3CDC Reveals Historic Architecture Behind Brick Façade While Redeveloping Downtown Building

The former Chong Inc. building was built in the late 1800s and renovated in the 1950s by removing two floors and adding a brick façade
The former Chong Inc. building was built in the late 1800s and renovated in the 1950s by removing two floors and adding a brick façade

An unassuming downtown building is in the spotlight this week, after a set of images revealing a glimpse of history hidden behind a brick façade from Greater Cincinnati-based photographer Scott Beseler went locally viral on Facebook.

The building, formerly owned by Chong Inc., is being redeveloped by the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC).

Joe Rudemiller, 3CDC’s vice president of marketing and communications, tells CityBeat that the corporation hired Digging Cincinnati History’s Ann Senefeld to learn more about the building and its past.

Senefeld’s research uncovers that since the building was first constructed between 1887 and 1891, several department and furniture stores have inhabited the space, as well as a Kroger store from 1960-1969.

But Senefeld’s most fascinating discovery is that in 1951, the building went through a massive renovation, removing the 5th and 6th floors and covering the exterior with a new brick façade.

Research on the building’s history continues, and Rudemiller welcomes additional information.

This renovation was made visually apparent this week as construction crews worked to remove the brick.

Beseler, who also owns arts incubator The Lodge in Dayton, Kentucky, says he was tipped off about the construction by his friend Sara Bedinghaus who works at 3CDC and knows of his interest in architecture as well as in the Chong Inc. retail shop.

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