Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to double in size as part of $135 million project

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
A rendering of an expansion project that would double the size of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
A rendering of an expansion project that would double the size of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

The heart of rock and roll is still beating.

In Cleveland.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland is expanding.

The hall dedicated to the roots and greats in rock is launching its biggest expansion since opening its doors some 28 years ago.

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The $135-million expansion will nearly double the size of the iconic glass pyramid-shaped museum situated along the Lake Erie shoreline.

The hall of fame is one of the state's most popular tourist attractions with more than 600,000 visitors annually.

Since its opening, some 14 million guests have toured the hall and museum with an economic impact of an estimated $2 billion.

A rendering of an expansion project that would double the size of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
A rendering of an expansion project that would double the size of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

What's included in the expansion of the Rock Hall?

Rock Hall President and CEO Greg Harris said this project is not only historic but "transformative" for the hall and museum's future.

"Our visitors came from all over the world and every state in this nation," he said.

Planning for the new 50,000-square-foot expansion that resembles a wing flowing westward out from the I.M. Pei designed museum started in 2019.

The expansion includes a new large entrance and free gathering space for visitors and special events.

A new community park will be created for special events by both the rock hall and the neighboring Great Lakes Science and other city events. It will also provide a gateway for access to the Northcoast Harbor.

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The Patty and Jay Baker Hall inside the new space will allow the hall to host indoor concerts and special events.

The new Howley Family Student Center as part of the expansion will be dedicated to educational offerings and field trips.

There will also be additional space set aside for traveling exhibits along with better public access to the hall's archives.

Will the Rock Hall remain open during construction?

There are no plans to close the rock hall during construction.

Work is slated to begin on the expansion this fall.

The project is expected to take until mid 2026 to complete.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to double in size