September 9, 200420 yr >Do you mean if they had built a tower on the site that didn't include retail? I'm sure it would have included some retail, but I don't remember it including an arcade or department store. I believe all of its parking was to have been underground, not disguised in its lower floors or in an adjacent garage. >>A lot of people, many of them women, look back quite fondly at those days and that's where a lot of the contempt for downtown comes from today. >I'm sorry, it has been a long day and I don't feel like thinking, so can you clarify this? Simply there were a few suburban shopping centers but no malls until the late 60's or early 70's, and downtown retail didn't really start erroding until the 80's. Many women made monthly, if not weekly trips into town to shop for themselves and for their families, and they often made a day of it with their friends. Those department stores were also popular places for women to work before anything approaching today's numbers started attending college. Obviously the level of service must have been much higher with women who would have, if born 30 years later, attended college and gotten good office jobs. In short downtown Cincinnati, and that world of house wives doesn't exist anymore, and the women who complain about the loss of downtown shopping don't realize that their access to better jobs and the nation's ubiquitous two-income families to a large extent made possible suburbanization and its subsequent damage to our cities.
February 27, 200520 yr ^ Absolutely no news whatsoever. DCI doesn't even list it as "in the long-term planning phase", which is a bad sign.
February 28, 200520 yr Like those Court Street Center II & III building announcements, these articles seem to represent nothing more than trial baloons or advertisements for would-be real estate developers. There have been many of these proposals for office buildings, retail and high-rise residential developments downtown which have disappeared completely from the radar screen. It would take a major push and a lot of excitement about downtown such as there was back in the '70s to get these things off the ground and so far 3CDC and others who are supposed to be leading the way have proved inept (to put it mildly).
March 4, 200619 yr Anything new about these sites?!?!?! I would really hope that the city is progressing with plans to fill this vacant gap in the heart of the CBD. :oops:
March 5, 200619 yr Well, my post at the top of this page is now almost two years old. This site worries me more than any other site/project downtown, more than the Banks, or any other. This site is so centrally located in the middle of the retail and hotel corridor that it needs something. Furthermore, I believe it is directly linked to the leases of both Saks and Macy's in some obscure way, allowing them to leave if there are less than "X" number of anchor stores downtown. Not to mention that it is a giant hole in the middle of downtown. I didn't re-read all the previous posts, but I know Eagle Realty's development agreement has got to be up soon; and the fact that this has been on the back burner for so long is really frustrating.
March 5, 200619 yr I would love this site to be home to a brand new highrise condo with street side retail. I think Cincinnati is due for a new condo highrise (400 ft. plus) and this location would be perfect. Something along the lines of Atlanta's Westin Peachtree although unique is along the lines of what I am thinking.
March 5, 200619 yr ^What is that Max? Its a design I wouldn't mind looking closer at. As for the Atlanta Westin, 3 years ago we took the outside elevator to the top and ate at the revolving resturant. It was a cool experience and I can imagine much more impressive than the view from the Radisson in northern Kentucky, but I've never been there. There are only so many designs I can see working so close to the Carew, and this may be one of them.
March 6, 200619 yr The reason I asked the earlier question is because I worked closely with someone who was involved in downtown residential research/investment. Last year, at this time, she said that the downtown market was prime for more units and that a couple of new towers are a possibility for the near future. I asked specifically about this site (5th and Race) and she said that there was stuff in the works for a residential tower at that locale. No specifics were mentioned I was hoping that someone else might have had more info on these possibilities.
March 8, 200619 yr I emailed Eagle Realty (they are the developers for the site) today, and asked them about the current standing of this project. I was informed that there is a project in the pre-development stages. He did not want to disclose specific information reguarding the project, but he did say that Eagle Realty is very interested in the growing residential market downtown.
March 8, 200619 yr He did not want to disclose specific information reguarding the project, but he did say that Eagle Realty is very interested in the growing residential market downtown. Did you tell him you were a journalist for the respected website Urban Ohio? ;)
March 9, 200619 yr Did you tell him you were a journalist for the respected website Urban Ohio? ;) Well no...but that is a great idea for the next time I go on an emailing spell with developers. I usually use the UC Planning student tag to get me in places, but since I immediatly transfer the information to you guys I should probably just be out with it.
March 9, 200619 yr i have seen renderings of the original plan for that site including the towers they had proposed...pretty cool stuff. nothing extreme by any stretch...but nice.
