Ludlow Renovation
The Ludlow building will serve as a dedicated space for early learning, providing a nurturing and educational environment for the District's youngest students. Supporting the developmental needs of preschool children, it will play a crucial role in fostering a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
our vision
The renovated Ludlow school building will be home to the Ludlow Early Learning Center PreK program beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. This space is designed with early learning in mind, featuring easy access to restrooms, spaces to accommodate occupational and physical therapy, preschool-aged playground equipment and outdoor learning spaces, flexible furniture designed for our youngest learners, smart storage and more.
The Ludlow school building will have 12 classrooms, a physical therapy room, a gymnasium, a multipurpose room and a secure vestibule entrance. The renovated Ludlow building will continue to serve the community with updated playground equipment for all school-aged children and maintain the current athletic fields.
MASTER FACILITIES PLAN
The Ludlow renovation project is a part of the District's Long-Term Master Facilities Plan.
Preschool program
The expanded Shaker Heights Schools preschool program is set to open in the renovated Ludlow school building in August of 2025.
Ludlow Renovation Updates
Selective exterior demolition is complete and ready for the new main entrance addition.
Selective exterior demolition is completed at the entrance to service the new fenced-in outdoor play area.
Shared light and additional electrical and plumbing improvements are completed in a hallway.
Following selective interior demolition, new ceiling panels and mechanical infrastructure are installed.
Selective interior demolition is completed at the main entrance addition.
Framing, electrical and plumbing improvements are completed in spaces awaiting drywall.
Following selective demolition in December and January, new heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) duct work is being installed.
As a part of the renovation plan, many original features in the building, such as hardwood floors, are being saved and reconditioned.
While some materials are reconditioned, items like old drinking fountains are being replaced with new modern water bottle filling stations.
As framing of the new Ludlow Early Learning Center classrooms gets underway, contractors are preparing to start installing drywall.
Framing of new classrooms continues in advance of the installation of new plumbing and electrical systems throughout the building.
More extensive demolition allows the architects, engineers and contractors to evaluate the structural conditions of the building before construction begins.
Interior renovation underway
Selected interior demolition is wrapping up at Ludlow. And, neighbors may notice an increase in activity at the building as the project moves into the “construction” phase. The building will have significant improvements made over the next few months as the plumbing and electrical infrastructure is replaced, walls are framed, and new heating/cooling equipment is installed.
Over the winter, the Ludlow Early Learning Center renovation activity will be happening inside. As spring approaches, more exterior work will be visible as the new lobby addition takes shape. The District is excited that the first significant investment of the District’s Long-Term Master Facilities Plan is the Ludlow building. Please visit this page for updates as the renovation of the building unfolds.
If you have a questions, comments or suggestions, please send them to info@cobaltgroupinc.com.
Recent Ludlow Renovation News
The Winter 2025 issue of Shaker Life magazine features the new Ludlow Early Learning Center. Shaker Heights residents received a copy of Shaker Life in their mailboxes in January.
Interior demolition is complete and renovation work has begun. The construction manager is preparing cost estimates for the extended play area and site amenities.
The City’s Architectural Board of Review approved the exterior brick selection for the new Ludlow Early Learning Center lobby addition.
At their December 3 meeting, the Shaker Heights City Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals approved two variances for the Ludlow project.
On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, the Construction Opportunity Fair for the Ludlow School Improvement Project attracted more than 60 prospective vendors.
Representatives from the District's architectural partner, the GPD Group, joined this webinar.
While the plan was generally well-received, the ABR made a variety of comments and recommendations to the architects.
The District is renovating the Ludlow school building to accommodate expansion of the District’s current PreK program with the goal of ensuring that all Shaker Heights students have access to a high quality preschool education.