May 10, 20232 yr https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/05/10/corporex-buries-time-capsule-for-ovation-project.html I don’t know why they need to bury a time capsule. The design of the tower is already set back in the 80s.
May 10, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2023/05/10/corporex-buries-time-capsule-for-ovation-project.html I don’t know why they need to bury a time capsule. The design of the tower is already set back in the 80s. Bill Butler is just hiding his "doctored up" accounting books, figures by the time they open it he will be dead and cant go to prison like the Erpenbecks.
July 19, 20231 yr Ovation’s first two buildings are starting to be walled / sheathed in. I wonder how long the next two buildings will just be elevator shafts.
July 19, 20231 yr 58 minutes ago, ucgrady said: Ovation’s first two buildings are starting to be walled / sheathed in. I wonder how long the next two buildings will just be elevator shafts. Since Corporex and Bill Butler are self financing the project, no surprise. I am sure they will wait until enough units are pre-sold before they build the third building.
July 19, 20231 yr 49 minutes ago, savadams13 said: Since Corporex and Bill Butler are self financing the project, no surprise. I am sure they will wait until enough units are pre-sold before they build the third building. I would think they build it right away. They have the cranes up and therefore have paid the staging fees, they have the elevator shafts poured, it would not make sense to leave them exposed for years in the elements. I am sure that as soon as they are done with the other 2, they move over to the 3rd
July 19, 20231 yr 2 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said: I would think they build it right away. They have the cranes up and therefore have paid the staging fees, they have the elevator shafts poured, it would not make sense to leave them exposed for years in the elements. I am sure that as soon as they are done with the other 2, they move over to the 3rd I have been told by multiple sources, they might build out the other one starting next spring, but to not expect anything right away.
July 25, 20231 yr So is keeping those tower cranes up while there is very little work going on economical? Between this and The Banks, our region looks like we can't get anything done. Been traveling a lot more lately and every city I go to has tower cranes around signature towers/projects. Us? Not so much.
July 25, 20231 yr 4 minutes ago, Rabbit Hash said: So is keeping those tower cranes up while there is very little work going on economical? Between this and The Banks, our region looks like we can't get anything done. Been traveling a lot more lately and every city I go to has tower cranes around signature towers/projects. Us? Not so much. This is partly because we have a lot of large buildings available to renovate, i.e. all of the apartment conversions happening right now on Fourth St. If the Carew Tower, for example, is renovated into hundreds of apartments, the market won't support a similar new-construction 40~ story apartment tower.
July 25, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, Rabbit Hash said: So is keeping those tower cranes up while there is very little work going on economical? Between this and The Banks, our region looks like we can't get anything done. Been traveling a lot more lately and every city I go to has tower cranes around signature towers/projects. Us? Not so much. Maxim crane will probably leave them up unless they are needed elsewhere. Helps when your buddies with Bill Butler...
July 25, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, Lazarus said: This is partly because we have a lot of large buildings available to renovate, i.e. all of the apartment conversions happening right now on Fourth St. If the Carew Tower, for example, is renovated into hundreds of apartments, the market won't support a similar new-construction 40~ story apartment tower. Yeah although Cincy is not seeing a lot of New* construction downtown there are plenty of renovations. Most of the cities with lots of new buildings going up aren’t seeing nearly as many renovations as Cincy. I think the next big crane/ new build is going to be the convention center hotel. There are ALOT of renovations planned downtown.
July 28, 20231 yr On 7/25/2023 at 2:33 PM, 646empire said: Yeah although Cincy is not seeing a lot of New* construction downtown there are plenty of renovations. Most of the cities with lots of new buildings going up aren’t seeing nearly as many renovations as Cincy. I think the next big crane/ new build is going to be the convention center hotel. There are ALOT of renovations planned downtown. That makes sense. Hadn't thought of it that way.
July 31, 20231 yr Right now the Central Trust tower, the Garfield Suites, old Macy's, and Second National Bank are all under construction as conversion from office to residential so that's four 14 story or more "new" residential towers downtown, then including the old Kenton County Jail across the river there is one more that just wrapped up. Coming up there is still the Carew Tower, Traction Building and others that haven't been announced yet still to come, so I agree the perception that not much is going on is purely a visual lack of cranes, not because we are actually lagging behind peer cities.
