Situated in the OTR historic district, this new build will replace an existing c.1990 non-contributing building. The existing building is owned and operated by Tender Mercies, providing permanent supportive housing for people transitioning out of homelessness. The new building will serve the same population, but provide larger updated units, and on-site amenities and resources for tenants.
The building was designed with a primary focus on providing quality housing for an underserved population. Additionally, the building strives to meet the caliber of the Over-the- Rhine historic district by reacting to the historic context of the area and following the standards put forth by the Cincinnati Historic Conservation Board.
The building puts a contemporary twist on traditional historic features. The storefront at the ground floor follows the form of OTR’s Italianate architecture with pilasters between windows and banding between the ground upper floors, but the design is executed with metal panels instead of traditional stone and ironwork. The mansard roof nods to Second Empire architecture, but is modernized with a simple tilt toward the main intersection. Verticality is emphasized with steel reveal channels and pops of colored panels that stripe the primary facades. The face of the square building is subtly subdivided to match the proportions of the neighborhood while still remaining cohesive.
