Main-Third Street Buildings
Why it's listed
Six commercial buildings stand together at the corner of Main and Third Streets in downtown Cincinnati, and their dates run from 1862 to about 1910. The oldest is the McMicken School of Design, an Italianate sandstone building designed by William Walter. Next to it are the Clark Sorgo Machine Co. building, the High Victorian Italianate Heister and C. E. Brockman buildings, the 1893 Anderson Building with its double pediments and triple windows, and the Neoclassical Revival Burkhardt Building on Third Street. The Brockman Building has the most elaborate sandstone facade. Many original storefronts have been replaced, though upper facades and cornices largely survive. The group was recognized because the buildings share a scale, materials and detail that set them apart from their surroundings. Such mixed commercial architecture was once common in Cincinnati but is now found in very limited numbers because of redevelopment. Uses over the years included a design school, fur retailing, a restaurant, china sales and cane mill manufacturing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the group is significant to the architectural history of Cincinnati's central business district. The buildings show late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial architecture, and their similar scale, texture, height and detail create a cohesive streetscape. It is described as a pivotal grouping at a prominent corner, with styles that are now rare downtown.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83004654, listed November 14, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 208--210 E. Third St. and 300--318 Main St., Cincinnati |
|---|---|
| County | Hamilton County |
| Listed | November 14, 2012 |
| Reference number | 83004654 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1862 to c. 1910 |
| Architect / builder | William Walter, architect (McMicken School of Design); C. E. Brockman (built the Brockman Building) |
| Architectural style | Italianate, High Victorian Italianate, Victorian Commercial, Neoclassical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Storefronts on several buildings have been altered; three buildings were expected to be rehabilitated. The form lists the property as occupied and in commercial use. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 39.09944, -84.50886 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83004654.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.