Insights
Aug 1, 2018 _ insights
New life for a cherished icon
Completed in 1933, Cincinnati Union Terminal was built to replace five separate, outdated train stations around the city. A masterpiece of Art Deco architecture that employed advanced planning principles to efficiently direct travelers and vehicles, the station was beloved but short lived, as rail traffic quickly declined after World War II, ultimately leading to its obsolescence.
Saved from demolition, the structure was designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1990, the building was transformed into the Cincinnati Museum Center and became a must-see destination. Decades of wear, however, had started to take its toll.
In 2014, the residents of Hamilton County voted to save their cherished landmark for future generations. After a year and a half of intensive research and design work the building is now undergoing its first comprehensive restoration and renovation. The entire exterior is being repaired and made watertight, building infrastructure is being modernized, and museum spaces are being reorganized to improve the visitor experience.
Once complete, in November of 2018, the restored historic spaces and state of the art museum galleries and classrooms will offer new, one-of-a-kind experiences and continue to amaze both new visitors and people already familiar with this Cincinnati icon for generations to come.
Click through the slides here to get an overview of this landmark project.
