Playhouse Square Center Complex

Performance Contracting

The Playhouse Square Center is the largest performing arts complex outside of New York City.  Located in a historic area of Downtown Cleveland it is made up of 5 theatres with a total seating capacity of 10,000.  Host to major productions such as the Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable and the Lion King these theatres depend on well maintained, reliable, effective HVAC systems.  The Brewer-Garrett Company has been working with the Playhouse Square Foundation since 1994.  For over a decade Brewer-Garrett has provided a full service maintenance agreement for the five theatres and adjacent office complex.  While the historic Allen Theatre was being renovated, the local utility to provide chilled water retracted their agreement in the 11th hour. Faced with lack of capital and little time, The Brewer-Garrett Company responded by designing and installing a new 600 ton chiller plant and distribution piping to serve the renovated theatre, Loews Office Building, and the Playhouse Square Offices in less than 12 weeks.

The Brewer-Garrett Company and Playhouse Square expanded their partnership to implement other significant improvements to the Playhouse Square Center complex.  This most recent program was a central chilled water plant that provides chilled water to all of the theatres, the Loews Building, Bulkley Building and One Playhouse Square.  It consists of two 700 ton water cooled chillers serving chilled water air handling units.  The new plant works in conjunction with the existing 600 ton plant and provides the flexibility to match the cooling load to the actual need. New equipment was also installed with the ability to utilize cooler outdoor air in the winter for “free cooling”. 

This program was designed to:

• Reduce the financial impact of the new electric rate
• Provide an alternative to purchasing District chilled water
• Attract and retain long-term tenants in the Bulkley Building with lower operating costs
• Create a program to reduce capital costs by replacing worn out air conditioning equipment
• Prepare the Playhouse Square Foundation to actively participate in the electric deregulated market place
• Lower operating costs for the Playhouse Square Foundation
• Increase the value of the Bulkley Building with the Central Chilled Water Plant

Both programs for the Playhouse Square Center Complex have met or exceeded their initial goals.  The Brewer-Garrett Company installations have been effective in minimizing the operating costs for the Playhouse Square Foundation while maintaining the comfort of tenants and guests.

Contact details for this case study can be provided upon request.