2024 Preservation Excellence Award Winner
In 2024 RWA Architects won their sixth Preservation Excellence Award from Cincinnati Preservation. This time in the Commercial Project category for their work on the façade improvements to the Oakley location of Aglamesis Brothers candy and ice cream store.
About RWA Architects
Located in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Hyde Park, RWA Architects has been providing high level, custom residential architecture since 1989. They offer architectural and design excellence locally and nationally. Over the years, some of their clients have returned five or more times because they’ve built such strong, trusting relationships. The two principal partners of the firm, John Isch and Michael Mauch, are joined by a staff of architects and designers who cooperate closely and derive true enjoyment from the architectural process.
About Aglamesis Brothers
Aglamesis Brothers’ rich, super premium ice creams and deliciously decadent chocolates have been delighting Cincinnatians for well over a century. To this day, the Aglamesis family still uses the same Old World recipes, simple, wholesome ingredients, and traditional confectionery techniques that founders Thomas and Nicholas Aglamesis used when they opened their first parlor in the Queen City in 1908.
The Oakley location was their second store and opened in 1913. The building has been continuously operated by four generations of the Aglamesis family, and the building has always been a first-floor store. The second floor was originally the family residence and was transitioned into a candy factory and office in the 1960s.
Built with marble imported from Portugal and embellished with exotic Tiffany lamps, tile floors, sculptured ceilings and an authentic player piano, the store was considered a charming gathering place with exquisite ambiance for Cincinnati East-siders even in its earliest days. Nine years later, the brothers added an ice cream plant with modern refrigerated cooling machinery to the Oakley location. After 115 years and a façade renovation over 60 years ago, the building was facing some issues that needed to be addressed.
The Award-Winning Project
In 2022, De Metro Realty Co., owner of the building, commissioned Hart Restoration Group, Perry Contracting, and RWA Architects to update the exterior façade. New structural engineering was required to support the existing masonry facade and parapet that had started to separate from the building. Tieback rods and diamond faceplates anchor the existing wall and parapet to the existing floor and roof structure. The shape of the stepped parapet remains, and the second-floor windows and opening sizes were not changed. Additional work included the replacement of the existing 1964 canopy, storefront window system, and doors, door hardware, safety devices, exterior lighting, and facade finishes. The first-floor marble and cast-iron trellis elements of the 1964 renovation were removed which allowed the original cast-iron storefront to be more visible.
The 1964 curved painted metal canopy was removed and the original cantilevered framing structure was reused for a new traditionally shaped marquee with crown molding and light fixtures to showcase the new Aglamesis logo and color scheme.
Finally, while many worried that the signature pink building would be painted a different color, to the joy of many the building was repainted a slightly brighter pink.
Community Staple
Throughout history, the ice cream parlor has been an important part of daily life for Cincinnatians. In its early days, most nearby residents performed hard manufacturing labor and walked for transportation. This lifestyle led them to crave sugar according to James T. Aglamesis, son of the founder. Plus, the parlor was always known for being cool, with fans prior to air conditioning and as one of the first buildings with air conditioning when it became available. During wars, rationing at home led to special treats like seeing a movie then going across the street to the parlor for a soda. This provided much needed entertainment to lift people’s spirits and make memories during trying times.
“This building has seen over a century of American history and the transformation from farmland to the current day Oakley neighborhood,” noted Dianne Aglamesis Lytle (granddaughter of Founder, Thomas Aglamesis). Tours of the downtown candy manufacturing facility will be available soon.
Fun Facts
- The pink and black motiff was inspired by the owners while on their 1964 honeymoon in New Orleans!
- They won the Cincinnati Beatification Award in the sixties.
- The founders sponsored neighbors from Greece to come to Cincinnati where they worked and lived in the Oakley shop and upstairs apartment until they could get on their feet.
- Learn more about Oakley community history (named after its many Oak Trees) on the Community Council website
Before and After
Project Team:
Architects: RWA Architects, Inc.
Structural Engineers: Truman P. Young and Associates
General Contractor: Perry Contracting, Inc.
MasonryRestoration: Hart Restoration Group
Marquee/Signage Contractor: Atlantic Sign Company
Window and Door Supplier: Marsh Window and DoorClassics
Storefront Contractor: Timrek and Associates,Inc.
Photographer: Scott Pease Photography
De Metro Realty Co.
Cincinnati Preservation Awards Won by RWA
1989 Hyde Park Residence
2011 Hyde Park Residence
2014 Mt. Lookout Residence
2019 Offices in Walnut Hills
