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Jim Guthrie has worked at Hub + Weber for over 30 years and is excited to celebrate its 50th anniversary this year. The company began in 1973 when Bill Hub opened the doors as William Hub Architects in Covington, Kentucky and hired Gene Weber as the first employee. While the company now calls an office on Pete Rose Way home to their 10 employees, they are still a community-centered business who values a fun work culture and offers a variety of services from design to planning to construction. 

Hub + Weber is the architecture firm responsible for the adaptive reuse of Hotel Covington in 2012. The Historic Tax Credit project had significant historic features and once housed Coppins Department Store. One of the earliest concrete frames in Kentucky, the building at 638 Madison Ave has a ground floor that slopes 18 inches from front to back. Since they wanted to return the first floor to the city as a mercantile area or community space for restaurants and events, they had to get creative in creating bar seating and window bench seating at varying heights so that visitors wouldn’t be impacted by the slope. 

“Historic tax credits played a big part in making this project a success. Plus, it’s so important to preserve our building stock to maintain building diversity and have a more textured pallet.” – Jim Guthrie 

Another challenge was the adjacent building. It was torn out to make a courtyard enclosed by a “glass jewel box”, but the facade, once a wedding mall, needed to be saved to preserve the historic streetscape. Extending 10 feet deep, the facade had three bays all constructed with different materials since it was originally built out of leftover supplies. Ready for a creative challenge, staff at Hub + Weber rebuilt the facade to stabilize the interior structure so the streetscape still retains its historical design integrity.

Guthrie notes, “That it’s not just the ornate buildings that need to be saved. Warehouse structures have great potential because they provide contrast between modern and historic buildings. We need to continue to find ways to allow development to happen around the historic structures, so that our city’s fabric continues to include 150 year old buildings alongside 10 year old buildings. This mix creates a tapestry that weaves together the old and the new adding a unique continuity throughout our region. He adds, “Plus the materials used then were better and simply last longer!”

Hub + Weber is passionate about working and playing hard. For nearly 10 years, they hosted a competitive badminton tournament for friends and clients, and they even have a ‘happy wall’ full of photos that inspire positivity. When it comes to their work, they especially value projects that can be appreciated by the community. In particular, communities that don’t have ready access to design. 

“We hope to help neighborhoods control their own narrative,” Guthrie explains. “First asking, does this development serve the community beyond its economic growth? Does the community want this as part of their street? Will the community be patrons (not just workers) here and experience this development as an amenity?”  

It’s clear that after 50 years and perspectives from both sides of the river, Hub + Weber continue to have an impact on our built environment that inspires us all. 

Meet Eric Smyth, the guy behind multiple historic renovations in the West End of Cincinnati. As half of the Smyth & Field duo, Eric works from the dream, design, and deliverable phase of creating a forever home for his clients. Here is why he caught the eye of Cincinnati Preservation.

The 1870 house at 1015 Dayton Street was Smyth & Field’s first historic project in the West End back in 2017. He notes, “I fell in love with the craftsmanship and architecture immediately, and I’ve been hooked on historic ever since.”

On this project, Smyth & Field removed the entire back wall on the first floor to extend the tiny kitchen into the existing covered porch area. They harvested and reclaimed the hardwood flooring on the 3rd floor, to tooth in the existing flooring on the 1st floor kitchen area. Patching in with new pine would never finish the same and would be obvious. Their approach gave a uniform look that makes it impossible to tell where the work has been done.

Smyth is passionate about the high level of design detail when it comes to historic buildings. He also enjoys the challenge of how to make them energy efficient today. He explains, “We are so blessed to have one of the largest collections of Italianate architecture in the country, and I consider myself lucky to be part of the preservation of that collection.”

   

   

See Dr. Bruce Stephenson as the keynote speaker at the 28th Annual Fall Forum on Friday, October 13th at Noon in the Hilton Netherland Plaza.

Q. Why Planning?
A. Stephenson grew up off the eastern Florida coast on Merritt Island near the floodplain of St. Johns River. When the wetland soils dried out due to droughts, the peat-like material caught fire eight feet below the surface. This natural disaster became the topic of Stephenson’s high school science project which led him to discover that many environmental problems, such as the one he was witnessing in his own backyard, were exacerbated by bad urban planning. Later he would grow up to be one of the nation’s leading planners, taking vast inspiration from early planner John Nolen. Nolen is, of course, the Cincinnati icon who created the plan for Mary Emery’s Village of Mariemont in 1923, among many others.

