You’ve seen it on the skyline. That jagged, yellow-brick silhouette that looks like it belongs in a Batman movie. Honestly, it’s hard to miss. But if you’ve walked past the corner of 5th and Vine recently, you might have noticed something feels... different. Quiet.
Carew Tower in Cincinnati is currently undergoing its most radical transformation since the Great Depression. We’re talking about a $160 million pivot from a sleepy office building into a high-end residential hub. It’s a massive gamble. But then again, this building was born from a gamble.
Back in 1929, John J. Emery had a wild idea: a "city within a city." He wanted a hotel, a department store, a garage, and offices all under one roof. Critics thought he was nuts. Then the stock market crashed.
The $33 Million Miracle
Most people don't realize how close this building came to never existing. Emery actually liquidated his stocks just weeks before the 1929 crash to fund the project. Talk about timing. Because he had the cash on hand, he kept the crews working 24/7 while the rest of the country was breadlining.
They finished the whole thing in 13 months. Fast.
🔗 Read more: Entry Into Dominican Republic: What Most People Get Wrong
The result was an Art Deco masterpiece. If you look closely at the Vine Street entrance, you’ll see those famous Rookwood Pottery tiles. They aren't just pretty; they are a piece of local history.
What’s happening with the Observation Deck?
This is the question everyone asks. "When can I go back up?"
As of early 2026, the short answer is: wait. The observation deck on the 49th floor—which used to cost a measly few bucks and a ride in a tiny, rickety elevator—is wrapped up in the residential conversion. The new owners, Victrix Investments, have floated the idea of reopening it, but there are hurdles.
Safety is a big one. The old deck was basically just a roof with a fence. To make it a modern tourist attraction for a 2026 audience, they need better accessibility and updated security barriers.
💡 You might also like: Novotel Perth Adelaide Terrace: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the "Dead Mall" matters
For years, the Carew Tower arcade felt like a ghost town. It was a "dead mall" before the term was even trendy. But walking through it today, you can still see the French empire-style details and the silver leaf ceilings.
The redevelopment plan aims to "turn the retail inside out." Instead of shops facing an internal hallway, the goal is to make them street-facing to pull in people from Fountain Square.
The Hilton Netherland Plaza: Still the Queen
While the tower is becoming condos and apartments, the hotel side—the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza—is a separate beast. It wasn't part of the 2022 sale.
If you want to see the real soul of the Carew complex, you go to the Palm Court. The murals there, painted by Louis Grell, are legit. There’s one of Apollo that’s so massive it feels like it’s vibrating. The hotel remains a AAA Five-Diamond spot, which is a rare flex for a building nearly a century old.
📖 Related: Magnolia Fort Worth Texas: Why This Street Still Defines the Near Southside
Tips for your visit in 2026
If you’re heading downtown, keep these realities in mind:
- Access is limited: You can’t just wander into the office floors anymore. Construction is active.
- The Hotel is your best bet: You can still grab a cocktail at the Orchids at Palm Court bar to soak in the Art Deco vibes.
- Parking is tricky: The internal "automated" garage from the 30s is a historical relic, but modern SUVs struggle. Use the Mabley Place garage nearby.
- Photo Op: The best view of the tower itself isn't from the base. Head across the river to Covington's Devou Park for that classic "Cin City" profile.
Carew Tower isn't just a building; it's Cincinnati’s resilience in brick and mortar. It survived the Depression, it survived the flight to the suburbs, and now it’s surviving the death of the office cubicle.
To get the most out of the area today, start your morning at Fountain Square, then enter through the Hilton’s side entrance on 5th Street. Walk up the grand staircase. Even if you aren't staying there, the lobby is public space. Look up. The ceiling detail alone is worth the trip. Once the residential units open fully, expect the Vine Street corridor to feel a lot more lived-in and a lot less like a 9-to-5 relic.
Keep an eye on local news for the official observation deck permit filings—that will be the signal that the "top of the city" is finally coming back.