Demolition permit filed for Christy’s and Lenhardt’s building near UC

CINCINNATI - The clock is ticking for the 19 th century building that houses Christys and Lenhardts in Clifton Heights.

A demolition permit dated March 1 seeks permission from the city of Cincinnati to raze the popular restaurant and bar near University of Cincinnatis campus.

Developers from Gilbane Development Co. of Providence, R.I., and Optimus LLC from St. Louis want to buy the property and build a multi-level student-housing development on the site.

At a meeting in February, neighborhood residents asked developers if the 132-year-old building could be saved as part of the project. But developers said then that they didnt think that would work.

Before the CUF Neighborhood Association met with the developers, however, the group already had filed an application with the city to seek historic designation for the building.

The restaurant at Christys and Lenhardts is closed, but the bar and beer garden are open under new management.

WCPO Digital first reported on the story Feb. 6. http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/business_news/proposed-student-housing-development-would-raise-lenhardts-building

The William Windholtz Trust owns the building. Members of the Windholtz family could not be immediately reached, but the permit indicates Newtown-based Evans Landscaping has been hired to do the demolition work.

Still, it will be weeks or months before demolition could start if it ever starts at all.

City ordinances prohibit demolition of a structure while a request for historic designation is being processed. A city official confirmed that the city has placed a hold on all permits related to the building until April 1, and that hold could be extended.

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Demolition permit filed for Christy's and Lenhardt's building near UC