WKRC had an incredibly positive piece on the Banks.  Also, they had some facts wrong... but it wasn't too bad.  Overall The Banks has gotten great coverage in the last year. 

 

You mean incredibly amazingly energetically positive! LOL.

 

http://www.local12.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoId=3479350&navCatId=20036

 

That last line from Kit Andrews was lifted from UrbanCincy.com this morning. Compare:

 

UrbanCincy [http://urbn.cc/p2hm] at 11am said, "Cincinnati Mayor Mallory has already hinted that groundbreaking could take place this summer."

 

Kit Andrews for WKRC at 5pm said, "Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory has hinted that the city could break ground for the second phase of The Banks sometime this summer."

 

Awesome. Too bad they didn't credit UrbanCincy. Rando, did you catch this?:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,27294.0.html

Yard House seems more akin to Moerlein Lager House than it does Applebee's, but then again that's coming from a guy who's never been to a Yard House and hasn't been to an Applebee's in a decade.

 

I stand by the "upscale Applebee's" comment, though I haven't eaten at one, either. Frankly, you could make that same argument about the Lager House if it weren't for the fact that it is not a chain and has an acclaimed chef there making a menu for the specific restaurant and overseeing the kitchen...both of which cannot be said about the Yard House.

 

Poke around on their menus. I think you'll agree they are similar. I guess Applebee's is "American Fusion". LOL.

http://www.yardhouse.com/menus/house-favorites.aspx

 

http://applebees.com/menu/sizzling-entrees

 

It's not exactly Applebee's, but doesn't this count as "acclaimed chef." Haha! I kid. I kid.

 

 

So there's been a lot of debate lately on the blags about local vs. national.

 

Right now, the Banks (& riverfront park) have:

 

Crave (regional)

Tin Roof (regional)

Johnny Rockets (national)

Ruth's Chris (National)

Yard House (National)

Wine Guy (local)

Mahogany's (local)

Moerlein Lager House (Local)

Holy Grail (Local)

 

That's not a horrible balance.  If anything, I think the attach shouldn't be a local vs. national, but that they are all basically the same type of food.

 

American. American Fusion.  German American. American Sports Bar. etc.

 

Mahagony's is really the only difference, and it's still not a huge difference.  It will be american, but in a much more southern style.

 

I'm not really complaining, because we do love our general american fare here, and I'm sure I'll love all those places once they open, but it is a bit interesting to note.

Yard House seems more akin to Moerlein Lager House than it does Applebee's, but then again that's coming from a guy who's never been to a Yard House and hasn't been to an Applebee's in a decade.

 

I stand by the "upscale Applebee's" comment, though I haven't eaten at one, either. Frankly, you could make that same argument about the Lager House if it weren't for the fact that it is not a chain and has an acclaimed chef there making a menu for the specific restaurant and overseeing the kitchen...both of which cannot be said about the Yard House.

 

Poke around on their menus. I think you'll agree they are similar. I guess Applebee's is "American Fusion". LOL.

http://www.yardhouse.com/menus/house-favorites.aspx

 

http://applebees.com/menu/sizzling-entrees

 

Alright-  If you're saying you put Appleby's and the Lager House in the same category than you are just going to put anything that isn't Japanese, Chinese, Indian or a straight up McDonalds in that category. 

TBH I haven't been to the Lager House (dying to go!) so I shouldn't really talk. But, going from memory, the menu seems a little on the "safe side".

 

But it has all the local flavor, the brewery, a mini-museum, etc., etc., so no it's not Applebee's-like other than not getting too adventurous with the menu. And even there there are some things that you would never see at Applebee's, like the German stuff.

If we're lucky Guy Fieri will open a Johnny Garlics in phase two of The Banks.

If we're REALLY lucky there will be a combined Johnny Garlics/Apple Store.

If you get your food pre-prepared from a central commissary and reheat it, then you are applebees. If you buy real food and assemble that food into dishes then you are not. If Banks establishments fall into the latter category then I am far less concerned. I agree with natininja that Banks being attractive to suburbanites is a good thing. However, I want the restaurants to have some integrity even if they lack creativity.

These conversations are bothersome for two reasons...first it's unlikely that more than 1 or 2 of these restaurants will still be there in 10 years and second it's obvious from the tone of a lot of these posts that people, like so much of the rest of consumerism, want to have this cake more than they want to actually eat it. 

