Cincinnati, founded in 1788 opposite the junction of the Ohio and Licking Rivers, has had a long tradition of high-quality and innovative architectural design. Since the Federal period after the War of 1812, there has been a continuity of enlightened patronage, as clients have commissioned significant buildings from both local and out-of-town architects.

Every generation has contributed its own masterworks, often by leading architects from elsewhere, including John Haviland, Isaiah Rogers, H.H. Richardson, Bruce Price, D.H. Burnham, Cass Gilbert, Frank Lloyd Wright, Philip Johnson, and Gwathmey/Siegel, in addition to those who designed the landmarks featured in this guide. Local architects such as James K. Wilson, James W. McLaughlin, Samuel Hannaford, Elzner & Anderson, Garber & Woodward, and Carl Strauss deserve more than local recognition. Many of these architects’ Cincinnati works have survived, and outstanding new buildings continue to be commissioned.

A decade ago, for instance, the University of Cincinnati initiated its ongoing Signature Architect program, based on George Hargreaves’ master-plan for the campus. Led by President Joseph A. Steger, Dean Jay Chatterjee of the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), Vice President for Finance Dale L. McGirr, and Campus Architect Ron Kull, this State-supported program has brought in major American contemporary architects, working with local architectural firms. An international competition for the design of the Contemporary Arts Center’s new Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center was won in 1997 by Zaha Hadid. When completed, the CAC will be this brilliant female architect-teacher’s first U.S. building.

This guide is intended to bring a cross-section of the significant existing buildings in the Downtown area and on the University campus to the attention of those seeking a convenient short tour of the city’s architectural landmarks. They are Organized chronologically, to provide an overview of Cincinnati’s development and its architectural achievements.

Conceptual Sketch by Zaha Hadid of New Contemporary Arts Center

This publication was made possible by the support of Cincinnati-based architectural firms BHDP, FRCH, GBBN, Glaser Assocs., KZF, and Mike Schuster Assocs.; as well as Bank One, NA; Firstar Bank; Time Warner Cable; and others.