March 8, 200718 yr New twist on the skyline Ascent project looking up March 8, 2007 | CINCINNATI POST PHOTO: Construction of the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge is continuing in Covington. JOE MUNSON/The Post COVINGTON - Mary Schmidt calls the 21-story building with a twisty shape, slanted windows and sloping roof "very unusual." Her husband, Bill, shakes his head and says the structure is way beyond "unusual." "Weird, that's the word," he said. The Covington, Ky., couple was talking about the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, a luxury condominium with a design so strange it makes people stop and gawk. "We've been watching it going up from our living room and dining room, and it's very interesting to watch," said Mary Schmidt. "I'm curious about the windows. They're blue. And, I wouldn't get out on those balconies. I wouldn't live there because I don't like high-rise buildings, but I think we're going to enjoy having it in the neighborhood and I hope it improves the whole area."
March 8, 200718 yr "However, I think younger people love the fact that it's new and different and innovative. It doesn't even look like an apartment building." Well it isn't an apartment building first off. Just because it is high density, does that mean that you have to assume that the people who live there are renters and/or low-income?!?!?
March 8, 200718 yr On Tuesday I was leaving the NKY Convertion Center after a meeting and when I left I realized I could see into the Ascent from the parking garage I was in so I decided I needed to head down and check it out. It is really starting to come together now that the concrete panels and windows are going up. I think it's going to be a great addition to the Greenup area which has seen some other nice additions lately courtesy of Jean Robert de Cavel. The only thing that of struck me is that I thought it would be taller, but I guess there is no need to overbuild. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.
March 8, 200718 yr I would just have to assume the long term upkeep on that building will result in sky high condo fees.
March 10, 200718 yr i always though it was cheesy the way they reference the suspension bridge as inspiration for the "swoop". well now that the form of the building is mostly complete, i recomend that the next time any of you drive down 3rd street just past the ball park...glance to your left. the view you get with the suspension bridge in front and the ascent immediately behind is quite powerful. from that angle as well the ascent seems to be scooting out from behind the river center towers as if to say "get me the hell away from these"
April 10, 200718 yr Ascent to the top THE ENQUIRER PHOTO: http://cmsimg.enquirer.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20070410&Category=NEWS0103&ArtNo=704100384&Ref=V2&MaxW=315&border=1 PHOTOS: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=AB&Dato=20070409&Kategori=NEWS0103&Lopenr=704090804&Ref=PH The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge, Corporex Cos.' 22-story luxury condominium tower on Covington's riverfront, is in the final stages of construction. Its owners and designer are ready to mark a milestone. The building's designer, world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, will be on hand Thursday for what organizers are calling a "Cloud-breaking ceremony." Libeskind will be joined by Gov. Ernie Fletcher and other dignitaries along with home buyers who have bought condos there, to celebrate the final beam for the apex being placed. As part of the ceremony, which will take place at 9 a.m., event participants will sign the final 60-foot beam before a 230-foot crane places it at the apex. The Ascent is Libeskind's first residential high-rise to be built in the United States. Libeskind will discuss his thoughts on creating a world-class skyline at a ceremony Wednesday at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. That event will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. More at http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/NEWS0103/704100384
April 12, 200718 yr Ascent reaches its pinnacle BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] April 12, 2007 COVINGTON - The newest member of the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati skyline was topped off this morning with a royal blue beam marked with signatures of dignitaries and owners of the 22-story luxury condominium tower, the Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. Asked about the fact that this architectural landmark was rising in Northern Kentucky as opposed to in Ohio, Corporex Cos. CEO and President Bill Butler said, "As far as I'm concerned, this building is a Cincinnati building. "I think Cincinnati is going to want this to be part of the skyline," he said. New York-based architect Daniel Libeskind was smiling as he watched the beam, adorned with American and Kentucky flags, hoisted to the top of the steeply-angled roof. "I think it will contribute to the civic quality of this area," he said. Fireworks exploded from a nearby parking garage as workers slowly lowered the beam toward the building in very heavy winds that kept it swaying. The beam was the final piece of the building's frame. Construction crews broke ground on the Ascent in November 2005, and it's scheduled to be finished this November.
April 13, 200718 yr "Asked about the fact that this architectural landmark was rising in Northern Kentucky as opposed to in Ohio, Corporex Cos. CEO and President Bill Butler said, "As far as I'm concerned, this building is a Cincinnati building. "I think Cincinnati is going to want this to be part of the skyline," he said." what the hell does that mean?
April 13, 200718 yr I think he was trying to take a shot at Cincinnati, by saying its in Nky and Cincy is probably jealous. But it came across more so as a regionalism comment. Whatever though...this guy is a complete moron!
April 13, 200718 yr I think he was trying to take a shot at Cincinnati, by saying its in Nky and Cincy is probably jealous. I think that's exactly how it meant it.
April 13, 200718 yr What Butler is saying is that the two skylines should be seen together as one entity. If you are driving on I-75 you can see Downtown Cincinnati and Covington together as a single composition. He is not trying to put down Cincinnati, a place where he has many projects.
