Dear Lord.  Sounds like these guys have a pretty tough life. 

Jake, your comments aren't welcome when they get into that territory. Seriously, the service at that place is awful as I've heard from several people. Instead of coming in here all high and mighty, maybe, for once, don't assume you know everything about someone you've never met, take the review for what it is, accurate, and go on with life. Your comments like this add absolutely nothing to these boards.

I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing as Jake, .... someone spent way too much time on writing that negative review

Never mind, I don't want to take this off topic like I accidentally just did.

 

The Yoga Bar and bar beneath are really being gutted quickly. They're out there every morning, along with the OTRCH project on Republic at like 7 am everyday. Should be a quick project.

BTW, Someone should post a picture of 26-28 W 13th Street.  That developer has no idea how to rehab an OTR building.  The exterior color is awful, the interior finishes are suburban, and those exterior light fixtures.  Ughhh.  A prime location, completely screwed-up.

I actually don't mind the color, I just with there was ONE accent color. I like the idea of a building being all one color if the interior is appropriately modern which is sounding like is not the case. But let's say it was for the discussion of the exterior. The yellow door with all greyscale exterior could work. I think if the two bays were a solid, darker grey then the whole thing would look infinitely better. As it is they just look like they were primed then left.

I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing as Jake, .... someone spent way too much time on writing that negative review

 

It is reddit, however I had a bad experience there as well.  They promised a barcade up and down and when I showed up they said, oh yeah its coming in July, no mention on any of their press runs.  Gave me a sour taste in my mouth.

...As it is they just look like they were primed then left.

 

Exactly.  It looks like they spray painted the facade with primer and called it a day. 

I really want to go buy a darker shade of the grey they used and renegade-paint the bays in the middle of the night.

Never mind, I don't want to take this off topic like I accidentally just did.

 

The Yoga Bar and bar beneath are really being gutted quickly. They're out there every morning, along with the OTRCH project on Republic at like 7 am everyday. Should be a quick project.

 

Something is happening at the Yoga Bar (roughly 9th and Main)?

No there's a new place opening on the second and third floors of the building on the southwest corner of Republic and 14th.

^ah, I see.  Also operated by Yoga Bar?

^ah, I see.  Also operated by Yoga Bar?

 

The Yoga Bar is moving from its current location on Main to a renovated space near Salazar.

^Well there you go. I didn't realize it was moving. Not much of a yoga guy so I'm not super up to date on what's moving from where when it comes to yoga places.

 

I'm super excited for Picnic and Pantry. That building has come a long way. Its color looks nice and better than the white-washed brick (either paint or don't, pick one!).

^ah, I see.  Also operated by Yoga Bar?

 

The Yoga Bar is moving from its current location on Main to a renovated space near Salazar.

 

Thanks for the info.  That's a bummer, I really liked their old space.  I wonder what it will become? Maybe an apartment or two since the upper floors already are apartments.

3CDC buys 3 “problem” properties in Over-the-Rhine

Oct 16, 2014, 1:04pm EDT

Tom Demeropolis Reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. purchased three low-income housing properties in Over-the-Rhine that have been the source of lots of criminal activity and is in the process of moving residents to other housing options in the neighborhood.

 

3CDC purchased 1301 Walnut, 216 W. 12th St. and 218 W. 12th St. from the Community Builders Inc., a large nonprofit developer of affordable housing, for $700,000, according to property records. Anastasia Mileham, vice president of communications for 3CDC, said the three buildings have about 80 apartments, 16 of which were vacant when 3CDC purchased the properties earlier this month. 3CDC, a nonprofit real estate development and finance organization, and a number of partners are working with the residents in the buildings to find new homes.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/10/16/3cdc-buys-3-problem-properties-in-over-the-rhine.html

It has always been a problem with people loitering, littering, and yelling at people walking by. The police seemed to keep a good presence and relationship with those who were there. They pretty much knew who lived there and who visited often. Not sure if it's all the people who live there or people visiting/loitering, but the people who hang out in front have always been a problem. It sounds like they are moving all of them out of the building based on that article.

I do feel bad for those who lived there peacefully and respectfully, but hopefully their new places will have less run-ins with the police and they have a better standard of living. I frequently see a couple of older women looking out the windows on the top floor just watching the cars go by.