August 27, 20231 yr Progress shots from Ovation, the hotel is just fugly, goes along with the rest of the ho hum design that is Ovation ... Edited August 27, 20231 yr by savadams13
August 29, 20231 yr St. Elizabeth signs lease at Ovation's spec office building, bringing it to over 50% occupancy By Abby Miller – Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Aug 29, 2023 Updated Aug 29, 2023 11:43am EDT One of Greater Cincinnati’s largest physician groups has signed a lease at Ovation’s massive 100,000-square-foot office complex at 200 W. Third St. in Newport, bringing an office building that was built on speculation to well over halfway leased. St. Elizabeth Physicians has signed a lease for the entire second floor of the building, officials from Ovation’s master developer, Corporex, announced at a ribbon cutting on Aug. 24. The physician group is now the second major tenant in the building – alongside anchor tenant MegaCorp, which is occupying the top two floors – making the building 60% leased. “The office is very far from being dead,” said BE NKY CEO Lee Crume during the ribbon cutting. MORE
August 29, 20231 yr Corporex Cos. opens Ovation office building in Newport: PHOTOS By Abby Miller – Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Aug 29, 2023 The 100,000-square-foot office building was built on speculation, but it is already 60% leased and offers Cincinnati skyline views. MORE
September 11, 20231 yr Corporex unveils expanded condo floorplans at $1 billion Ovation in Newport By Abby Miller – Reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Sep 11, 2023 Corporex Cos. is rolling out sales for its final luxury residences at the $1 billion Ovation development in Newport as demand for the riverfront properties continues to rise. Corporex is the master developer for Ovation, the 25-acre mixed-use development along the Ohio River. As part of the development, Corporex is constructing three buildings – called the Boardwalk Residences – built atop the parking garages on the north side of Route 9. Each building will have first floor retail with four levels of condo units. With more than 70% of the condos in the first two Boardwalk Residences already purchased, Corporex announced Sept. 10 it's opening sales for the final building. MORE
September 11, 20231 yr In the renderings of the floorplans, they show little diagrams of where in the buildings the units are available. Based on these diagrams, it looks like the layout is designed around "blocks" with a shared elevator and double, interlocking stairwells. In the latest building (Building 1), they're combining some of the condos to create double-sized units, reducing the total unit count. Since these buildings are only 4 stories of residential above ground floor retails, it means each block has at most 8 units, and that means a lot of money (on a per unit basis) is going towards circulation (stairs and elevators).
September 11, 20231 yr 10 minutes ago, jwulsin said: In the renderings of the floorplans, they show little diagrams of where in the buildings the units are available. Based on these diagrams, it looks like the layout is designed around "blocks" with a shared elevator and double, interlocking stairwells. In the latest building (Building 1), they're combining some of the condos to create double-sized units, reducing the total unit count. Since these buildings are only 4 stories of residential above ground floor retails, it means each block has at most 8 units, and that means a lot of money (on a per unit basis) is going towards circulation (stairs and elevators). Seems like a lot of wasted space. The hallway leading to the master bedroom is useless, same with the way the entry foyer is laid out. There are too many long hallways that waste a lot of space.
September 12, 20231 yr Wow yes the circulation as shown is incredibly wasteful The elevator on the left only serves one unit per floor? And on the right 2 And this unit has access to 3 different stairways?
September 12, 20231 yr 55 minutes ago, NW24HX said: And this unit has access to 3 different stairways? With the option of 4 if you add a door to the stairwell from the primary bedroom. Seems a bit excessive!
September 12, 20231 yr 2 hours ago, NW24HX said: And this unit has access to 3 different stairways? I believe that is so they can film 1990s style sitcoms there.
September 12, 20231 yr A lot of the excess circulation you're seeing is for fire code reasons, such as the corridor to the main bedroom (though it could start just after the stairway door), the foyer situation, etc. The other aspect is that this is two units combined into one, so there will inevitably be some oddities since the core and shell were designed with different layouts in mind. This type of setup of a stairwell and elevator serving individual blocks vertically and the building not having an internal egress corridor is utilized in many markets to create a more "exclusive" product. Having an elevator opening right up into your foyer is a major flex. I don't know Newport's zoning laws when it comes to Floor Area Ratio (and don't feel like researching them for this comment) but in a ton of markets this strategy also actually increases saleable floor area by eliminating the need for a shared corridor. In many/most cities things like elevators and vertical circulation either don't count towards floor area or do so at a reduced rate, meaning you can dedicate more of your allowable buildable area to units, which in turn is worth the extra hassle of additional vertical circulation.
