One of these days, this sign will disappear, so I’m documenting it now for that moment, so that I can point to these photos and “remember way back when.” Vine Street in OTR is changing rapidly, and I alternate between obsessively trying to capture each stage in its metamorphosis, to shrugging and trying not to care either way.
When it comes to this sign, though, I do care. Developers, if you’re ever wondering what to do with it, here’s my thought: keep it where it is. After all, Paint Company Lofts does have that vaguely industrial-urbane ring to it, doesn’t it? Or, how about Cincinnati Color Company Condos? Shortened to 4C? Or IVC? Or even IVXC? Is that getting too tricky? I can already envision this identity on everything from its promotional brochure to its front door.
If you’re not going to keep it in this spot, see if you can donate it to the American Sign Museum. Or, donate it to us, your humble signage-obsessed neighbors who would try our best to get this typographic monster into our apartment.
Department of Everyday Visualingual 
I know it’s too much to ask, but wouldn’t it be cool if who ever buys the building to convert to condos would keep the sign.
Paint Condos, maybe it doesn’t sound posh enough.
Agreed, although I’d love to be a fly on the wall watching a couple of designers try to get this sign into their third-floor walk-up. Now that’s a viral video waiting to happen!
Wow, i wonder if I could squeeze it in my condo?
I use to have an apartment down the street on east 14th. That sign is one of my favorite land marks of OTR.
Same here, Cedric! Between the former Smitty’s signage clusterfuck and this honker, Vine Street certainly has its share of funky landmarks.
It’s a 3CDC building… let’s bug all our friends at 3CDC and try to convince them to keep it. I love that sign!
Good idea. If I had any friends at 3CDC, I would ask them to keep it.
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Ezzard Charles used to train on the 3rd floor of that building.
Wow, that’s an amazing bit of trivia!
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