The History of the Renaissance at the Power Building

The Renaissance at the Power Building is more than a downtown Cincinnati landmark it is a living piece of the city's industrial past. Completed in 1903 and designed by architect Harry Hake Sr., the Power Building represented a new era of construction and innovation. With its steel-frame structure, brick facade, and an in-house power plant that generated electricity for its tenants, the building quickly became a hub for manufacturing and commerce. Its very name came from this forward-thinking design, as it literally supplied the power for the businesses within its walls.

Throughout the 20th century, the Power Building housed a wide variety of businesses. Tenants included printers, book publishers, and clothing manufacturers, all contributing to the steady hum of industry that defined downtown Cincinnati at the time.

One of those workers was Oscar Henry Knittle, a clothing trimmer who listed the Power Building as his place of employment. On his World War I registration card, Knittle recorded his workplace address as Sycamore Street - the early reference point for the Power Building. In later U.S. Census records, the same workplace was listed at Eighth Street, reflecting the way the buildings location was described across different decades.

Oscar's record offers a glimpse into the lives of the men and women who filled the Power Building each day, their labor shaping both the city's economy and its identity. By preserving his story alongside the building itself, we see how Cincinnati's industrial heritage is not just about architecture, but about the people whose lives were entwined with it.

The true renaissance of the building came in 2002, when it was thoughtfully renovated and reborn as luxury apartments. The conversion transformed the historic industrial space into stylish loft-style residences, blending the character of exposed brick and soaring ceilings with the comfort of modern finishes and conveniences. Today, the Renaissance at the Power Building offers more than 100 apartment homes along with amenities such as a rooftop terrace with sweeping city views, a 24-hour fitness center, and inviting resident lounges.

What was once a symbol of innovation and industry is now a vibrant residential community at the heart of downtown. The Renaissance at the Power Building continues to honor its past while offering residents a unique place to call home; one that celebrates history while embracing the future of Cincinnati living.