February 11Feb 11 $71M Atrium One conversion loses 'game-changing' feature after tax credit snub The proposed residential conversion of one of downtown Cincinnati’s largest office towers will change in scope, losing a key amenity, after its developer lost out on a state tax credit award. Vermont-based Acabay Inc., owner of the Atrium One and Atrium Two buildings on Fourth Street, is planning to convert Atrium One into more than 200 apartments, a project with an estimated $71 million price tag. Frank Motter, founder and chairman of Acabay, applied last year for $5.3 million from Ohio’s Transformational Mixed-Use Development program, the state’s largest annual tax credit-based incentive to real estate developers. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/02/11/atrium-one-residential-conversion-tif-tax-credit.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 11Feb 11 Couldn’t get a pic but the new Moxy Hotel has new and very visible signage up on the back portion of the south facing exterior wall. Very prominent from the Great American Ballpark main gate.
February 13Feb 13 310 Race the Old Pogues Service building looks to be moving ahead.12 stories 115 k sf 120 units nice sized project here. CASE NUMBER: COA2025005 SUBJECT PROPERTY: 310 RACE ST BOARD HEARING: HISTORIC CONSERVATION BOARD HEARING DATE: 03-24-2025 at 3:00 PM HEARING LOCATION: Centennial II Building, Room 508, 805 Central Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 PRE HEARING DATE: 03-05-2025 at 9:30am PRE HEARING LOCATION:The pre-hearing conference will be conducted through a virtual platform at https://cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/prehearing. No registration is required for the pre-hearing. APPLICANT: WINSTANLEY ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS REFERENCE REQUEST: The applicant requests a Certificate of Appropriateness to rehabilitate the H&S Pogue Service landmark building into 120 housing units, including window openings and new windows located in the Central Business District. Additionally, the applicant seeks a special exception for commercial continuity.
February 14Feb 14 12 minutes ago, Rabbit Hash said: What does commercial continuity mean? Commercial continuity is a company's ability to keep delivering products or services after a disruption. This could be a natural disaster, power outage, or cyberattack.
February 14Feb 14 21 minutes ago, Rabbit Hash said: What does commercial continuity mean? In this zoning context they are asking to not have/have less than than the required amount of commercial space on the first floor: § 1411-17. - Commercial Continuity. In locations indicated on Map 1411-17: Commercial Continuity Overlay in Downtown Development Districts at least 60 percent of first-floor building frontage be devoted to commercial uses. Further, floor areas closest in elevation to and within 12 feet of adjoining walkway or atrium frontages must be devoted to lobbies.
February 19Feb 19 Very Nice! I thought there was one more space next to the new London Pub concept? An announcement coming I assume? 3CDC has fully leased its $74M Foundry development. Here's what we know https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/02/19/3cdc-lease-foundry-new-tenant-fountain-square.html
February 19Feb 19 What a great location and building for this! Hyatt Centric to make Ohio debut in Cincinnati https://hotelbusiness.com/hyatt-centric-to-make-ohio-debut-in-cincinnati/?amp=1
February 19Feb 19 13 minutes ago, 646empire said: What a great location and building for this! Hyatt Centric to make Ohio debut in Cincinnati https://hotelbusiness.com/hyatt-centric-to-make-ohio-debut-in-cincinnati/?amp=1 Also sounding like construction is beginning immediately for early 2026 opening which makes sense they shouldn’t have to do a lot on the build out side. I think those floors are already ready to be framed out for the most part. I assume the hotel front desk will be in the large lobby on the 2nd floor. Very easy project. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250219257987/en/Hyatt-and-Birkla-Investment-Group-Announce-Plans-for-Debut-of-the-Hyatt-Centric-Brand-in-Cincinnati-Ohio Edited February 19Feb 19 by 646empire
February 19Feb 19 1 hour ago, 646empire said: What a great location and building for this! Hyatt Centric to make Ohio debut in Cincinnati https://hotelbusiness.com/hyatt-centric-to-make-ohio-debut-in-cincinnati/?amp=1 Birkla originally proposed the Terrace Plaza to a bunch of hotel brands included Hyatt. I know those convos died due to the ceiling height and room size. Glad that his team pivoted and pushed for the old Great American building. These will be nice rooms in the heart of downtown activity.
February 19Feb 19 10 minutes ago, savadams13 said: Birkla originally proposed the Terrace Plaza to a bunch of hotel brands included Hyatt. I know those convos died due to the ceiling height and room size. Glad that his team pivoted and pushed for the old Great American building. These will be nice rooms in the heart of downtown activity. Wasn’t he in the process of selling 580 in part to help finance The Terrace? I wonder if he’s just going to keep it now? This is a stellar property to hold onto.
