The beautiful Cincinnati Union Terminal is an intercity train station and museum center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Union Terminal's distinctive architecture, interior design, and history have earned it several landmark designations, including as a National Historic Landmark. Its Art Deco design incorporates several contemporaneous works of art, including two of the Winold Reiss industrial murals. The main space in the facility, the Rotunda, has two enormous mosaics designed by Reiss.
The station building was designed by the firm Fellheimer & Wagner, and is considered to be the magnum opus of the firm. Paul Philippe Cret was hired as a design consultant. In 1931-32, Cret altered the design aesthetic using modern architecture (later known as Art Deco). Construction lasted from 1928 to 1933. Six railroads terminated at the station.
The main facade's central arch was inspired by the Central Station in Helsinki, Finland, which Fellheimer visited in 1927. Two of the mullions of the facade support a large central clock. It measures 18 feet in diameter and weighs 5 tons. The clock is original to the terminal. There are two bas-relief carvings on buttresses at the north and south ends of the arch, representing transportation and commerce.
The building's architecture and design received general acclaim though, even in 1933, it was seen as being possibly the last grand intercity train station to be built.
The station building was designed by the firm Fellheimer & Wagner, and is considered to be the magnum opus of the firm. Paul Philippe Cret was hired as a design consultant. In 1931-32, Cret altered the design aesthetic using modern architecture (later known as Art Deco). Construction lasted from 1928 to 1933. Six railroads terminated at the station.
The main facade's central arch was inspired by the Central Station in Helsinki, Finland, which Fellheimer visited in 1927. Two of the mullions of the facade support a large central clock. It measures 18 feet in diameter and weighs 5 tons. The clock is original to the terminal. There are two bas-relief carvings on buttresses at the north and south ends of the arch, representing transportation and commerce.
The building's architecture and design received general acclaim though, even in 1933, it was seen as being possibly the last grand intercity train station to be built.