August 29, 200519 yr Here's a different angle of The Ascent that I haven't seen before from the Enquirer.
August 29, 200519 yr it looks so clean in concept. hopefully that follows through when its built. but good find, ive yet to see this side either.
September 10, 200519 yr Sales strong for Ascent condos Design itself is enough for 17 high-end buyers By Marla Matzer Rose Enquirer staff writer Construction is to start next month on Daniel Libeskind's swirling Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. Already, 17 buyers have signed up for units with a 10 percent down payment. High-profile architecture apparently has joined "location, location, location" as an important factor influencing home-buying decisions in the region. Covington-based Corporex said Friday that it has firm contracts, including deposits for 10 percent of the purchase price, from 17 buyers for the Daniel Libeskind-designed Ascent at Roebling's Bridge condominiums. That represents about 24 percent of the total units that will be available in the glass-walled, 22-story tower in Covington. Local Realtors said the level of sales was quite strong given the nontraditional look of the building and the price: $400,000 to $4 million. The $40 million-plus Ascent represents a second wave of condo projects in downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Following several years of encouraging sales of renovated buildings - formerly used as office and retail space - the Ascent is now joined by a number of new construction condo developments poised to go forward in the next several months. Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050910/BIZ01/509100324/1002/BIZ
October 18, 200519 yr Buzz big for Covington high-rise Groundbreaking set for Nov. 16 By Greg Paeth Post staff reporter Corporex Companies is ready to turn dirt next month on a condominium tower unlike any the tri-state has seen. "This is going to be something that people will come to Covington just to see," said Mayor Butch Callery of The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, a 21-story glass high-rise designed by internationally acclaimed architect Daniel Libeskind. "It will put Covington on the map." Corporex will hold a formal groundbreaking Nov. 16 for the $47 million project, for which 29 of the 72 units have already been sold. Corporex said Monday it pushed back the original date later this month because a commitment Libeskind has in Israel would have made it difficult for him to return in time for the ceremony. Holding the event later also should give the state extra time to take action on $55 million worth of industrial revenue bonds Covington plans to issue for the project, said Thomas E. Banta, executive vice president for Corporex. The city, Kenton County and Covington Independent Schools already have signed off on an agreement that will let them receive a payment in lieu of taxes from the developer, according to Covington City Solicitor Frank Warnock. Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051018/NEWS01/510180340
October 18, 200519 yr I was just wondering when groundbreaking was. Does anyone have a completion date?
October 23, 200519 yr Here's some stuff I pulled off of the revamped website. Yet another rendering: Rendering of "Pinnacle" suites, floors 20-22: View from 5th floor at night: View from 10th floor, daytime: View from 15th floor at night: View from 20th floor, daytime: View from 22nd floor, night: LINK: http://www.yourascent.com/index.asp?page=home (link to webcam is in the top right corner)
October 23, 200519 yr Wow...those views get cooler and cooler... Anyone have any idea how they create these pictures? Like this set Grasscat posted in the Overlook at Eden Park thread...
October 23, 200519 yr Eww, eww sign me up for a 22nd floor one. ;) Go figure it is my favorite number too.
October 23, 200519 yr Here is an article on several NKY condo developments..... Building projects flood Ky. riverfront Hundreds of condos springing up, selling out By Marla Matzer Rose Enquirer staff writer The evolution of the Northern Kentucky riverfront soon will strike another high note as construction of one luxury condominium project is poised to begin while several others are on the drawing boards. So far, demand appears strong for The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. The $40 million-plus project sold over 40 percent of its 72 units within the first five weeks that they went on sale in August at prices averaging more than $900,000 - well over $400 per square foot. The project, from developer Bill Butler's Corporex Corp., has benefited from a flood of interest - largely due to the striking design by architect Daniel Libeskind, known for his work on the World Trade Center site design. Sales also have been brisk at the Ackerman Group's $90 million Harbor Greene and Joshua One's $20 million WatersEdge in Bellevue. The 24-unit WatersEdge is more than half sold after six months, and Harbor Greene has sold half of its first phase of 36 units. WatersEdge units are priced from $750,000 to $990,000, while the larger Harbor Greene contains high-end units as well as more moderately priced homes. Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051023/BIZ01/510230380/1002/BIZ
October 23, 200519 yr Usually these type of photos are done by a crane holding a platform/cage of some sort.
