mcadrenaline

From LA or Europe?? Really? humph! I'm not even going there. I think he needs to work on operations, PR and Marketing. I do agree that Nabici had it's problems, but Brigade as a whole has been better...just not QUITE there yet. They carry some awesome stuff though and are really on top of what's hot.

DAMMIT! I love Brigade. The stores in the WD and the one at Coventry always carried different lines of merch. Although this sucks, I will still choose to buy from them over Nordstrom/Saks/etc. because they are a local start up. Dan, the owner is perhaps one of the most fashion-forward minded people in Cleveland and really is making an effort to bring lines like G-STAR RAW, and other stuff from LA and Europe to Cleveland, and this is stuff we probably never would have saw. Although I wish them the best, and I support them doing what they feel they need to do to stay afloat, this is very sad. That one block was always my favorite downtown shopping spot, since I could hop across to Style Lounge and Constantino's while I was down there.

ugh, get the hotel done, and get it done RIGHT before you worry about a grocery store in Avondale.... :wtf: hey, any updates on obtaining renderings for this project?

Several years ago some Connecticut residents protested the demolition of a "Golden Arches" style MacDonald when it was replaced by one of a more "modern" design. those were a true slice of Americana, though, so I understand. back on topic, please?

yessssss! PACHA or SPACE Cincinnati! FINALLY put us on the map! LOL wooo!

hey I thought of that FIRST lol. anyways, here are some GREAT articles about some churches gone clubs... http://www.clubsystemsinternational.com/year_archive.html/2003/may03/church.htm (CHURCH Denver) http://www.clubsystemsinternational.com/year_archive.html/2007/10/places2.htm (BoMA Columbus) http://www.clubsystemsinternational.com/year_archive.html/2002/dec02/sanctuary.htm (Sanctuary Pittsburgh) also, anyone ever been to Limelight/Avalon/Studio Mezmor in NYC? another old church!

it's so funny that you say that.... I was driving back to campus from Sharonville with a few friends yesterday afternoon an hour before the fire...we were talking about this very church and I said I would not be surprised if it went the way of BoMA in Columbus or Church in Denver. Both of those really quite high-profile club projects came out great, and I think this area could definitely use some new nightlife. so soon after we parked, went and got Chipotle, and when we finished our meal, saw all the firetrucks racing down Calhoun and McMillian....sad day for Cincinnati.

...and this is true, but I'm talking about NOW. this project was notortiously mishandled from day one, or else we would not have an open lot with 2 eyesores in one of the most bustling, dense areas of the city. it's not about what they could have done...it's about what they need to do now.

ahhh! I wish they would AT LEAST tear down the Arby's/Hardees mess already. A vacant lot would look so much better than that, anyways.

I don't know though...I think it's important to ADD housing, not convert existing housing into upscale condos. Students are KEY to this area's success, as well as young professionals and there needs to be enough housing to cover both these groups of people. So keep the students in the moderately priced apartments and attract more wealthy people with trendy, exclusive, loft style condos. and keep the cash flowing with designer boutiques, a trendy ultra lounge, or a great, new restaurant. I think this area has the potential of becoming the 'Hyde Park Square' for the young. Corryville is another story because of the surrounding area and the amenities offered in that area, not just the build quality.

I'll be honest...you might be the first person I've heard suggest that Clifton doesn't have enough upscale housing. please expand on that...I'm kind of confused as to where you are coming from....

...just within the last week. I was down there this time last week and they had the fencing up and some of the machinery there, but the building was still up. so this is for sure going to be a plaza? or is it still open for discussion? I agree that a plaza is a complete waste of space. I'd really like to see storefronts with condos on top. This area needs all the upscale housing and retail it can get!!!

do you know if it is an actual full service salon or a Best Cuts/Great Clips franchised type place? this area definitely needs a decent salon...the offerings on McMillian are subpar for most students and I hate having to drive out to Kenwood or Rookwood.

that's why I'm so curious to see the renderings. and it actually would not be Hampton...they are all franchised and the builder/owner of each property chooses their own style and pays Hilton to use the Hampton name and their services. my concern is that they just go with a Hampton prototype...which are nice enough for the suburbs or airport, but totally not appropriate for this area.

