Findlay Parkside is located in the Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood in Cincinnati, OH, one of the largest and most intact urban historic districts in the United States. OTR lies just north of the Central Business District in Downtown Cincinnati, boasting low-rise Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne brick buildings, primarily constructed by German immigrants in the mid-1800s. Among the neighborhood’s most notable attractions is the Findlay Market, the oldest and only surviving municipal market house in Cincinnati, which operates year-round and houses over three dozen indoor merchants offering a wide array of goods.

Through the efforts of revitalization experts like The Model Group and 3CDC, OTR has become a thriving hub of activity, home to an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, bars, and other businesses that cater to both residents and visitors alike.

Nestled within this vibrant and historically rich neighborhood, the Findlay Parkside project consists of nine distinct historic mixed-use buildings totaling 47,000 square feet. In their previous incarnations, these buildings served various functions and businesses, including an undertaker, office, chapel, livery, and garage. As the Findlay Parkside project revitalizes and repurposes these nine underutilized historic buildings, it will preserve their unique character, create new affordable residential opportunities, and support a growing community of businesses.

The historic 54,000 square-foot Webster School opened in 1921 to support Pontiac’s population boom as tens of thousands flocked from the south to work in the rapidly growing automotive manufacturing industry that originally put the city on the map. The building was designed by Perkins, Fellows, and Hamilton, who were known for going over budget to create particularly ornate architectural designs and responsible for other local landmarks such as Lincoln Park Zoo. It originally featured 26 classrooms, a combination gym and auditorium, and an ornate foyer, all on five acres of land.

Originally an all-white school, Webster was desegregated in the 1970s and one of several schools made to participate in a bussing program after a historic lawsuit between the NAACP and the local school district. Already in a population decline as residents moved from the aging city center, the school was eventually closed in 2008 after nearly 90 years of operation.

It sat vacant for over 10 years until Micah 6 Community, the project sponsor, purchased the building in 2016 to serve as the new location for the mixed-use community-centered nonprofit hub.

The historic 31-story Tower Life Building, originally known as the Smith-Young Tower, was constructed in San Antonio, Texas, between 1927 and 1928 by the renowned architects Robert and his father Atlee Ayres, who were among the most influential architects in Texas during the 20th century. Their work can be seen across the city such as the Municipal Auditorium, the Plaza Hotel, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the Administration Building at Randolph Field.

For a decade, Sears, Roebuck and Company occupied the first six floors, featuring large display windows along St. Mary’s and Villita streets, while the upper floors were leased to prominent local professionals and businesses, cementing the building’s place as a focal point of commerce and innovation in the city. The Smith-Young Tower with its rich history has borne witness to many significant moments throughout the years, serving as a mooring mast for a blimp, a performance site for aerialists, the headquarters of the third U.S. Army, and a television station transmission tower.

The San Antonio Transit Company purchased and renamed the building the Transit Tower in the 1950s, and by the early 1960s, the building was sold again to the Tower Life Insurance Company where the building was renamed to what we know it as today, the Tower Life Building. It was the tallest building and structure in San Antonio until 1968 and is currently the fourth tallest building in the city and the tallest 8-sided building in the U.S.

For nearly a century, the Horlick Malted Milk Company helped put Racine on the map. Founded by brothers James and William Horlick, the company pioneered malted milk products that became known around the world. Their products accompanied explorers on expeditions to Antarctica, supported troops during World War II, and became a staple in homes and soda fountains across America. 

To meet growing demand, the Horlick brothers constructed an expansive industrial campus beginning in the late nineteenth century. Defined by its Gothic-inspired architecture, soaring smokestacks, and iconic clock tower, the complex became one of Racine’s most recognizable landmarks and an enduring symbol of the city’s manufacturing heritage. 

The Horlick Company also helped advance milk preservation practices and supported agricultural growth throughout the Midwest by purchasing large quantities of milk from regional dairy farms. At its peak, the company employed hundreds of workers and played a central role in Racine’s economy. 

As manufacturing patterns changed throughout the twentieth century, portions of the campus were sold and repurposed. Following the closure of Horlick’s operations, many of the buildings sat underutilized for decades despite their architectural significance. Recognizing both the historic importance and redevelopment potential of the site, local and national partners embarked on a multi-phase effort to restore the complex and return it to productive use. 

The Philip Morris Blended Leaf Plant is a former industrial building that was originally a stemmery that supported the mass production of cigarettes. Originally constructed in the late 1950s, the facility was part of an ambitious plan of expansion initiated in the 1950s by the Philip Morris Company. The plant was the epicenter of the Philip Morris Blended Leaf Complex historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, until 2011, when the factory was decommissioned and fell into disrepair.