The Cincinnati and Suburban Telephone Company Building, located on the corner of West 7th and Elm Sts. in downtown Cincinnati, was designed by Harry Hake and opened its doors in 1931.
At the time of its opening, the building housed the world’s longest straight switchboard, with 88 operator positions. It was designed to protect the city’s phone network; with a push of a button, heavy steel doors could lock and metal covers could spring up over the windows on the lower floors.
Note the relief sculptures of telephones carved into the limestone frieze:
And also these random hotties:
Over all, the 14-story building is very imposing, but a close look reveals decorative details that add levity to the façade. It’s not quite as ornate as its more famous Art Deco neighbor, Carew Tower, but it’s lovely nonetheless:
Harry Hake designed several other prominent downtown Cincinnati buildings, including the Queen City Club, Western & Southern Life Insurance Building, Power Building, and what is now McFarland Lofts.
Department of Everyday Visualingual 
Love it ! very Kool!
It is a glamourous, glorious building. But then, I’m partial to art deco.
Wow! great photos and great design! I love the design of this telephone building!
You know, for what it is, the architecture is quite monumental. I love that people took such pride and care in the buildings back then, and that this is still standing so that we can appreciate it.
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