Cincinnati's Terrace Plaza Hotel: An Icon of American Modernism

by Shawn Patrick Tubb, Aaron Betsky (Foreword by)

The Terrace Plaza Hotel heralded the post-World War II revitalization of Cincinnati's urban core. The complex stands at 15 West Sixth Street, between Vine and Race streets, in the heart of the central business district. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) between 1945 and 1946, the avant-garde Terrace Plaza opened in 1948 to national acclaim, being the first Modernist hotel built in the United States. But since 2008, it has stood empty, awaiting reuse. The original owner and developer was Thomas Emery's Sons Inc. whose president, John J. Emery Jr., created this visionary structure. Natalie de Blois, a pioneering woman architect for SOM, was lead designer for the 20-story high-rise, which included a J.C. Penney and a Bond's department store on the first seven floors. Guests entered the hotel after an elevator ride to the eighth floor lobby, where they were welcomed by an Alexander Calder mobile and a Formica Realwood reception desk. The lobby bar and Terrace Garden opened onto a dramatic outdoor terrace, which featured an ice-skating rink in winter and outdoor seating in the warm months. For the Skyline Restaurant, the developers commissioned a whimsical mural of Cincinnati by Saul Steinberg. The iconic Gourmet Room restaurant was dominated by a dramatic Joan Miró mural painting. In 1965, the Calder, Miró, and Steinberg were donated to the Cincinnati Art Museum, where the first two are on permanent display. Emery was a highly successful businessman whose many avocations included city planning, progressive government, and stewardship of the Cincinnati Art Museum. He wanted a Modernist hotel and mixed-use complex that would be of its time just as his Carew Tower-Netherland Plaza Hotel complex reflected its time in the late 1920s. Modernism dominated mid-twentieth century global architectural history, and it is the foundation of most contemporary design. This book is a history of the Terrace Plaza Hotel design and building project and the people and companies who made it. The author, Shawn Patrick Tubb, believes that the story of the building and its significance demonstrates how the city was once a leader in Modernist design.

Winner of the 2013 Cincinnati Preservation Association Education Award

118 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Shawn Patrick Tubb is a licensed architect, historian, and author with a passion for
historic preservation, especially mid-century modern design. He serves on the boards
of preservation-related organizations and has worked to save buildings throughout
North America.

Shawn received dual Master's degrees in Architecture and Community Planning from
the University of Cincinnati, where he focused on preservation and sustainability. His
first book, the award-winning Cincinnati's Terrace Plaza Hotel: An Icon of American
Modernism, explored the landmark 1948 hotel’s history and impact, most notably the first large commercial project by the firm SOM and one of the earliest highrises designed by a woman architect, Natalie DeBlois.

Shawn's most recent book, Beyond Boomerang: A Celebration of 110 Years of Formica Patterns, was released in June 2023. It tells the story of how a small start-up working with plastics for industrial applications quickly grew to create the decorative plastic laminates we know today, using patterns designed by some of the past century's most important designers. The book frames the evolution of the company's patterns in the cultural, social, and economic context over the decades.

Shawn developed an appreciation for the complexities and interconnectedness of
global design through his work and education in Shanghai, Mexico City, Brussels,
Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles. He currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with his
partner and their two rescue dogs.

Reviews

[Sarah Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for information on the groundbreaking Terrace Plaza Hotel. Perfect for art/architecture history buffs and fans of Cincinnati.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of mid-century modern houses and International style. I'm certainly not an architect or even a studied amateur fan, but something about that era appeals to me. This book does a great job of outlining the history of the building and in some ways, a good history of Cincinnati. The parallels with this project can be seen in other facets of the city as well. The focus on each of the key players behind the design was great and gave me some other people to research and hopefully find books about their careers. I would recommend this book to anybody who is a fan of Cincinnati and Modernism.

[Ryan M. Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this history of one of Cincinnati's greatest buildings.