Does anyone know who the developer is for the Gwynne Building?  Supposedly being renovated into a hotel.

2 hours ago, thesenator said:

Does anyone know who the developer is for the Gwynne Building?  Supposedly being renovated into a hotel.

The building was bought by Denver-based NuovoRE. 

$53M conversion to high-end hotel planned for former P&G HQ

By Tom Demeropolis  – Senior Staff Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier 

 

The new owner of a historical downtown office building that formerly housed Procter & Gamble Co.’s headquarters is planning to transform the building into a high-end boutique hotel.

 

NuovoRE, a Denver-based firm that focused on urban redevelopment, has submitted an application for the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to convert the Gwynne Building into a 181-room hotel. NuovoRE is seeking a $5 million Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit for the planned project. The total investment would be nearly $53.5 million.

 

“The goal is to update and refurbish the entire building bringing back its original glory,” according to the application.

 

Officials with NuovoRE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

Cont

Thats great but how many hotels does downtown Cincinnati need? I feel like there have been so many hotel conversions as of late in the cbd. 

3 minutes ago, troeros said:

Thats great but how many hotels does downtown Cincinnati need? I feel like there have been so many hotel conversions as of late in the cbd. 

But how many are high-end? Cincinnati has one luxury hotel, there's plenty of opportunity for more. 

38 minutes ago, troeros said:

Thats great but how many hotels does downtown Cincinnati need? I feel like there have been so many hotel conversions as of late in the cbd. 

Sadly there has been lots of announcements but most are not actually under construction tho, some may never happen.

Edited October 14, 20195 yr by 646empire

12 minutes ago, 646empire said:

Sadly most of the announced hotels are actually not under construction tho, some may never happen.

Do you know which are currently under construction?

7 minutes ago, seaswan said:

Do you know which are currently under construction?

1. Lytle Park Hotel Autograph Collection (should be opening this winter they are hiring managers)

2. Kinley Hotel (Old Payless building 7th and race)

3. Marriott Towne Suites (Also at 7th and Race across from the coming Kinley Hotel)

4. The Ingalls Building (Marriott)

Edited October 14, 20195 yr by 646empire

The Hilton, Hyatt and Westin are roughly 600 rooms each.  The Millenium has what, 800 rooms?  Those three hotels total nearly 2,000 rooms.

 

All the new downtown hotels combined, going back to the 21c, total maybe 1,400 rooms.  Yes there are a ton of new hotels but none of them are the traditional massive flagship.  

 

I did not fact check myself but I just know that every hotel is under 200 rooms, with most clocking in around 140-150.  The exception of the dual flag Hampton/Homewood that has around 250 rooms, which is really two 125 room hotels.

Thanks! Been out of town for a while, so havent had a chance to see any of this happening

It will be interesting to see where SORTA moves. Because so much of the Class B and C office space is being converted to other uses, they may have a hard time finding another affordable location downtown. Will they move to Norwood like the BOE?

17 minutes ago, nicker66 said:

The Hilton, Hyatt and Westin are roughly 600 rooms each.  The Millenium has what, 800 rooms?  Those three hotels total nearly 2,000 rooms.

 

All the new downtown hotels combined, going back to the 21c, total maybe 1,400 rooms.  Yes there are a ton of new hotels but none of them are the traditional massive flagship.  

 

I did not fact check myself but I just know that every hotel is under 200 rooms, with most clocking in around 140-150.  The exception of the dual flag Hampton/Homewood that has around 250 rooms, which is really two 125 room hotels.

 

Your exactly right. Lots of potential hotels but all are on the small side. Also something interesting- now that the plan is to demolish the millennium hotel, Even if they go with the 1000 room option to replace it, it will actually only add about 160 rooms to the market (the millennium has about 850 rooms)

Edited October 14, 20195 yr by 646empire

8 minutes ago, taestell said:

It will be interesting to see where SORTA moves. Because so much of the Class B and C office space is being converted to other uses, they may have a hard time finding another affordable location downtown. Will they move to Norwood like the BOE?

 

They are moving to the fifth floor of the Huntington Bank building. 

7 hours ago, taestell said:

Will they move to Norwood like the BOE?

Given our current route set up, SORTA members would never use the bus system to even get to work if it is in Norwood, which should be a requirement.

13 hours ago, DEPACincy said:

 

They are moving to the fifth floor of the Huntington Bank building. 