February 19Feb 19 6 minutes ago, 646empire said: Wasn’t he in the process of selling 580 in part to help finance The Terrace? I wonder if he’s just going to keep it now? This is a stellar property to hold onto. Now that it will be 100% leased at least the tower portion, it's a financial cash cow and not a money drain. Then again this might make it more attractive to sell for a higher value ... Edited February 19Feb 19 by savadams13
February 19Feb 19 Owner of AT580 building downtown plans conversion into hotel The owner of a mixed-use high-rise building in the heart of downtown Cincinnati is planning to convert a large chunk of office space into a luxury hotel under a Hyatt brand entirely new to the Queen City. The conversion project would transform the vacant former Fifth Third Bancorp offices in the AT580 building into a 170-key Hyatt Centric hotel. Hyatt Hotels Corp. and Carmel, Ind.-based Birkla Investment Group, which owns the 17-story AT580 building, jointly announced the hotel project in a Feb. 19 media release. “This development blends the building’s rich history with modern luxury, offering a dynamic space that caters to both residents and visitors, making it a vibrant cornerstone of downtown Cincinnati,” Tony Birkla, owner of Birkla Investment Group, said in the release. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/02/19/birkla-new-hotel-hyatt-centric-at580-conversion.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 19Feb 19 I wonder if converting the apartment into hotel rooms was also considered or might be considered in a future phase.
February 19Feb 19 3 minutes ago, taestell said: I wonder if converting the apartment into hotel rooms was also considered or might be considered in a future phase. I highly doubt it. I can’t imagine spending 10s of millions converting basically new apartments over to hotel rooms. Also those apartments have consistently been almost 100 percent leased. I tried to get one a couple years ago and they had nothing available.
February 20Feb 20 On 2/19/2025 at 3:09 PM, 646empire said: I highly doubt it. I can’t imagine spending 10s of millions converting basically new apartments over to hotel rooms. Also those apartments have consistently been almost 100 percent leased. I tried to get one a couple years ago and they had nothing available. One of my friends is moving in May to Toronto and he lives on the 12th floor so there may be one available if you are still interested haha. It views the OTR side.
February 25Feb 25 Wow this sounds amazing! Great get for downtown. Event center with Imax-quality projection mapping to open in downtown Cincinnati https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/02/25/mercantile-immersive-event-venue-downtown-funkys.html
March 3Mar 3 Developer plans $21M affordable senior housing project in downtown Cincinnati By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Mar 3, 2025 A Columbus developer wants to build a $20.7 million mid-rise residential building at a site in downtown Cincinnati with a controversial history. The seven-story, 46,121-square-foot building would bring 58 units of affordable senior housing to 114 W. Third St. National Church Residences, a prolific national senior housing developer also behind the Alexandra Apartments in Walnut Hills, applied in February to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency for 9% federal low-income housing tax credits for the unnamed project. The community would provide 31 studio and 27 one-bedroom apartments. Six units would be income-restricted to those making 30% of the area median income, or AMI; 44 units would be income-restricted at 60% AMI; and eight units would be income-restricted at 70% AMI. MORE
March 3Mar 3 I'm supportive of this type of housing development in the urban core, but the specific location seems a little odd for senior housing. This part of the CBD is so focused around weekday office workers, stadia, and the convention center, and it's a few blocks from the streetcar and Government Square which could be too far for residents with mobility issues. There is another affordable senior housing complex on Elm Street in OTR, which is a much better location IMO, as residents have a much more human-scaled neighborhood with many more businesses to walk to, and streetcar access to Findlay Market and Government Square.
March 3Mar 3 11 minutes ago, taestell said: I'm supportive of this type of housing development in the urban core, but the specific location seems a little odd for senior housing. This part of the CBD is so focused around weekday office workers, stadia, and the convention center, and it's a few blocks from the streetcar and Government Square which could be too far for residents with mobility issues. There is another affordable senior housing complex on Elm Street in OTR, which is a much better location IMO, as residents have a much more human-scaled neighborhood with many more businesses to walk to, and streetcar access to Findlay Market and Government Square. My reaction too, such a weird place for this. Imagine trying to get ambulances here on a Bengals game day.
March 3Mar 3 Raze existing buildings and leave the parking? Build seven stories on a site that deserves much more? ugh.
March 3Mar 3 Okay, a bit colder take: As is, this is a terrible edge piece. If the eventual(!) capping of FWW means park space, this is still a bad edge piece. While still weak, I could see the massing work if there are buildings on the cap (the cap option I prefer), since the height of those buildings will likely be on the low end. That being said, the concerns about location still seem valid in both cases.
