Local developer and preservationist Allen Haehnle believes that historic buildings should be salvaged, not left to rot.
This philosophy has placed Haehnle in the midst of some of Covington’s most intriguing adaptive reuse projects. Covington has a robust stock of historical buildings, many of which were constructed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For Haehnle, these buildings present an opportunity to positively impact the community.
“Every city in America has an urban comeback, and these buildings are cool,” he told LINK nky.
Adaptive reuse is the process of repurposing an existing building for a purpose other than its initial design. It helps cities retain their historical identity by preserving cherished buildings and landmarks. Over the past few decades, the practice has become increasingly popular due to rising construction costs, the implementation of sustainable construction practices, and a greater demand for unique office spaces.
In 2021, DBL Law, one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest law firms, unveiled its new headquarters in downtown Covington. The project is among the most high-profile examples of adaptive reuse in Northern Kentucky.
Haehnle was one of the chief developers behind the renovation of the Covington Monarch Building, a historic building along 4th Street that initially served as the headquarters of the Monarch Tool Company. In partnership with Fedders Construction and PCA Architecture, Haehnle turned the dilapidated property into one of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Construction crews added two new floors to the building and an adjacent four-story addition. Today, it features 34,000 square feet of Class A office space.
Haehnle’s most recent restoration project, 419 Scott Blvd., developed a new office building in the open space between the historic Kentucky Times-Star building and the office building that houses the Covington Police Bike Patrol and Stephen Gould Packaging. Previously, the property was home to Liberty’s Show Lounge, a shuttered gentleman’s club.
Initially, Haehnle tapped the building for adaptative reuse. Despite its rough condition, he saw potential. Throughout the renovation process, Haehnle and his construction crews encountered impossible hurdles, one of which nearly sank the entire project. In February 2023, the structure’s frail center wall collapsed due to strong winds, bringing the whole building with it.
“I couldn’t leave a hole in the middle of the block there, and I didn’t know what to do,” Haehnle said.
Undeterred, Haehnle consulted with Cincinnati-based architect Ken Workman, who suggested constructing a new building to avoid leaving the block with a vacant space. His adaptive reuse project turned into an infill development opportunity. Infill development involves building new structures on vacant or underutilized land within an urban area.
Tom West, director of Covington’s Economic Development Department, told LINK nky that the city wants to work with developers who understand the cultural significance of its historic building stock.
“It is important when a city has infill sites that we find developers who understand the market and how to build something that can be adaptable and relevant through multiple decades,” West said. “That is a characteristic that the builders of our best 19th-century structures understood, which is why so many of those buildings continue to find new uses over a very long life cycle.”
Eventually, Haehnle and his team persevered. 419 Scott Street now houses Covington’s newest Class A office building. Haehnle described the new building as “quirky” and “unique,” conceding that its design was born out of unusual circumstances.
“You would never build it from scratch. No one would design that on a sheet and go, ‘yeah, build this,” Haehnle said. “It’s quirky, it’s weird, it’s different, it’s unique.”
West says Covington supports quality infill developments in its urban core. From his perspective, Haehnle’s recent project fits that criteria.
“This building checks all the boxes for both business attraction and great urban infill,” West said. “It is a great size for many companies looking to downsize after COVID, it has the design vibe that helps businesses in our target markets attract and retain talent. It also fits the scale and massing of the historic district without being a replica of a historic building.”