SORTA could have been a good tenant for the upper floors of the north library building

This is really one of the most unique historic buildings in Cincinnati what with its proportion, the metalwork, the bull sculptures 

1 hour ago, Chas Wiederhold said:

This is really one of the most unique historic buildings in Cincinnati what with its proportion, the metalwork, the bull sculptures 

 

Agreed - we are lucky that it wasn't lost at some point.  Unfortunately, upwards of ten buildings of its size and quality were flattened for Fountain Square, parking garages, etc.   

Einstein Bros.' lease was not renewed and they left about 6 months ago. I wonder if the developer will also kick out the other ground floor tenants (Murrelle's Florist, Sibcy Cline, Saundra's Kitchen, and Shanghai Mama's) so they can use the entire first floor as lobby/restaurant/bar space.

16 minutes ago, taestell said:

Einstein Bros.' lease was not renewed and they left about 6 months ago. I wonder if the developer will also kick out the other ground floor tenants (Murrelle's Florist, Sibcy Cline, Saundra's Kitchen, and Shanghi Mama's) so they can use the entire first floor as lobby/restaurant/bar space.

 

I'd say that's a safe bet.

I personally and very happy with all these conversions and also on another thread I read the other day, very excited as well about the Traction Building conversion

9 minutes ago, IAGuy39 said:

I personally and very happy with all these conversions and also on another thread I read the other day, very excited as well about the Traction Building conversion

 

At some point there will be almost zero Class B office space remaining downtown in this sort of building.  The Carew Tower could be the last Class B office building left.  

 

If Craigslist is any indication, I have seen small offices advertised in Columbia Tower (former Chiquita), so it might be the case that the 1980s towers are becoming the new Class B.  

Yes it seems when you go across the CBD there are tons of buildings that need to be developed but it sounds like a lot of E 4th is coming on quick including the PNC tower, and then across 7th street but seems more of those are coming online as well. What will be left in buildings like these are rising rents for the Class B space until it turns into Class A or something else.

 

I'm curious the future of Carew Tower and if someone will look to update that in the next 3-5 years as well.

11 minutes ago, IAGuy39 said:

Yes it seems when you go across the CBD there are tons of buildings that need to be developed but it sounds like a lot of E 4th is coming on quick including the PNC tower, and then across 7th street but seems more of those are coming online as well. What will be left in buildings like these are rising rents for the Class B space until it turns into Class A or something else.

 

I'm curious the future of Carew Tower and if someone will look to update that in the next 3-5 years as well.

 

I might be naive but I truly think that I. 5-10 years time downtown could have enough population density to help support an entertainment zone inside of the mall with new resturaunts and shops. I know malls are dying but it would still be nice to have some type of national retail presence back in carew.

6 minutes ago, troeros said:

 

I might be naive but I truly think that I. 5-10 years time downtown could have enough population density to help support an entertainment zone inside of the mall with new resturaunts and shops. I know malls are dying but it would still be nice to have some type of national retail presence back in carew.

 

 

Or they could make it into a couple massive bars a la downtown Indianapolis, though I kind of doubt that with the Banks kind of taking that roll

1 hour ago, troeros said:

 

I might be naive but I truly think that I. 5-10 years time downtown could have enough population density to help support an entertainment zone inside of the mall with new resturaunts and shops. I know malls are dying but it would still be nice to have some type of national retail presence back in carew.

 

What mall? Are you talking about the Carew Tower Arcade?

 

The arcade may always perform marginally. It's not the nicest arcade in downtown Cincinnati (see Dixie Terminal) and its too small to become a real destination driver. For that space to succeed they would really need to innovate with some kind of destination driver. 

8 minutes ago, JYP said:

The arcade may always perform marginally. It's not the nicest arcade in downtown Cincinnati (see Dixie Terminal) and its too small to become a real destination driver. For that space to succeed they would really need to innovate with some kind of destination driver. 

Is it time to revive talk of locating the Beer Hall of Fame in this space?  I mean, with Rebel Mettle Brewery coming  and Listermann Brewing opening their German style beer hall in that corridor, maybe the time has finally come?  

Excited for the Gwynne. And I hope they get the Historic Tax Credits, since that'll help ensure the historic fabric of the building is maintained.

 

 

On 10/15/2019 at 2:42 PM, IAGuy39 said:

Yes it seems when you go across the CBD there are tons of buildings that need to be developed but it sounds like a lot of E 4th is coming on quick including the PNC tower, and then across 7th street but seems more of those are coming online as well. What will be left in buildings like these are rising rents for the Class B space until it turns into Class A or something else.

 

I'm curious the future of Carew Tower and if someone will look to update that in the next 3-5 years as well.

 

The is demolition in process on several floors of Carew Tower.  Is it exploratory in advance of a full renovation?