I'm in the process of getting site plans and/or any related renderings. thanks. keep us posted.

We don't need another hotel like Kingsgate, but an affordable option in the center city would be nice...Hampton Inn will be just that. yes, this is BIG news. I actually work for Hampton, and anyone that knows anything about the limited-service sector of the hotel industry knows that Hampton is the leading brand in this category. The brand loyalty is amazing and guest satisfaction is amongst the highest of any brand. Plus, this will be a great option for those looking to score Hilton Honors points for thier stays that don't want to be downtown or in Covington. Plus, keep in mind that as a Hampton Inn & SUITES hotel this property will also be an excellent extended stay option for visiting professors, consultants, doctors/nurses in training, or family of hospital patients since all suites have full kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas. sorry to sound like such an ad LOL, but I love Hamptons and I think this is going to be great for this area!!! does anyone know what group will manage this hotel when it opens? and can anyone get any renderings of this project?

as a UC student new to Cincinnati, I am ALL FOR the streetcar. Can someone please give me instructions/addresses for the letter? thanks

so any guesses as to when demolition of the two old fast food buildings will begin?

It is unfortunate that many students think this way and refer to, what they call Clifton, as the ghetto. I always say, "last time I checked most ghettos don't have a Panera Bread, Urban Outfitters, Starbucks, American Apparal..." I think you misunderstood where I was coming from...I love the way the rest of the area has progressed, it's awesome, very convenient for students, diverse mix of tenants, and is relatively safe; however, the area we are discussing looks awful, is not lit at all, is covered with graffiti and full of broken glass, empty beer/liquor containers, and just looks plain sketchy and unsafe...it looks like "the ghetto". I no longer think of the area surrounding UC as the ghetto, because times have changed. It's time that this once piece of the past changes too to reflect where UC is going and how thriving this area really is

I'm very happy to finally see some progress on what I think is quite possibly one of the most crucial projects for UC right now. This site really does hurt the university's image. I hate to say it, but it really does scream "ghetto", which is the image UC is really trying to move away from. I am a freshman at UC, and my dorm looks out over this site, which is an absolute mess. The rest of the area has progressed very nicely and is thriving -- this site is really the last piece in the puzzle in making this area really come together.

oh, and going back to the piece of land where the shuttered fast food restaurants sit... there are serious rumors flying around UC (specifically the Urban Planning dept. at DAAP) about Wal-Mart seriously looking at this site. I'm not so sure how I feel about that....it's such an eyesore and wasted used of space in such a high density area, and a Wal-Mart would be a major convenience for UC students; HOWEVER, I think a mixed use retail/housing/hotel/etc development would suit the area better in the long term. has anyone heard anything in regards to this?

that place is PACKED every day since it has been opened. they basically have the monopoly on wing bars in clifton, there is none other that I know of.

this is this weekend!!! i'm excited. we're for sure staying at the hampton inn covington. send any last minute suggestions my way! thanks

nice interview and update on what is going on, but I too thought things were further along. I hope they can pull this together. Even if the architecture is not outdtanding, something new down there is better than nothing. I'd settle for something like Newport/Levee in Cincitucky.

both, really. anything goes. we have decided on the first friday and saturday in may. anything special going on that weekend? we will be staying in covington. On a side note...have you toured the university before? If not I would be willing to give you a tour...I gave a tour to future DAAP students last weekend actually. If you would like me to show you and/or your family around campus let me know and it can be arranged. hey, awesome. i'm not sure exactly when we plan to be on campus, but i'll talk to my buddy and get back to you. that sounds great. are you a student yourself?