October 24, 200519 yr ^ no they were done a while ago. unless there have been two rounds of photographs.
October 25, 200519 yr ^Oh thats not too bad, but I wonder who ever thought to put a jail on prime real estate like that.
October 25, 200519 yr Kenton County has spent over a decade trying to find the funding to expand the current jail or to build a new one. The city of Covington does not want the jail expanded--they want a new jail to be built in the suburbs so that they can have that prime development land. I remember the number thrown out for an expansion/new jail a few years ago being $25 million. They thought about raising taxes to pay fot it, but that was blocked. Covington has since been pushing hard to get this done, but without funding the stalemate between the city and the county pretty much died down.
October 25, 200519 yr I was in Main Strasse years ago (actually, it was during the riots in April, 2001), and remember seeing signs posted in all the businesses about not wanting a jail in their neighborhood...this issue has simmered for years...
October 25, 200519 yr Oh thats not too bad, but I wonder who ever thought to put a jail on prime real estate like that. When it was built, Covington was far from prime real estate. As mentioned above, they have been trying to build a new jail for years and keep hitting walls, even in industrial areas, it gets shot down. About 5-6 years ago there were plans to turn the jail into residential units through either rebab or new construction.
October 25, 200519 yr ^If they can build this stuff in Kentucky, why can't they build it on the Ohio side. I have never been to Cincy, but I would have to think it has more to offer in an urban way then some towns on the Kentucky side.
October 25, 200519 yr You can command a higher premium on that type of development on the Kentucky side of the river right now. Development space in Cincinnati is also more expensive and more difficult to find. Also, Covington concentrates its development in a tight radius around that river because that's pretty much the size of their city. They have the luxury of smallness in this case.
October 25, 200519 yr Better view from the Covington/Newport side, or a view from the Cincinnati side? Hmmmmm.....
October 25, 200519 yr ^Good Point. Although, would you rather have to cross a river to be downtown, or walk out your front door? Hmmmmmm.....
October 25, 200519 yr ^Exactly. I would rather live in the city then look at the city. Why would you want to walk out your door in be in Newport, Kentucky. I wouldn't want the license plate on my car.
October 25, 200519 yr Like many proper Ohioans I'd have an irrational bias against living in Kentucky, but it'd be hard not to be tempted by the superior views offered from that side of the river. If everything else were equal, I'd rather have an excellent view and be a very short walk away from downtown than in downtown with a crappy view. One other point: I don't think Covington and Newport are much less "urban" than most Cincinnati neighborhoods in a lot of respects.
October 25, 200519 yr ^Exactly. I would rather live in the city then look at the city. Why would you want to walk out your door in be in Newport, Kentucky. I wouldn't want the license plate on my car. Hey now.....the new plates are being distributed now.
October 25, 200519 yr ^If they can build this stuff in Kentucky, why can't they build it on the Ohio side. I have never been to Cincy, but I would have to think it has more to offer in an urban way then some towns on the Kentucky side. ^Good Point. Although, would you rather have to cross a river to be downtown, or walk out your front door? Hmmmmmm..... I live in the city, slick. On 7th St. in the CBD -to be exact. This thread was starting to sound like ..."why would they want to build condos on the KY side?"... Go to this website; http://www.yourascent.com/index.asp?page=home and look at these views. I, personally, would never live on the Kentucky side, but they do have great views and this is the reason behind the success of the Covington/Newport condos.
October 25, 200519 yr ^If they can build this stuff in Kentucky, why can't they build it on the Ohio side. I have never been to Cincy, but I would have to think it has more to offer in an urban way then some towns on the Kentucky side. 1) Northern Kentucky has views of the Cincinnati skyline. Some areas in Cincinnati do, but they're either built up or having things built as we speak. 2) It's a lot easier to move projects through a city with 20,000-40,000 people than it is to move one through a city with 300,000+ and a county around $850,000.
