Kirby Road School a local landmark, rehabilitation proceeding

The rezoning of Northside's Kirby Road School and its designation as a local historic landmark by Cincinnati City Council at its Feb. 27 meeting will aid in the preservation of the building and its transformation into residences.

Owner and developer Bloomfield/Schon + Partners plans to seek Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for Kirby Lofts, a rehabilitation of the 50,910-square-foot building at 1710 Bruce Avenue into 37 market-rate apartments. An additional structure, which would be built to the north of the existing building based upon market demand, could accommodate an additional 40 units.

The three-story Classical Revival school, built in 1910 by the Cincinnati firm of Elzner & Anderson, replaced the first Kirby Road School, erected in 1869 near the corner of Kirby Avenue and Hanfield Street.

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) closed the building in 2005 and reassigned its students to Chase Elementary School and Pleasant Hill Academy. Bloomfield/Schon + Partners purchased the building from CPS in an online auction in November and closed on the property in January.

The building is being nominated for the National Register of Historic Places for both its representation of early- to mid-20th century Progressive educational development and its architectural distinction and high level of integrity.

The rezoning of the five-acre property from single-family to planned development district allows for the proposed new use.

A final development plan must be approved by the City Planning Commission before construction can proceed.

Previous reading on BC:
Planning Commission Friday: Kirby Road School, Wasson Way, land sales (1/17/13)
Kirby Road School recommended as local landmark, apartments proposed (1/16/13)
City wins award for American Can (10/8/12)
City soliciting proposals for former Northside lumber yard (7/30/12)
Northside's Factory Square set to begin (6/22/10)