I generally like the longterm residents that live by me (on 15th Street and Republic) since they seem to care about the area and are always friendly when out front of the building. They say hi, ask how it's going, and create a protective feeling for that stretch of 15th.

 

This intersection, however, has resulted in so much heckling of my friends and me over the years. Guys flat out harassing my female friends, shouting anti-gay slurs at my ex and me, etc. It's a rowdy group of people who sit outside. Though obviously this doesn't necessarily represent the entirety of the group who lives at that building and from the sounds of it those less seen are wanting to get out to somewhere different anyway. Hopefully 3CDC handles the people's moves correctly and doesn't give them the shaft.

I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing as Jake, .... someone spent way too much time on writing that negative review

 

Read it again.  The thing pretty much looks like a planted review by a competitor.

 

I forgot that this was the same place that has the weird after-hours events on Friday and Saturday nights. I'm not sure how it's making money at 3-4am on Friday and Saturday nights but then again I don't care either.  I saw a Bentley parked out front at 4am back in July or August. 

 

Why do people find barcades interesting?  It combines two things that you can't do at the same time.  You can't play a video game AND drink at the same time, unless you byobh (bring your own beer hat). 

 

 

Even WoWheads find time to suck down Mt. Dew.

 

It works. Between levels, between lives, etc., you have time to take a sip and finish your drink before it gets warm.

It works because it's just a reason to entice people to get there. They'll play a level, sip their drink, play another, finish their drink, get another and so on and so forth. People like arcade games (especially free ones) and like alcohol. It's pretty simple to see why it's intriguing.

Even WoWheads find time to suck down Mt. Dew.

 

I resemble that remark!

EXCLUSIVE: Urban Sites considers development near streetcar line

Oct 24, 2014, 3:44pm EDT Updated: Oct 24, 2014, 3:52pm EDT

Chris Wetterich Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

Urban Sites, a developer that has put in more than 400 apartments in Over-the-Rhine, is considering turning a large vacant building across from the Samuel Adams brewery on Central Parkway into apartments or commercial space.

 

In September, the Cincinnati City Council approved a preferred developer agreement with Urban Sites to develop the vacant, city-owned property at 1632 Central Parkway. The building used to house the Cincinnati Business Incubator. Historically, the structure, which Urban Sites is calling the Film Building, was owned by Warner Bros.

 

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/10/24/exclusive-urban-sites-considers-development-near.html

EXCLUSIVE: Urban Sites considers development near streetcar line

Oct 24, 2014, 3:44pm EDT Updated: Oct 24, 2014, 3:52pm EDT

Chris Wetterich Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

 

Urban Sites, a developer that has put in more than 400 apartments in Over-the-Rhine, is considering turning a large vacant building across from the Samuel Adams brewery on Central Parkway into apartments or commercial space.

 

In September, the Cincinnati City Council approved a preferred developer agreement with Urban Sites to develop the vacant, city-owned property at 1632 Central Parkway. The building used to house the Cincinnati Business Incubator. Historically, the structure, which Urban Sites is calling the Film Building, was owned by Warner Bros.

 

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/10/24/exclusive-urban-sites-considers-development-near.html

 

Does anyone happen to know what Warner Bros actually did in Cincinnati?  Did they actually film movies there?  That Warner Bros building on Central has puzzled me for many years.

 

Here you go:

http://org.elon.edu/ipe/pautz2.pdf

 

About 25% of discretionary income was spent in movie theaters in the 1930s versus 2% now. 

So it was just administrative offices for when the film industry was vertically integrated?

The corner building was offices, but the larger building was actually used for distribution of the films themselves. On each floor there are sets of concrete walled vaults with double fire doors to store the highly flammable film stock. I'll have to see if I can dig up photos from a visit a few years ago.

Good to hear that the film building can be saved and repurposed. I had previously heard that it was impossible to reuse and would've had to be demolished.

The Warner Brothers building had an open house today but I was not able to make it. 

