PhattyNati

My comparison to the caresource building is in reference to the "do something with nothing". That building is probably exactly what the client wanted against the better judgement of anyone else involved. That being said, given the limitations of elaborate massing (budget), the skin articulation of the caresource building was done very well. Gouge your eyes out, really? If thats your basis for eye couging you must have some serious vision issues at this point. And as far the ascent goes. Its a trophy building...to be best experienced from afar. Its the giant middle finger from bill butler to cincinnati. We all know none of his buildings respond to urban context so why even bring it up. The actuall building when its ever built will look nothing like this rendering so its really not worth debating. Bingo

I do not feel that the office building is terrible. I think its definitely more edgy than Queen City Square. This building reminds me a lot of the CareSource building in Dayton. Sure, the basic massing isn't all that interesting but i like all the plan changes and the different glazing languages to further set those elements off. That can come off in a very elegant and sophisticated way if its done well. Its not going to turn any heads, but i think it looks pretty good. And whoever keeps saying "Art Deco" on the enquirer comments page needs to give it a rest. Art Deco is a wonderful thing, but its sure not "progressive".

My inside sources indicate a new set of renderings will be completed for the developer soon. Whether those are released to the public i dont know. From what i can tell...architecturally speaking...prepare to feel about the same. The rendering quality should be vastly improved but from what i understand the whole things is kind of last minute.

I always thought Kenwood was unofficial too, but then just last week i saw a sign on Montgomery road - around the moeller high school proximity - that simply said "Kenwood". We arent talking your "welcome to mariemont" sign. This was a state issued classic green highway sign. Similar to what you see when driving down 71 or 75 as you cross over municipal boundaries. Im not saying one little sign means anything, but its the first time ive seen anything like it announcing the arrival of Kenwood. Someone thinks its official. In any event. Who cares what its called. Its on Kenwood road and thats good enough for me.

im glad they are still going to use LEDs and i pray that they will be white and not try to mimic the high pressure sodium gold.

I'm not sure where people are getting the Columbia Square comparisons. The buildings are built to the street here and not setback, the entrances front onto the street not the parking areas, and there is on-street parking and curb bump outs for pedestrians. It may not be the best design, but where is the likeness to Columbia Square? Look at it. Again. Yes, I don't see how this (notice the rest of the buildings besides the office building)... ...resembles this in any way Care to clarify this time? Contrived architecture is one thing they have in common. As usual i will do my best to withhold judgement. It is my assumption (and hope) that these images are so preliminary that the final product will only be a reflection of these schemes. The composition of video board, and flared vertical wall, mass, and material is so confused on the northeast corner it makes me cringe. The hand rendered image feels much better to me. I appreciate the attempt to make a gateway of sorts with all that riff-raff thrown on the corner, but the execution is poor at best.

Ive only seen a 13th floor once in my life and i sure as hell didnt stop there. They are flying with the core concrete work though its virtually impossible to see what they are actually doing. Its pretty well concealed with plywood and plastic sheating. But it seems like overnight the'll bump up the steel form supports a whole floor. Whoa...i just re-read the article. Whats this build from the top down business? I dont see the efficiency in that nore do i see the practicality of jacking the entire building up with every new floor. Plus how do you progressively fit out a building with plumbing etc that way? Crazy. But that does explain how they seemed to make so much progress overnight!

ill believe the banks will be built once construction is finished, all the spaces have been lease, the buildings have been torn down after 100 years of use, and new buildings are built....then come talk to me about "progress at the mudpit"

^ the large glass atrium on paul brown itself is as "front door" as anything needs to get. both of the stadia address the termination of freedom way in their architecture. much less impressive on GABP as compared to PBS...but addressed none the less.

Interesting to see, in the fourth image or so on the WCPO website, the more complicated footing excavation for foundation work at the areas eventually to support buildings. Looks kind of like an archaeological dig...but all they have found so far is re bar.

^ agreed. this developement is the definition of pathetic. bring back the overgrown wooded area that used to be on this land...at least that had some integrity and purpose.

it looks exactly like the two units closest to the street in the rendering. were there any views from eastern/riverside (whatever the heck it is right there)

another tower crane is on its way up

and they didn't have to rebuild subway stations or make infinate additional infrastructure repairs at qcs

i love how they use acreage to make it more impressive than the banks...when the banks will probably be signifactly larger as far as density is concerned. they probably include the marina in that figure. i hope this project succeeds. the more the merrier.

The silence might answer your question.

UPA may not be attractive, but the design scheme has made the area a vibrant spot even with 40% or so of the retail space sitting vacant. During good weather days the sidewalks are packed with people eating, reading, jogging, walking dogs, etc. It is a great atmosphere that if duplicated on both sides of a street will make for an amazing space. As long as the materials, scale, and uses work then the rest will come with age. Worst case scenario is we have some buildings that aren't as ornate as we would like but that have created a vibrant urban environment. Rando, i think it has to be one way or the other for it to be a successfull urban environment. Right now these renderings demonstrate neither. If you dont have much variation in texture from fake facade to fake facade then i think you have to mix it up with some positive and negative massing. I think wed all be kidding ourselves if we assumed these buildings will be dressed up any nicer than illustrated in the renderings. Streets in OTR have an architectural richness that is derived from their detail, not massing. Every storefront adheres to the same setback, yet the streets are still "interesting" because they are proportioned and designed very well. But if you remove that articulation, you have to create interest in other ways. When i look at this rendering im reminded of the meyer at center of cincinnati with its fake barn facades...just looks bad.

Still looks terrible. Poor render-quality aside...the architecture just sucks.

^ Architects are responsible, obviously, but building owners dont always tend to be since "responsible design" can sometimes mean more costs upfront. LEED and Sustainability are little more than a trend, for sure. At least at some level its getting people to take notice.

looks like the beginnings of crane number two are taking shape on the 4th street side of the site.

interesting how people percieve a hole dug 6 years ago vs a hole dug last month as progress beyond comparison. and from what i can tell, both of the project sites are just huge mud pits. one just happens to be deeper. i think people take comfort in bashing the banks and i agree that not matter its success, it will always be the punch line in "stupid cincinnati" remarks.

^ Thats what she sa.. It is exciting to see all the activity in that quadrant of town.

^ I think it has been brought up but i agree with you 100 percent. I think it could be turned into a pretty nice half field facility.

Bingo! Double Bingo!

^ Ha...i saw that on espn and wondered if you were the poster. Nice bit of advertising.