Monday, May 31, 1999
New life for grand old hotel
Hamilton's Anthony Wayne converted to apartments
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Downtown is a busy place these days, with construction crews improving High Street and one of the city's most recognizable landmarks, the Anthony Wayne Hotel.
The hotel, at Court Street and Monument Avenue near the Great Miami River, is receiving a $16.5 million renovation to provide affordable housing for people 55 or older.
When finished in October, the Anthony Wayne will contain 48 apartments, said Nikki Stitzel, associate director of operations of Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton Inc.
“There will be a number of studio apartments by the elevators. The manager's unit will be two bedrooms. We're putting together a list of names — first come, first served. As people call in to inquire about an apartment, they are put on the list.”
The hotel is being gutted. When the place is finished, it will have heating and air-conditioning systems for each apartment, she said.
“We're trying to find information about the hotel's history,” she said. “We have a newspaper clipping from the opening in October1926. We hope to have more information together for the grand opening of the apartment complex.”
When it was built, the An thony Wayne was a Hamilton showplace. It was used for major functions and dances.
By the 1960s, however, the hotel was converted to apartments and its restaurant was closed. Over the next 20 years, the hotel became run down. It has been empty for a decade.
The Wayne's revival is a result of efforts by the Ohio Preservation Alliance, the city of Hamilton and Neighborhood Housing Services.
Mansur Group Inc. of Indianapolis is developing the property.
Bob Bates, director of historical preservation for Mansur Real Estate Services, said the hotel will again be a source of pride for the city.
“The grand entrance will be restored to its historic prominence,” he said. “We're also restoring the original windows. We did demolish the nonhistoric kitchen in the rear of the building, so that we could build a drop-off place.”
Ms. Stitzel said the Anthony Wayne will be a key element of downtown Hamilton's revitalization.
“Downtown Hamilton is definitely changing,” she said.
“Our group is building new offices across from the Government Services Center. With the parking garage, the new government building and the Anthony Wayne, the downtown will be looking great.”
Names of vets live on at memorial
Corryville shooting suspect in custody after standoff
Girl, grandmother escape
Principal imparts wisdom in book
Amusement parks safe, reports show
Good morning, Cincinnati
Need a map or directions? Internet offers drivers plenty of help
Trail of cookies leads to capital
War's hard at any age
West-side plan riddled with doubt
Wish list asks for $11.7M
New life for grand old hotel
Patriotic sculpture coming to Edgewood, its creator's home
Planes to soar, loop at air show
Standard on ozone left in air by ruling
Dogstar crowd comes to ogle Keanu Reeves
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