Take a look inside the newest apartments in OTR: SLIDESHOW

Oct 29, 2014, 11:46am EDT

Erin Caproni Digital Producer- Cincinnati Business Courier

 

Park West, an apartment project that has merged two historic properties in Over-the-Rhine, opened its doors for the first time on Tuesday, and the Courier took a tour inside.

 

A single-family home at 28 W. 13th St. and a multifamily apartment building at 26 W. 13th St. built around 1880 now house 10 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom apartments.

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/10/29/take-a-look-inside-the-newest-apartments-in-otr.html

I have to admit, I was thinking the same thing as Jake, .... someone spent way too much time on writing that negative review

 

Read it again.  The thing pretty much looks like a planted review by a competitor.

 

I forgot that this was the same place that has the weird after-hours events on Friday and Saturday nights. I'm not sure how it's making money at 3-4am on Friday and Saturday nights but then again I don't care either.  I saw a Bentley parked out front at 4am back in July or August. 

 

Why do people find barcades interesting?  It combines two things that you can't do at the same time.  You can't play a video game AND drink at the same time, unless you byobh (bring your own beer hat). 

 

 

 

Go to porter's pinball palace on main. The owner had a stroke so he modified the machines to have buttons for each flipper on each side so you can play with one hand.

3CDC just bought 1727 Logan St, the chicken/fish stand alone building at the corner of Elder / Central next to the big Findlay Market sign.

 

I'm guessing this will get torn down for either parking or new development. No historic value in that building and a fairly large lot behind the building abutting Logan.

That could definitely be a better gateway entrance to OTR/Findlay Market. and with the Incubator building to the south that is owned by the City/Findlay Market Corp a project could develop here.

I'm just so glad attention is being paid to North of Liberty.  Finally!

I don't get the whole notion that a Subway isn't a right fit for OTR.  It's a pretty large area with a very economically diverse population, and should be able to support a wide variety of uses.  Would a Subway belong in the middle of the trendy restaurants on Vine street? Obviously no.  But in a pretty isolated part of the neighborhood, with many surface lots and a lack of activity, I think a Subway would actually be a welcome addition.  Having just come back from a NYC trip, I was struck by the mix of uses in many of the neighborhoods I walked through- particularly in the Downtown portions of Manhattan (areas that look incredibly similar to OTR...).  You see chains and independents, all price points, corner stores, etc. all in close proximity to each other.  It creates a vibrant street scene and creates the sense that all are welcome in the neighborhood, which is something that the current Vine Street tenant mix does not achieve.

 

Well, Subway seems to be a pretty popular lunch option for people who work in my office building on Reading Road (across from the casino). There is still a lack of quick/inexpensive restaurants in OTR. If a restaurant or cafe opens up in Broadway Square (still waiting on tenants to be announced), that will be extremely convenient for us.

^I was part of the "not a fan" crowd when Subway was announced, but I've since moved down to OTR and REALLY wish there was more quick takeout in the area. If I want a nice sit-down place I'm covered wonderfully between OTR and Downtown. If I'm being a lazy lump and want takeout to eat on my couch while watching a movie with my dog there really isn't much out there after about 6. I personally quite dislike Subway but am far more open to the idea of that level of quick, cheap, easy service type places opening.

Does anybody know which building this proposed distillery will be in? http://www.soapboxmedia.com/innovationnews/111114-Pet-Wants-owners-to-open-distillery.aspx

 

Does anybody know which building this proposed distillery will be in? http://www.soapboxmedia.com/innovationnews/111114-Pet-Wants-owners-to-open-distillery.aspx

 

According to State of Ohio the Company is registered at 2017 Branch Street in OTR. Right next to Central Parkway. About 2 blocks from Rhinegeist.

 

But the Auditor has it located at 1814 Central Parkway, which it is that old-Germany ish looking building along Central.

Yeah - I just found it through the auditor's site, too. Sold for $225k earlier this year.

 

 

For $225,000, Hobbs found herself with 17,000 square feet of space, including a warehouse and an attached garage. Two blocks from the streetcar, she has space for 250 cars and the kind of business potential people only dream of.

 

I'm not sure who told them they'll be able to fit 250 parked cars there... (maybe it's a typo and the article meant to say 25 cars).

"Born Again Distillery, a name Hobbs has already trademarked..."

