Below is my take on the building. 30 stories and based on the site plan submitted to Planning Commission:

 

I wonder the extent to which dunnhumby is playing in the design of the apartments. I assume the apartment part will be close in look (externally) to the dunnhumby side, being technically the same building and all. I think dunnhumby, being from London, probably has a more worldly perspective on architectural quality and urban design, and a less American-individualist temperament in terms of investment in the community (endurance and place-making vs. bang-for-the-buck). Combine that with 3CDC's devotion to Cincinnati, and we could really have a modern gem coming to life.

 

Really looking forward to renderings! :)

 

I work with dunnhumby as part of my job, and I've been in their current offices many times.  Their current offices (which they built) have a very modern feel with an open floor plan, huge windows, tall ceilings, etc.  All of the materials I ever get from dunnhumby are really nicely designed - appreciation for the power and uses of design is something that's a huge part of their company's outlook.  Their corporate culture is really nice, very focused on flexibility and sustainabillity, and extremely flat - their salary structure has only seven levels that stretch from new hires fresh out of college all the way up to the CEO.

 

My guess is that dunnhumby will have a surprising amount of say in how the tower turns out.  They're an essential partner at this point for Kroger and also consumer product companies like P&G, and they're growing like gangbusters - keeping dunnhumby in town and happy is key to helping to continue to grow Cincinnati's reputation as a center for marketing, branding, and consumer research.

I hope they do stay happy here. My impression is that their progressive attitude is an incredibly good fit for the city and the direction it is headed. It provides a counterbalance to the stodgy old money crowd which pervades high level management in other local corporations.

 

I wouldn't imagine dunnhumby making the design flub that is the Great American Chubber, nor the anti-urban P&G courtyard. And I wouldn't picture them in a fight with Anna Louise Inn. And the closest we've come to a downtown, urban Kroger has been through their (for lack of a better word) prodding.

I hope they do stay happy here. My impression is that their progressive attitude is an incredibly good fit for the city and the direction it is headed. It provides a counterbalance to the stodgy old money crowd which pervades high level management in other local corporations.

 

I wouldn't imagine dunnhumby making the design flub that is the Great American Chubber, nor the anti-urban P&G courtyard. And I wouldn't picture them in a fight with Anna Louise Inn. And the closest we've come to a downtown, urban Kroger has been through their (for lack of a better word) prodding.

 

I love the P&G Courtyeard. How could you not like it?

The P&G courtyard is a really lovely oasis (especially for P&G employees) and it's perfectly fine on the Sycamore side - a nice bit of variation.

 

But on the 5th street side it really sucks the potential liveliness out of the street because of how long it stretches (and that it's opposite the Masonic building and the Taft, two large wide buildings without a lot of street-level interest).  Because of the raised walkways, you don't get to see any activity in the courtyard from 5th, which is problematic from a street-level interest point of view.

 

 

Anyway, the other nice thing about dunnhumby expanding in Cincy is that dunnhumby employees are exactly the type of people you want moving to Cincy - generally smart, ambitious, and creative, and if the sample of dh employees that I know is any indication, they often have a high level of interest in city living.

I love the P&G Courtyeard. How could you not like it?

 

When you see the old pictures of the charming and vibrant neighborhood it replaced, that's when you don't like it.  It could be an oasis but way smaller.

Someone posted this massing over at the SSP forum, so I thought I'd repost it here. I think it looks a little tall, but it does a decent job showing how the new building will fit in the skyline.

 

 

Hopefully this project will put some pressure on Western & Southern to get their condo tower project underway.

 

Can't wait for renderings!

 

Dont you think it would be more the height of the Hilton, Millenium or Lytle Place. All those places are 30 stories. This is going to be a residential tower so the floor plates are not going to be as high right? 30 stories in office is much different than hotel, apartment

Someone posted this massing over at the SSP forum, so I thought I'd repost it here. I think it looks a little tall, but it does a decent job showing how the new building will fit in the skyline.

 

 

Hopefully this project will put some pressure on Western & Southern to get their condo tower project underway.

 

Can't wait for renderings!

 

Dont you think it would be more the height of the Hilton, Millenium or Lytle Place. All those places are 30 stories. This is going to be a residential tower so the floor plates are not going to be as high right? 30 stories in office is much different than hotel, apartment

 

Yeah, I think the building in my picture is too tall. It's also on the wrong side of the lot. I think JYP's model is more accurate.

Thanks to both of you for showing the possibilities.

The p&g courtyard is about as anti urban as you can get. It's a fortress. They might as well have put up a wall. That's what the space does - kills vitality on the street. Now if it was well integrated with a large mix of uses around it, that'd be different. Look at rittenhouse square in Philly for how spaces like this should be done. Then you'll realize this courtyard is not appropriate and poorly executed.

