As part of the ongoing build out of Cincinnati Children’s Exploration Avenue campus, the Exploration Ave Café emerged from the sixth floor expansion as a key amenity space designed with future growth in mind. Located within an office and education focused campus, the project was intentionally created to serve a broad audience and support CCHMC’s vision of attracting external organizations and potential tenants. The goal was clear: create a destination that felt less like a traditional institutional café and more like a vibrant, Class A amenities space typically found in a downtown Cincinnati high rise.

This project challenged the team to step beyond established standards. While many Cincinnati Children’s spaces follow consistent design guidelines, this building called for a different approach that felt fresh, vibrant, and inviting. The café was envisioned as a flexible, mixed use environment capable of supporting everyday dining as well as larger scale functions. In addition to open seating with lounge chairs and low tables, the space includes collaborative group seating zones, a dedicated dining area, and adjacent conference and event spaces equipped with projection for large meetings, conferences, or catered events. Designed with versatility in mind, the space may also be bookable by outside organizations, further increasing its appeal to potential leasees. Nearby support spaces, including registration, a gym, and offices for building managers, reinforce the floor’s role as a comprehensive amenities hub.

At its core, the Exploration Ave Café was about creating an environment prospective occupants could easily envision themselves using and benefiting from on a daily basis. Recognizing that dining options are an expectation, the team focused on elevating the experience to make it competitive, desirable, and adaptable, with plans already underway to add additional seating as demand grows. For the RCF Group team, the project presented an opportunity to maintain a trusted client relationship while exploring new finishes, products, and solutions beyond the typical day to day work at CCHMC. The result is a dynamic, amenity driven space that supports connection, flexibility, and future growth while setting a new benchmark for the Exploration Avenue campus.