 

I don't know that BAD is the best acronym to go with for a business name.

 

Also, stamping money with an advertisement is explicitly illegal, so they might want to stop that.

Smitty's moved out of their store at 15th and Vine this weekend. They're setting up shop at Green and Vine. The owner of their former location is preparing the building for renovation into 13 condos.

 

Hueber Homes put up a fence around the vacant lot at 1527-1529 Republic and has begun digging for what appears to be a future foundation. Not sure what the plan is here but I have a feeling it's a single family home.

 

Fencing has gone up around the buildings at the Northwest corner of 15th and Pleasant. No demolition has happened yet however.

 

The owners of the plot just south of the new construction on Elm just south of 15th are beginning their search for an architect. Single family home as suspected.

 

The bar and yoga studio at 14th and Republic is coming along nicely.

 

Pontiac is also coming along. It appears there will be something in the basement since there is an open stair leading down there.

 

The two story addition to the garage on 14th by Urban Expansion is coming along. I'm really curious what their exterior treatment will be for the addition.

 

I'm not supposed to actually share this information but there's a very large, 20+ townhome project in the works up by Rothenberg.

 

3CDC's new headquarters is looking quite nice.

 

Taft's Ale House is in the process of receiving new windows. Exterior painting is almost complete as well and interior plaster work is ongoing.

 

The Mercer actually doesn't look bad now that it's fully put together. Each individual item is tacky but as a whole it actually works. I know that's not going to be a common opinion but I'm not as offended by it as I was when it was still a work in progress.

 

Homage looks really great. I love the all black storefront. There's something really nice about it.

 

Sidewalk reconstruction is set to begin soon on the northern half of the 1400 block of Race Street and turning the corners onto 15th.

 

The townhome at 1535 Republic has begun further interior demolition after initial exploratory demolition.

 

The townhomes at 1531-1533 Republic are under renovation.

 

^ Wow, thanks for typing that all out.

For $225,000, Hobbs found herself with 17,000 square feet of space, including a warehouse and an attached garage. Two blocks from the streetcar, she has space for 250 cars and the kind of business potential people only dream of.

 

I'm not sure who told them they'll be able to fit 250 parked cars there... (maybe it's a typo and the article meant to say 25 cars).

 

There's a parking deck nearby (I think its next to the Cincinnati Jobs building) that I think they might be allowed to use after regular business hours. I've been through her space recently it's a pretty cool location; much bigger than you would expect from Central Parkway.

 

The Mercer actually doesn't look bad now that it's fully put together. Each individual item is tacky but as a whole it actually works. I know that's not going to be a common opinion but I'm not as offended by it as I was when it was still a work in progress.

 

You're dead to me. I thought you were an Architect?

It seems that, even compared to 1 year ago, things are really cooking and heading in the right direction.  I think that, the next big wave will be when GE opens and the streetcar is operational, that will bring more jobs downtown, and keep the momentum and even increase it.  I think then the multiplier effect will be accelerated, with new businesses, Cintrifuse, GE Spinoffs, and that will carry over to more residential and money being poured into OTR.

 

The Mercer actually doesn't look bad now that it's fully put together. Each individual item is tacky but as a whole it actually works. I know that's not going to be a common opinion but I'm not as offended by it as I was when it was still a work in progress.

 

You're dead to me. I thought you were an Architect?

 

Haha. You've been in my condo, you know that The Mercer is far from my personal taste, but I can at least understand it. I would've personally gone with something completely different, but part of being an architect is making contentions like this when a client REALLY wants something (unfortunately).

Fencing has gone up around the buildings at the Northwest corner of 15th and Republic. No demolition has happened yet however.

 

I think you mean 15th and Pleasant, right?

 

Also 1428 Republic, work has started on demo and stabilization on what will eventually be a conversion of the building into two apartments.

 

Also don't forget the new frontier of Wade Street! 219 Wade is being converted into a 4 BR single family home, just steps from the Elm and Liberty streetcar stop.

 

Broadway Square has put out leasing information, advertised as being "adjacent to streetcar stop."

 

 

^Yes, thank you. I looked over to make sure I had all my cross-streets correct but missed that one. It is indeed the group of buildings at 15th and Pleasant.