“As I started drafting plans I realized, John Nolen has already made these plans… 100 years ago!”
-Bruce Stephenson

Stephenson receiving the John Nolan Medal in 2020

Q. What is New Urbanism?
A. It all started in 1993 in Seaside, Florida with a town so picturesque it was the backdrop for The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. What was once seen as merely 80 acres of sand and scrub was turned into the world’s first New Urbanist town. The neo-classical plan put homes closer together to protect the natural resources. The plan proved itself in 1995 when a Category 3 hurricane left no damage in its wake. This is thanks to the Urban Plan which built behind the dune system, elevated all buildings 1-2 feet off ground, kept all native landscaping and included building codes requiring tin roofs. Similarly to Mariemont in Ohio, Seaside designed by Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk is very walkable and community focused. 

“New Urbanism is a planning and development approach based on the principles of how cities and towns had been built for the last several centuries: walkable blocks and streets, housing and shopping in close proximity, and accessible public spaces. In other words: New Urbanism focuses on human-scaled urban design.” –Congress for the New Urbanism 

Q. How long will it take?
A. New Urbanism is a long-term investment. Plans typically have a 25 year time frame, yet are often priceless. For example, Central Park took 25 years to come to fruition and there is no argument that it was well worth the wait. Planners set out to resolve economic tears in the social fabric spurred by diversity to create a space designed to bring all people together regardless of their backgrounds. 

Another example from Bruce’s work directly can be seen in the Park plans for Portland and Seattle which specifically included saving the creeks and wetlands rather than developing them. Thus, preventing the city from flooding during heavy rains. The important role these plans play will not only impact our future, but primarily our children’s future.

Stephenson in the Portland’s Pearl Magazine in 2016

Q. Looking Forward – Is there Hope?
A. New Urbanist principles are sustainability and racial equity rooted in pedestrian-oriented design. Stephenson points out some good news among these two monumental challenges. There is a huge opportunity to make money! 

Imagine living in a place where you could walk to get all your basic needs. Because at least one third of the population is saying “Sign me up,” this makes the most valuable real estate in the country urban places where people can walk to get their groceries.

Q. What is your favorite planned community?
A. In his living room, Stephenson has an image of the original town square in Mariemont which includes a fountain, church, residential and commercial properties all built very thoughtfully 100 years ago. 

“It’s the most beautiful work of civic art in the country.”  -Bruce Stephenson

Beyond the US, Pienza is at the top of Stephenson’s list. First mentioned in documents dating back to the 9th century, Pienza, Italy was designed as the “touchstone of Renaissance urbanism” and built to embody the humanist vision of the “ideal town”. Pienza was the birthplace of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, who would become Pope Pius II. After he became Pope, Piccolomini had the entire village rebuilt to serve as a retreat from Rome. In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley,  the Val d’Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO’s World Cultural Landscapes.

Old Town Square, Mariemont

About Dr. Bruce Stephenson
Bruce Stephenson is dedicated to the art of city planning.  A Rollins professor and consultant, he is a recipient of the John Nolen Medal, the 1000 Friends of Florida Better Community Award, and the Graham Frey Civic Award, and his biography, John Nolen, Landscape Architect and City Planner, won the JB Jackson book award. Serving on the Orlando Sustainability Task Force and the Pearl District (Portland) Planning & Transportation Committee inspired his most recent book, Portland’s Good Life: Sustainability and Hope in an American City. Currently, Stephenson is working on a new book, The Clansman and the City Plan: Thomas Dixon, John Nolen and the Birth of a New Nation.

Learn more about Bruce Stephenson, his work and publications at Living New Urbanism.

Cincinnati Preservation Association is excited to partner with Mariemont Preservation Foundation on the 28th annual Fall Forum.

The mission of the Mariemont Preservation Foundation founded in 1980 is to preserve, protect and promote the integrity and character of Mariemont. The Foundation’s goals include

• Preserve & Protect
• Promote, Advocate and Educate
• Community Outreach

History of Mariemont
Mary Emery (seen above) was the initiator, benefactor and visionary who founded the Village of Mariemont in 1923. Appalled by the unsanitary housing conditions in downtown Cincinnati, she used her vast fortune to create a “national exemplar”, which would be planned in every detail to provide its residents with a high quality of life. Mrs. Emery and Charles Livingood, her business manager, hired John Nolen, an internationally known town planner. He developed the plan for the Village of Mariemont, which was named after Mary Emery’s summer home in Rhode Island. The result of Mary Emery’s amazing vision and John Nolen’s careful planning was a village with a real sense of community.

Explore MPF’s archives and learn about the rich history of Mariemont by perusing their collection of Fort Ancient artifacts, Mariemont photographs, history books and more.
They are open to the public on Saturdays from 9:00 to 12 noon at 3919 Plainville Rd.
Other hours by appointment.

