The mansion of Radio Tycoon and Reds owner Powel Crosley, Junior is springing back to life. Pinecroft, the Kipling Avenue estate built in the 1920's is now available for parties, weddings and other events. But you don't have to rent the place for a look inside.
Local 12 News reporter Joe Webb took a tour with a Crosley relative to show us a place that is "So Cincinnati".
It's pretty hard to miss a 13,000 square foot home no matter where it is. But Powel Crosley's Tudor revival Mount Airy mansion begs for a closer look.
"This is Powell's idea of his English manor house." Rusty McClure was an enthusiastic and experienced tour guide. McClure was Crosley's great-nephew. He came here as a child and wrote a best-selling book about the family business.
Finished in 1928, Pinecroft is still rock solid. Every inch seems custom made from the stained glass depicting Crosley's hobbies to the intricate detail in the ceilings and wood paneled walls. The custom zinc sink Crosley installed in the 1920's is still used. He died standing at this sink in 1961.
From top to bottom, Pinecroft reflects Crosley's personality and knack for innovation. "This is a walk-in closet that looks like it could have been built in the last 10 years I mean this guy was ahead of the times. See the drawers? Except these drawers are not drawers but one of the 3 safes and this is Powel Crosley, Jr.'s safe."
All 3 safes are hidden. One in the kitchen is behind a normal-looking pantry door. The one in the basement is part of a castle-like game room at the end of a curving stone staircase. That safe, hidden behind a wall panel, allegedly had racks for prohibition-era wine and liquor.
Pinecroft was built on about 280 acres. It originally had an Olympic-size outdoor pool. It was lined from deep end to shallow with decorative tile. Pinecroft had it all. "There was a 9-hole golf course, stables, and orchard almost anything you could imagine."
And it was built with a fortune built on imagination. Powel Crosley was the essence of So Cincinnati. He owned the Reds, broadcast their games on his radio station and you could tune them in on the Crosley radio he sold you. Cincinnati paid for Pinecroft. "It is Cincinnati all the way. It's about what made this city great 50 and 70 years ago. It still lives in this house."
Pinecroft mansion is open to rent for special events like weddings or parties. For more info,
click here.
