wide and 90 feet deep. Gustave B. Bohm designed it in the Commercial Style, with a cast stone cornice, grouped double-hung windows and a steel and concrete frame. The Krause costume shop occupied upper floors, while the ground floor housed Otto Moser's Cafe, a German-style saloon that served as a gathering place for actors from nearby theaters. Its walls still display Moser's collection of autographed stage portraits, and the interior has changed little since 1913. The building was listed because it reflects Cleveland's theatrical and social life in the early twentieth century and is described as the last remnant of the city's original theater district near Public Square. The upper floors have been largely vacant since 1970, while the cafe continues to operate.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its link to Cleveland's theatrical and social history. Otto Moser's was a favorite meeting place of actors from nearby theaters and represents a German wirtschaft tradition. It is also described as the last remnant of Cleveland's original theater center, and it retains its early 20th-century appearance apart from the storefront.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85002834, listed November 14, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2042--2044 E. Fourth St., Cleveland |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | November 14, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002834 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1912-1913 |
| Architect / builder | Gustave B. Bohm |
| Architectural style | Commercial Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Otto Moser's Cafe remains in business on the ground floor; the upper floors have been substantially vacant since 1970 and are in poor condition, with renovation for offices planned. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Euclid Avenue Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.49895, -81.69067 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85002834.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137707844
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.