Architecture Office was asked to create conceptual designs, interior layouts and marketing materials to redevelop this three story building into a mixed parking lot, coworking office and retail space. Sandwiched between Superior Avenue and Payne Avenue on the eastern edge of downtown Cleveland, this former bowling alley features over 100 clear feet of space across former bowling lanes and over 20 vertical feet between the third floor and ceiling. We named this project “The Zeppelin” after the long-span bow trusses which support this building’s ceiling, lending it the appearance of a rigid airship. Through iteration, we produced multiple designs predicated on minimizing interventions with this building’s structure.

Our final design for the Zeppelin takes advantage of the building’ enormous footprint. The Zeppelin’s ground and second floors are home to over 25,000 and 29,000 square feet of parking space, respectively. On the ground floor, the renovated Superior-facing storefront features 1,500 square feet of retail units with full-length windows, a new lobby and an exterior plaza. The renovated Payne-facing storefront includes a new lobby and a secure bicycle storage facility.

The Zeppelin’s third floor, the bowling alley turned shared office, is defined by its trusses. Conical skylights installed into the building’s ceiling at varying angles and heights provide unique lighting conditions throughout this floor and the mezzanine above. The majority of the lane space is converted into workspaces, with a portion of floor reserved for meeting rooms. The remainder of the third floor is renovated to include showers, shared meeting rooms and a meditation space. The space includes several recreation areas, including three restored bowling lanes.

The Zeppelin’s lofty ceiling provides space for a mezzanine which features additional office, conference and common spaces above the third floor. Across the exterior, a band of glass windows ties the Superior facade together with a single gesture.