Gov. Mike DeWine is set to join Sherwin‑Williams executives and local officials on Monday for a ribbon‑cutting at the paint giant’s new global headquarters in downtown Cleveland, putting a political spotlight on a project that has quietly reshaped the northwest corner of Public Square. The event marks the formal debut of a multi‑year buildout that has already begun pulling thousands of office workers back into the city center.
Local station WKYC reports the ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday and that DeWine is on the list of featured guests. The event, billed as a ceremonial opening for Sherwin‑Williams’ “Building Our Future” campus, is expected to include brief remarks from company and state leaders before the ribbon is cut.
What’s opening
The new headquarters campus covers roughly 1 million square feet and includes a 36‑floor office tower, a two‑story pavilion fronting Public Square and an attached multi‑level parking garage, according to the company. Sherwin‑Williams says the site was designed to showcase the brand, provide modern amenities for employees and leave room for future growth, noting it employs more than 64,000 people worldwide. Project renderings and an FAQ on the “Building Our Future” site lay out those details on Sherwin‑Williams.
Who’s moving in and when
More than 3,100 corporate employees are shifting into the new tower in stages, with the moves starting on Halloween and stretching through the spring. Cleveland Magazine reports that several‑hundred‑person groups have been arriving about every two weeks as desks, computers and records make their way downtown from the Landmark Office Tower and other locations.
Permits and milestones
The project secured an initial occupancy permit in late 2025, a key step that allowed phased move‑ins once inspectors and contractors wrapped up finishing work. Engineering and skyscraper coverage noted that the final steel beam for the campus was set in place in December 2023, marking the tower’s topping‑off milestone. CTBUH / Vertical Urbanism has outlined the permit and construction timeline, and the company’s own project materials state that the multi‑phase move‑in began in late 2025 and will continue into 2026 on Sherwin‑Williams.
Why the governor’s presence matters
DeWine’s appearance follows a familiar script in Ohio politics, with state leaders stepping in for high‑profile corporate unveilings when an anchor employer makes a major local investment. Local reporting has underscored the broader economic stakes, including roughly 1.6 million square feet across the new downtown headquarters and the Brecksville research and development center, and about 4,000 workers moving into the two projects combined. Those numbers, along with the governor’s planned cameo at the ribbon‑cutting, have been reported by WKYC.
The ceremony will be watched closely by city leaders and downtown business owners who have been gearing up for the return of more office workers. Anyone headed near Public Square on Monday afternoon should expect a noticeable official presence around the plaza while the event is underway.
