April 14, 20241 yr 26 minutes ago, columbus17 said: THIS is what developers need to be doing. Excellent project! Yes. Keystone also did the TownePlace Suites at 7th and Race where they added a few floors. I think they will do a fantastic job with site building.
April 16, 20241 yr Hotel developer has new plans for former downtown Cincinnati Chong building By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 16, 2024 There are new plans for how the former Chong building at 614-616 Race St. downtown will be redeveloped. The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) had planned to build 35 apartments at the site, but it will now become a new 109-unit hotel, with 2,000 square feet of restaurant and bar space, according to documents filed with the Cincinnati Planning Commission. MORE
April 17, 20241 yr Is this going to be a Hilton Home 2 Suite? From luxury townhome to a 2-3 star hotel?
April 17, 20241 yr I'm not sure where you got luxury townhomes from, maybe that was a proposal or maybe it was hypothetical, but the fact is that its going from a vacant building to a hotel. It's also redeveloping a historic building, reintroducing a historic facade that was lost for 50+ years, and gaining more height and density along the Race street corridor. I see no negatives here.
April 17, 20241 yr Not the same thing, but the Moxy is also a hotel moving behind a historic facade, though it seems like its been moving really slow they are installing brick along the alley and it appears to be closed in with windows and waterproofing. You can also see the tippy tops of the amenity deck at the new City Club
April 17, 20241 yr Yes, I think @lobanio0 may be getting those two mixed up. The previous plan for the Race Street buildings was to become townhomes, before that was scrapped and the Pure Romance and Moxy projects were announced. The previous plan for The Chong was apartments before the new proposal for a Home2 hotel was announced.
April 17, 20241 yr Duttenhofer Building, site of ex-P&G office, back on the market after plans for boutique hotel fall through The former Procter & Gamble headquarters building is being marketed for sale again after pre-pandemic plans to convert it to a boutique hotel ran into turbulence. Various entities have looked at converting the Duttenhofer Building, located at 299 E. Sixth St. downtown, to multifamily or hospitality uses but construction costs have been too cumbersome, said Spencer Kron with Sudbrack Kron Commercial Real Estate, who is marketing the property. A potential deal fell through in just the past three weeks. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/04/17/duttenhofer-downtown-cincinnati-building-for-sale.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 18, 20241 yr 57 minutes ago, zsnyder said: Given the choice, I'd rather have a hotel-shaped guitar. Same. I mean, why not. Something garish. The architectural lighting of our downtown is certainly not at a high point right now and is not adopting anything that is technologically interesting. We need a disruptor. LOL.
April 18, 20241 yr THE NEW DOWNTOWN Before the Covid-19 pandemic, about 75% of Sleepy Bee Cafe’s downtown patrons chowing down on breakfast sandwiches and pancakes were businesspeople, either locals or those traveling from out of town. Today, it’s 25%. But business diners have been replaced in large part by people visiting downtown for games, concerts, conventions or other reasons, General Manager Nick Cotter said. It took until 2022 for the business environment to feel secure, but he estimates the downtown location’s sales still are off by about 15%. “The landscape and the demographic of our clientele has shifted dramatically,” Cotter said. “Events have become such a huge driver of our business. Downtown has become increasingly a destination of choice.” Sleepy Bee’s change is emblematic of the greater one occurring gradually downtown – a move away from using the skyscrapers that shape Cincinnati’s skyline for work to places where people live, gather and entertain. Developers plan or are constructing 1,456 new apartments and 279 hotel rooms in former office buildings in the Central Business District, according to Business Courier research and data provided by commercial real estate firm CBRE. And more conversions are in the works on an unspecified number of additional apartment units. Other data compiled by consultant Michael Dinn shows the potential number of homes in buildings that could contain 50 units or more increasing by more than half, if they all are built, which is no sure thing. It adds up to the biggest potential transformation of downtown since the 1970s when the city decided to emphasize office buildings over residential. Without a strong downtown, the rest of the city may suffer, creating a downward spiral impacting the entire region, leaders believe. “This is unlike any other time,” said Bobby Maly, CEO of developer Model Group. “Why do you care if you’re not downtown? There are a lot of large companies that are competing for talent all over the globe. We need places that attract young people where they want to live.” Way more below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/04/18/new-downtown-office-market-residential-conversion.