The decision to buy a building was a big one, but not difficult. We wanted to own something, we wanted an inspiring project to work on in a place where it would matter, and we knew that with our combined experience and skill sets we could take a building and make into something great. But which building? We didn’t expect finding the perfect place to be easy.
When we fell in love with 306 Grear Alley its address did not yet exist. Listed as 1210 B Sycamore, it was a historic two-story brick building from 1875 that had always been considered part of the larger complex with which it shares a wall. Its location, at the intersection of two cobblestone alleys, was a big part of the draw for us.
It’s hidden yet accessible. Off the beaten path, yet right in the heart of bustling Over-The-Rhine. Mostly, it reminded us of travels to Italy where every street corner overflows with European charm, history, and perfect espresso. Was it really a hard decision to settle on 306 Grear Alley as the home of our first project? Nope, not really.
Later, on one of our first visits to the property after closing, we would find out that neighbors have long referred to it as “The Carriage House”, which explains the unique location as well as the amazing oversized doors. The 1400 square foot interior had original exposed brick walls, an abundance of windows, and skylights to let the sunshine in. To us, it was already a gem long before it became The Carriage House as we know it now.
