Crosley Tower

Crosley Tower is a 16-story campus building of the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was designed in the Brutalist style by A.M. Kinney Associates, a Cincinnati architecture firm.

Crosley Tower
General information
Architectural styleBrutalist
Address301 Clifton Court, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates39.134550°N 84.516715°W / 39.134550; -84.516715
Named forPowel Crosley Jr.
Demolishedplanned in 2025
Cost$5 million
OwnerUniversity of Cincinnati
Technical details
MaterialConcrete
Floor count16
Floor area107,253 sq ft (9,964.1 m2)
Design and construction
Architecture firmA.M. Kinney Associates
Other information
Public transit accessLocal transit SORTA Metro routes 17, 37, 38, 51

Attributes

Crosley Tower has 107,253 sq ft (9,964.1 m2) between 16 stories.[1] The tower, along with its counterpart Rieveschl Hall, has massive concrete columns that flare at the top. It is roughly square, and resembles an abstract fluted Corinthian column. The tower is a symbol of the university, and a visual landmark, visible from most areas on the campus and beyond.[2]

History

The tower was completed in 1969 for $5 million.[1] It was named after University of Cincinnati alumnus Powel Crosley Jr.[3]

In 2017, the building was featured at the top of a list of America's ugliest university buildings, as compiled by Architectural Digest.[4] In 2020, Cincinnati Magazine included it in a list of iconic Cincinnati architecture that defines the city.[5]

In 2018, university officials announced the building's planned demolition. The structure has not been well maintained, with problems including crumbling exterior concrete, a sinking foundation, and leaking ceilings.[6] The officials also described that the building does not function well for the university, and that renovations would be difficult due to its thick, seamless concrete walls. Its chemistry and biology labs must be relocated off-site before the demolition can take place.[7] In 2020, the college set 2025 as the soonest date for demolition, pending construction of Clifton Court Hall and renovation of the Old Chemistry Building.[6] An official plan for the demolition and replacement of Crosley Tower was revealed in 2023.[8]

In 2021, the student organization "Crosley Tower Appreciation Club" was started at the University of Cincinnati. Some society activities include photography competitions and watching movies projected against the building's side.[9]

References
  1. "UC Buildings".
  2. Bennett, Paul (2001). University of Cincinnati: An Architectural Tour. Princeton Architectural Press. ISBN 978-1-56898-232-8.
  3. Modernnati (2021-01-19). "Building A2: The Underappreciated Spectacle of Crosley Tower". modernnati. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  4. "The 7 Ugliest University Buildings in America". Architectural Digest. 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  5. "20 Iconic Buildings That Define Cincinnati's Architecture". 3 February 2020.
  6. Director, Quinlan Bentley | News. "Crosley Tower to be demolished in 2025". The News Record. Retrieved 2022-02-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Brookbank, Sarah. "Crosley Tower will be demolished ... eventually". The Enquirer. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  8. Courier, BRIAN PLANALP Cincinnati Business (2023-09-05). "UC plans $240M Crosley Tower replacement building". WKRC. Retrieved 2023-09-05. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. Reporter, Joe Frye | Life & Arts. "UC students show appreciation for Crosley Tower through campus org". The News Record. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
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