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 19, 20241 yr 19 hours ago, ColDayMan said: THE NEW DOWNTOWN Before the Covid-19 pandemic, about 75% of Sleepy Bee Cafe’s downtown patrons chowing down on breakfast sandwiches and pancakes were businesspeople, either locals or those traveling from out of town. Today, it’s 25%. But business diners have been replaced in large part by people visiting downtown for games, concerts, conventions or other reasons, General Manager Nick Cotter said. It took until 2022 for the business environment to feel secure, but he estimates the downtown location’s sales still are off by about 15%. “The landscape and the demographic of our clientele has shifted dramatically,” Cotter said. “Events have become such a huge driver of our business. Downtown has become increasingly a destination of choice.” Sleepy Bee’s change is emblematic of the greater one occurring gradually downtown – a move away from using the skyscrapers that shape Cincinnati’s skyline for work to places where people live, gather and entertain. Developers plan or are constructing 1,456 new apartments and 279 hotel rooms in former office buildings in the Central Business District, according to Business Courier research and data provided by commercial real estate firm CBRE. And more conversions are in the works on an unspecified number of additional apartment units. Other data compiled by consultant Michael Dinn shows the potential number of homes in buildings that could contain 50 units or more increasing by more than half, if they all are built, which is no sure thing. It adds up to the biggest potential transformation of downtown since the 1970s when the city decided to emphasize office buildings over residential. Without a strong downtown, the rest of the city may suffer, creating a downward spiral impacting the entire region, leaders believe. “This is unlike any other time,” said Bobby Maly, CEO of developer Model Group. “Why do you care if you’re not downtown? There are a lot of large companies that are competing for talent all over the globe. We need places that attract young people where they want to live.” Way more below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/04/18/new-downtown-office-market-residential-conversion.html That was a nice article. I kind of wished they summarized: Total Office Space Total Office Space Vacant Total Office Space Under Development etc. I am too lazy to do it myself, but it seems like a LOT is being redeveloped but community leaders like Bobby Maly said Cincinnati needs to continue to push.
April 19, 20241 yr On 4/16/2024 at 8:37 AM, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Hotel developer has new plans for former downtown Cincinnati Chong building By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 16, 2024 There are new plans for how the former Chong building at 614-616 Race St. downtown will be redeveloped. The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) had planned to build 35 apartments at the site, but it will now become a new 109-unit hotel, with 2,000 square feet of restaurant and bar space, according to documents filed with the Cincinnati Planning Commission. MORE 3CDC will be giving a presentation at Monday's Budget & Finance committee meeting about this project. The slide deck doesn't contain any new information.
April 22, 20241 yr Cincinnati Planning Commission OKs sale to allow for hotel at ex-Chong space By Chris Wetterich – Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 22, 2024 The Cincinnati Planning Commission approved a key step toward converting the former Chong building downtown into a new, 108-room hotel. Commissioners unanimously approved a measure Friday, April 19, to take back the building at 614-616 Race St. from the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. and convey it to hotel developer Keystone Hotel Group, whose principal is Subhas Patel. The move will allow tax-increment financing for the project, which means property taxes that would have been paid on future improvements instead go back into the project as public infrastructure. MORE
April 22, 20241 yr I bet once this end of the street gets restored we will see this view in a few film projects. It will be like the Universal Studios back lot with the compact little slice of early 20th century city life. On 4/19/2024 at 5:55 PM, Dev said: 3CDC will be giving a presentation at Monday's Budget & Finance committee meeting about this project. The slide deck doesn't contain any new information.
April 22, 20241 yr Keating Muething & Klekamp recommits to downtown office space with 10-year lease By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 22, 2024 One of Cincinnati's largest law firms has doubled down on its downtown office space with a new lease that will see the firm invest millions. MORE
April 24, 20241 yr Home2 Suites hotel will go in former downtown Cincinnati Chong building Keystone Hotel Group plans to put a Home2 Suites by Hilton at the site of the former Chong building downtown. Keystone’s principal, Subhas Patel, and the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., the buildings’ current owner, on Monday revealed the new detail about the $28 million, 109-room project, which will renovate the property at 614-616 Race St. and add new stories to the existing building. Patel told City Council’s budget committee that his investment is a direct result of the city, county and 3CDC’s plans to overhaul the Duke Energy Convention Center, build a new headquarters hotel and develop a new district around them. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/04/23/home2suites-hotel-former-chong-building-downtown.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 24, 20241 yr Does anyone know how they will fix the original facade as part of this project? Much of the ornamentation was chipped away for the installation of the 1951 brick facade.
