Plaza Apartments
Why it's listed
Built in 1901 at 3206 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland, this four-and-a-half-story, ell-shaped apartment building is faced in yellow brick with rough-faced stone block trim at the quoins, window surrounds and base. Boxlike two- and three-story projections with windows are also done in rough-faced block, and bay windows overlooking the courtyard carry a crenellated cornice. A highly pitched multi-gable roof tops the structure. The Cleveland Improvement Company erected it at an estimated cost of $35,000. It was designed by Steffens, Searles, and Hirsh, among that firm's last works before Steffens left in 1901 to practice on his own; the successor firm became Searles and Hirsh. The building is valued as a good example of the eclectic blending of styles popular at the turn of the century, particularly in apartment design, and as one of the important apartment buildings on Prospect Avenue. Its pointed arch entrance, steep gables and crenellated bay cornice illustrate that approach. It continues to serve as apartments.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is significant for its architecture and as one of the important apartment buildings built on Prospect Avenue. It is presented as a good example of the eclectic mix of styles popular at the turn of the century, shown in its pointed arch entrance, highly pitched gable roof and crenellated bay window cornice. It is also one of the last buildings designed by the firm Steffens, Searles, and Hirsh.
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 84000233, listed November 1, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3206 Prospect ave., Cleveland |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | November 1, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84000233 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1901 |
| Architect / builder | Steffens, Searles, and Hirsh (architects); M. Noble (contractor/builder); built by the Cleveland Improvement Company |
| Architectural style | Eclectic |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as apartments; exterior condition listed as good, interior unknown. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Midtown Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.50118, -81.66445 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84000233.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7203577
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.