September 12, 20231 yr It's a scissor stair. Two fully fire separated stairways within the same footprint. It's a space saving measure in cities that allow them. Two means of egress within only a slightly larger footprint than a standard fire stair. Edited September 12, 20231 yr by jmicha
January 2, 20241 yr Work on two of Corporex's Boardwalk Residences condos nears completion By Abby Miller – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Jan 2, 2024 As work on the exterior finishes nears completion, Corporex Cos.’ condos at its 25-acre Ovation development are 80% sold with new stock recently released for purchase. Ovation is Corporex’s $1 billion development at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers in Newport. The Boardwalk Residences condos represent the only residential property at the development that individuals can purchase and own, with work on the apartments slated to start in the new year. The demand for living at Ovation is there, according to a news release from Corporex, the master developer. Two of the Boardwalk Residences buildings are 80% sold, and the final building is 13% sold after sales for available inventory opened in September. MORE
January 3, 20241 yr Pretty drastic difference between this mess of a development being built in Newport and what's being proposed in neighboring Covington: 39 minutes ago, ucgrady said:
January 3, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, taestell said: Pretty drastic difference between this mess of a development being built in Newport and what's being proposed in neighboring Covington: agreed. Really happy they're taking the approach of platting this for different developers rather than Corporexing it and creating a campus of homogenized cluelessness.
January 4, 20241 yr The gentle slope is also a huge difference that I know Covington was very cognizant of, not wanting to repeat the vertical wall that both NotL and Ovation have that requires stairs to get up to the plaza level. Having a gently slope that gets people from elsewhere in the city up to the top of levee wall height is a huge improvement. It's not perfect, especially Rivercenter Blvd which will feel similar to the parking garage canyon at Ovation along with a weird tunnel, but that's not the primary pedestrian street and focusing on reconnecting 3rd street seems like it was the best idea.
January 29, 20241 yr Passed the site today, I think one of the cranes came down. Was that on purpose?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
January 29, 20241 yr 5 minutes ago, lobanio0 said: Passed the site today, I think one of the cranes came down. Was that on purpose? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes. I read a couple weeks ago where one of them would be coming down. Assuming it was for the condo portion. The third and final portion should be starting construction sometime soonish, then the construction of the two 8 floor apartment buildings. Honestly wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see the tower portion between the condos and the apartments get built.
March 21, 20241 yr On 3/20/2024 at 3:18 PM, Rabbit Hash said: Went past the site today. NO TOWER CRANES LEFT. Is the project dying? Bill has to self finance the project going forward. Which is why only two of the three condo buildings got built. Had to wait til the Units were sold. The ovation will be long and drawn out.
March 22, 20241 yr 2 hours ago, savadams13 said: Bill has to self finance the project going forward. Which is why only two of the three condo buildings got built. Had to wait til the Units were sold. The ovation will be long and drawn out. I walked on the levee wall this past weekend, It looked halfway abandoned. I can't imagine moving there at the cost and current development state.
March 22, 20241 yr 13 hours ago, lobanio0 said: I walked on the levee wall this past weekend, It looked halfway abandoned. I can't imagine moving there at the cost and current development state. That's the thing. People buying these are living in Florida for 6-8 months out of the year.
