The renderings still seem to be showing uninspired buildings. Nothing contemporary.  Very blocky.  Kind of bland. From what I am witnessing going up in Philly right now, some of which still has ways to go contemporary wise, these banks buildings still pale in comparison. Just my opinion tho.

Some shots from the Yard House construction site:

 

Did anyone ever see the final renderings of the Yard House...last I heard the original design was rejected.

The renderings still seem to be showing uninspired buildings. Nothing contemporary.  Very blocky.  Kind of bland. From what I am witnessing going up in Philly right now, some of which still has ways to go contemporary wise, these banks buildings still pale in comparison. Just my opinion tho.

 

While I agree, I don't equate Philadelphia gentrification and downtown revitalization with Cincinnati.  Philly has been at this for far longer than Hamilton County has.  That city has one of North America's best examples of a self-sufficient core.  The Banks is a starter project.

 

 

The renderings still seem to be showing uninspired buildings. Nothing contemporary.  Very blocky.  Kind of bland. From what I am witnessing going up in Philly right now, some of which still has ways to go contemporary wise, these banks buildings still pale in comparison. Just my opinion tho.

 

Do you have any photos or links so we can see examples of what you are talking about?

 

 

Does anyone know the orientation of the buildings? Like which side will face the river?

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/print-edition/2012/10/05/banks-next-phase-set-for-winter-start.html?s=image_gallery&img_no=1

 

 

 

 

 

I think the office building is supposed to be at the corner of Vine and 2nd Street. So your first picture is looking directly at the corner of 2nd and Race. It looks like the truck docks are on Race Street.

Does anyone know the orientation of the buildings? Like which side will face the river?

 

I would think the balcony-less side would face Fort Washington Way, and the balcony-side would face Freedom Way. This would be consistent with the existing building that is already built down the street.

 

Based on the rendering of The Banks below, it looks like an office building was planned to face the west side of the Freedom Center. This would orientate the buildings consistently with my previous observation.

 

So my best guess is that the first image (wavy building) faces the corner of 2nd and Race, and the second image (blocky/balcony building) faces the corner of Race and Freedom Way. Third image faces the corner of Vine and Freedom Way, the fourth is a close up of 2nd and Race, and the fifth the view along Freedom Way facing west.

 

That will be a huge improvement in quality over the first phase.

new phase looks much better than the originals... esp the facades... and the protruded ground level that will hold retail/dining etc. looks nice with a different color facade material

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121005/BIZ/310050111?nclick_check=1

 

“I regret that we have not been able to either attract or require something that is a lot more contemporary and will look like it belongs in the 21st century,” said [urban Design Review] board chairman Richard Rosenthal, a major contributor to the 2003 construction of the Contemporary Arts Center. “We’re thumbs up, but it’s a reluctant thumb.”

“I regret that we have not been able to either attract or require something that is a lot more contemporary and will look like it belongs in the 21st century,” said [urban Design Review] board chairman Richard Rosenthal, a major contributor to the 2003 construction of the Contemporary Arts Center. “We’re thumbs up, but it’s a reluctant thumb.”

 

Yes, the design is a little banal. However, as much as everyone loves OTR, few buildings are very interesting on their own. It's the atmosphere that all those buildings create when put together that makes OTR special. So I don't believe every building at the Banks needs to be particularly impressive. What's more important to me is how the neighborhood will feel once everything is done. When I'm down at The Banks that's how I try to imagine it.

Bronson rocks the Holy Grail:

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2012/10/arroyo-holds-impromptu-jam-session-at.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+cincinnati_blog+%28CincyBiz+Blog%29

from the air at night

 

On urbancincy.com

So is that tall building at 2nd and Vine another office building? If so, will we have to wait for a tennant before that part gets built? I know the article says phase 2 is all one building, but how will that work?

So is that tall building at 2nd and Vine another office building? If so, will we have to wait for a tennant before that part gets built? I know the article says phase 2 is all one building, but how will that work?

 

 

parking garage.....

 

^^ Pretty sure it's residential. The second phase has as many residential units as the first phase (300), yet it covers a smaller area. Plus if you look at the renderings it has balconies, which you wouldn't expect an office building to have (not that one couldn't).

^ That's what I was thinking, but it looks like a mirror image of Phase 1, so I just assumed it was office space too. Thanks for the clarification.

"Mirror image", maybe, if you don't include the southern block.

So is that tall building at 2nd and Vine another office building? If so, will we have to wait for a tennant before that part gets built? I know the article says phase 2 is all one building, but how will that work?

 

parking garage.....

