Innovative Taft Center opens on Fountain Square

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP has opened the Taft Center, and innovative meeting, conference, and event space on the second floor of the U.S. Bank Tower downtown.

The 7,200-square-foot space, designed by KZF Design and built by Messer Construction, includes a 120-seat theater-style conference room, a catering kitchen, and smaller meeting rooms and sitting spaces.

Each room is equipped with Tightrope streaming content, Wi-Fi, and high-tech electronics for international conferencing, much of which can be hidden from view when not in use.

Cameras are positioned around the conference room, and microphones can drop from the ceiling to allow everyone to hear the conversation.

"The idea is just to make it seamless, easy, and convenient for our clients, our guests, and our attorneys," says Ann McDonough, director of business development and strategic marketing for Taft.

The use of banding and the incorporation of a "Taft Red" color scheme are unifying features throughout the bright, flexible, open space.

"This just has a different feel," says Edward Diller, partner-in-charge of Taft's Cincinnati office.  "Our attorneys are creative and have great ideas about stuff, and about community things, and I think that this enhances that."

The most unique feature is the 1,200-square-foot "living room", a less formal space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Fountain Square.

Not only does it provide a great view of the square, but those on the square can see things happening on the screens inside.

"It's energy in and energy out," Diller says.  "That's the way we want it to be."

Last year, the firm extended their lease for five floors in the tower through 2023.

"You get noise from the traffic, you get noise from the square," Diller says.  "But you know what, it's part of the energy of the city.  The business we find ourselves in, it is the business of making sure that we're connected to the city and what's going on, and that our clients feel that we're part of a vibrant community, which we are.  We want to make sure that we emphasize that in everything we do."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Edward Diller, partner-in-charge, Taft Stettinius & Hollister; Ann McDonough, director of business development and strategic marketing, Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Photography provided by Kevin LeMaster