It's also the edge of downtown, so nobody is walking past the P&G complex. 

^And a privately owned space shouldn't be expected to perform like a public space such as Rittenhouse. Totally different purposes for their existence.

I've been told by a friend high up at 3CDC that the maximum height will be 25 stories, but because Dunnhumby will be using taller than standard floor plates for its Offices it may seem closer to what a regular, older 30 story building looks like in height.

I've been told by a friend high up at 3CDC that the maximum height will be 25 stories, but because Dunnhumby will be using taller than standard floor plates for its Offices it may seem closer to what a regular, older 30 story building looks like in height.

 

Right. The best way to gauge this project is height by feet, not stories.

I've been told by a friend high up at 3CDC that the maximum height will be 25 stories, but because Dunnhumby will be using taller than standard floor plates for its Offices it may seem closer to what a regular, older 30 story building looks like in height.

 

Did your friend say when a rendering would be released? Do they have a completed rendering?

I am patiently waiting to see the renderings.

I am impatiently waiting to see the renderings.

I am impatiently waiting to see the renderings.

 

 

COAST's blueprint rendering of the new building which was denied immediately

 

 

^^ HAHAHAHA! (What's there about Mason's CBD not to like?)  :roll:

At least families visiting The Banks will now have a restaurant.

^^ HAHAHAHA! (What's there about Mason's CBD not to like?)  :roll:

 

I don't want this thread to deviate from the topic but there is not an Applebee's in the Mason city limits. There is one in Deerfield Township though.

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2012/07/agreements-approved-for-fifth-and-race.html

 

3CDC will then subdivide the site into four air lots for each of the development's four components, which include:

An office building air lot, which will be sold for $1 to dunnhumbyUSA for construction of its $36 million, 200,000-plus-square-foot headquarters;

 

A parking garage air lot, which will support the construction of a $52 million, 1,030-space parking garage – approximately 60 percent of which will be built underground. 3CDC will sell this lot back to the City for $1, and the City will then execute a 35-year lease agreement with 3CDC – with two ten-year renewal options – for garage operations and management;

 

An air lot for 40,000-square-feet of street-level retail or commercial space, which will be owned by the developer; and

 

A residential air lot for a future tower containing 180-200 apartments, also to be owned by 3CDC.

 

Everyone is talking about 1 single tower, but every article I read about the agreements made between the parties involved sounds like 2 separate towers on one large plot. Can anyone chime in who has a good understanding of Air agreements?

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2012/07/agreements-approved-for-fifth-and-race.html

 

3CDC will then subdivide the site into four air lots for each of the development's four components, which include:

An office building air lot, which will be sold for $1 to dunnhumbyUSA for construction of its $36 million, 200,000-plus-square-foot headquarters;

 

A parking garage air lot, which will support the construction of a $52 million, 1,030-space parking garage – approximately 60 percent of which will be built underground. 3CDC will sell this lot back to the City for $1, and the City will then execute a 35-year lease agreement with 3CDC – with two ten-year renewal options – for garage operations and management;

 

An air lot for 40,000-square-feet of street-level retail or commercial space, which will be owned by the developer; and

 

A residential air lot for a future tower containing 180-200 apartments, also to be owned by 3CDC.

 

Everyone is talking about 1 single tower, but every article I read about the agreements made between the parties involved sounds like 2 separate towers on one large plot. Can anyone chime in who has a good understanding of Air agreements?

 

 

I am interested as well- the only time I have "heard" one tower is from the Enquirer.  That article only said "a tower," so it is possible that "a tower" will reach 20+ stories (residential) and another tower (commercial) will not.

All zoning documents etc seem to suggest two towers.

I am confused about this as well. The day this was announced, Fox 19 played a clip of Chad Munitz (3CDC) saying that the separate components would be stacked if they could find a way to allow Dunnhumby to expand later if they needed to. He said not to expect a tower much more than 30 stories, but it would be close to that. I guess we'll just have to wait for the renderings.

 

How long until the rendering

Not a real rendering

Clearly^

Might pass for a rendering for the Knox Hill Neighborhood Association.

Might pass for a rendering for the Knox Hill Neighborhood Association.

 

But really, the posting of massings has hit a critical limit.  Everything has said residential would be toward the North... the design firm is Gensler so it will be a super simple and relatively clean glass box.  Imagine a two-tiered massing in glass with glass fins or some subtle feature on the south tower, and discrete balconies on the north tower (facing south).  Until I see otherwise it is what I have come to expect of Gensler and the site.

