This week, I spent some time with a longer lens, grabbing closer shots of the building, and focusing on detail inside and outside.The detail inside the building is incredible. There is some interesting ornamentation on the outside, but really the emphasis there is on vertical growth and modern materials. Inside the building, you can see the extravagant foray into 20th century modernity.
The lighting in the arcade area is amazing. You can see some of the detail on the perimeter lighting--the stylized golden leaf themes above the fixtures, and the mixtures of gold, reds and browns. The center of the arcade ceiling has a silver colored ceiling with crossing, metallic strips, bouncing light off of the ceiling.
As you exit the arcade are towards the west entrance, you pass through a large doorway, outlined with a large swath of Rookwood tile--an element you find in a number of Cincinnati buildings, and a welcome addition to such an art deco masterpiece.
Finally, as you glance at the shop entrances on the west corridor of that arcade, you will see these stylish light fixtures on warm wood panels. Keep in mind that all of this detail is just in the arcade area where the shops are in the plaza. I hope to show you some of the detail in the Hilton itself in a few days!
