Ohio’s first auto-oriented (strip) mall, Greenhills Center, was built in 1938 as part of the federal government’s New Deal greenbelt towns project. In 1951, work began on the city’s first modern-style shopping mall, the open air Swifton Center in Bond Hill. The region’s first enclosed shopping center, Kenwood Mall, was built in 1966. Two years later, an open-air mall previously built in 1960 in Springdale was enclosed to create Tri-County Mall. The fascinating stories of these community destinations continue to evolve today.
We will discuss the history and context of 20th century suburban development and commerce in Cincinnati and the need to preserve the cultural importance of these uniquely modern social gathering places. And we will hear about exciting plans for the adaptive use and reinvention of shopping malls as sustainable communities of the future.
Speakers:
Beth Johnson, Executive Director of Cincinnati Preservation Association
David G. Wallace, CEO of DGW Consultants
Tour Leaders:
Lauren Young and Shawn Patrick Tubb, Co-Presidents of Cincinnati Form Follows Function (cf3)
Schedule:
10:00am – Refreshments
10:30am – Presentations
11:45am – Q&A
Advance registration required
Free and open to the public
Presented by Cincinnati Form Follows Function (cf3) in collaboration with Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA).
This event is part of Docomomo US Tour Day 2022.