Edited November 17, 20195 yr by thesenator
Formatting

21 hours ago, thesenator said:

 

The is demolition in process on several floors of Carew Tower.  Is it exploratory in advance of a full renovation?

Is there any article about this? I hadn't heard anything about a renovation

21 hours ago, thesenator said:

 

The is demolition in process on several floors of Carew Tower.  Is it exploratory in advance of a full renovation?

 

I heard before it's in connection with fountain place? Is this true? Curious about the reasoning for renovations as well considering there have been no articles written about this.

On 10/15/2019 at 1:42 PM, taestell said:

Einstein Bros.' lease was not renewed and they left about 6 months ago. I wonder if the developer will also kick out the other ground floor tenants (Murrelle's Florist, Sibcy Cline, Saundra's Kitchen, and Shanghai Mama's) so they can use the entire first floor as lobby/restaurant/bar space.

Sibcy Cline’s downtown office is leaving the Gwynne and moving to the American Building at Central Parkway and Walnut.

 

Shanghai Mama's is still going strong.

If they kick out Shanghai's I'll be so sad.  It's one of my favorite places downtown. 

1 hour ago, taestell said:

Sibcy Cline’s downtown office is leaving the Gwynne and moving to the American Building at Central Parkway and Walnut.

 

Shanghai Mama's is still going strong.

Owner is allowing tenants to stay out there leases, instead of moving them out early. With the down economy the hotel conversion project is on hold until further notice. 

Shanghai Mama’s has closed and will relocate to Elm Street.

20 hours ago, taestell said:

Shanghai Mama’s has closed and will relocate to Elm Street.

I’m glad. That side of downtown needs some more activity. I think the new hotels (post COVID) will really help rejuvenate that area. 

Yesterday, the Historic Conservation Board approved plans for renovating the Gwynne Building. I'm very excited to see this building restored to its former glory. Truly a gem. They'll be adding a rooftop terrace on top of the 4th floor "annex," facing Main Street. 

 

Also the former Shanghai Mama's space (218 E Sixth St) is shown as being an "amenity space" with a small ground floor lobby, an open 2nd floor, a small rooftop addition, and a rooftop terrace facing Sixth St. 

 

The included drawings show on the "penthouse level" what appears to be a spiral staircase, presumably leading up to the "tower." Would be totally sweet if that room had private access to the tower, offering 360 views of the city. 

 

Overall, I think this looks to be a great repurposing of a very special building which was designed by Ernest Flagg and commissioned by Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt,who chose the building's name to honor her father Abraham Gwynne, a Cincinnati lawyer and judge. The Gwynne Building served as P&G's headquarters from 1935-1956. 

 

Details start on page 98 of the packet:

https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/case-materials-and-staff-report-october-11-2021-items-1-8/

 

 

 

 

This will be by far the nicest hotel in Cincinnati.  Can't wait.  

1 hour ago, jwulsin said:

Yesterday, the Historic Conservation Board approved plans for renovating the Gwynne Building. I'm very excited to see this building restored to its former glory. Truly a gem. They'll be adding a rooftop terrace on top of the 4th floor "annex," facing Main Street. 

 

Also the former Shanghai Mama's space (218 E Sixth St) is shown as being an "amenity space" with a small ground floor lobby, an open 2nd floor, a small rooftop addition, and a rooftop terrace facing Sixth St. 

 

The included drawings show on the "penthouse level" what appears to be a spiral staircase, presumably leading up to the "tower." Would be totally sweet if that room had private access to the tower, offering 360 views of the city. 

 

Overall, I think this looks to be a great repurposing of a very special building which was designed by Ernest Flagg and commissioned by Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt,who chose the building's name to honor her father Abraham Gwynne, a Cincinnati lawyer and judge. The Gwynne Building served as P&G's headquarters from 1935-1956. 

 

Details start on page 98 of the packet:

https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/planning/historic-conservation/historic-conservation-board/case-materials-and-staff-report-october-11-2021-items-1-8/

 

 

 

 

This will really help revive that section of main. I wonder if the parking lots on either side of the building will be used for guest parking? Would love to see them get redeveloped. 

Funny I just read this on BizJournals as they had an article too and went here to see if anyone posted. This will be fabulous for this area of downtown, as that corner will really liven it up. Very excited to see this.

This looks great, I was curious how a hotel would fit into the windows with their typical exterior wall split systems, but it looks like they are planning on keeping the existing windows and building a new interior storm window for a thermal barrier. I assume that means new ductwork will have to be run on the interior for fresh air, which would be great for keeping the facade as-is. This building is already one of my favorite downtown, and after all the windows are cleaned/repainted, the stone is cleaned and the first floor storefront is redone it will be absolutely gorgeous. 