March 23, 20241 yr I used to keep my mouth shut about this developer because I had an interview with them 15+ years ago. But I think a lot of people would still rather live in Cincinnati. Edited March 23, 20241 yr by GCrites
June 25, 2024Jun 25 Corporex to break ground on third residential building at Ovation in Newport By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Jun 25, 2024 Updated Jun 25, 2024 12:30pm EDT The firm behind Ovation, Newport’s $1 billion riverfront development, is moving forward with the third of three five-story condominium buildings. Corporex will begin construction “as soon as possible” on the southernmost multifamily building at the Boardwalk Residences, according to a June media release. A Corporex spokesperson told the Business Courier workers will begin to erect steel at the site within the next 30 to 45 days. Fort Mitchell-based Paul Hemmer Co. will serve as the prime contractor under Corporex, the master developer and construction manager for the 25-acre site at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. The construction company is also working on the OneNKY Center in Covington, on which Corporex is acting as the general contractor. Corporex built the first two condo buildings at Ovation itself. MORE
August 20, 2024Aug 20 Corporex unveils Christian Dallas mural at Ovation development By Brian Planalp – Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier Aug 20, 2024 Corporex at its Ovation development has unveiled the first of four planned murals from a local artist who gained fame at Blink and has worked with ArtWorks more than 20 times. The murals are the first tangible instance of placemaking at the 25-acre riverfront development as Corporex begins to turn the page from construction site to destination with emphatic use of color, art, sound and architecture. MORE
February 22Feb 22 Hilton hotel opens in Newport's $1B Ovation development Greater Cincinnati’s newest downtown hotel is now open. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Newport Cincinnati, located in the 25-acre Ovation development on the banks of the Ohio and Licking rivers, started accepting reservations Feb. 20, according to a media release. The five-story, 133-room hotel sits on a garage podium constructed in 2020 between West Third and West Fourth streets using tax-increment financing revenue. The 550-space garage offers direct elevator access into the hotel. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2025/02/21/homewood-suites-hilton-newport-ovation-corporex.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 24Feb 24 On 2/21/2025 at 10:09 PM, ColDayMan said: Greater Cincinnati’s newest downtown hotel is now open. The Homewood Suites by Hilton Newport Cincinnati, located in the 25-acre Ovation development on the banks of the Ohio and Licking rivers, started accepting reservations Feb. 20, according to a media release. Anybody have photos of this new Homewood Suites project? I'm curious in particular what that elevated plaza level and the bridge across 3rd Street look and feel like.
February 24Feb 24 If you skip to 7:37 in this video, it shows the bridge and plaza level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6Q4Q3Umbk
February 25Feb 25 16 hours ago, ry.bread said: If you skip to 7:37 in this video, it shows the bridge and plaza level. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6Q4Q3Umbk Thanks! Obviously, it's still under construction... so I will be curious to see if these outdoor spaces end up feeling activated once the hotel and condos are in use. Being elevated from the street, I'm worried it will usually feel empty/abandoned... but I hope I'm proven wrong and that the developers are able to activate the space successfully.
March 13Mar 13 The 3rd condo building is having its final floor framed. You can also get a good look at the scissor stairs.
March 30Mar 30 Went and looked around the site. There's 2 garage levels under the main plaza level. The parking garage feels cavernous, especially on the bottom level with its extremely high ceilings. They already have the garage sections painted on the columns. They are labeled alphabetically east to west, and numerically north to south. The ramps between levels appear to be for one way traffic but they still feel extremely small for the size of the garage. There's 2 sets of escalators which will take people from the garage levels up to the plaza. There's also stairs and elevators from the garage to the plaza. The bases and the cutouts going up through the floors are still there for the 2 tower cranes. They should be able to reinstall them if the rest of this project ever gets completed. The 3 condo buildings that are already built have their own private parking for residents on G1. This lot is behind a gate and has private elevator access. The bottom of the elevator shafts for the future buildings are also in the garage. Here's some photos: Escalators from garage levels to plaza ⬇️ Ramps between levels ⬇️ Private parking and elevator access for the 3 condo buildings ⬇️ Plaza level ⬇️
March 30Mar 30 5 minutes ago, ry.bread said: Went and looked around the site. There's 2 garage levels under the main plaza level. The parking garage feels cavernous, especially on the bottom level with its extremely high ceilings. They already have the garage sections painted on the columns. They are labeled alphabetically east to west, and numerically north to south. The ramps between levels appear to be for one way traffic but they still feel extremely small for the size of the garage. There's 2 sets of escalators which will take people from the garage levels up to the plaza. There's also stairs and elevators from the garage to the plaza. The bases and the cutouts going up through the floors are still there for the 2 tower cranes. They should be able to reinstall them if the rest of this project ever gets completed. The 3 condo buildings that are already built have their own private parking for residents on G1. This lot is behind a gate and has private elevator access. The bottom of the elevator shafts for the future buildings are also in the garage. Here's some photos: Escalators from garage levels to plaza ⬇️ Ramps between levels ⬇️ Private parking and elevator access for the 3 condo buildings ⬇️ Plaza level ⬇️ Feels overbuilt considering the small number of actual buildings built so far
March 31Mar 31 18 hours ago, RustyBFall said: Feels overbuilt considering the small number of actual buildings built so far I assume (though I don't know) that this is a result of needing to make the garages tall enough to get the occupied floors above the flood plain.
March 31Mar 31 19 minutes ago, RJohnson said: patience grasshoppers. Good things come to those who wait and listen quietly. That sound cryptically great! But... If what you're saying is - is that they are going to follow through on what has been proposed, I don't think there will be much celebration.
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