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 ran 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 2009August 2019Vine Street runs through the center of the neighborhoodVine 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 2014August 2019A deteriorating former church was transformed into a brewpub called Taft’s Ale HouseApril 2015October 2016Rehabbed buildings at 15th and Pleasant streetsMay 2013April 2016Several historic buildings were renovated and new ones built as part of the Mercer Commons projectFebruary 2017April 2019Empower MediaMarketing moved to a new office building replacing a vacant lot on 14th Street;
an historic building was saved and incorporated into the new buildingDecember 2012May 2016Historic buildings preserved as part of the Mercer Commons projectJanuary 2015May 2018A vacant building with boarded-up windows was rehabbed into condos;
Homemakers Bar and Fifty Fifty Gin Club have since opened on the ground floorOctober 2015September 2019UrbanSites renovated several buildings along Main StreetThis block of 15th Street looked desolate in March 2016New townhomes (right) and the new TQL Stadium (left) totally transformed this view by June 2021August 2014September 2016A vacant warehouse at 12th & Walnut was converted into office and restaurant spaceNovember 2015April 2020Historic preservation and new construction on Elm Street15th and Race Streets in March 2016……and April 2019
