March 31, 20178 yr The Age of Cincinnati map is fun and interesting. However, I decided to see how accurate it was by checking on 5 high profile buildings in OTR. The results were very spotty. I looked at Music Hall, St Francis Seraph, old St Mary, and the old St Johns (Bethlehem Apostolic/Transept) and St Paul Evang. (Taft's Ale House). Three out of the five were way way off in the estimation of their age. So, the map needs some work IMO. One thing that you see a lot with auditor's websites is them entering "1900" for everything that they don't have an accurate year for. By the time you get to 1920-1930 they have much more correct records regarding year built.
March 31, 20178 yr The striking thing about that map to me is that the old stuff is tends to be on a street grid of some sort whereas the new stuff is scattered about willy-nilly. Cancer.
March 31, 20178 yr One thing that you see a lot with auditor's websites is them entering "1900" for everything that they don't have an accurate year for. By the time you get to 1920-1930 they have much more correct records regarding year built. Exactly, same with buildings that have had additions, or outbuildings added, or any number of other modifications.
April 5, 20178 yr Downtown skyscraper recommended for historic list A 114-year-old office building downtown should be on the National Register of Historic Places, a state panel has recommended. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/05/downtown-skyscraper-recommended-for-historic-list.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 6, 20178 yr Anyone know whats going on inside the empty bar on the street level of the Groton Lofts building? Have heard rumors the group that owns Omalley's bought the previously empty bar but haven't seen any official announcement. They've been doing work in there for the last couple of weeks.
April 6, 20178 yr All three Greater Cincinnati convention centers set sights on expansions The Sharonville Convention Center, Duke Energy Convention Center and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center have all expressed hopes of expanding and renovating their current facilities. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/06/all-three-greater-cincinnati-convention-centers.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 13, 20178 yr Anyone know whats going on inside the empty bar on the street level of the Groton Lofts building? Have heard rumors the group that owns Omalley's bought the previously empty bar but haven't seen any official announcement. They've been doing work in there for the last couple of weeks. It's called The Butcher and Barrel: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2017/03/02/maker-che-alfios-butcher-and-barrel/98535524/
April 17, 20178 yr Can anyone share reasoning behind the current business office parks of plum st and parts of elm and court st. I like to browse through google maps and just explore street views. Look I understand that cities develop and preservation isn't always going to happen in the midst of office towers and what not. What I'm trying to understand is why are some of these buildings straight out of the 80s and look straight out of mason with parking lots and full fledged garages nearby. Was there a period of time in this city where it was really anti urban? Because there are parts of the cbd that just scream mason 2.0. What's the history behind this and will there be a point where we can correct this? The buildings next to city hall, that look like they are straight out of a suburban strip mall (like the pure romance building) which are close to otr are probably equally as bad eye sores as those ugly parking garages still remaining in the city. Really hope that part of town will be revisited one day.
April 17, 20178 yr Can anyone share reasoning behind the current business office parks of plum st and parts of elm and court st. I like to browse through google maps and just explore street views. Look I understand that cities develop and preservation isn't always going to happen in the midst of office towers and what not. What I'm trying to understand is why are some of these buildings straight out of the 80s and look straight out of mason with parking lots and full fledged garages nearby. Was there a period of time in this city where it was really anti urban? Because there are parts of the cbd that just scream mason 2.0. What's the history behind this and will there be a point where we can correct this? The buildings next to city hall, that look like they are straight out of a suburban strip mall (like the pure romance building) which are close to otr are probably equally as bad eye sores as those ugly parking garages still remaining in the city. Really hope that part of town will be revisited one day. Queensgate II https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/100999458/ “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
April 17, 20178 yr Was there a period of time in this city where it was really anti urban? I would say that mainstream Cincinnatians were anti-urban from maybe the 1950s to the 2000s. Even in the 2000s, I remember seeing comments on Enquirer articles saying things like, "We should knock OTR down and start all over again" (with suburban style construction). Even today, with the amazing urban renaissance we have going on in this city, a large number of Cincinnatians are unaware of what's happening and still have that same mentality. We are starting to get to the point where the urbanists are able to win some of the battles, and that will only grow with time.
April 17, 20178 yr Keeping with the sad urban renewal theme, check this out. HOMEBODIES (1974) Filmed in Cincinnati using the actual construction of the plum street area and demo of the remaining buildings that were there. Fictionalized, but im sure this was how the residents saw the developers at the time. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071617/
April 17, 20178 yr ^^ FYI I think the "after" part of that was Chicago since the filmmakers obviously didnt have the time to wait around for the real plum street development to get built.
