Travis Estell

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Over-the-Rhine Transformation

Photo Series

Travis Estell July 1, 2021

Intersection of 12th and Race in Over-the-Rhine

I started getting into photography around 2009. At that time I was a student at the University of Cincinnati and lived just off campus in Uptown Cincinnati. I also was spending a lot of time exploring the Downtown area, specifically the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

Over time, I realized that many of my photos captured the early stages of a major transformation. I would go back to some of the same locations and take more photos as abandoned buildings were rehabbed, broken sidewalks were repaired, new construction replaced vacant lots, and empty storefronts became filled with new businesses.

In 2016, my friend Phil, who runs the website Cincinnati Refined, asked to feature some of my work in a “before and after” gallery of the transformation of this neighborhood’s built environment. The piece quickly became, and remains, one of the most popular posts ever published on the site.

In the years since, I have kept taking photos for this series as the neighborhood has continued to evolve. I plan to keep this gallery updated as I take even more in the future.


  • September 2009
  • August 2019
Vine Street runs through the center of the neighborhood

Vine Street in February 2016, before…
…and after the completion of the 15th & Vine project in May 2018.

15th & Race project under construction in March 2016…
…and completed in March 2019.

Race Street in March 2016…
…and May 2021.

  • October 2014
  • August 2019
A deteriorating former church was transformed into a brewpub called Taft’s Ale House

  • April 2015
  • October 2016
Rehabbed buildings at 15th and Pleasant streets

  • May 2013
  • April 2016
Several historic buildings were renovated and new ones built as part of the Mercer Commons project

  • February 2017
  • April 2019
Empower MediaMarketing moved to a new office building replacing a vacant lot on 14th Street;
an historic building was saved and incorporated into the new building

  • December 2012
  • May 2016
Historic buildings preserved as part of the Mercer Commons project

  • January 2015
  • May 2018
A vacant building with boarded-up windows was rehabbed into condos;
Homemakers Bar has since opened on the ground floor

  • October 2015
  • September 2019
UrbanSites renovated several buildings along Main Street

This block of 15th Street looked desolate in March 2016
New townhomes (right) and the new TQL Stadium (left) totally transformed this view by June 2021

  • August 2014
  • September 2016
A vacant warehouse at 12th & Walnut was converted into office and restaurant space

  • November 2015
  • April 2020
Historic preservation and new construction on Elm Street

15th and Race Streets in March 2016…
…and April 2019

To learn more about the neighborhod, please check out the Over-the-Rhine Foundation’s history.

Also, check out my full Before and After gallery for more photos showing the evolution of places.

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