The difference in elevation between Public Square and the Cuyahoga River gave Union Terminal’s architects the opportunity to design a multilevel facility that tied together all its disparate components. The tracks were placed on a level, graded terrace about fifty feet above the river (and the lake). The floor of the Steam Concourse—and all of the major spaces of Union Terminal—was 22.5 feet above that, at an elevation of 72.5 feet. Public Square was 85 feet above the river and 12.5 feet above the concourse, a condition that led to the use of ramps to move patrons between the two. This rendering looks eastward from the river and shows track level and the floor of the concourse; not shown are the traction concourses for transit passengers. The buildings are, from left to right: the Hotel Cleveland, Terminal Tower, Higbee’s, and a cluster of three office buildings that also had a large amount of indoor parking. In 1934 the post office building was built at the far left, on the river side of Prospect Avenue. All theses buildings were interconnected on the interior, enabling shoppers, hotel patrons, office workers, postal workers, and travelers to move throughout the Terminal Tower complex without having to go outside. (Sherwin-Williams Company)