October 26, 200519 yr interesting how the rich guy is driving accross the bridge to go to work (in the video on the buildings website). it should seem proof enough to me that there is a "build it and they will come" energy with high class architecture. i hope that developers take note especially those involved with the banks. and hopefully, if corporex remains involved with the banks, this will be all the proof they need to integrate cutting edge design into the riverfront. cant wait to see this thing go up
October 26, 200519 yr ^Exactly. I would rather live in the city then look at the city. Why would you want to walk out your door in be in Newport, Kentucky. I wouldn't want the license plate on my car. Hey now.....the new plates are being distributed now. And they are a huge improvement over the smiling sun plates. Ohio needs an upgrade.
October 26, 200519 yr Those smiling sun plates are hilarious! I always get a kick out of them. Although maybe I'd be less receptive if I had to put them on my car...
October 26, 200519 yr I love the red, white and blue as much as the next guy, just not on my plates. I prefer a more understated look, like California's plates or even the old OH plates with the tan shading. Keep it clean and simple, which KY does with their new plates and I don't think they even used UK Blue. Sorry to stray from the topic, ground breaking can't start soon enough. Watching the progress will be fun.
November 8, 200519 yr Corporex wins OK on bonds By Mike Rutledge Enquirer staff writer COVINGTON - Corporex Cos. can issue up to $63 million industrial building revenue bonds to finance its 22-story Ascent at Roebling's Bridge condominium tower near the city's riverfront. City commissioners on Monday authorized the bond issuance, several hours after the Kentucky Private Activity Bond Allocation Committee gave its approval to the 72-unit project, which city officials praised for spurring other city developments. While up to $63 million in bonds were authorized, probably $55 million or less will be sold, said Dean Spoor, an attorney for the project. The futuristic-looking, crescent-shaped building with a soaring roofline already has raised the city's image locally and nationally, city officials said. "You'll be very impressed and happy to see the names" of people who have already signed contracts to buy the 31 units that have been claimed so far, said Marty Butler, another attorney on the project and brother of Corporex Cos. Chief Executive Officer Bill Butler. Of the 31 who signed, 22 will be newcomers to Kentucky, and 26 will be new to Covington, project officials said. One of the other five owners won't be new: Commissioner Jerry Stricker plans to buy one of the units, and abstained from voting. The building's groundbreaking is scheduled for Nov. 16, with renowned architect Daniel Libeskind participating. Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051108/NEWS0103/511080339/1059/news01
November 16, 200519 yr Ascent set to mark Covington's skyline Building of condominium project begins Thursday By Marla Matzer Rose Enquirer staff writer COVINGTON - When the speeches are made and the dirt is dug here this morning, Corporex will officially have scored another coup with its Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. Work on architect Daniel Libeskind's soaring, 22-story glass-clad design is set to start Thursday, bringing an estimated 200 construction jobs as well as spurring other development in the city and region. The project's sales and publicity have exceeded all expectations - even those of Covington-based developer Corporex. The 72 luxury condominiums on the riverfront, with price tags ranging from about $395,000 to $4.5 million, are 46 percent sold after nine weeks. They were 40 percent sold after five weeks, fetching a healthy premium over other luxury condos in the market and stunning skeptics who doubted the project's bold design and asking prices of more than $400 per square foot would fly in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051116/BIZ01/511160313/1076/BIZ
November 16, 200519 yr "I would say the Ascent is going to increase the marquee value of our skyline, which is one of our great assets here," Buse said. "We like to think that it's the Midwest's most magnificent skyline, and the Ascent puts an exclamation point on that statement. This guy can't be serious! "Most magnificent skyline?" I hope he is referring to the entire Cincinnati/NKY skyline, not just NKY. Five buildings all the same color don't really make a magnificent skyline in my opinion.
November 16, 200519 yr No way, you guys are crazy. Covington has the bestest skyline in the whole world!