March 9, 200619 yr i have seen renderings of the original plan for that site including the towers they had proposed...pretty cool stuff. nothing extreme by any stretch...but nice. Post those renderings and share the wealth!
August 28, 200618 yr Wish we could get more.... Under pressure, new plan unfolds Western-Southern takes another crack at Fifth/Race A development subsidiary of Western-Southern Financial Group says it has taken on a new partner for a "large mixed-use project" at the corner of Fifth and Race streets downtown. The announcement comes less than two weeks after city officials sent a formal notice to Eagle Realty Group, declaring the city's intent to terminate Eagle's development rights if a project isn't under way by Aug. 9, 2007. Read full article here: http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/08/28/story1.html
August 28, 200618 yr The city putting pressure on a developer? Maybe things are changing for the better...
August 28, 200618 yr ^I actually had a dream about this last night!! Really, mine was very in depth....It was a news report on a 'new 49 story tower' that would have residential and retail both. If it turns out to be this I want all of you to know....you heard it from Rando FIRST!!!!! On another note, I would love to see some work before Aug. 9 next year...that would be great! Just a recap: -3 new condo towers (200+ units) -Banks developer selection (construction start would seem to follow) -QCS I finished....QSC II (developer/agent hopeful to start on by early next year...who knows) -Completion of Government Square -Completion of Fountain Square -now a new 'major mixed use project' at 5th and Race ...just to name a few...CINCY'S BACK BABY!!!
August 28, 200618 yr That would be great....some affordable condos downtown!!!!! Lets get this thing going, I wouldn't expect any problems filling condos at that price range...I hear the hoard of YP's coming now!
August 28, 200618 yr Here's the full article, Good stuff. Someone on this forum figured out how to grab the full stories. I haven't had a chance to try until recently. I think Grasscat needs to add this to his list of things to do on Monday. Please share! How do we do it?
August 28, 200618 yr ^I sort of did, but I guess I it wasn't too clear. To find the full article below, there's a link call News by Industry on the right side. The articles are organized by Categories. Go to Real Estate/Commerical/find the article. Right above each article there's a list: Cincinnati > Print Edition > Industries > Real Estate - Commercial And that's shows you where to find the full article. I probably made it more complicated than necessary. Let me know if that isn't clear.
August 28, 200618 yr OMG, what a location! The Fountain Square project is having a ripple effect on the rest of Downtown.
August 28, 200618 yr OMG, this sounds great. I hope the tower looks great. Perhaps this is a good time to grab some of that land on West 5th? ;) Maybe some of us at Urban Ohio should partner and grab a piece of property.
September 13, 200618 yr Wow. I was skeptical about the announcement in the Business Courier, but now I'm excited. I just met two developers who made it sound like they were going to actually put something on that surface lot. They were in town to further scope out the city and finalize the details with Eagle Realty. They mentioned a bunch of their high-rise condo projects, but the only one I could remember was the 50 story 210 Trade Condo Tower in Charlotte (www.210trade.com). I'll have to do some further research tonight... These guys said that they plan to start construction in the second quarter of '07. They think downtown Cincinnati is an interesting market, especially with the Fountain Square renovation and the Banks (and they understand how long it will take for the Banks). I gave them my info and asked to be kept informed about anything, etc. He said they were hoping to keep units started just under $200k, but increases in construction costs may push that number slightly above $200k. They don't pre-sale units before construction, so don't expect details about the units any time soon. Hopefully an official press release and some renderings won't be too far down the road...
September 14, 200618 yr Hopefully an official press release and some renderings won't be too far down the road... Did they say that, or did are you saying that? If I haven't said it, I'm excited, this project is much more pressing than the Banks, IMO.
September 14, 200618 yr Maybe it's a good thing Eagle did not get the Banks nod so they can focus on this and QCSII.
September 14, 200618 yr I remember reading about the 210 Trade project in the Charlotte Observer and seeing that the developer was headquartered in Indianapolis. It made me wonder why Cincinnati hadn't made it onto their radar. I checked it out and the developer of 210 Trade, Flaherty and Collins, happens to have a regional office here in Cincinnati. It seems like something would have to fall into place sooner or later.
September 14, 200618 yr I found the Rookwood Exchange apartment renderings on their site interestering...hadn't seen those before
September 14, 200618 yr Hell they could take 210 and plop it down at 5th & Race for all I care. That bldg looks pretty cool, not to mention I just want something on that damn lot!!!!!!!
