---

New Facility Overlooking Fountain Square Slated to Open in December

---

Cincinnati, OH  (July 17, 2008) –  Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP announced today that construction has begun on The Taft Center, the innovative new space that the law firm is creating in the heart of Downtown. The multi-functional space, which can be used for meetings and conferences as well as gala evening events, faces Fountain Square and is located on the second floor of the US Bank Tower. The 7,000 square-foot Center is designed by KZF Design Inc. and is being built by Messer Construction Co.

“We’re creating a state-of-the-art center that can be used by our firm, our clients and the community for meetings and activities downtown – all with the front row seat to one of the most exciting views in the heart of our city – Fountain Square,” said Ed Diller, Partner-In-Charge of Taft’s Cincinnati office. 

The meeting space, scheduled to open in December, will include conference space and large room meeting space, along with informal sitting spaces fronting Fountain Square. The creation of the new facility comes on the heels of Taft’s extending its lease for its Downtown offices to 2023 and represents a further investment by the firm in Downtown.  Both investments were made without requests for or the granting of city incentives. 

Diller went on to say that with the recent Fountain Square renovation, the creation of the new Taft Center represents a great opportunity for the firm and the City, continuing Taft’s contributions to the dynamic energy of the region. “Taft has been an active member of the Cincinnati community for 123 years and this project allows the firm to further participate in and contribute to the vitality of the City center and the region.”

From Fountain Square, the city will be able to see through the windowed walls of The Taft Center to its illuminated 1,200-square-foot “living room,” equipped with wireless network and movable seating. Beyond are private meeting rooms of varying sizes, fitted with high-tech electronics for international conferencing. The largest meeting room can accommodate 100 people in theater-style seating and 80 for sit-down dinners.  Nearby is a 600-square-foot catering kitchen. The lobby reception area will be equipped to accommodate visitors, guests and clients with a variety of services.

“KZF Design has enjoyed working with Taft to help create and translate their new brand identity into their work environments. When Taft decided to occupy the space on the second floor of the US Bank building, the opportunity presented itself to design an environment around their new design image that would also tap into the energy of the City, market the firm, and further assist in the redevelopment of Fountain Square area,” said Michael P. Kelley, IIDA, Director of Interior Services at KZF Design.

“As an active participant of this community for over 76 years, Messer Construction Co. is proud to be building this unique center in Cincinnati.  It’s another great contribution to the continued revitalization of downtown that we’ve been a part of for many years,” said Mark Luegering, Vice President of Messer’s Cincinnati region

Diller added: “The Taft Center will be a wonderful place to meet our clients.  In addition, our attorneys and staff are extensively involved in civic and community organizations.  We will encourage them to use this new facility as a gathering place for those organizations.”

KZF Design’s new branding division, Studio 8, designed the graphic signage that is wrapping the building during construction.  Studio 8 also has designed and launched a website about The Taft Center project. View it at www.kzf.com/taft.

About KZF Design

KZF Design Inc. is a national full-service architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm. Now in its sixth decade, KZF Design has more than 110 professionals and technicians on staff. With its newest division, Studio 8, KZF has expanded its services to branding and graphic design. The firm’s headquarters are in Cincinnati; KZF also has offices in Atlanta, Ga., and an affiliated firm, KZF Design LLC of Florida, with offices in Orlando and Tampa. KZF’s clients include the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati Art Museum, the University of Cincinnati, The E.W. Scripps Company, Citigroup and Toyota. KZF also has completed many contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense and federal government. Visit www.kzf.com.

About Messer Construction Co.

Messer Construction Co. is a regional general contractor and construction manager that provides leadership for complex building projects in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. Founded in 1932, Messer has built a premier reputation for providing outstanding construction experiences and value to a diverse group of clients. In 2007, Messer put in place approximately $650 million in commercial construction. Visit www.messer.com.
 
About Taft

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is a full-service law firm with offices in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Dayton, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Northern Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; and Beijing, China. With more than 320 attorneys, the firm provides a broad range of legal services to businesses and individuals, including litigation, corporate and business law, securities and municipal financing, tax and estate planning, labor and employment law, real estate and environmental, health care, intellectual property and unfair competition and antitrust law.