Formica Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids General information |
|
|---|---|
| Type | Office, Retail, Event Hall, Museum (formerly) |
| Location | 255 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 |
| Construction started | 1969 |
| Completed | 1970 |
| Owner | MCA Center |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 15 |
| Lifts/elevators | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Harry Weese |
The Formica Building is a special kind of building in Cincinnati, Ohio. It's called a mixed-use building because it has different types of spaces inside. This means you can find offices, shops, and even event halls all in one place!
History of the Formica Building
The Formica Building first opened its doors in 1970. It was designed by a famous architect named Harry Weese from Chicago. He is also well-known for designing the unique Metro stations in Washington, D.C..
What's Inside?
This building has a tall office tower. It also has an arcade, which is like a covered walkway. This arcade connects Fourth Street with Fifth Street. It also gives people access to Cincinnati's Skywalk, which is a system of elevated walkways.
Its Artistic Past
When it first opened, the Formica Building was home to the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC). This was a very important place for art. At that time, it was the largest space in the United States dedicated to showing modern art.
The CAC displayed works by many famous artists. These included Robert Morris, Jennifer Bartlett, and Maya Angelou. The Contemporary Arts Center stayed in the Formica Building until 2003. Then, it moved to a new home called the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art.
A New Beginning
After the Contemporary Arts Center moved out, its old space in the Formica Building was empty for a while. Recently, a company called MCA Center decided to give this space a new purpose. They worked with designers from Cincinnati to create something new. Now, this area is known as The Center. It's a unique place for events and gatherings in downtown Cincinnati.