April 17, 20178 yr Was there a period of time in this city where it was really anti urban? I would say that mainstream Cincinnatians were anti-urban from maybe the 1950s to the 2000s. Even in the 2000s, I remember seeing comments on Enquirer articles saying things like, "We should knock OTR down and start all over again" (with suburban style construction). Even today, with the amazing urban renaissance we have going on in this city, a large number of Cincinnatians are unaware of what's happening and still have that same mentality. We are starting to get to the point where the urbanists are able to win some of the battles, and that will only grow with time. My grandmother lived down the hall from Cincinnati's city solicitor who worked on acquiring all of the properties that were demolished in the 1950s and 60s. I didn't know he was there until after he died and I read his life's summary on the nursing home's bulletin board. The whole bit about tearing down the west end was cited as his main professional accomplishment. I remember my other grandmother remarking once about how it all had to be torn down because the buildings didn't have toilets. When I told her all the 500 year-old buildings weren't built with modern plumbing either but they all somehow now have it, I could see that she had never actually thought about it.
April 17, 20178 yr Speaking of this general area it looks like there'd be room for another building in the Gateway Center site facing Court Street if they took down the strange vehicle ramp to the second floor plaza. I don't know what it's used for but I don't think there's additional parking up there. www.cincinnatiideas.com
April 17, 20178 yr Also, the Turner Construction building at Central Parkway and Plum is actually an old brewery, it just had a "modern" facade slapped over it in 1983.
April 17, 20178 yr Also, the Turner Construction building at Central Parkway and Plum is actually an old brewery, it just had a "modern" facade slapped over it in 1983. Seems to me this building could develop its parking lot facing Elm Street and still have plenty of on site parking on the south side of the building. www.cincinnatiideas.com
April 17, 20178 yr The concept of surface parking lots in an urban environment just irks the hell out of me.
April 18, 20178 yr Also, the Turner Construction building at Central Parkway and Plum is actually an old brewery, it just had a "modern" facade slapped over it in 1983. Actually an old ice cream factory, French-Bauer. It replaced the Gerke Brewery which stood on the site until 1910 or so, I'm told the cellars are still under the building though.
April 18, 20178 yr ^ The auditor has some old photos from pre 1980's renovation, when it was still French-Bauer (the first one from almost the same angle): These photos also qualify for that "glass block" thread. They even blocked up the second floor - that's a rare sight.
April 18, 20178 yr Nice! It has a bit of an Albert Kahn feel to it, especially with the arched windows at the top.
April 20, 20178 yr Certainly a much needed improvement! See the downtown Cincinnati Hyatt's multimillion-dollar renovation: PHOTOS Apr 20, 2017, 10:52am EDT Erin Caproni Digital Producer Cincinnati Business Courier The Hyatt Regency Cincinnati has completed the second phase of its multimillion-dollar renovation. The hotel refurbished and updated each of its 491 guest rooms with white stone finish vanities and desk tops with contemporary gray furniture along with iHome clock radios, bedside lighting and new beds. The bulk of this phase of the $32 million total project was focused on updating bathrooms in each room with new tile, fixtures, counters and lights. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/20/see-the-downtown-cincinnati-hyatts-multimillion.html
April 20, 20178 yr That came out alright. A little too beige for my liking but definitely an upgrade. I kind of wish some of the quirkiness of the public space renovations came through. The color and patterns are more interesting but I get why they likely were going for rooms that would be inoffensive to the greatest number of people. Except that bathroom floor tiling. Whoever picked that should be fired. What a disgrace to interior design.
April 20, 20178 yr That tile does look like a Home Depot special, I do really like how much brighter and more fun the lobby is now compared to how tired it was before.
April 20, 20178 yr If you're going to go 95% of the way you'll regret not doing that last 5% It definitely looks old. One, it's the entirely wrong color. Nothing else is that ugly shade of beige. It's far too saturated for the rest of the color palette. Two, it's 12" x 12" ceramic tile which stopped being used by anything other than shitty developer homes about 15 years ago. Three, it looks dirty even thought it's not. Nobody wants their bathroom to look dirty when it's brand new.