April 24, 20241 yr 25 minutes ago, taestell said: Does anyone know how they will fix the original facade as part of this project? Much of the ornamentation was chipped away for the installation of the 1951 brick facade. They'll likely just have to recreate it. A similar scenario happened with the Schofield building in Cleveland when it was covered in panels in the 60s. The facade was a mess and they ended up having to recreate all the details that were removed in order to fit the panels.
April 24, 20241 yr 1 minute ago, columbus17 said: I hope they use real stone and not some plastic mold. If it's utilizing historic credits, I believe the material has to be like for like in order to qualify. Is this one going for the historic tax credits?
April 24, 20241 yr 25 minutes ago, jmicha said: If it's utilizing historic credits, I believe the material has to be like for like in order to qualify. Is this one going for the historic tax credits? I don't believe these buildings are currently registered nationally or locally.
April 25, 20241 yr I think in some ways the most interesting preservation technique would be to try and capture it in it's chipped and partially ruined way, as a way of preserving the dumb decisions made in the past. Some clear epoxy to stabilize anything that needs to be secured but keep it as is would be really cool in comparison to the new floors being added above.
April 25, 20241 yr 18 minutes ago, ucgrady said: I think in some ways the most interesting preservation technique would be to try and capture it in it's chipped and partially ruined way, as a way of preserving the dumb decisions made in the past. Some clear epoxy to stabilize anything that needs to be secured but keep it as is would be really cool in comparison to the new floors being added above. I could even see them doing some sharp up-lighting to accentuate the jagged edges of the chipped facade. Would be pretty cool depending on how they handle the new addition.
April 25, 20241 yr 18 hours ago, ryanlammi said: I don't believe these buildings are currently registered nationally or locally. "The Ohio Department of Development awarded a more than $1.4 million Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit to the Robert Mitchell Furniture Co. buildings, most recently known as the home of the Chong, a retailer that closed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 3CDC acquired the building in June 2020 for $500,000." -https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/04/16/3cdc-chong-building-downtown-hotel-not-apartments.html
April 25, 20241 yr Ah interesting. I didn't think these buildings were included in a district, but I guess they are in the Race Street Historic District with the national register.
April 26, 20241 yr ROOM TO GROW Developers, Fortune 500 firms and nonprofits alike look to the Central Business District to continue as the healthy heart of the region By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 25, 2024 Downtown Cincinnati’s comeback from the Covid-19 pandemic is pronounced but incomplete, with tantalizing residential developments underway or in the pipeline but few answers about whether a jolted office market has finally bottomed out. “I do believe downtown Cincinnati is different from other cities,” said Bimal Patel, founder of hotel owner Rolling Hills Hospitality. “It’s a vibrant market, not only for the hotel industry, but for multifamily, restaurants and bars. We still have a long way to go, but I feel like it’s a healthy place.” At the Business Courier’s annual Commercial Real Estate Developers Power Breakfast, held April 23 at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, Patel was joined by fellow panelists Bobby Maly, CEO of the Model Group; Tim Massa, chief people officer at Kroger Co.; and Christy Samad, executive vice president of civic and commercial space activation at Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC). MORE
April 26, 20241 yr On 4/25/2024 at 11:57 AM, ryanlammi said: Ah interesting. I didn't think these buildings were included in a district, but I guess they are in the Race Street Historic District with the national register. You can also get historic tax credits if you can show an individual building is historically significant, being in a district just makes it easier. I would expect the HTC would not carry over to the hotel. The scope is significantly different, especially the rebuilding of the facades. It would require a full new review of the Part 2 by SHPO and the feds as well as a new application for the state HTC since the project financials and economic impact have changes.
