Neighborhoods

West Boulevard

Cleveland's West Boulevard neighborhood

The West Boulevard neighborhood on the west side of Cleveland brings together urban living with a suburban atmosphere. It consists of one- and two- family homes, mostly built between 1900 and 1930. The homes along West Boulevard itself are known for their broad, tree-lined yards that create a park-like setting. “The West Boulevard neighborhood is rich in cultural diversity and is reflected in the variety of ethnic restaurants that can be found in and around the neighborhood,” says Chad Dasher, executive director of the Westown Community Development Corp. Lorain Avenue serves as the neighborhood’s commercial hub and features a cluster of antique shops, among other stores. Several parks, including Edgewater Park, surround the community.

Neighborhood Gem

St. Ignatius of Antioch Church has been a focal point of the West Boulevard neighborhood for more than 100 years. The church itself features delicate stonework, marble, stained-glass windows, and a bell tower. “St. Ignatius Church is dedicated to worship, academic excellence, and social justice,” says Dasher. “The Church also strives for family growth, neighborhood involvement, and community development.”

In the Community

Helping Hands

Westown Community Development Corp. is a non-profit organization with the goal of promoting long-term stability in the West Boulevard neighborhood.
Guided by the mission statement “Building Blocks for a Connected Community,” Westown CDC strives to keep the culturally rich community it serves a desirable place to live and visit.

Cleveland's West Boulevard neighborhood

Community Project

The Variety Theatre was built in 1927 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An $8 million restoration is underway to return this 1900-seat theatre to its original glory. The Variety’s future includes movies, plays, children’s theatre, dinner theatre, stand-up comedy and private parties.

Fun Fact

This neighborhood has more than 20 independently-owned and award-winning, restaurants. Eleven of those restaurants are listed in Laura Taxel’s 7th edition “Cleveland Ethnic Eats” (2006 Gray & Co.Publishers).