April 21, 20178 yr Locked article, can someone with access share who the three firms are? This property and the former Terrace Plaza are two of the largest buildings that need some activity. EXCLUSIVE: 3 firms chasing redevelopment of former downtown Cincinnati department store Apr 21, 2017, 6:42am EDT Tom Demeropolis Senior Staff Reporter Cincinnati Business Courier Three commercial real estate companies are pursuing the opportunity to redevelop half of the former Shillito’s department store in downtown Cincinnati. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/21/exclusive-3-firms-chasing-redevelopment-of-former.html
April 21, 20178 yr Here is a link to the Shillito's RFP... http://www.choosecincy.com/Cincinnati/media/Cincinnati/EconDev/RFPs/Cyber%20Monday/RFP502CEDSHILLITOS.pdf
April 21, 20178 yr It's Towne, Neyer, and Bernstein (Washington DC based). Towne wants to tear down and replace with underground parking with first floor retail, and apartments above. Neyer wants to renovate into a parking garage + offices. No comment from Bernstein.
April 21, 20178 yr If you're going to go 95% of the way you'll regret not doing that last 5% It definitely looks old. One, it's the entirely wrong color. Nothing else is that ugly shade of beige. It's far too saturated for the rest of the color palette. Two, it's 12" x 12" ceramic tile which stopped being used by anything other than shitty developer homes about 15 years ago. Three, it looks dirty even thought it's not. Nobody wants their bathroom to look dirty when it's brand new. It was spec'd out to be gray, in all documents called out as gray. But end of the day the contractor got a deal on the beige, so who cares what the architect and interior designers wanted for the project...
April 21, 20178 yr Is 3rd time the charm to convert former P&G office building into a hotel? A former Procter & Gamble Co. office building in downtown Cincinnati could get new life as a hotel. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/21/is-3rd-time-the-charm-to-convert-former-p-g-office.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 22, 20178 yr If you're going to go 95% of the way you'll regret not doing that last 5% It definitely looks old. One, it's the entirely wrong color. Nothing else is that ugly shade of beige. It's far too saturated for the rest of the color palette. Two, it's 12" x 12" ceramic tile which stopped being used by anything other than shitty developer homes about 15 years ago. Three, it looks dirty even thought it's not. Nobody wants their bathroom to look dirty when it's brand new. It was spec'd out to be gray, in all documents called out as gray. But end of the day the contractor got a deal on the beige, so who cares what the architect and interior designers wanted for the project... This is way too real. That's why you should always push for Construction Administration when it comes to interior design haha. Otherwise you wind up with that one random element that the contractor gets a "great deal" on and substitutes thinking it won't matter at all. Not realizing all it takes is one weird element to throw off an entire scheme.
April 24, 20178 yr If you're going to go 95% of the way you'll regret not doing that last 5% It definitely looks old. One, it's the entirely wrong color. Nothing else is that ugly shade of beige. It's far too saturated for the rest of the color palette. Two, it's 12" x 12" ceramic tile which stopped being used by anything other than shitty developer homes about 15 years ago. Three, it looks dirty even thought it's not. Nobody wants their bathroom to look dirty when it's brand new. It was spec'd out to be gray, in all documents called out as gray. But end of the day the contractor got a deal on the beige, so who cares what the architect and interior designers wanted for the project... This is way too real. That's why you should always push for Construction Administration when it comes to interior design haha. Otherwise you wind up with that one random element that the contractor gets a "great deal" on and substitutes thinking it won't matter at all. Not realizing all it takes is one weird element to throw off an entire scheme. If you haven't realized in commercial architecture, clients are looking to save money at any turn. Tile color in a guest bathroom isnt a big ROI for a hotel owner. Therefore at the end of the day if beige is cheaper than gray, who cares. It just hurts the reputation of the designers involved when the design is bastardized, not the owner or contractor. There are alot of contractors looking to pad there profits at any turn by finding "cheaper material" most of the time we can deny material at submissions, but they will just run to the owner and get it changed.
April 24, 20178 yr Sure, I obviously know that (unfortunately) but it still sucks when you see a renovation where every element matches a color scheme except one thing. Most won't notice or care, but it cheapens the entire renovation. It's unfortunate. And the thing that sucks even more is that you can go to any cheap tile store and pick out a light beige that would match this entire scheme for next to nothing. It looks more like carelessness than "this color was cheaper than the one they wanted" in my mind.
April 24, 20178 yr Tile is something that someone will pull up with a semi full of and be like "$50 for all of it. You unload it."