April 26, 20241 yr A quick aside — On Instagram, I shared the following ad for the "Kroger on Race at Shillito Place" which occupied this building before The Chong, and @jwulsin asked if I could share a higher resolution version here. Unfortunately, all I have is this photo/screenshot and I can't remember where it originally came from. I probably came across it while looking for something in an old Enquirer.
April 26, 20241 yr Downtown's Lytle Park reopens after $5M overhaul: PHOTOS By Nikki Kingery – Projects editor, Cincinnati Business Courier Apr 26, 2024 The transformation of the 2.3-acre Lytle Park along East Fourth Street took nearly 18 months to complete. MORE
April 26, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, taestell said: A quick aside — On Instagram, I shared the following ad for the "Kroger on Race at Shillito Place" which occupied this building before The Chong, and @jwulsin asked if I could share a higher resolution version here. Unfortunately, all I have is this photo/screenshot and I can't remember where it originally came from. I probably came across it while looking for something in an old Enquirer. Love that the air curtain was their leading selling point! What a time!
May 1, 20241 yr Downtown Cincinnati Main Library to reopen in July after $40M renovation project By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier May 1, 2024 The Downtown Main Library, the flagship location in the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library system and one of the largest downtown libraries in the country, will fully reopen this summer following extensive renovations that could prove only the first phase of a larger redevelopment project. The Main Library’s south building will reopen the weekend of July 12, Paula Brehm-Heeger, director of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, told the Business Courier. Shelving and furniture is currently being delivered. Public art for the south plaza is scheduled to be installed in June. MORE
May 1, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Downtown Cincinnati Main Library to reopen in July after $40M renovation project By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier May 1, 2024 The Downtown Main Library, the flagship location in the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library system and one of the largest downtown libraries in the country, will fully reopen this summer following extensive renovations that could prove only the first phase of a larger redevelopment project. The Main Library’s south building will reopen the weekend of July 12, Paula Brehm-Heeger, director of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, told the Business Courier. Shelving and furniture is currently being delivered. Public art for the south plaza is scheduled to be installed in June. MORE Glad to see that the apartment tower is still a possibility.
May 2, 20241 yr 12 hours ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: Downtown Cincinnati Main Library to reopen in July after $40M renovation project By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier May 1, 2024 The Downtown Main Library, the flagship location in the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library system and one of the largest downtown libraries in the country, will fully reopen this summer following extensive renovations that could prove only the first phase of a larger redevelopment project. The Main Library’s south building will reopen the weekend of July 12, Paula Brehm-Heeger, director of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, told the Business Courier. Shelving and furniture is currently being delivered. Public art for the south plaza is scheduled to be installed in June. MORE Bad project. Should've knocked down and built it like the old one. The good one.
May 2, 20241 yr Here's what's really fueling downtown Cincinnati's recovery As downtowns continue to recover, much attention has been focused on the return to the office. But in Cincinnati and elsewhere, new data suggests nightlife and after-hours activity is actually a bigger driver of the recovery than what's happening during the workday. That’s according to the latest research by University of Toronto’s School of Cities, which has tracked cell phone activity across 62 downtown metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada since January 2020 to gauge how recent activity compares to before the pandemic. The data found economic diversity – including entertainment, restaurants, retail and tourism – is playing a huge role in the post-pandemic urban recovery. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/05/02/afterhours-nightlife-powering-recovery-downtown.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
May 2, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, ColDayMan said: Here's what's really fueling downtown Cincinnati's recovery As downtowns continue to recover, much attention has been focused on the return to the office. But in Cincinnati and elsewhere, new data suggests nightlife and after-hours activity is actually a bigger driver of the recovery than what's happening during the workday. That’s according to the latest research by University of Toronto’s School of Cities, which has tracked cell phone activity across 62 downtown metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada since January 2020 to gauge how recent activity compares to before the pandemic. The data found economic diversity – including entertainment, restaurants, retail and tourism – is playing a huge role in the post-pandemic urban recovery. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/05/02/afterhours-nightlife-powering-recovery-downtown.html I’d like to see how much tourism has increased from adding the London flight. I’m going to assume it’s not a huge increase but would assume that it has increased.
