By: Jessica Hamilton
Perhaps one of the most infamous buildings on campus, Crosley Tower, is a notable part of the University’s current skyline. The building is a highly debatable presence on campus with as many lovers as haters. In 2017, Architectural Digest named the building as one of the 7 Ugliest University Buildings in America, certainly not the kind of title a building aims for. On the other side of the spectrum, there was a cult following with students from previous years even creating a club dedicated to it.
The building was built in 1969 by A. M. Kinney Associates. The unique long 16-floor body leading to the flare pieces at the top is supposed to resemble a Corinthian column. This design element is also mirrored in the nearby Rieveschl Hall, which was also completed in 1969. The building was predominantly used for chemistry, with numerous laboratory and classroom spaces. The fascinating bit about the tower’s construction is that the building was completed in a single continuous pour of concrete. There are certain myths attached to this, including that either a worker or a Volkswagen had fallen in during construction. However, both have been said to be untrue by the university.
Crosley gets its name from Powel Crosley Jr., a person of great influence on Cincinnati. His most known achievement of Crosley is the founding of WLW-AM (700 WLW). This was the world’s most powerful transmitter at the time. His impact doesn’t stop there, as his company manufactured many other goods from cars to stoves to snowmobiles. Not to mention his financial support of the Cincinnati Reds and even his own airline.
Equal to the building’s polarization, the tower’s architectural style of Brutalism divides opinions. The style originates largely from a post-WWII era, with an increased lack of usual time and resources for buildings. It was most common in the United Kingdom from the 1950s to 1970s. The style is most commonly marked by its vast forms of raw concrete. Brutalist buildings are often described as honest, as their sole purpose comes from mostly their functionality and not their intricate decoration. Other elements of the style include strong unusual geometric forms, monochromatic material, raw faces, and exposed concrete. It is most commonly used for civil and cultural buildings, including government buildings, libraries, and theatres.
The style draws controversy for its almost cold and imposing feel. If you are to stand at the foot of Crosley today you can sense its staggering scale, yet lack of detailing and windows to breathe more life into it. Some onlookers even compare it to imagery used in dystopian sci-fi. Others dislike it for its unfinished feeling. On the other hand, supporters and architects of the style argue that such buildings are a unique spot of architecture and their power lies in the feeling of strength they provide viewers.
Unfortunately for Crosley Tower, the building will face demolition for various factors. Due to the nature of the tower’s single concrete pour, any repairs and updates had become much more troublesome. A side effect of this was often malfunctioning elevators and leaky ceilings. The University of Cincinnati decided that the cost of updating the building would not be worth it in the long run. In 2018, the building was already partly unused with only 50% capacity being fulfilled. At the time, they had decided to give a 5-10 year timeframe for the eventual demolition of the building. In 2023, documents were filed with the state of Ohio placing the timeline of abatement, or reduction of the building, to begin in May 2025. Major demolition would begin in 2026, and end in 2027. Finally, a new building would be constructed in its place by the fall semester of 2029.
Crosley’s replacement is expected to cost $240 million. The architect of record is Cincinnati based GBBN. Their other work on campus includes Marian Spencer Hall, the Rieveschl Hall renovation, Digital Futures, and the MarketPointe Dining renovation. The design architect work will be done by HDR, a global design and engineering company who has a location in Blue Ash.
While many mourn the loss of the iconic piece of the university skyline, we can hope for a building that serves functionally better for students for years to come. For lovers of Crosley, make sure to take some extra time to see the University of Cincinnati timeline as it currently stands. For haters, the day where your clear sky is no longer blocked by Crosley is finally coming soon.
https://www.modernnati.com/single-post/building-a2-the-underappreciated-spectacle-of-crosley-tower
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ugliest-university-buildings-in-america
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/brutalist-architecture-101
https://www.archdaily.com/957201/brutalism-the-architecture-style-we-love-to-love
https://www.archpaper.com/2018/10/university-cincinnati-crosley-tower-demolition/
https://www.gbbn.com/work-type/higher-education/
https://www.hdrinc.com/locations
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ourhistory/2013/12/10/mr-crosleys-empire/5363639/
https://sites.google.com/site/ucwalks/points-of-interest/crosley-tower
Cover image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115310231