I'm not so worried about the long-term prospects of any individual restaurant/bar here (with the exception of maybe the Lager House, which I have a homeristic fondness for). The idea behind the Banks (or at least one of the ideas behind this phase) is to make it a nicer proposition for people to stick around downtown after Reds/Bengals games instead of driving back to the burbs. The idea seems to be to put on a nicer face to visitors (local, regional, national, whoever). I don't have to like what's actually there to like that SOMETHING is there that isn't an enormous pile of gravel and dirt.

 

What would worry me is if restaurants/bars start systematically failing at the Banks, and if the whole project looks a bit like a ghost town eventually. People won't want to come downtown (to work, eat, drink, etc.) if it seems that way.

I'm not so worried about the long-term prospects of any individual restaurant/bar here (with the exception of maybe the Lager House, which I have a homeristic fondness for). The idea behind the Banks (or at least one of the ideas behind this phase) is to make it a nicer proposition for people to stick around downtown after Reds/Bengals games instead of driving back to the burbs. The idea seems to be to put on a nicer face to visitors (local, regional, national, whoever). I don't have to like what's actually there to like that SOMETHING is there that isn't an enormous pile of gravel and dirt.

 

What would worry me is if restaurants/bars start systematically failing at the Banks, and if the whole project looks a bit like a ghost town eventually. People won't want to come downtown (to work, eat, drink, etc.) if it seems that way.

 

Which is why it's imperative to continue to boost the residential numbers not only at The Banks, but throughout the rest of downtown and OTR. The more people who are actually living there and using these restaurants/stores on a regular basis - and not just once every two months when they go to a game, the less that they'll have to depend on suburban visitors or out-of-town travelers. It would be nice if the visitors were the icing on the cake, not the actual cake itself.

If you get your food pre-prepared from a central commissary and reheat it, then you are applebees.

 

Or your Montgomery Inn?

 

So there's been a lot of debate lately on the blags about local vs. national.

 

Right now, the Banks (& riverfront park) have:

 

Crave (regional)

Tin Roof (regional)

Johnny Rockets (national)

Ruth's Chris (National)

Yard House (National)

Wine Guy (local)

Mahogany's (local)

Moerlein Lager House (Local)

Holy Grail (Local)

 

That's not a horrible balance.  If anything, I think the attach shouldn't be a local vs. national, but that they are all basically the same type of food.

 

American. American Fusion.  German American. American Sports Bar. etc.

 

Mahagony's is really the only difference, and it's still not a huge difference.  It will be american, but in a much more southern style.

 

I'm not really complaining, because we do love our general american fare here, and I'm sure I'll love all those places once they open, but it is a bit interesting to note.

 

 

 

You forgot Toby's!!!

 

 

I'm not so worried about the long-term prospects of any individual restaurant/bar here (with the exception of maybe the Lager House, which I have a homeristic fondness for). The idea behind the Banks (or at least one of the ideas behind this phase) is to make it a nicer proposition for people to stick around downtown after Reds/Bengals games instead of driving back to the burbs. The idea seems to be to put on a nicer face to visitors (local, regional, national, whoever). I don't have to like what's actually there to like that SOMETHING is there that isn't an enormous pile of gravel and dirt.

 

What would worry me is if restaurants/bars start systematically failing at the Banks, and if the whole project looks a bit like a ghost town eventually. People won't want to come downtown (to work, eat, drink, etc.) if it seems that way.

 

Which is why it's imperative to continue to boost the residential numbers not only at The Banks, but throughout the rest of downtown and OTR. The more people who are actually living there and using these restaurants/stores on a regular basis - and not just once every two months when they go to a game, the less that they'll have to depend on suburban visitors or out-of-town travelers. It would be nice if the visitors were the icing on the cake, not the actual cake itself.

 

This is very important! More people living downtown. Does anyone know when the second apartment building is set to start construction?

^ ...Mallory hinted that construction on phase 2 might start this summer...

It was stated in one of the Business Courier articles that Phase 2 will feature more fewer restaurants and more businesses (perhaps even a grocery store) aimed at downtown residents. This is similar to the strategy with the Gateway Quarter -- start with bars and restaurants that get people attracted to the area, bring in more residents, and the services will follow.