November 16, 200519 yr The view sells it By Bob Driehaus Post staff reporter Steve and Nancy Frank are saying goodbye to their suburban homestead in Wyoming, Ohio, for city life. Oakley and Eva Farris are moving uptown after 38 years in one home in Covington's Wallace Woods neighborhood. Covington City Commissioner Jerry Stricker is moving across the street and 10 floors up. They are among the 32 buyers of luxury condominiums in the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge high-rise that workers were to break ground on today. Daniel Libeskind, the internationally known architect who designed the $55 million high-rise, will attend the official groundbreaking for the project at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge. Libeskind is perhaps best known as the architect chosen to design the complex of buildings planned for the World Trade Center site in New York, and his design for Covington's riverfront drew instant notice when it was announced 13 months ago. Builders plan to have the condos ready for occupancy in fall 2007. Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051116/NEWS01/511160336
November 16, 200519 yr I just saw 3d rendring's of the building on the news. it looks quite amazing. Much better than ANY drawing.
November 17, 200519 yr http://www.daniel-libeskind.com/projects/pro.html?ID=51#more Looks like it's going to be 300ft. even.
November 17, 200519 yr I bet, once this is sold out entirely, another tower will be in the works by this guy.
November 17, 200519 yr ^Five years ago there were renderings for office buildings on the parking lot between the towers and the parking garage. Also, the site of the low-rise buildings opposite the bridge approach is basically a mirror of the Ascent's lot. That site obviously offers better views than the parking lot.
November 17, 200519 yr Condos to boost economy Ground is broken for Ascent high-rise By Bob Driehaus Post staff reporter The first burst of labor on the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge condo tower was on the house. Bill Butler, president and CEO of developer Corporex Cos., scrambled up onto a trackhoe and pierced the asphalt to break ground on the condo high-rise Wednesday. But for the next two years, construction of the luxury high-rise will pump millions of dollars into the Greater Cincinnati economy, create more than 200 well-paying jobs and finance the work of many other existing positions. Robert Gramann, president of GBBN Architects in Cincinnati and architect of record for the Ascent, will work with Ascent designer Daniel Libeskind on the project. He said the design team will involve six or seven local architectural firms. Neither Corporex nor Greater Cincinnati economists have tallied the economic impact of the project in dollars, but the cost of building the tower alone is estimated at $55 million. Full article at http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051117/NEWS01/511170335
November 28, 200519 yr From the 11/24/05 Community Recorder: Officials: Tax hit worth it to spur growth Ascent project OK'd for industrial revenue bonds BY AMANDA VAN BENSCHOTEN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER COVINGTON -- For the next 20 years, the city, school district and Kenton County will get a fraction of what they would normally receive in tax revenue from The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. Some county services won't receive a cent. But officials say that's the price they have to pay for new development. They say the gamble will pay off in the economic growth the condominium tower is expected to trigger. "We'll be deprived of some tax dollars," said Kenton County Judge-Executive Ralph Drees. "But it helps to get the building completed, and that's the most important part." Developer Corporex Cos. has received state approval for up to $63 million in industrial revenue bonds, which carry a 100 percent exemption from property taxes. The 20-year bonds will begin to be repaid in two years, when the Ascent is finished and tenants begin moving in. To compensate for the loss in tax revenue, each condominium owner will pay an annual payment in lieu of taxes, referred to as PILOT, based upon the value of the unit. The PILOT will be based upon tax rates at the time the unit is sold, so it won't fluctuate even if tax rates do. Full article at http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051124/NEWS01/511240412/1079/Local
December 17, 200519 yr From the 12/17/05 Enquirer: New street name sought Officials move to rename road known as 'Yoke' to 'Roebling Way' for Ascent By Mike Rutledge Enquirer staff writer COVINGTON - For years, Covington city officials have informally known the strips of roadway leading to and from the Roebling Suspension Bridge as "the Yoke." But now that a 22-story condominium building is being constructed nearby, city officials said they want to rename the roadways that link the bridge with Scott Boulevard and Greenup Street and officially designate it as Roebling Way. That will allow the crescent-shaped Daniel Libeskind-designed condo tower, the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, to have a distinctive address: 1 Roebling Way. City commissioners are to consider the change Tuesday. "I like that," Mayor Butch Callery said about the proposed change. Callery said it is especially appropriate because of proximity to the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the Ascent and the Roebling Row townhouse community. Full article at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051217/NEWS0103/512170436/1059/rss13
December 18, 200519 yr I like it. One Lytle Place tried to get a "1 Lylte Place" mailing address when they opened (so I was told at the time). It got rejeted by the postal service (or someone), so they got stuick with some high numbered Merring Way address.
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