We were challenged to renovate and restore one of the Queen City’s most historic buildings, The Bartlett Building, for The Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel. Originally designed by Daniel Burnham as the headquarters for Union Trust Bank, it was once Cincinnati’s tallest building. Built in three phases in 1901, 1914, and 1930, the building had been vacant since 2010 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The goal was to thoughtfully pay homage to the historical nature of the building, while offering updated and sophisticated experiences for its hotel guests.
A modern glass canopy illuminates the original building storefront at the 4th Street entry, complementing the original building architecture. The building’s original construction is supplemented with additional fire-resistant construction to bring it up to current building codes and life safety systems. New exit stairs and a service elevator are also in place, while existing elevators have been refurbished. The 323-room Renaissance Cincinnati has 10,000 square feet of meeting space, a full-service restaurant and bar, and more.
