ABOUT
HISTORY
Fitness Takes New Height
In 1911, the Cleveland Athletic Club was built at 1118 Euclid Avenue. The first five floors of the structure were designated for commercial office use, while the Club occupied floors six through fifteen. Within its walls, members enjoyed access to various amenities, including an indoor swimming pool, a basketball court, a bowling alley, billiards rooms, and guest suites.
Unfortunately, in 2007, the club permanently closed its doors, and the building remained dormant for several years until new ownership stepped in to rescue it just in the nick of time. In 2019, the Athlon project was successfully completed, representing a multi-million-dollar renovation aimed at transforming the building into Athlon’s 163 luxury apartments.
With a commitment to offering the finest downtown living experience, the original basketball courts and bowling alley were converted into multi-level suites. The new owners paid meticulous attention to restoring the pool and other iconic spaces within the building, ensuring that future generations of Cleveland residents could proudly call it their “home.”
KEY MILESTONES
- February 1, 1908: The CAC came to live originally in the old National City Bank Building.
- November 22, 1911: Grand opening of the CAC on Euclid Avenue when its first president, William P. Murray, declared, “…It will live now from generation to generation to the benefits of yourselves, your children and your grandchildren.”
- 1922: The CAC sponsored the National Amateur Pocket Billiard Tournament on the sixth floor.
- 1922: Johnny Weissmuller, who went on to star as Tarzan, set the world record in the 150-yard backstroke in the CAC indoor pool.
- 1923: CAC sponsored the first indoor track meet in Cleveland, an event that attracted nearly 2,000 high school and college athletes.
- 1925: James A. “Jimmy” Jimmie Lee, who became the CAC’s athletic director, coached the U.S. Boxing Team for three Olympic Games.
- 1966: The inaugural year for the annual famous St. Patrick’s Day party.
- 2007: Major renovation of the CAC to include a new aerobic studio and fitness complex, a Turkish bath, a family locker room and babysitting center.
- December 31, 2007: The last event before the doors of the CAC closed.
- 2017: Renovations began to remake history in the form of luxury apartments, commercial and retail space, keeping true to the original CAC mission of wellness with a pool, fitness center and open exercise areas.
A RICH HISTORY
Located at the former home of the renowned Cleveland Athletic Club, The Athlon combines history with contemporary luxury in 164 luxury suites.