5 hours ago, IAGuy39 said:

Funny I just read this on BizJournals as they had an article too and went here to see if anyone posted. This will be fabulous for this area of downtown, as that corner will really liven it up. Very excited to see this.

 

You rang?

 

$81.5 million conversion of former P&G HQ to luxury hotel lands key approval

 

The planned conversion of a downtown Cincinnati office building that formerly housed Procter & Gamble Co.’s headquarters received a key approval Monday.

 

The Historic Conservation Board unanimously approved a certificate of appropriateness to rehabilitate the Gwynne Building at 602 Main St. NuovoRE and Pendry Hotels & Resorts are co-developing the building into a 168-room, five-star luxury boutique hotel, a project that is expected to be a total investment of $81.5 million.

 

Officials with Pendry Hotels did not respond to requests for comment.

 

The planned conversion of the office building into a hotel will include façade improvements, window replacement, a new rooftop deck, and a third-floor addition including the construction of new dormers. The project had to go before the Historic Conservation Board because the building sits in the Main Street Historic District.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2021/10/12/gwynne-building-historic-approval.html

 

Fencing has gone up around this building, looks like HGC will be building this hotel like so many others they have done downtown. This hotel is going to be very top notch, I’m familiar with this hotel group and they do not cut corners from what I’ve seen.

2 minutes ago, 646empire said:

Fencing has gone up around this building, looks like HGC will be building this hotel like so many others they have done downtown. This hotel is going to be very top notch, I’m familiar with this hotel group and they do not cut corners from what I’ve seen.

You are correct, Pendry does a very nice high end product offering. I am surprised they didnt follow the status quo and opening in Columbus before Cincinnati. I will take the win any day of the week. 

And pics. What a beautiful building, one of the most exciting projects in recent years.

 

 

I am curious what happened to Gwynne Sound (formerly Sound Images), the recording studio located inside the building which has hosted many famous recording artists in addition to doing a lot of audio production work for commercials, television, and movies. Their website is still up and shows the Gwynne Building as their address, but I assume they have moved out by now.

1 hour ago, taestell said:

I am curious what happened to Gwynne Sound (formerly Sound Images), the recording studio located inside the building which has hosted many famous recording artists in addition to doing a lot of audio production work for commercials, television, and movies. Their website is still up and shows the Gwynne Building as their address, but I assume they have moved out by now.

 

It is still there and in operation.  The rumor is that they have 10 years left on their lease and are not interested in moving, but that is probably just a negotiating tactic.  

 

They are in the process of gutting the building (except for part of the second floor occupied by Gwynne Sound) so I'd say the hotel is 2 or 3 years away from opening.  

Former P&G headquarters lands additional state historic tax credits

By Abby Miller  –  Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier

Dec 28, 2022

 

Developers planning to convert Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble’s former headquarters building into a boutique hotel and spa landed additional historic tax credits on Dec. 20.

 

Redevelopment of the Gwynne Building, located at 602 Main St., landed $2.1 million in the 29th round of Ohio’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. Developers requested $7.1 million in credits to fund the over $125 million project, according to the application.

 

The project was awarded $5 million in historic tax credits in June 2021 as part of the program, and the developers reapplied “due to increased project costs resulting in the need for increased funding,” according to the application.

 

MORE

12 minutes ago, The_Cincinnati_Kid said:

Former P&G headquarters lands additional state historic tax credits

By Abby Miller  –  Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier

Dec 28, 2022

 

Developers planning to convert Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble’s former headquarters building into a boutique hotel and spa landed additional historic tax credits on Dec. 20.

 

Redevelopment of the Gwynne Building, located at 602 Main St., landed $2.1 million in the 29th round of Ohio’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit program. Developers requested $7.1 million in credits to fund the over $125 million project, according to the application.

 

The project was awarded $5 million in historic tax credits in June 2021 as part of the program, and the developers reapplied “due to increased project costs resulting in the need for increased funding,” according to the application.

 

MORE

“The application lists the project’s start date as Jan. 2, 2023, and the projected end date as Dec. 31, 2024.”

 

Very excited about this project!

2 hours ago, 646empire said:

“The application lists the project’s start date as Jan. 2, 2023, and the projected end date as Dec. 31, 2024.”

 

Very excited about this project!

Same! That will really help activate that corner of downtown. Now I just hope we can start filling in some of the empty storefronts on Main between 6th and 7th streets. 

Construction workers have returned, looks to be underway!