 

Parking garage? Where did you get that info from? There's a huge parking garage already built beneath the streets. Also, parking garages are open to help ventilate carbon monoxide and other exhaust from automobiles. If the glass structure were a parking garage I doubt it would have glass on all four sides. Also, it would be a waste because that corner will have a great view of the Suspension Bridge. It would not make sense to build a parking garage there. My guess is that they plan to build an office tower there, but since they don't have the money yet they just threw in a generic rendering as a placeholder. That way, while they wait for funds to build the office tower, Phase 2 won't have a giant ugly hole in the block like Phase 1 currently does. When the Phase 2 office tower is ready it will be built on top of the three-story "foundation." This is my assumption. I just strongly doubt that glass building is a parking garage unless someone can prove me wrong.

^ i  said that because the article says 400 parking spaces...

 

Don't think there is plans for 2 office buildings...

"...The Banks, which is transforming a strip of prime riverfront acreage into parks, residences, restaurants, shops, hotels and office buildings." Note the plural.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120522/BIZ/305220041/Study-Banks-having-92M-impact

 

I'm certain Phase 2 does not include the office building. After all, they are still trying to get the first one built. I suspect the second office will be built during a later phase, when there is demand, hence the horrendous quality of that building in the renderings.

 

All I can tell you is there's no way they're going to build a 15-story glassed-in parking garage on top of the largest underground parking structure in the United States; especially when that building has an unobstructed view of the river, the suspension bridge, and Riverfront Park. That location is far too valuable to be a parking garage when there's already such an abundance of parking spaces.

And a 15-story parking garage would have far more than 400 spaces.

So is that tall building at 2nd and Vine another office building? If so, will we have to wait for a tennant before that part gets built? I know the article says phase 2 is all one building, but how will that work?

parking garage.....

 

Parking garage? Where did you get that info from? There's a huge parking garage already built beneath the streets. Also, parking garages are open to help ventilate carbon monoxide and other exhaust from automobiles. If the glass structure were a parking garage I doubt it would have glass on all four sides. Also, it would be a waste because that corner will have a great view of the Suspension Bridge. It would not make sense to build a parking garage there. My guess is that they plan to build an office tower there, but since they don't have the money yet they just threw in a generic rendering as a placeholder. That way, while they wait for funds to build the office tower, Phase 2 won't have a giant ugly hole in the block like Phase 1 currently does. When the Phase 2 office tower is ready it will be built on top of the three-story "foundation." This is my assumption. I just strongly doubt that glass building is a parking garage unless someone can prove me wrong.

 

The parking garage is the first three floors of the building, similar to Phase 1. The glass tower is a future office building. They'll build the first three stories and leave caps on top for expansion a la Fountain Square West.

^ Thank you. It's not a goddamn parking garage! Seriously, folks, let's drop that idea. WTH?

^ that anger is not necessary.  So someone guessed wrong. Who cares.

 

 

 

 

Sorry, it's just that it keeps getting brought up. It's been debunked several times and yet it continues to be talked about.

Heard on the radio this morning that the city is looking to improve pedestrian movement in and around The Banks. Today they'll host contractors on walking tour and have $5M to spend on a project. Not able to find any other details atm.

 

 

^^^ that's fantastic.

John King on CNN was just on live from The Banks, highlighting Cincinnati's and Hamilton County's importance in the Ohio presidential vote. Too bad, though, that he set up at what looked like the corner of Elm and Freedom Way, with the ugly Race Street bridge clearly visible in the background. Not the most flattering skyline background either.

Polly Campbell's review of Mahogany's is out. Link and discussion over on the Cincinnati: Restaurant News & Info thread.

Yard House construction moving right along:

John King on CNN was just on live from The Banks, highlighting Cincinnati's and Hamilton County's importance in the Ohio presidential vote. Too bad, though, that he set up at what looked like the corner of Elm and Freedom Way, with the ugly Race Street bridge clearly visible in the background. Not the most flattering skyline background either.

 

I am sure that this was intentional in order to feed the "Ohio as rust belt" story line that the media loves when talking about Ohio in the context of the election.  It's a shame because Cincinnati is really beautiful this time of the year.  Too bad the political shows will be in seach of old factories and railroad bridges as backdrops when they come to town.

Johnny Rocket's has been closed at dinner time the past two days. Not sure how long this has been going on. Neither their front door or website lists operating hours.

 

While walking at lunch the past few weeks, I've noticed their sign is not lit/turning and the outside music is off. Looking in, there is generally only 1-2 booths occupied.

 

Can't say I'm surprised. Most every co-worker has had a terrible experience and the prices are way to high.

