Old Federal Building and Post Office
Also known as: U.S. Post Office,Custom House and Court House
Why it's listed
Occupying a full block at Public Square and the Mall in downtown Cleveland, this five-story federal building was designed by Arnold W. Brunner of New York City. Its gray granite walls feature a rusticated street level with arched openings, upper floors with semi-detached Corinthian columns and pilasters, bronze windows, and a balustrade and cornice concealing the top story. Two large sculptural groups by Daniel Chester French, "Jurisprudence" and "Commerce," stand before the Superior Avenue front. Inside, the vaulted first-floor Public Lobby and two third-floor courtrooms display marble, plaster ornament, fine hardwoods and large murals, including Edwin H. Blashfield's "The Law." The building was Cleveland's main downtown post office from 1911 until 1937 and has continued to house federal offices and courts. It was recognized as a major example of classical civic architecture, a key part of Daniel Burnham's Mall Plan, and a showcase of period sculpture and mural art.
Significance in brief: It is the only building fronting both Public Square and the Mall, Cleveland's two most significant downtown planned spaces, and expresses the classical civic architecture of Daniel Burnham's Mall Plan. It is a major work by Arnold W. Brunner, who designed many federal buildings around the turn of the century. Its richly detailed interiors, sculpture and murals show the fine arts of its period.
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 74001448, listed May 3, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 201 Superior Ave., NE, Cleveland |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | May 3, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001448 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century |
| Architect / builder | Arnold W. Brunner of New York City |
| Architectural style | Classical revival |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Art, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition and altered; interiors have been altered and in some cases restored. It continues to house federal offices and courts. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.51245, -81.69273 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 74001448.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5920252
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.