Sometimes you find an architectural gem in the most unexpected places.
You might not be surprised to find a groundbreaking high-rise downtown or a stately mansion in Clifton by one of Cincinnati’s many noted architects. But stumbling upon a stunning building right on a busy neighborhood thoroughfare might cause you to wonder. As one reader asked …
Question: What is the history of this beautiful building in Northside at Hamilton and Westmoreland? Who designed it, when, what was it used for and what is it now?
Sign gives part of the answer
As indicated by the fancy lettering along its side that reads, “The Cincinnati and Suburban Bell Telephone Co.,” the building was constructed for the local telephone company, better known as Cincinnati Bell.
It was completed in 1925 as a neighborhood
telephone exchange – the hub of operations for Cincinnati Bell, which included switchboards staffed by operators. The “Kirby” exchange (switching over from the old “Park” exchange) officially began service there for Northside on Nov. 18, 1925.
The building may seem rather grand for a utility company, with buff brick, terra cotta trim, Bedford cut stone, arched windows, pillars and a red tile roof. The architecture is described in articles as Spanish Renaissance or Italian and French Romanesque, setting it solidly in the Mediterranean Revival that was popular in the 1920s.
Credit for the design goes to Cincinnati architect Harry Hake, whose portfolio includes Crosley Field (1912), the Western & Southern Life Insurance Co. building (1916), Taft Theatre and Masonic Temple (1928), the Christ Hospital’s main building (1930) and the Cincinnati Bell building (1930).
Design chosen to blend
The design of the exchange building was intended to conform to the attractive mansions in Northside, particularly the home next door that belonged to Andrew Jergens, founder of the Jergens soap company, The Enquirer reported in 1924. The Jergens mansion was razed in 1968, and the site is now Jergens Park.
Hake designed two other similar telephone exchange buildings around that same time that are still around: the “Westwood” exchange at Harrison and Epworth avenues in Westwood and the “Ridge” exchange at 2216 Norwood Ave. in Norwood.
The Westwood building has been the home venue of Madcap Puppets since 2018. The Norwood building was recently up for sale. The Northside building is still owned and used by Cincinnati Bell, now called Altafiber.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What’s that fancy Cincinnati Bell building in Northside? Just Askin’
