The new home of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is winning some major awards from all over the country.
The Emery Theater, built in Over-the-Rhine at 1112 Walnut Street in 1911, was the home of the theatrical organization until 1969. Decades later, renovation on the historic building was finally completed when the theater reopened in October 2025.
Now, the Emery is the most technologically advanced proscenium-style theater in the country. The restoration retained the ornamental plaster, marble finishes and grand staircases of the original location while integrating new building systems and elevators. A stage lift with a built-in turntable, immersive projection mapping, and a large LED wall are other major additions to the stage. Restoration and renovation on the building was handled by Terrex Development & Construction and architectural firm GBBN.
In recent weeks, the theatre has won five major awards:
- First Place in the Historic Category, Retrofit Magazine’s 2026 Metamorphosis Awards. The national awards recognize excellence in renovation and retrofitting. The Emery project will be featured in the magazine’s November/December 2026 awards issue.
- 2026 Preservation Champion Award, Cincinnati Preservation. The Emery Theater was honored for its lasting contribution to historic preservation in Greater Cincinnati. The award recognizes the project’s restoration of significant architectural features, creative integration of modern theatrical technology, and improved accessibility, along with its renewed role as a cultural anchor and permanent MainStage home for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.
- 2026 Community Impact of the Year Award, CREDA Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky. The Commercial Real Estate Development Association chapter recognized the Emery Theater at its annual Night of the Stars Gala.
- 2026 Historic Theatre of the Year Award, Heritage Ohio. The statewide preservation organization honored the Emery at its September 30 awards ceremony at Cincinnati’s Woodward Theatre, recognizing historic preservation, active programming, and community engagement.
- 2026 State Historic Preservation Office Award. The project has been selected for recognition for its achievement in preserving Ohio’s historic places. The award will be presented Nov. 6 at the Thomas C. Moyer Judicial Center in Columbus.
For more information on the Emery and The Children’s Theatre, visit the organization’s official website.