Age is only a Number

In 1913 the Union Central Trust building was a daytime destination for employees of the Union Central Life Insurance Company. Over one hundred years later, this former office building will welcome residents with 21^st century apartments, private and shared resort-class amenities, and usher in new life and vitality to Cincinnati’s central business district.

To transform the building from a place to work to a place to live, we’re working with City Club Apartments capitalizing on the opportunities ripe for reinvention while preserving historical details that celebrate unparalleled quality and craft.

The building occupies an entire city block, creating challenges—and interesting opportunities—to use the existing structure to help future residents connect to the outdoors. By reclaiming a series of window openings bracketed by exterior columns, we’ve found a way to maximize these slivers of space to create resident balconies. The project also takes advantage of the roof to provide outdoor access for residents and guests. Part of the roof that once hosted mechanical units will be used to create a pet park. A new rooftop pool is also part of the building’s transformation from offices to residences. The ideal spot for the pool places it above an 18^th floor library that features a beautiful neoclassical coffered ceiling. To achieve this, we’re coordinating the design of a steel armature to support the pool and protect the ceiling, ensuring 20^th century historic detail and a 21^st amenity live happily ever after.

One of a constellation of architecturally significant buildings designed by Cass Gilbert, Cincinnati’s Union Central Building shares design DNA with iconic addresses such as the Woolworth Building in New York City and the United States Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Landmark buildings contribute to a city’s unique character. Giving these landmarks—like Cincinnati’s Union Terminal and Pittsburgh’s Braddock Carnegie Library—new purpose brings them to life for new generations of Cincinnatians.