Downtown Cincinnati from Mount Adams, 2019Cincinnati skyline at night, along the Ohio River
Cincinnati is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio, with a metropolitan area population of 2.3 million. The economic hub of southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati is home to over 120 high-rises,[1] 41 of which have a height greater than 200 feet (61 m). It has the third-most skyscrapers taller than 300 feet (91 m) in Ohio, after Cleveland and Columbus, with 18 such buildings. The tallest building in Cincinnati is the Great American Tower at Queen City Square, a 665 ft (203 m), 40-story office building that was completed in 2011. It is the third-tallest building in Ohio, and the tallest completed in the state during the 21st century.
One of the largest cities in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, Cincinnati was the site of first skyscraper taller than 492 ft (150 m) outside of New York City. Completed in 1913, the Hellenic-inspired Fourth and Vine Tower was the fifth-tallest building in the world at the time at 495 ft (151 m). It was the tallest outside of New York City and Philadelphia.[2] An early construction boom occurred during the late 1920s, which culminated with an even taller skyscraper on Vine Street, the 574 ft (175 m) Carew Tower, in 1930. Part of a three-tower mixed-useArt Deco complex, the Carew Tower made Cincinnati the fourth city in the world more than one building taller than 492 ft (150 m), after New York City, Chicago, and Detroit.
Another boom took place from the 1950s until the 1990s, especially from the mid-1970s onwards. Several buildings from this era serve as notable corporate headquarters, such as the Kroger Building for the epnoymous retail company, Fifth Third Center for Fifth Third Bank, and the Scripps Center for the E. W. Scripps Company. Procter & Gamble's headquarters include twin postmodern towers.[3] Columbia Plaza and Macy's Building were former headquarters of Chiquita and Macy's, Inc., respectively. Since the 1990s, few tall buildings have been constructed in Cincinnati, with the notable exception of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square in 2011. The building's tiara-shaped top ended the Carew Tower's 80-year long reign as Cincinnati's tallest building. In recent years, a number of commercial buildings have been converted into residential use, including the Fourth and Vine Tower and Macy's Building.[4][5] Conversion of the Carew Tower into apartments is ongoing.[6]
Number of high-rise buildings by height in Cincinnati by the end of each year, based on the list below. This takes into account two demolished buildings that were once taller than 200 ft (61 m). Click on the legend to toggle a specific height on or off. View chart definition.
Cityscape
Panorama of Downtown Cincinnati from Covington in 2010, with Great American Tower at Queen City Square (center) still under construction.
Map of tallest buildings
The map below shows the location of buildings taller than 200 ft (61 ft) in Downtown Cincinnati, where the majority of the city's tallest buildings are. Each marker is numbered by the building's height rank, and colored by the decade of its completion. There are five buildings taller than 200 ft (61 m) in Cincinnati that are located outside downtown.
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Buildings taller than 200 ft (61 m) in Downtown Cincinnati. An asterisk (*) next to the building's name indicates it is located outside the map.
Map all coordinates usingOpenStreetMapDownload coordinates asKML
This list ranks skyscrapers and high-rises in Cincinnati that stand at least 200 feet (61m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed.
Was the tallest building in Cincinnati upon completion
The tallest building completed in Cincinnati in the 1930s. Originally built as a mixed-use office and retail building. Currently undergoing conversion to a residential building.[8][9][10]
Tallest building completed in Cincinnati in the 1910s. When completed, it was the fifth-tallest building in the world, and the tallest building in the world outside of New York City and Philadelphia. Formerly known as the Union Central Life Insurance Company Building and the Central Trust Tower. Also known as PNC Tower (not to be confused with PNC Center).[2][11]
Formerly an office building. Originally built as the Federated Building; headquarters of Macy's, Inc. from 1994 to 2020. Converted into apartments and reopened as 7 West 7th Apartments in 2025.[25][26]
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sources do not state the exact height of this building. This figure was determined using Google Earth by subtracting the altitude of the building's lowest main pedestrian open-air entrance from the highest architectural point.
Tallest under construction or proposed
Under construction
Since the completion of 1010 on the Rhine in 2019, there have been no buildings under construction in Cincinnati that were planned to be taller than 200 feet (61 m).
Proposed
This table includes buildings that have been proposed or approved to rise at least 200 ft (61 m) tall as of 2025. The year column indicates the estimated year of completion.
Cincinnati holds the majority of buildings taller than 200 ft (61 m) in its metropolitan area. The remainder are in Covington, Kentucky, which lies directly south of Cincinnati across the Ohio River.
↑ Sources do not state the exact height of this building. This figure was determined using Google Earth by subtracting the altitude of the building entrance from the highest architectural point.
Tallest unbuilt
This table includes former proposals designed to rise at least 200 feet (61 m) that were approved for construction in Cincinnati, but were cancelled or downsized prior to construction.