March 3Mar 3 While it's not 1 block from a streetcar/bus route, I don't think the location is really that bad. About 4 blocks from the streetcar. Just about anywhere downtown is fairly walkable. I get the concern about individuals with mobility issues, but most senior housing is further away from any public transit or everyday amenities. And being 4 blocks from the streetcar would be a lot better than 2 blocks from a single bus line in Oakley, Price Hill, College Hill etc. The time it takes to get anywhere on the bus that isn't directly on the line you're riding is a much higher barrier than an extra block or two. I do have issues with tearing down all the buildings.
March 3Mar 3 4 hours ago, taestell said: I'm supportive of this type of housing development in the urban core, but the specific location seems a little odd for senior housing. This part of the CBD is so focused around weekday office workers, stadia, and the convention center, and it's a few blocks from the streetcar and Government Square which could be too far for residents with mobility issues. There is another affordable senior housing complex on Elm Street in OTR, which is a much better location IMO, as residents have a much more human-scaled neighborhood with many more businesses to walk to, and streetcar access to Findlay Market and Government Square. The renovation of 630 Main, also within the CBD and directly on transit and streetcar lines, was also supposedly being proposed as affordable senior living (71 units). I'm sure both would fill up quickly but I am not sure I want it to be the trend.
March 4Mar 4 The picture in the article is deceiving. At first, I was thinking this was right along 3rd street downtown next to the FWW area, but when pulling it up on a map (115 W Third St) it is all the way over on the other side of 75, across Gest St.
March 4Mar 4 33 minutes ago, seanian said: The picture in the article is deceiving. At first, I was thinking this was right along 3rd street downtown next to the FWW area, but when pulling it up on a map (115 W Third St) it is all the way over on the other side of 75, across Gest St. I think you're mistaken. The street grid dictates that 0XX W. 3rd is between Vine and Race. 1XX W. 3rd is between Race and Elm. IDK what map service you're using, but that shouldn't be right.
March 4Mar 4 Downtown's parking lots are forever. In the 20 years since I photographed all 50+ of them for a project, only two have been built on - Dunhumby and the Kroger tower. We have added some new lots and some new fenced-off astroturf zones.
March 4Mar 4 If the rendering is correct, I believe it is the buildings on the right and middle, looks like they couldn't get the lot between the middle and left buildings.
March 4Mar 4 I hate demolishing two buildings when there's literally a surface parking lot next door. Even if it could be just be shifted between the two 5 story buildings with only demolishing the one ugly 3 story building that would be much much better but clearly they don't own 116 W 3rd Street.
March 4Mar 4 12 minutes ago, ucgrady said: I hate demolishing two buildings when there's literally a surface parking lot next door. Even if it could be just be shifted between the two 5 story buildings with only demolishing the one ugly 3 story building that would be much much better but clearly they don't own 116 W 3rd Street. 116 W 3rd Street is part of the deal. Both the listing and the article include it: Quote The land on which the development is proposed consists of multiple parcels from 108 to 116 W. Third St. As for the parking lot at the corner, it is owned by a different company, based out of Nashville. It is the same LLC that previously owned the Whex Garage. There is already a permit filled for this project but it's only for addresses 108, 114, and 116. The parking lot has an address of 100 and 106. Their application was for zoning verification, which was approved, but the specific request was to verify a project that features: Quote 7-story, 58-unit multifamily bldg with no parking The parking lot might be staying because NCR couldn't buy it. NCR is non-denominational Christian, while the Ann and Monroe Carell Foundation appears to be Catholic. I'm not finding any previous connections between the 2 organizations.
March 4Mar 4 1 hour ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said: looks like they couldn't get the lot between the middle and left buildings. The space to the left of the project is narrower in the elevation.
March 4Mar 4 This location is caddy corner to the old Pogues Service building which is in line for 120 units and renovation.Adding 57 units to this and this block starts picking up some momentum.
March 19Mar 19 Former Saks Fifth Ave building is definitely coming together, looking very impressive.
March 20Mar 20 21 hours ago, 646empire said: Quick pic, workers are in the proposed hotel at 4th and Race. Nice! Do we know the brand of this one?
March 20Mar 20 22 hours ago, 646empire said: Former Saks Fifth Ave building is definitely coming together, looking very impressive. Opening up with removal of the skywalk is going to be big in this area too. With the Fountain District coming together over the next 5 years it should REALLY help downtown, I think. Especially if they can get some more conventions and increase the street presence throughout.
March 20Mar 20 22 hours ago, 646empire said: Quick pic, workers are in the proposed hotel at 4th and Race. I used to walk by here about once per week when I had to go to the Chamber to get COOs certified. It's all online now so I don't get down here often, but I always loved this building. Pictures don't really do it justice, it's a lot bigger than pictures make it feel. I think it will be a great hotel but really curious how it ends up.