May 3, 20241 yr On 4/26/2024 at 3:40 PM, taestell said: A quick aside — On Instagram, I shared the following ad for the "Kroger on Race at Shillito Place" which occupied this building before The Chong, and @jwulsin asked if I could share a higher resolution version here. Unfortunately, all I have is this photo/screenshot and I can't remember where it originally came from. I probably came across it while looking for something in an old Enquirer. Nice find! Here is the source image from the Enquirer October 18, 1960 (Page 13 of 46)
May 3, 20241 yr BWE secures $14.5 million loan to purchase Page Tower in downtown Cincinnati By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier May 3, 2024 The long-term future of an affordable housing tower on the western outskirts of downtown Cincinnati is unclear after its sale to an out-of-state lender. Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate, or BWE, one of the largest privately owned commercial mortgage banking firms in the country, announced the acquisition of Page Tower at 619 Central Ave. in an April 25 media release. Building owner Union Baptist Church Pioneer Housing Corp. transferred title to the building March 19 to Page Tower Owner LLC, of which the church is the sole member. It’s unclear whether BWE has finalized purchase of that LLC. MORE
May 6, 20241 yr I found this page on BWE's website. Now Union Baptist has some millions. Will the Union Baptist use that money to build more housing?
May 16, 20241 yr Cincinnati's latest residential conversion, The Vibe, opens in the heart of downtown By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier May 16, 2024 Birkla Investment Group has debuted The Vibe downtown after a $7.3 million conversion from office space. MORE
May 17, 20241 yr Not trying to be too critical as I love seeing more people living Downtown, but The Vibe is not a vibe. - The finishes appear to be from 2009. The flooring is super busy and a lot of the spaces feel really dark. - They put the fridge in front of the window in the first kitchen they show in pics. Why not flip the entire kitchen and have the fridge up against the wall at the right? Odd planning. - In the second kitchen they show, the fridge is still at the exterior wall, but thankfully not in front of a window. However there's a weird notch necessary to fit the fridge. Just all around odd looking. - Amenity spaces are a little underwhelming, but whatever. Regardless though, I'm really glad to see this conversion ready for residents to move in. Here's hoping the lot next door is built on like originally planned at some point soon!
May 17, 20241 yr I think it wasn't photographed very well. I say that as someone who has done realty photography in the past. Overall, I think it looks just fine and my only grip is the name! Not great.
May 17, 20241 yr The photos and article show "The second-floor units, where some of the bank vaults used to be, feature intricate and compelling layouts, such as lofted and sunken rooms in the same one-bedroom unit." That piqued my curiosity (I personally like small, cozy spaces), so I checked out the layout on the project's website: https://thevibecincy.com/#floor-plans I can't tell how many steps down the sunken room is from the rest of the main floor. The article says this is where "the bank vaults used to be", but I don't really understand how these floors were built. Does the floor below it have staggered ceiling heights? Overall, just very unusual. Here's the layout, showing the sunken room on the left:
May 22, 20241 yr Paycor moving HQ to the Former Saks Downtown. "You could not imagine a more perfect outcome for the old Saks building," said Brendon Cull, President of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. "Paycor's new headquarters Downtown will bring people, new small businesses, and economic activity to a crucial corner Downtown." https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2024/05/22/cincinnati-company-paycor-moving-into-downtowns-old-saks-building/73788711007/ Edited May 22, 20241 yr by 646empire
May 22, 20241 yr So they're giving up a 136,000 sq. ft. building in Norwood and consolidating down to 40,000 sq. ft. downtown with most employees working from home. Probably a sign of what a lot of companies are going to do once their leases are up.
May 22, 20241 yr 5 minutes ago, taestell said: So they're giving up a 136,000 sq. ft. building in Norwood and consolidating down to 40,000 sq. ft. downtown with most employees working from home. Probably a sign of what a lot of companies are going to do once their leases are up. What I’ve heard and am hearing is many companies now want smaller, lavish, modern and centrally located offices for its executives and best talent while keeping lots of entry level-ish folks at home.
May 22, 20241 yr Those payroll companies are all the same and even have similar names (i.e. Paycor vs. Paycom), meaning they need to buy stadium naming rights and invest in a high-profile office to project their supposed superiority.
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