September 14, 200618 yr Wow, great find! Like I said earlier, this is one of the most important projects in town as the leases of both Saks and Macy's are tied to development there (last I heard anyway). Hope fully some kick ass residential over some retail is in the near future!
September 14, 200618 yr The old 5th & Race tower was as invisible as a 14-floor building can be, I remember when Nordstrom's was being recruited just like magic the small parking garage at the block's northeast corner had to be closed and demolished "immediately" due to some undisclosed "structural problem" -- it's hilarious how crap like that gets pulled right under everyone's nose, the I-Team, the Enquirer, et al, taking a siesta. Anyway, I recall the Nordstrom's proposal called for something like 2 levels of parking beneath the store and 2 more above it, I'm guessing a similar arrangement will be necessary for a condo tower with a floor or two of retail. My guess is that retail/office/condo combo developments aren't really possible due to the childish psychology of parking -- executives need reserved spots immediately inside a garage, which conflicts with the prime space needed for retail. Meanwhile, residents won't want to descend 4 levels to get to their spots, although having parking above retail means a tower's elevator shafts don't waste retail space.
September 14, 200618 yr Hopefully an official press release and some renderings won't be too far down the road... Did they say that, or did are you saying that? These were my words. Sorry, I got kind of excited. The guys I met mentioned they were debating on whether to connect Macy's to their development (through the skywalk).
September 14, 200618 yr *trumpets sound* *VIP addresses a crowd* "Mr. Mallory tear down that skywalk"
November 29, 200618 yr 5th and Race condos in works By Joe Wessels, Post contributor A piece of prime downtown real estate may soon become the first housing development designed for and specially marketed to young professionals. The two-acre parcel at Fifth and Race streets - now a parking lot after several attempts to jumpstart development on the site fizzled, including a bid to bring a Nordstrom store to the site in 2000 - will be home to a $100 million condo high-rise that will cater to young professionals, several sources have confirmed. Western-Southern Financial Group subsidiary Eagle Realty has been working privately on the 15- to 20-story project that would mimic other similar projects around the country that have been successful, a source close to the project said. The company has held exclusive development rights to the site since about 1994. In August, acting city Manager David Rager gave Eagle 12 months to come up with development plans for the space. He rejected a request by the company to extend development rights on the spot. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290374
November 29, 200618 yr THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!! A source confirmed the structure would include up to 900 underground parking spaces and retail on the first and possibly second floors. One and two-bedroom condos, ranging from 750 to 1,500 square feet, priced from $150,000 to $300,000, would fill out the development. An announcement and construction could begin early next year, the source said. FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!! Condos are pre-wired for high-speed Internet, surround sound and satellite TV. There are also rooms for watching movies on big-screen TVs, with popcorn machines and large leather recliners with cup holders, plus roof-top swimming pools, outdoor barbecue grills and Internet kiosks, so a resident can quickly check e-mail or read news headlines, High said. Good, Good, and GOOD!!! Another Bristol project, "Icon," a 21-story, 424-unit project in Nashville, is now under construction. In two days, the first lot of 217 condos sold out. Next, 224 condos were gone in eight days. I wouldn't expect anything different here!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 29, 200618 yr Time to do some digging around for a rendering...I'm sure that Eagle Realty has one floating around the office somewhere. Time for me to start pestering people :type:
November 29, 200618 yr Since they seem to refer to this project in Nashville quite a bit, and is done by the same architects...here is some info: Websites ICON in the Gulch (Nashville, TN) KA Architecture: Project Bio Rendering
November 29, 200618 yr This is great, I hope it pans out quickly. I think the two most important aspects are: 1. that they are keeping first/second floor retail and 2. that the condo price range seems to be where the demand is, $150-$300K.
November 29, 200618 yr Wouldn't it be something else if demand for these units is so overwhelming that they sell out quickly? Prompting a brand new skyscraper above Macys, with additional condos/office space to be built? We may be on the verge of downtown BOOM!!! Oh well, it doesn't hurt to dream does it?
November 29, 200618 yr Wouldn't it be something else if demand for these units is so overwhelming that they sell out quickly? Prompting a brand new skyscraper above Macys, with additional condos/office space to be built? We may be on the verge of downtown BOOM!!! Oh well, it doesn't hurt to dream does it? From the talk within the inside workings of the downtown housing market...your dream may not be too far from reality!
November 29, 200618 yr just to clarify and so no one simply scrolls through and sees that rendering, that rendering is for the nashville project and not cincy.
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