Cincinnati Historic Properties to Head to Auction

Developer Kingsley + Co. will auction the former Hoffman School and St. Mark Church properties in late 2026.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Commercial

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic brick schoolhouse facade with arched windows, evoking the heritage of Cincinnati architecture. — Kingsley + Co. plans to auction the historic Hoffman School and St. Mark Church properties in Cincinnati this fall, clearing space for a new residential development. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should developers prioritize new construction over the preservation of historic neighborhood buildings?

The Hoffman School and St. Mark Church properties in Cincinnati are set to hit the auction block in October and November 2026. Developer Kingsley + Co. listed the sites after concluding that repurposing the historic buildings is not financially viable.

Why it matters

These auctions signal a pivot in local land use as the developer shifts focus toward a new $36 million apartment complex. The sale marks the end of efforts to preserve the existing structures, which no longer align with the company's current development strategy.

The Hoffman School, built in 1922, carries a $750,000 starting bid, while the 48,000-square-foot St. Mark Church campus, completed in 1916, begins at $150,000.

The players

Kingsley + Co.

This real estate development firm is responsible for listing the properties and planning the new Mingo apartment complex.

Chinedum Ndukwe

He purchased the St. Mark Church building in 2022 before it was listed for the upcoming auction.

The details

Kingsley + Co. plans to construct a 240-unit residential project called The Mingo on ball fields adjacent to the Hoffman School. Although the developer previously received zoning approval to demolish the school, the current auction presents a final opportunity for interested parties to acquire the buildings.

St. Mark Church was completed in 1916.
The Hoffman School building was completed in 1922.
The Cincinnati Archdiocese decommissioned St. Mark Church in 2010.
The St. Mark Church auction occurs from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, 2026.
The Hoffman School auction occurs from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, 2026.

Culture Shift

The transition away from preserving the Hoffman School reflects a broader shift toward new construction over the renovation of aging institutional properties. This move highlights the tension between maintaining historic architectural character and meeting modern housing demand in Cincinnati.

Residents in the Evanston neighborhood may see significant changes to the area's landscape as the property auctions move forward. The planned Mingo apartment development will likely alter local traffic and population density once construction begins.

The takeaway

The upcoming auctions provide a definitive timeline for the potential repurposing or demolition of two notable historic sites in Evanston. Interested buyers should note the specific auction windows to participate in the bidding process.