Fourth and Race Tower, Cincinnati

Standing as a proud fixture of Cincinnati's architectural heritage, the Fourth and Race Tower is a striking skyscraper originally built in 1927 to house the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Designed in the Renaissance Revival, this historic structure is the result of a collaboration between architectural firms Tietig and Lee and Harry Hake. It served the Federal Reserve until 1977, after which it was converted into commercial office space.

The building’s facade reflects early 20th-century grandeur, featuring a rusticated granite base punctuated by arched entrances and cartouches along Fourth Street. Race Street presents an elegant colonnade, while the upper stories are clad in cream-colored brick, rising to a distinguished crown of limestone with Doric pilasters, decorative spandrel panels, and a detailed cornice with dentils. One-over-one sash windows complete its classic look.

Inside, the lobby retains its historic splendor, with a coffered ceiling, brass fixtures, decorative stone wall cladding, and elevator lobbies boasting vaulted ceilings-elements that have remained intact for nearly a century.

Recognized for its historical value, the Fourth and Race Tower was designated a contributing structure within the West Fourth Street Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Today, the building continues to evolve, currently undergoing reconstruction, and functions as a vibrant mixed-use space combining apartments and office areas.