^Lolwut

 

hahaha

^Lolwut

 

hahaha

 

It was Mark Miller of COAST's blueprint

 

 

You'd be surprised at how hard it is to stretch an applebees to 40 stories tall.  The front door itself is like 15 stories tall

^^^OK that is funny.

When is the rendering going to be released

^ serious.

 

My guess, mid-September.

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/06/15/dunnhumbyusas-fifth-and-race-project.html?ana=e_ph

 

Construction of the $100 million DunnhumbyUSA    headquarters at Fifth and Race streets downtown could begin as soon as August.

 

New details from the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., which is developing the project, show it will include 200 apartment units, 40,000 square feet of retail and upwards of 1,000 parking spaces. One thing not in the works is a Kroger grocery store that had been thought to be in consideration for the site.

 

So when do we think construction will begin? Maybe October?

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/06/15/dunnhumbyusas-fifth-and-race-project.html?ana=e_ph

 

Construction of the $100 million DunnhumbyUSA    headquarters at Fifth and Race streets downtown could begin as soon as August.

 

New details from the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., which is developing the project, show it will include 200 apartment units, 40,000 square feet of retail and upwards of 1,000 parking spaces. One thing not in the works is a Kroger grocery store that had been thought to be in consideration for the site.

 

So when do we think construction will begin? Maybe October?

 

I'm surprised we don't even have a rendering yet. What's the holdup?

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/08/dunnhumbyusas-fifth-and-race-project.html

 

likely to start in october

I still don't think it is  clear if it will be one taller tower or 2 shorter towers one for the office space and one for the apartments. I think it will be two towers if the apartments happens at all. They plans/engineering would be quite different with or without the apartments.

 

http://3cdc.org/images/editor/July%20Monthly%20Report.pdf

 

:This $100 million project includes a 1,000-space, above and

below grade public parking garage, approximately 40,000 SF of

street-level commercial space, an approximately 250,000 SF

mid-rise office building for dunnhumbyUSA headquarters, and

a potential 200-unit residential apartment building."

 

It sounds like two buildings to me.

^a friend close to the project has told me it will likely be 1 8ish story buildin against 5th st & a 15 story apartment building over a 6 story garage at 6th street. The two buildings will come from one base so ground floor design will connect/combine them.

^ that sounds more realistic. I am sure the article was posted on this thread, but the Enquire reported a few months ago the project would be one building 20 to 30 Stories.

I wish they'd post some renderings already. I'm excited this project is happening, but I hope it isn't another bland corporate block in the vein of Queen City Square.

^a friend close to the project has told me it will likely be 1 8ish story buildin against 5th st & a 15 story apartment building over a 6 story garage at 6th street. The two buildings will come from one base so ground floor design will connect/combine them.

 

you are correct.  the parking/retail base and dunnhumby tower are a go.  i don't think the residential is a go yet, but shouldn't be far behind.

The Queen City Square tower is definitely NOT bland, and will- in my opinion -  encourage more developement downtown.

The view of the tower looking east or west (not looking directly north), is simply magnificent!!

The Queen City Square tower is definitely NOT bland, and will- in my opinion -  encourage more developement downtown.

The view of the tower looking east or west (not looking directly north), is simply magnificent!!

 

Agreed about the side profile of the tower. I think it needs another 10-15 floors to have that "wow" effect from the north/south.

Will be disappointed if this turns out to be two mid-rises.  Something 400 feet would have given the residential component quite a profile.  There are some great views to be had on that site.

^^Although that's definitely true, the tower has really grown on me since it has been finished. Whenever I see pictures from before it was finished/started the skyline seems so empty and small. Spreading the height out is definitely a good thing to give off the appearance of a much larger skyline. Now if only a new tallest could fill the gap in the center of the skyline when looking from the southwest.

Will be disappointed if this turns out to be two mid-rises.  Something 400 feet would have given the residential component quite a profile.  There are some great views to be had on that site.

 

It will be if there is two at all, it may be just the office building. There is no way you can have one design finished but still waiting to secure the residential builder. If it was one building the design and builder would be in place. You could not have one builder doing the first 15 stories then having the next builder doing the next 15.

Will be disappointed if this turns out to be two mid-rises.  Something 400 feet would have given the residential component quite a profile.  There are some great views to be had on that site.

It will be if there is two at all, it may be just the office building. There is no way you can have one design finished but still waiting to secure the residential builder. If it was one building the design and builder would be in place. You could not have one builder doing the first 15 stories then having the next builder doing the next 15.

 

Now the question is, where are these Enquirer writers getting their information?  We know who's supplying lies about the Streetcar, but Dunnhumby is $100 million dollars worth of unfolding development and they couldn't figure out what was going on just 2.5 months ago?

 

Does anyone know when the announcement will be made concerning the building size, height, design?