Name
Image
Location
Height ft (m)
Floors
Project years
Status
Notes
Fountain Square West
505 Vine St
862 (262)
63
1985-86
Canceled
$257 million dollar skyscraper was proposed by Galbreath Co. in 1985 and was a final contender for bidding in the Fountain Square West bid. Was cancelled in May 1986 due to not being picked by final committee after a controversial RFP process. Would have been the Second Tallest Building in Ohio if built. 800,000 sq ft of office space, four floors of retail, 750 space underground parking garage, 250 room hotel.[65]
Fountain Place
505 Vine St
725 (220)
50
1985-1988
Canceled
Federated/Emery were chosen to develop Fountain Square West, naming the development Fountain Place, by the City of Cincinnati in May 1986. Project was estimated at $200 million dollars in cost. Project was cancelled due to the developer defaulting on the development agreement with the City of Cincinnati in September 1988 after 2 years of false starts and tensions between the City of Cincinnati and the group. At 725 ft. it would have been the tallest building in Cincinnati. 705,000 sq ft of office space, 400 room hotel, 1,000 space underground parking garage, 233,000 sq ft of retail.[66][67]
Tower was proposed in January 1972 by Unit One Co for the SE Corner of Fifth and Vine Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Project was cancelled in 1974 due to immense pushback by community over destruction of Albee Theater and the height throwing a shadow over Fountain Square. The Westin was later built in the corner this tower would have been built. Albee Theater would be torn down anyways in 1977 despite protest. 50 stories in height, 400 space underground parking garage.[69]
Fountain Square West
505 Vine St.
648 (197)
48
1989-1991
Canceled
Galbreath Co., having been the back up developer if Federated/Emery would drop out was selected again to develop Fountain Square West in late 1989. The $275 million dollar Helmut Jahn designed proposal was unveiled in June 1990. Approved in July 1990. Galbreath was the second developer to default on its development agreement for the long-winding Fountain Square West project, defaulting in February 1991 due to financing difficulties and financial issues with the developer. At 648 ft it would have been the tallest building in Cincinnati. 1.7 million sq ft of office, hotel, retail and parking. 750 space underground garage. City erected a surface parking lot after this proposal fell through in the center of Downtown Cincinnati from 1992-1996.[70][71]
Pluss Holdings Entertainment Center and Office Tower
650 Walnut St
550+ (167+)
46
1988-1990
Canceled
Proposal was accepted by committee in September 1988. Design was fully unveiled in January 1990. $200 million-dollar mixed use project would have had a 5-story entertainment center with a 41-story office tower on top. Pluss Holdings defaulted on its development agreement in June 1990 after being unable to secure financing. Block instead became the Aronoff Center. [72]
Temple Tower
142 E Fourth St
470 (143)
40
1929-1930
Canceled
First Presbyterian Church proposed this 470 ft skyscraper in August 1929. $3 million dollar project would have included 32 stories of offices, 8 stories of tower, and a 4-story church at the base. Project was cancelled due to financial difficulties stemming from the Great Depression.[73]
Project was proposed in September 1964. The $18 million-dollar Provident Tower would have been 35 stories and 456 ft tall. 860,162 sq ft total floor area. By late 1965 the project was significantly downsized, with the finished building in 1968 having a markedly different design and height, reaching only 279 ft.[75]
311 Race St. (312 Elm Phase II)
311 Race St
400+ (121+)
30
1990-1993, 1998.
Cancelled
Duke and Associates proposed this project as a second phase and taller twin tower to 312 Elm. Project would have been 30 stories and around 400 ft in height. Project was stalled by early 1993 due to economic factors in Downtown Cincinnati and fully cancelled by the late 1990s.[76]
Fourth and Race Apartment Tower
407 Race St.
300+ (91+)
30
2013-2014
Cancelled
This $82 million-dollar 300-unit residential tower with a grocery store was proposed in 2013 by Flaherty and Collins. Council approved the project and subsidy in late 2013. Due to opposition by Mayor Cranley over amount of subsidy, project was scrapped in 2014 with a smaller 4th and Race tower eventually being developed by 3CDC and Flaherty and Collins.[77]
Union Central Annex Tower
309 Vine St
300-350 (91-106)
24
1925-27
Downsized/Cancelled
Annex Tower of the Union Central Tower was approved in January 1926. 24 story office tower would have provided additional space for the Union Central Insurance Co. The 8-story base for the tower was completed in 1927(Now City Club Apartments CBD) but the tower plan was quietly scrapped by the company around the time the base was completed, despite the base being designed for a tower on top.[78]
Timeline of tallest buildings
The Carew Tower held the title of the tallest building in Cincinnati for the longest period of time. It was the tallest building for 81 years, from 1930 until 2011
This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in Cincinnati.
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