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Breaking Ground at an Iconic Tower

One of Cincinnati’s most iconic buildings, Union Central Tower (also known as the PNC Tower) is getting a new lease on life as an amenity-rich apartment building.

Local leaders and community members recently joined GBBN, members of the project team, and Detroit-based developer, City Club Apartments to break ground on a renovation of the historic building.

At a gathering at an adjacent roof deck, the project was described as “a city within a city.” Tenants will not only enjoy the activity and conveniences of life in the city center, but they will have access to an outdoor and indoor theater; a 19th floor rooftop terrace with a wellness center, sauna, pool, and Zen garden; a 24-hour fitness center; onsite dry cleaning; street-level retail; and a host of other services.

At the ceremony, GBBN Director of Commercial & Workplace, Chad Burke observed, “At GBBN we pride ourselves on being involved in some of the most significant building projects in Cincinnati. We’re happy not only to preserve this icon, but we’re excited to design it with a new energy that will keep it going for another 100 years.”

“The challenge of the building is not only its age,” says GBBN Associate Elizabeth Schmidt, “but that it was designed for a very different use. It has really large floors, so it took some creative thinking to configure the apartments in a way that brought sunlight and views into all of the living spaces where people expect them.”

Read more about Union Central Tower at WCPO or Cincinnati Business Courier.

To learn more about GBBN’s mixed-use and multifamily residential work, visit our case studies on 1010 On The Rhine, Willkommen, or the Edge on 4th.

Learn more about Chad and Elizabeth.