 

 

Also, not sure what is going on at The Wine Guy site. It's hard to see in the windows but it looks like no construction is happening and no one ever appears to be on site.

Not surprised about Johnny Rockets.

 

I was in town last weekend and peeked through the windows of the Wine Bistro, looked like there was work going on inside and a small handwritten sign noted that it was coming soon.

The '90s exposed the romanticized '50s from broadcast TV as BS, so I'm not surprised that people who spend time in downtowns think it's too hokey.

Johnny Rockets won't last. Not because it's of any indication of The Banks, but because their food is sub-mediocre and overpriced. If Terry's Turf Club moved into that spot, I'm sure it would be well supported. The problem with JR is they cater to the tastes of suburbanites, not urbanites. I don't eat there. Not because I don't love The Banks, but because I can eat a lot better for cheaper downtown.

I'd love to see Terry's to move to the banks.

Johnny Rockets won't last. Not because it's of any indication of The Banks, but because their food is sub-mediocre and overpriced. If Terry's Turf Club moved into that spot, I'm sure it would be well supported. The problem with JR is they cater to the tastes of suburbanites, not urbanites. I don't eat there. Not because I don't love The Banks, but because I can eat a lot better for cheaper downtown.

 

The Banks is a suburbanite destination, and not just when the Bengals and Reds are playing. And I'm sure you'd say that places such as Hard Rock Cafe also cater to suburbanites, but they're located in downtown areas in virtually every city they're in. There should be enough of a diverse crowd to support a variety of places, from the unique like Arnold's and Lackman to the chains, like JR and Toby Keith's. Other cities make it work.

 

 

I want suburbanites spending money in the city! At the same time, I don't want us spending millions just to attract suburbanites. That's why it's great that there are 300 apartments, re: residents (mostly), above these suburbanite attractions. Really can't wait for Phase 2 to get started though. It's so necessary for this to thrive.

I went to the Five Guys at the Levee that took Johnny Rocket's old spot over there.  Five Guys at the Banks would do well, I think. 

The Banks really needs caps on FWW so it becomes a part of downtown. Now it feels very separate - at least to me.

One of the problems with luring suburbanites to Downtown drinking establishments is DUIs. It's easier than ever to get one and people know it. The DD concept is a noble one, but most DDs find the experience miserable.

One of the problems with luring suburbanites to Downtown drinking establishments is DUIs. It's easier than ever to get one and people know it. The DD concept is a noble one, but most DDs find the experience miserable.

 

For me, this is one of the big advantages of the streetcar and other public transit-not having to drive after a night out.  I see this as increasing the demand for rail (but, a valid point especially in te short term).

That's why you stay out until the buses start running again.  Duh. 

One of the problems with luring suburbanites to Downtown drinking establishments is DUIs. It's easier than ever to get one and people know it. The DD concept is a noble one, but most DDs find the experience miserable.

 

On the flip side is the availability of taxis, which are much easier to get downtown than in suburban locations.

That's why you stay out until the buses start running again.  Duh. 

 

Or you move to Barcelona where the subway and night buses run 24 hours on weekends.

One of the problems with luring suburbanites to Downtown drinking establishments is DUIs. It's easier than ever to get one and people know it. The DD concept is a noble one, but most DDs find the experience miserable.

 

On the flip side is the availability of taxis, which are much easier to get downtown than in suburban locations.

 

I've found it difficult to get a taxi to take people distances of more than a few miles after 2am because the cabbies want to get home. If you're in Newport when the bars close they won't even take you to UC.

I was in town for Thanksgiving and wanted to go out to dinner and drinks with a few friends from high school.  They live in Anderson and Clermont County respectively.  When I mentioned OTR, they looked at me like I had two heads.  They instead suggested... The Banks.  It absolutely does cater to a suburban crowd (at least for now).

 

As for the DUI thing, I couldn't agree more.  I've lived in New York for 3 years and I can't tell you how much more enjoyable it is to go out and drink without worrying about how you're going to get home.  I only had two beers that night at the Banks and was scared stiff leaving, not because of myself, but because of the dozens of clearly intoxicated suburbanites stumbling to their cars.

I was in town for Thanksgiving and wanted to go out to dinner and drinks with a few friends from high school.  They live in Anderson and Clermont County respectively.  When I mentioned OTR, they looked at me like I had two heads.  They instead suggested... The Banks.  It absolutely does cater to a suburban crowd (at least for now).

 

 

Many of my suburban friends have begun hanging out in other areas of downtown and OTR because The Banks bars get so crowded and there are always lines. Several of them have also expressed interest in moving downtown. Before The Banks, there was a zero percent chance of that happening.