Gwynne Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Gwynne Building
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6th and Main Sts, Cincinnati, Ohio |
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| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Ernest Flagg |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001856 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1979 |
The Gwynne Building is a famous historic building located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 1979, which means it is recognized as an important historical landmark.
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The Gwynne Building: A Historic Cincinnati Landmark
The Gwynne Building is a large, twelve-story building with almost 125,000 square feet of space. It was finished in 1914. The building was designed by a well-known architect named Ernest Flagg. He also designed other famous buildings, like the Singer Building in New York City and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
Who Commissioned the Gwynne Building?
The building was requested by Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt, who was Ernest Flagg's cousin. Alice was married to Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a very important businessman. Alice and Ernest were first cousins because their mothers were sisters. Alice named the building "Gwynne" to honor her father, Abraham Evan Gwynne. He was a respected lawyer and judge in Cincinnati. Her family was among the first people to settle in Cincinnati.
What Does the Gwynne Building Look Like?
The tallest part of the Gwynne Building, its tower, reaches 13 stories high. The building is designed in the Beaux-Arts style, which is a grand and classical architectural look. It is built with strong materials like steel and concrete. The outside of the building is made of Indiana limestone, brick, and granite.
When it was first built, the Gwynne Building was considered very safe from fires. This was because it used "no wood of any description." Even the floors were polished cement. The floors in the hallways had beautiful mosaic patterns. You can also see cool ox heads decorating the corners of the building.
Over time, more parts were added to the original building. An east building was built in 1916, and a north building was added in 1939.
Famous Companies at the Gwynne Building
From 1935 to 1956, the Gwynne Building was home to the main offices of Procter & Gamble (P&G). P&G is a very large company that makes many household products. Today, P&G's world headquarters are in different buildings a few blocks away.
In 1992, a group of businesses and investors bought the building. They then spent about $1,000,000 to make important renovations.
In 2014, the building was put up for sale again. At that time, about 88% of its offices were rented out. Some of the tenants included the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority and the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky Film Commission. An investment group led by Patrick Gates bought the building.