^I think the Gateway Quarter had the opposite strategy. If you look at their first businesses (Park + Vine, City Roots, Outside, Metronation, Switch, Lavomatic) they were heavily retail focused. Now they are almost all restaurants they are putting in.

^I think the Gateway Quarter had the opposite strategy. If you look at their first businesses (Park + Vine, City Roots, Outside, Metronation, Switch, Lavomatic) they were heavily retail focused. Now they are almost all restaurants they are putting in.

 

I had a conversation with Kathleen Norris back when she was in charge of leasing that retail space, and she said her main goal was making it a shopping/dining destination and not worrying so much about providing services for residents at first. You are right, though, that many of those early businesses could be considered neighborhood-oriented. I would say that Park + Vine became significantly more neighborhood-oriented when they moved to their new location and added groceries and a cafe. Lower-priced restaurants like The Diner are more for residents as well.

Crave Opens June 11th

 

The next restaurant to open on The Banks will be Crave. This multi-location out of Minneapolis will open on June 11.

 

Their CEO and founder, Cam Talebi, told me they have hired their management team, and are hiring the rest of the staff now-at least 100 people.

 

The “eclectic American”  restaurant will serve lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Their menu encompasses salads, pasta, pizza, seafood, steaks and chops. Talebi used the words “vibrant” and “energetic” to describe Crave’s atmosphere. It’s centered on an oversized circular lighted bar made of wood and onyx. A huge wine tower will separate the bar from the dining room.  “It’s very chic, but approachable. The menu is value-driven, so you can have a fine-dining experience with no stuffiness,” said Talebi.

 

Cont

the Yard House use to be one of my favorite hang outs in Long Beach and Irvine Ca... definately WAY more upscale then an Applebees.  Entrees are $20+, burgers $10 plus

the Yard House use to be one of my favorite hang outs in Long Beach and Irvine Ca... definately WAY more upscale then an Applebees.  Entrees are $20+, burgers $10 plus

 

A $10+ dollar burger and fry doesn't take it out of the general American Sports Bar chain genre.  A #3 at McDonalds is gonna run you $8 dollars, and that's not really eating.  Still happy to see a place with decent burgers coming to the Banks.

Yo is also citing the CA prices. You could expect some things to be a dollar to two less here.

It should be noted that the Downtown Minneapolis location of Crave has rooftop dining. Perhaps that's a possibility at The Banks, or no?

Not for Crave or any other Phase I establishments. It'll be a possibility for Yard House.

^ an article I just read about the Yard House says it will have decks and patios overlooking the Ohio river so maybe it'll be rooftop.  That'd be awesome in that location.

^ an article I just read about the Yard House says it will have decks and patios overlooking the Ohio river so maybe it'll be rooftop.  That'd be awesome in that location.

Nice. Where'd you read it?

 

It'll be 10,000+ sq ft and in front of the NURFC and to the east, according to this video.

 

Via 700WLW:

^ an article I just read about the Yard House says it will have decks and patios overlooking the Ohio river so maybe it'll be rooftop.  That'd be awesome in that location.

Nice. Where'd you read it?

 

It'll be 10,000+ sq ft and in front of the NURFC and to the east, according to this video.

 

Via 700WLW:

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2012/05/08/yard-house-restaurant-coming-to-banks/

 

Study: The Banks having $92M impact

2:03 AM, May. 23, 2012 

Written by Laura Baverman

 

 

DOWNTOWN — Residents, diners and contractors at The Banks development on Cincinnati’s riverfront soon may pump $91.6 million a year into the local economy, a new report shows.

 

Those dollars, combined with the $556 million impact of more than four years of construction, are contributing sales, property and earnings tax to repay city and county investments of $157.8 million, researchers from the University of Cincinnati Economics Center found.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120522/BIZ/305220041/Study-Banks-having-92M-impact?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

Very important quote:

 

The majority of residents at Current at The Banks moved there from outside the city of Cincinnati, including 20 percent who came from outside the 15-county metropolitan area.

 

Also, with numbers like this, can't they afford some better architecture for Phase 2?

 

The median annual income for Banks residents is $91,000. The residents are expected to spend about $22 million annually, including $1.2 million on dining out.

