The Hannaford Story

Born in England in 1835, Samuel Hannaford relocated to Cincinnati and became one of the most renowned architects in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied architecture in the John R. Hamilton firm before leaving in 1887 to establish his firm, Hannaford & Sons.

By the time he retired in 1900, Hannaford was responsible for over 300 buildings and structures in the Cincinnati area and the surrounding states. His work includes everything from houses to factories to fountains. Some of the most prominent Hannaford-designed landmarks in Cincinnati include Music Hall, which boasts acoustics comparable to Carnegie Hall, and City Hall. Hannaford also built Our Lady of Providence High School, a Catholic girl's school, located in the historic community of Mansion Hill in Newport, Kentucky.

It was this former Catholic school with its Beaux Arts style architecture, quiet grace and rich history that caught the eye of Jim Schiear, a local real estate developer. In 1986, Schiear began renovating the school into The Hannaford Apartments-an upscale, luxury apartment complex.

During the remodeling process, Schiear painstakingly preserved the building's integrity, recognizing the historical importance in protecting its essence. All the fixtures, doors and stairways were refinished to bring out the original beauty. The interior of the building was decorated with artwork that complemented the architecture.

In 1997, Schiear transformed the building into the Hannaford Suites, an upscale, extended stay hotel. Today, the 60 suites are furnished with antique-style furniture to mirror the building's character all the while providing the modern amenities expected in a present day hotel. The flawless blending of past grace and present functionality makes the Hannaford Suites a perfect choice for all leisure and business travelers visiting the Greater Cincinnati area.

For more historical information, visit www.eastrow.org.