The Strange, Round Building

Akron Institute/Falls Medical Building

In 1959 a group of Cuyahoga Falls physicians formed Port-Haven Associates, Inc. Headed by Dr. Fred Somma, the group hired Kamenir-Hamed Architects to design a modern medical facility at 1625 Portage Trail.

IMG_0143

By 1962 the building was underway with features that seemed futuristic for the time. Akron Savings & Loan financed the project, and the Ernest Alessio Construction Company was hired to build the $1,100,000 structure.

The 85 foot diameter circular building is four stories tall with an additional story below ground for mechanical equipment and additional suites. Exterior walls above the first floor are of reinforced concrete precast panels.

Every wonder what used to sit here before this building was built? Here’s another post from June 2013 www.cuyahogafallshistory.com/2013/06/old-portage-trail-farm/

roundbuildingWhat currently sits on Portage Trail.

13 Comments

  1. Founded in 1908 as The Rhode Island School for the Feeble-Minded (later changed to the Exeter School, and finally known as the Ladd School) is located on Gaspee Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

  2. Iene Leach-Metz

    When I drove past this building yesterday, it looked like there was some activity going on. Pray tell if somebody is going to buy or lease it and put it to use.
    I think the last tenant was a Business School.

  3. i’ve loved this building since i was a kid. it was so mysterious. never could go by it with out starting at it and creating stories of its existance in my head.

  4. Cynthia

    It’s gone. They knocked it down recently. A crime.

  5. BETH A DUIGOU

    awful that is being torn down. some nondescript homogenous building will probably take its place. doesn’t Cuyahoga falls have a progress through preservation ? or does everyone believe not to preserve what came before us. – furious about them taking this down
    .

  6. Mark mothersbaugh

    I was fitted with my first pair of eye glasses in that round building in 1957….

    • Steve Black

      I remember sitting in the car waiting along with my brother and sister for my mother when she went for her doctors check ups. Circa 1964. Always connected it with Day The Earth Stood Still.

  7. A Sch

    Dr. George Solomon’s office was in that building, remember going to that office in the 80’s, before that as a child in the 70’s remember having my DR. in that building.

  8. I stumbled on the building as it was being town down, while picking up 1860s era cast iron fencing from a guy who lived in the countryside. The building was exactly half gone when I saw it. Photos here at the link below.

    • Oops. Looks like the website link gets attached to the username. So click my name to view the photos.

      • Johnny Repine

        Those are some great photos!

        I’d love to own a more modern version that would be a bit more ADA compliant. Make it one big spiral ramp at a low enough angle or something.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *