It's the end of an era for the University of Cincinnati as the fate of the Crosley Tower, a building many have loved to hate, is sealed. According to the UC's official announcement, the UC Board of Trustees has approved a $47.3 million project for the remediation and demolition of the controversial piece of architecture. The Brutalist structure, which has long polarized opinions, is scheduled to be dismantled starting in January 2026, with the process expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Renowned for its uncompromising design, the 16-story concrete monolith has long been a topic of debate on campus and beyond. Expected to begin their task in January, demolishers will tackle this fortress-like building floor by floor. Crafted from a single pour of concrete, the tower has been both a distinctive landmark and a source of dissent since it rose from the ground.
Famed and criticized in equal measure for its Brutalist style, Crosley Tower once earned a dubious accolade from Architectural Digest, setting it amongst "the seven ugliest university buildings in the nation." This ranking placed Crosley alongside "ugly" structures scattered across various academic territories, from the University of Tennessee to Louisiana State University and the University of Iowa.
In a story featured in Architectural Digest, the design of Crosley Tower was described in vivid terms. "This 16-story building looks more like a Disney villain's lair than a part of the University of Cincinnati’s campus," showcasing the general sentiment that would follow it through the years, culminating in the structure's eventual scheduled demolition.