April 24, 20178 yr Has anyone heard what is going on with the street level space at Sycamore Place? Notice it's being gutted today, so maybe a conversion to apartments like happened at East 8 Lofts?
April 24, 20178 yr Tile is something that someone will pull up with a semi full of and be like "$50 for all of it. You unload it." Have you ever been to those junk lots where they have 300 toilets, 700 toilet tank lids that don't match any of the toilets, 2 old claw foot tubs, an old wood burning stove base (but not the stove), and a headless merry-go-round horse? That's the sort of place that ends up with 9 skids of tile swiped off a construction site in New Jersey back in 1991.
April 25, 20178 yr http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/04/25/exclusive-2-teams-chasing-development-site-near.html
April 25, 20178 yr ^Anything built there would be an improvement over that surface parking lot... so if this move forward, it will be great news for that corner of downtown, which badly needs more residential and street level retail. That being said, we don't have many opportunities for developments of this size, so it needs to be designed, built, and managed well. John Henry Homes doesn't seem to have any experience in urban environments, so I'm a bit nervous about their ability to design the scale properly for this large (nearly a full acre!) parcel right across the street from one of our city's most architecturally significant buildings (City Hall): http://www.johnhenryhomes.com/communities
April 26, 20178 yr I tell ya what, that hillside on Riverside Drive ain't messin' around. It's still moving even as they're trying to fix it. I'm sure the rainy weather hasn't helped.
April 26, 20178 yr ^I doubt that the people buying all of the new $900k homes down there have noticed. And if they have, a realtor could assuage their mild fears with a light pep talk.
April 27, 20178 yr ^ The Jeweler’s Exchange Building at 7th & Race which is being turned into a hotel. My girlfriend spoke to the owner of the Payless and verified that they are closing because the new owners want the space for a hotel, not because the Payless wasn't doing well.
April 27, 20178 yr ^Mayor Cranley's family owns that building. Wrong. His father used to be a part owner of that building and is not any longer. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2017/01/09/another-downtown-building-eyed-new-hotel/96335714/
April 27, 20178 yr ^Mayor Cranley's family owns that building. Wrong. His father used to be a part owner of that building and is not any longer. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/money/2017/01/09/another-downtown-building-eyed-new-hotel/96335714/ Wrong by four months. I didn't see that news story.
April 27, 20178 yr Does anyone know the plans for 305-309 sycamore? I saw today it sold to ANTAEUS INC. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Looks like one of the registered agents is the owner of the Ichiban restaurant in Mt Lookout Square. So, maybe a new restaurant venture... http://www.bizapedia.com/oh/ANTAEUS-INC.html http://www.manta.com/c/mt4gpx3/ichiban-restaurant https://www.dln.com/newcorporations/details/ref_index/59975 Yep: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/05/02/exclusive-ichiban-owner-buys-downtown-cincinnati.html EXCLUSIVE: Ichiban owner buys downtown Cincinnati bar and restaurant The owner of Ichiban in Mount Lookout purchased a bar and restaurant in downtown Cincinnati for nearly $1 million. Yu Bin Lin, who owns Ichiban and Dragon City IV in Cheviot, purchased In Between Tavern at 307 Sycamore St. from 307 Sycamore Holding Co. LLC for $960,000. As of a few weeks ago, In Between Tavern closed and was replaced by Corner Bistro. They are also in the process of repairing/painting the building. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
May 3, 20178 yr Tour the final phase of Greiwe’s Mariemont luxury condos The fourth and final phase of Greiwe Development Group’s Mariemont Village Square is finished and nearly all of the luxury condominiums are sold. Livingood Park is an 18-unit condo development that joins Jordan Park, Emery Park and Nolen Park within walking distance of Mariemont’s Village Square. Construction is wrapping on the last condos with four remaining available for purchase. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/05/03/inside-the-final-phase-of-greiwe-s-luxury.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 4, 20178 yr As of this morning, demolition has *finally* begun on the Cincinnati North hotel.... :clap:
May 4, 20178 yr http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/05/04/exclusive-climbing-gym-looking-for-location-near.html?ana=fbk They should look at the old boys and girls club near Liberty and Central Parkway. Or, the base of the Terrace Plaza Hotel... maybe set something up on the blank wall where you could scale the outside of the building! That's be something for pedestrians to look at. www.cincinnatiideas.com
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