HUDEPOHL’S SMOKESTACK, A QUEENSGATE ARCHITECTURAL ICON

The former Hudepohl Brewing Company building, recently purchased by the Cincinnati Port Authority, has been providing myself and other employees of Queensgate something besides a wall to look at outside our windows ; a history lesson and charming reminder of the golden era of brewing in Cincinnati.


Although the brewery and a significant portion of the building are no longer there, the recent purchase of the building inspired me research and track down some of the history behind this iconic smokestack.


The landmark building was built along Sixth Street, between Carisle Street and Stone Street, when Herman Lackman and J.H. Sandmann needed to expand their brewing operation.


When J.H Sandmann sold his share of the company it was renamed The Herman Lackman and later The Herman Lackman Brewing Company. When Prohibition struck, the company went through an extensive reorganization and began preparing plans for a post-prohibition future. With plans ready for a $250,000 factory, designed to produce 50,000 barrel per year, the brewery waited for prohibition to end. Sadly the company was unable to obtain a federal permit to brew alcohol and the factory never resumed production.


In 1934, Hudepohl purchased the site as a secondary production facility. In 1947 the brewery had undergone a multitude of additions and reconfigurations with the help of Felsberg & Gillespie Architects, who’s name can still be found over the front entrance of the building. Additions continued in 1959 when a new brew house was added to the building and again in 1964 when a new packaging warehouse and service facility were added, and one more time in 1967 with the addition of an administration building.


Content with their additons to the site, Hudepohl’s next move was to buy out some of the local competition. In 1973 Hudepohl aquired The Burger Brewing Company for $650,000. By 1982 Hudepohl was looking to buy again and purchased The Christian Morlein Brewing Company. Hudepohl then merged with The Schoenling Brewing Company in 1986 to form Hudepohl-Schoenling. Schoenling owned a brewery on Central Avenue and in 1987 all operations were relocated to the Central Avenue site. The site sat unused until 2002, when it was sold to Pere Bigelow at a sheriff sale. In 2004 the property was sold to Hudepohl Square, a developer group planning to convert the buildings into a mixed use office, light industrial, and residental complex. The group listed the smokestack up for auction on Ebay for the low price of 1.5 million dollars.


Partial demolition of the complex began in 2004, but a legal dispute with the contractor left the building in its current partially demolished state. The Buildings and Inspectors Department condemned the property in 2007 stating the complex was “in a partial state of demolition and excessive deterioration.”


Recently the building was purchased by the Port Authority and its future remains uncertain. Only one thing is certain, if they tear down that smoke stack and piece of Cincinnati history, my view is going to be quite depressing.