“There’s not a lot of places like Mariemont. I grew up here, moved away, and ultimately came back to raise my family here. The generational sense of community, green spaces and walkability is hard to find anywhere else.”
– Paul Mace, President of MPF

• On March 29, 2007, the entire Village of Mariemont obtained National Historic Landmark status with the National Park Service. Thanks to founding member of MPF, Millard F. Rogers Jr., for submitting the application found here.
• On June 30, 2022, MPF accomplished the long-term goal of purchasing the Eliphalet Ferris House located at 3905 Plainville Rd in Mariemont (seen below). Built in 1802 with an addition in 1812 it is the oldest brick building in Hamilton County still standing at its original location. Mary Emery’s vision was to use the house as a Mariemont Museum, and MPF will realize this dream as part of their work in the future! The Ferris House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 29, 1975.
• With a Tree City USA national recognition, Mariemont’s canopy is about 100 years old. Many of the original trees were purchased from George Washington’s Estate, Mount Vernon by John Nolan. MPF helps fund the trees in the village as an important aspect of the original urban plan.
• MPF’s active educational programming partners with schools, visitors and local businesses to provide docent-led tours, community events and opportunities to learn about Mariemont’s earliest inhabitants including Late Fort Ancient Native Americans.

   
Pitt Alley & Wendell Alley

Historic Street Surfaces

• Pitt Alley (seen above) located on the top part of Vine Street in the Hollister Triangle might have the oldest intact street surface paved with limestone. Dating back to the 1850s or early 1860’s, it pre dates bowlders (aka cobblestone). The Alley is still in good condition and is also the steepest alley in the city!
• In the 1860’s the move from limestone to cobblestone occurred. Cobblestone Alleys like the one seen above on Corn Alley in the West End were built with river stones dredged from river and stream beds (popular which were superior to limestone. Peete Alley, between Mount Auburn and Over-the-Rhine, is a great example that was fully restored by SIOS in 2023.
• The 1880’s brought Granite Block as seen on Colby Alley in the Mohawk area of Over-the-Rhine.
• Brick became popular in the early 1890’s. The Alley Act of 1895 put into motion paving alleys with vitrified brick first laid on Main Avenue in Avondale which later became Reading Rd. See Catlin Alley in Prospect Hill for Huelsman’s favorite example, although brick alleys are certainly abundant throughout Cincinnati.
• Finally, a variation of granite block paving callled Durax was used around 1912 before concrete and asphalt took over.  Durax blocks are half blocks or cubes oriented into a fanned pattern, then the joints were filled with coal tar. These can best be seen at Tiernan Alley just east of Central Avenue and north of Findlay Street.

• are located at the site of the very first incline railway in Cincinnati
• are the first concrete public stairway in the city
• have the most risers of any Cincinnati stairway
• were built in 1908, and was the longest concrete stairway in the US at that time
• remain the longest stairs in Cincnnati to this day.

Thank You to our members for an amazing ribbon cutting at the John Hauck House on August 29, 2023. You made the space come alive!

• The Preservation Library & Resource Room in memory of Michael Ibold Wilger is open by appointment
• Restoration work on the main house is complete
• Our offices are set up
• And we are continually inspired to carry out our mission from this 1870’s historic building every single day

Thank you to the John Hauck Foundation & Frederick Hauck Fund for making this all possible.

Hands-On Preservation Classes Have Begun

Congrats to the first students at the Covington Academy of Heritage Trades!

After an economic analysis of trade school graduates job market in the region, the Enzweiler Building Institute saw how people with preservation specialty skills were needed in the restoration market. So, a few months ago the Covington Academy of Heritage Trades launched an 11 track curriculum including focus areas on masonry, wood windows, box gutters, plaster and more!

Students include a mix of professionals already working in the field as well as those looking to launch new part-time ventures. As such, classes are designed to accommodate schedules of working folks. With introductory workshops and scholarship available, the school aims to make the program as accessible as possible.

One student, Joe Cunningham is General Manager at True Masonry. He came to add historic renovation services to the new construction work they already provide. He was amazed at the hand mixed mortar. Instructor Bob Yapp even seeps cigar butts to color the mixture to match the period!

Leased for $1 by the city of Covington, the 3 story single family mansion from the 1870’s or 80’s is located at 1515 Madison Avenue, Covington.

Vicki Berling of Enzweiler Building Institute (the heritage trade school’s parent company) founded in 1967 is the first school created by a chapter of national association of home builders.

Bob Yapp demonstrates the day’s project.

Layers of history inside 1515 Madison Avenue

Mortar is hand made and mixed, matching ingredients to that of the time period.

The school has seven years to complete the restoration of this building through hands-on classes.

About Bob
Bob Yapp, National Preservation expert designed the school’s curriculum

Bob Yapp has been involved in the restoration and rehabilitation of over 160 historic properties. He also hosted the national, weekly PBS program, “About Your House with Bob Yapp”. The 52 show series was co-sponsored by National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additionally, he has authored two preservation books and helped establish and taught at numerous preservation trades programs around the country.