March 24Mar 24 Lydia's on Ludlow has announced on their Facebook page that she is working on opening Lydia's on Garfield via crowdsourcing in the former Café de Paris spot at 17 Garfield Place. She has created an Amazon Wish List as well as accounts on Venmo, PayPal and Zelle.
March 24Mar 24 1 hour ago, Dev said: Lydia's on Ludlow has announced on their Facebook page that she is working on opening Lydia's on Garfield via crowdsourcing in the former Café de Paris spot at 17 Garfield Place. She has created an Amazon Wish List as well as accounts on Venmo, PayPal and Zelle. Oh no! Did Cafe de Paris close?
April 1Apr 1 310 Race St (former H&S Pogue Service building designed by Hake and Hake) is proposed to be renovated into 120 apartments. The developers said it's a $40 million project. The project is applying for state and federal historic tax credits, but I'm not clear about the timing or if they need the state credits to make the project work financially. It went before the Historic Conservation Board and was approved on March 24th. The project needed a variance because they have no commercial along Race St (this site is in a "commercial continuity" corridor). The surface parking lot to the south is under the same ownership. They're going to add more windows to the south elevation, and there will be one level of parking accessed through a garage door through the parking lot. That probably means it's unlikely that the surface parking lot will ever be used for anything other than parking. (The only infill I could imagine working is a 1-story building that maintains driveway access to the garage, and is short enough that it doesn't block the views of the apartments to the north). It's a bit of a bummer to have parking on that prominent corner, but in this specific case, I'm not too bothered by it because the adjacent building at 30 West 3rd is also set back quite a bit from 3rd St. It's not ideal but it doesn't seem totally out of context, and I'm glad those south-facing apartments in 310 Race will have nice views. I'm just thrilled to see this old building brought back to new, residential use. https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/march-24-2025-case-materials-and-staff-report/
April 1Apr 1 There are now some interesting coved pieces of the terracotta facade going in, I know it's not the biggest or most impactful building going on downtown but I'm impressed with the quality that's going into it. I've become so jaded to cheap aluminum composite, EIFs or cement board facades with EZ trim that it's nice to see materials that will actually last 100+ years.
April 15Apr 15 Downtown boutique set to land city incentives, but neighbors are worried A historic Fourth Street building set to be renovated into a hotel likely will receive city tax incentives, but nearby condominium owners expressed concern about several project elements. The project at the George F. Otte Carpet Co. Building, at 33 W. Fourth St., by Blue Suede Hospitality Group, will receive a 12-year property tax abatement after City Council’s budget committee unanimously OK’d the incentives April 14. A final council vote likely will come April 16. Blue Suede plans a $17 million overall investment in the property. The project includes 44 hotel rooms, with a retail and cafe space at the front entry. The hotel is expected to also have a fitness room. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/04/15/downtown-boutique-hotel-4th-st-otte-incentives.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 16Apr 16 ‘A statement project’: Former Macy’s headquarters opens as apartments Less than two years after starting construction on redevelopment of the former Macy’s headquarters at 7 W. Seventh St., developer Anoop Dave unveiled the building with much fanfare and praise from elected and civic leaders who hope he will do more projects in the city’s urban core. The $73 million project features 341 units, mostly one- and two-bedrooms, each with stunning views of downtown Cincinnati, the West End and/or Over-the-Rhine. Dave, who prefers to wait until a project is finished before saying much of anything about it, gave lengthy remarks at a press conference and subsequent interviews, then led a media tour of the building, which is being marketed simply as 7 West 7th Apartments. The New York-based CEO of Victrix Investments said he had been eyeing Cincinnati going back to 2015. People underestimate this city, Dave said. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/04/16/former-macys-headquarters-opens-as-new-apartments.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 30Apr 30 North Carolina firm buys historic downtown church, to create high-tech imaging studioexpandBy Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business CourierApr 30, 2025A historic former church in the heart of downtown Cincinnati will become a high-tech imaging and data processing studio for a North Carolina firm.Wilmington, N.C.-based CastleBranch April 18 acquired the 35,000-square-foot St. Louis Church building at the southwest corner of Walnut and East Eighth streets from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.CastleBranch made the purchase under Sovren LLC, managed by its founder and CEO, Brett Martin. The company paid $1.7 million, according to public records.MORE
April 30Apr 30 The description of what this company does makes me squirm. haha.The St. Louis Church building will become a studio with imaging, data capture and rendering capabilities to create lifelike digital twins – i.e. fully interactive, accurate digital avatars, according to a statement of use document attached to the purchase deed.Multiple synchronized cameras arranged around a person will be used to create a 3D model “down to micrometer precision.” The resulting digital avatars can be used in virtual reality, augmented reality, animation, gaming, cinematic projects, medical or educational simulations and/or digital identity management, according to the document. Edited April 30Apr 30 by Chas Wiederhold
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