By Jeff Klump 20 Dec, 2023
In the dynamic world of corporate office interiors, staying ahead of design trends is crucial to creating spaces that not only inspire productivity but also reflect the latest aesthetic sensibilities. As a firm specializing in corporate office design, K4 embraces Pantone's Color of the Year for 2024 - Peach Fuzz. This warm and inviting hue offers a fresh perspective on creating contemporary workspaces that balance sophistication and comfort and an opportunity to infuse sophistication, and a touch of modernity into the corporate design landscape. Peach Fuzz, a delicate and nuanced shade blending peach and blush, brings a sense of tranquility and optimism to any space. When incorporated into corporate office interiors, this color has the power to redefine the atmosphere, promoting a positive and collaborative environment. K4 is committed to enhancing the workplace experience, and we recognize the significance of color in influencing mood and productivity.
By Jeff Klump 07 Nov, 2023
In the dynamic landscape of community banking, where the strength of relationships is paramount, the role of design extends beyond aesthetics—it becomes a strategic catalyst for talent acquisition and retention. In an era where attracting and retaining top talent is pivotal for organizational success, the significance of an intentionally designed workspace cannot be overstated. In this article, we delve into how strategic design decisions can not only enhance the physical environment but also foster a culture of engagement, innovation, and long-term commitment among employees, contributing to relationship building and the overall prosperity of community banks. Join K4 on this journey through the intersection of design and community banking, where the blueprint for success lies in the spaces we create for those who make our banks the heart of the community.
By Nicole DeRogatis 07 Nov, 2023
In the previously published Journey to Brand Consistency: Part I, K4 addressed Facilities, Marketing & People as the three pieces that comprise the Financial Success Puzzle for community banks. This article examines one level deeper in unifying physical and digital marketing assets within the Financial Success Puzzle, and the importance of creating a harmonious and powerful brand identity across all platforms. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving community banking industry, maintaining a strong and recognizable brand presence is vital for success. As a full-service design and branding firm working closely with community banks, we have witnessed the transformative power of consistent marketing assets in bridging the gap between the physical and digital realms. By solidifying the customer experience across all touchpoints, banking institutions can establish a stronger emotional connection with their customers and create a lasting impact on their success. Investing in brand consistency is not only a strategic move but also a reflection of a bank's commitment to their own stability and future growth.
By Jeff Klump 07 Nov, 2023
Now more than ever, brand consistency is of utmost importance to financial institutions. Creating brand consistency goes a long way in building brand trust, increasing customer/employee/community loyalty, and impacting your bottom line. Why is there so much brand inconsistency in the community banking landscape? Because being brand consistent requires change and commitment, and it can be tedious and expensive. Taking the first step is often overwhelming. Where do you start? What do you update first? These are excellent questions, but there are other important questions to consider. What is the cost of NOT getting brand consistent or what is the cost or potential loss of creating brand confusion? Inconsistencies are costing your bank time and money. Not practicing brand consistency will cost you significant consequences to customer experience, brand reputation, and overall loss of trust – all of which can impact your bottom line. Conflicting brand usage accounts for a damage to brand credibility, making it harder to compete in the market. As K4 gets ready to hit the road in 2023, presenting at various community banking conferences on this topic, we thought it was important to preamble this timely subject of the Financial Success Puzzle. At K4, we define the Financial Success Puzzle as a 3-piece formula to creating and maintaining brand consistency for community banks. This formula is simply the act of connecting people to place and connecting brand identity to place. Many retailers have capitalized on this concept for years. Your branch facilities, marketing & people MUST work together to create stability and not only that…they must be triplets, not just siblings. They can’t just resemble one another; they need to be nearly identical in their delivery.
By Jeff Klump 08 Dec, 2022
For decades, small town business districts across America have featured a strong physical presence from a local bank perspective. Near the courthouse or city hall, these buildings are often identified by their traditional columns and prominent facades of brick or stone. Not only do these structures help establish the fabric of the streetscape; they often contribute to defining the social framework of the residing individuals and neighborhoods, supporting the hopes and dreams of generations. Community banks need to continue to reinforce their presence and values to those individuals and businesses in the geographic areas they serve. Making your bank’s physical appearance memorable, builds brand awareness and offers an opportunity to reinforce the benefits of banking locally which includes working with trusted friends and neighbors. Many community banks are exploring ways to create community space by revitalizing main offices and branch experiences while positioning themselves as a valuable and integral local resource.
By Jeff Klump 07 Nov, 2022
Let’s first explore how the definition of the coffee shop has evolved…from simply being a beverage offered at a restaurant to an actual stand-alone destination, service and experience that provides and encourages co-working space, meeting opportunities, and community gathering.
27 Jun, 2022
Each January, Pantone announces the color of the year that reflects forecasted color trends in fashion, beauty, and design. This year and for the second
27 Jun, 2022
Helping customers feel at home at your bank can increase the likelihood they’ll come inside and want that personal connection with your branch. There’s a
27 Jun, 2022
Interested in learning about Post Pandemic Design Solutions? Read below for details. We do not have a crystal ball or be able to see into
27 Jun, 2022
How Credit Unions Can Connect to the People They Serve. For decades, small town business districts across the country have almost always featured a strong
Jun 21, 2022
Share by: