Alcove

Building Architecture- Large Scale (>10,000 sf)

Project Narrative

The Alcove is the dining expression of MadTree Brewing’s brand identity: It’s all about being “firmly planted” in the community. Responsibly, MadTree opted for an adaptive reuse approach, selecting a building in Over-the-Rhine with a storied history.

1410 Vine Street is hailed as the impetus for radical developments in sports, music, and politics in Cincinnati. Constructed in the late 1800’s, it was the longtime home of Weilert Cafe, a biergarten that served as the regular meeting place of Cincinnati’s infamous political “boss” George B. Cox and the supposed location where the World Series was devised. Later on, a portion of the building became a training gym for Heavyweight Champion Ezzard Charles. Ultimately the building fell into complete disrepair.

What now stands in its place is a new offering to the community: an urban oasis, a park within a restaurant in the heart of the city.

The project stitches together two Italianate buildings that flank a long-suffering garden lot. This lot is revived and supported by a greenhouse volume that houses a bar, covered seating… and of course lots of plants! As a kind of non-building, this greenhouse is a logical modern “hyphen” between the earlier Italianate buildings. It unifies the overall plan, while maintaining the transparency of the courtyard and the integrity of the historic structures. This sensitivity earned the project state and federal historic tax credits, a testament to the diligent care taken in preservation.

The project has also earned LEED Gold certification through thoughtful methods of construction and assembly, along with careful selection of fixtures, finishes, and equipment. White walls maximize light and provide a neutral backdrop for events, while salvaged and restored wood floors bring warmth to the palette. Botanical installations include a living wall hosting over 2,000 plants and a living chandelier boasting 36 live ferns.

Most valuable, though, was the protection of mature trees in the patio. As one of the few spaces in Over-the-Rhine that is not paved or built upon, one cannot help but feel a sense of relief inside Alcove’s courtyard. The lushly shaded space provides a moment’s respite for patrons and ecological well-being for the community.

The Alcove is a community hub, open for nightly dinners and weekend brunches. Reminiscent of a beer garden, but with a refined twist, it is approachable yet dignified. Farm-to-table meals and craft cocktails challenge what’s expected of a brewery enterprise. Live music on Fridays pays homage to the house orchestra which later became the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Like the Weilert Cafe, the Alcove is a place for communion across social strata. It honors its roots and looks to the future.