Hi - I'm doing some research for a group in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, regarding the redevelopment of unused church space into housing (affordable and market value), office space, retail, community space, etc. I am looking specifically at a situation in which the congregation would keep the sanctuary and rent/sell the rest of the space of their large church, but situations in which the church is sold are also potentially interesting. What I would like to know is if there have been any similar projects in Ohio or surrounding areas.

 

Thanks.

WCET just did a special called Greater CIncinnati Places of Worship, or something along those lines.  It had a small segment dealing with what you are talking about, try to catch it or call WCET.

Check out the excellent BrownStones of Derbyshire, which is a re-use + new construction around the First English Lutheran Church in Cleveland Hts.

 

http://www.futureheights.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=39714&PID=472234

Another church re-use project in Cleveland is above Rockefeller Park.  The name of the church is Notre Dame, though it may have been a combination of church and school, not sure.  However, it was recently re-use to provide affordable housing for seniors.

 

http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/106/ceraso.html

 

Bar of Modern Art, Columbus, OH is one example that comes to mind.

 

Great article here: http://www.clubsystemsinternational.com/year_archive.html/2007/10/places2.htm

 

their official site: http://www.barofmodernart.com/mn.asp

 

actually, if you look through that Club Systems International site you will find several church to nightclub projects, most notably Sanctuary in Pittsburgh, Church in Denver, and Avalon (now closed, possibly renamed) in NYC.

 

I'm assuming most of these are projects in which the church was entirely sold.

 

OH! and also, in Cincinnati, OH, we have a former church space that was converted into an Urban Outfitters. Google this and you might come up with something.

Another church re-use project in Cleveland is above Rockefeller Park.  The name of the church is Notre Dame, though it may have been a combination of church and school, not sure.  However, it was recently re-use to provide affordable housing for seniors.

 

http://www.nhi.org/online/issues/106/ceraso.html

 

 

It was actually just a school, though it did contain a chapel which is now a community meeting room.

Check out Nottingham Spirk Design Associates in Cleveland. Beautiful conversion of the Christian Scientist building into offices and studios near University Circle.