^^^ makes sense. Lots of corporate transplants living in there as well as Reds/Bengals players that live there during their season but actually have a home and family elsewhere. And my friend that lives in the north building says it's not nearly as young as one might think...he believes he is one of only a few people in his mid-20's living there.

 

If you've ever been in the parking garage for the apartments, you can tell it's a pretty affluent crowd.

A few people I've spoken with about their apartments at the Banks have said they love it tons. Noise isn't bad or anything. They will be moving, though, into condos in DT or OTR because they can twice the space for the same monthly rent/mortgage. The good news is that they aren't moving out of DT/OTR. I've also heard that they'll be raising the rents at The Banks by ~$300... but I don't think that'll discourage people from moving there, especially with the new park.

A few people I've spoken with about their apartments at the Banks have said they love it tons. Noise isn't bad or anything. They will be moving, though, into condos in DT or OTR because they can twice the space for the same monthly rent/mortgage. The good news is that they aren't moving out of DT/OTR. I've also heard that they'll be raising the rents at The Banks by ~$300... but I don't think that'll discourage people from moving there, especially with the new park.

 

I think a lot of people unfamiliar with the Downtown Cincinnati will look at something like The Banks as a "safe" place to live, and then move somewhere else in the core once they start getting familiar with more nearby areas and have less of a desire to frequent Johnny Rocket's.

If we're being honest here, the Banks apartments remind me of a Hyatt Place or Hilton Garden Inn in the suburbs or by some airport somewhere in terms of build quality and hilarious Ikea-chic interior decorating. I think they are kind of pricey now...I wonder what people will think if $300/mo is added.

 

And has anyone seen the pool before? LOL.

The Banks serves as an "introduction" to the downtown market. Those that want to try it will rent. If they like it, they buy. The great thing about this is that it's drawing that suburban crowd in and showing them the benefits of the urban lifestyle and it seems like these people are deciding to take the next step and buy in the core.

Travis I think you're right about transplants choosing Banks apartments over units in smaller buildings downtown.  It's pretty much the same thing that drives suburban-style apartment complexes near college campuses for grad students and parents of undergrads who are willing to pay for units managed by professionals rather than some townie with what amounts to a section 8 empire. 

As of a month ago it was $1,500 for a one bedroom. I highly doubt they are going to raise that by $300.

Interesting article about a mixed-use project in the Atlanta area that also just landed a Yard House. It's my understanding that retailers tend to look for a certain threshold of demographic/income-level when scouting new locations, so perhaps some of the others mentioned in this article have also shown interest in the banks?

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/real_talk/2012/05/north-american-lands-new-avalon-stores.html

 

 

North American wrapped up negotiations with Yard House, an upscale-casual restaurant; Arhaus home furnishings; high-end outdoor sporting goods and clothing store Orvis; ladies sports apparel retailer Athleta; Paper Source; and trendy clothing store Anthropologie.

 

Atlanta Business Chronicle reported earlier this year that North American was in talks with several of the chains.

 

North American Properties has already signed Whole Foods, which will have a 45,000-square-foot store in Avalon along Old Milton Parkway, and Regal Cinemas. They will help make up the first phase of the development scheduled to be completed in 2014.

 

North American Properties is the same real estate company involved in the turnaround of the retail heart of Midtown’s Atlantic Station.

 

developments like the banks are interesting - in many ways they are just upper-scale generica fashioned for an urban setting.

 

that is not a knock on the banks. it kinda relates to the person who brought up applebee's - i didnt get it at first but now i think i do.

 

the banks are a major improvement for downtown and the region.

I feel like it is more like Cincinnati to complain about new development than roll with the punches of new development. Very proud of CUF.

 

We're Cincinnatians, we have no choice but to believe our own echo is the smartest and most rational voice in the room.  Just look at the Banks thread.  There's a complaint about the building materials about every fourth comment.  The Smale thread is starting to sound like a neighborhood council meeting.  Cincinnatians, the laziest perfectionists you'll ever know.

We're Cincinnatians, we have no choice but to believe our own echo is the smartest and most rational voice in the room.  Just look at the Banks thread.  There's a complaint about the building materials about every fourth comment.  The Smale thread is starting to sound like a neighborhood council meeting.  Cincinnatians, the laziest perfectionists you'll ever know.

If there was ever an esoteric comment about Cincinnatians, this has to be one of 'em.  Don't know whether to agree or disagree, or both...  :?

Cincinnatians, the laziest perfectionists you'll ever know.

 

Truer words have never been spoken.

You know, if having a bunch of national chains in the Banks is what it takes to get  more people interested in city living and Cincinnati in general, I'm totally cool with that.  We want a city that's exciting and interesting to all sorts of people, not just hip and artsy folks!  I'm hoping that as progress in the Banks continues, we'll start to see some more local businesses in there.

 

As for the architecture not being that great - what's more important for the Banks is the form of the built environment.  I wouldn't want every new building in the basin to take its visual cues from the banks, but I think the lesson that people will take from the Banks is that there is a hunger for more and more walkable mixed-use neighborhoods with density!

Welcome northsider. A big +1 for your post. A mix of chains and locally owned businesses is fine in my book -- that's what goes on in the big cities. Though TKILTBAG is easy to poke fun at and may not be there in 2027, it's still good news for Downtown. As far as the architecture goes, even if it does look a little cheap, it's not hopeless like the Eastern Bloc towers built here in the '60s or some leaky, poorly vented starchitecture monstrosity. The Banks could have little architectural flourishes and more expensive-looking exterior finishing added later. 

I feel like it is more like Cincinnati to complain about new development than roll with the punches of new development. Very proud of CUF.

 

We're Cincinnatians, we have no choice but to believe our own echo is the smartest and most rational voice in the room.  Just look at the Banks thread.  There's a complaint about the building materials about every fourth comment.  The Smale thread is starting to sound like a neighborhood council meeting.  Cincinnatians, the laziest perfectionists you'll ever know.

 

There is nothing wrong with complaining about the absolutely embarrassing architecture of the Banks apartments, and this criticism can exist with support and admiration for the project as a whole. I'm sorry that you live in a world where things cannot be so multidimensional.

Oh, I'd be shocked if TKILTBAG were still around in 15 years - heck, I'd be suprised if it lasted more than six or seven years! But that's okay - retailer churn is part of how cities naturally work.  Not every business can or should be Arnold's.  Once the Banks has been around for a while, the changes in retailers will be part of what keeps people's interest and continually give non-Banks residents to come back.

 

Back to OTR's point... we'll really know that the Banks is taking hold when a Pottery Barn or Crate&Barrel arrive.  ;)

Intelligent people who travel around the country and the globe know what the real thing is, and those people know in an instant that The Banks artchitecture is a D- imitation of the best examples of that style.  When things like this are built in such a prominent location, it undermines the stated goal of the riverfront redevelopment.  That said, if the remainder of the banks buildings are built at a much higher quality, then the eye will be distracted from what is there now. 

While I agree that the architetcture is not good, I'm still having trouble understanding when you say it "undermines the stated goal of the riverfront development".  What are the criteria of success for the Banks?  If the Banks is fully leased and it's looked at as an exciting place to live with lively streets that gets people excited about living downtown, then isn't that successful?

 

I mean, I would prefer that the Banks have all that and be more architecturally sophisticated.  But the success of the Banks so far seems to indicate that the public is responding to the urban form that the Banks represents and doesn't care so much about the architectural aesthetic.

sitting in an airport bar in CVG right now as I write this -- group on business people flying back are talking about how great downtown is and how it feels so much cleaner, safer and alive compared to cbus and cleveland. If I had time I'd buy them a drink right now.

^ I've had a couple of those in the past month.  Definitely good to hear out of towners saying that.  *cough cough* 2015 All star Game is slotted!  :)

I did a driveby of the new park and The Banks after eating at Senate a little bit ago. It was looking great. Families out and about all over the place. The park seemed to be a HUGE hit. I love it and the planters being used are totally gorgeous. I can't wait for future phases.

sitting in an airport bar in CVG right now as I write this -- group on business people flying back are talking about how great downtown is and how it feels so much cleaner, safer and alive compared to cbus and cleveland. If I had time I'd buy them a drink right now.

 

Now all we need is a better airport (with rail service)!  It's so good to hear Cincinnati's downtown outperforming other cities based on recent development and decisions/policy enacted by the current guard.  DT Cinti was already a step ahead of most, but that had more to do with the dense market environment weaved by generations of yesteryear.