April 13, 200718 yr ^ no, i think he's just a moron. the only corporex property im aware of in cincinnati is the baldwin complex which sucks.
April 13, 200718 yr I think Butler is involved with the Academy of St. Gregory project in Mt. Adams, and I think Corporex owns the various Five Seasons sports complexes. But the point is that Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are conjoined and he's right in describing a visually symbiotic relationship.
April 13, 200718 yr I think Butler is involved with the Academy of St. Gregory project in Mt. Adams, and I think Corporex owns the various Five Seasons sports complexes. But the point is that Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are conjoined and he's right in describing a visually symbiotic relationship. I think you're giving him much more credit than he deserves. Thats what it sounds like, but he hasn't wasted a single opportunity to spit on Cincinnati.
April 14, 200718 yr Personally, I think The Ascent is butt ugly. As always, though, my opinion is but one.
April 14, 200718 yr It seems that the "thin skinned cincinnatian syndtrome" is at epidemic levels again. I'm going to have to agree with Last Don on this one. Butler's comment was innocuous enough, if anyone was trying to wage a border-war it was the reporter. I mean c'mon, "asked about the fact that the architectural landmark was rising in Northern Kentucky as opposed to in Ohio," Butler, to his credit didn't take the bait. I think his answer speaks for itself. Personally I like the Ascent, and feel it looks better every day; I will regard it as a Cincinnati building just as surely as I regard the Basilica of the Assumption and the Roebling Suspension Bridge as Cincinnati buildings/landmarks. We proudly claim the bridge as our own don't we? Hopefully we can become as intertwined as a region as that iconic bridge is to our image, and the spitting wars,real or imagined, can be put to rest once and for all.
April 15, 200718 yr I agree that the regional mentality would be nice, but from what I constantly hear from Nky'ers and suburbanites...I don't think its gonna happen. I think that the Ascent is a great addition, and I like hearing about the many projects that are lining the Ohio River and creating a Cincinnati/Ohio River version of the Gold Coast. But like I said, I don't see many Nky'ers and suburbanites taking into that mentality.
April 16, 200718 yr Experts hope Ascent inspires High-rise condominiums by architect Daniel Libeskind an important addition to region, design watchers say BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] April 16, 2007 COVINGTON - Two of Cincinnati's top architectural experts draw a lot of hope from Daniel Libeskind's 22-story luxury condominium tower, Ascent at Roebling's Bridge. The building, which had its topping-off ceremony Thursday as a blue beam was hoisted to the building's heights, is significant in and of itself, at least for the region, said Judith Smith Koroscik, dean of University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. "I think it's a very significant development for the region - and some will say that it is nationally and internationally, as well, as his first high-rise residential building in the U.S.," she said. "That's very much in keeping with Cincinnati's tradition of great architecture, including architecture of the University of Cincinnati."
April 16, 200718 yr Libeskind excited about Ascent Architect 'approached it as a community' BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | [email protected] April 16, 2007 COVINGTON - World-renowned, Polish-born architect Daniel Libeskind, 60, spoke with The Enquirer shortly after Thursday's "cloudbreaking ceremony" for his 22-story Ascent at Roebling's Bridge condominium tower near Covington's riverfront. Libeskind also is leading redevelopment of New York City's World Trade Center site. The former virtuoso accordionist, based two blocks from Ground Zero in New York, has several other offices, including in Europe and Asia. Residents can will be able to move into the tower in November.
April 16, 200718 yr Taken 3/21/07. Photos start with the north face of the tower and proceed counterclockwise.
April 16, 200718 yr thanks for the pics. the first one is really nice and i like the building from that angle. though the building does look awkward from various angles.
April 16, 200718 yr I think that the building materials look kinda cheap...I'll wait until I see the final product, but right now its letting me down somewhat.
April 17, 200718 yr I agree it does look slightly cheap, sort of like the Kroger Condos. However there might be something else in store for the exterior and the many balconies will be individually decoratated so that should make it look a little less sterile. I find the shape pretty interesting from some angles but "hard to understand" from others. Even if this building individually doesn't turn out to be an A+, what's important is that it gives future buildings in the immediate area something interesting to play off of aside from the bridge, especially the lot that mirrors The Ascent on the other side of the approach. It's not an overwhelming building, it's actually pretty modest, which I like.
April 17, 200718 yr They just look cheap...and that they might not last. I could very well be wrong, but I've been living in suburbia for faaar too long and have seen more than enough crappy construction and cost-cutting measures implemented in the structure. You know something like...they could have spent $100 per window, but instead went with the window that only costs $80...but is 10x worse. The glass and the stucco (or whatever it is) both give me this feel with the building. But like I said, maybe it is still early and their is some sort of additional coat to go on still.
April 17, 200718 yr Renderings can VERY easily be deceiving. I've seen all of the renderings before...I'll wait for the real life version.
April 17, 200718 yr I posted the rendering to give people an idea of how much additional work will be put into the facade. In a matter of months we will see how close the final product comes in relation to the rendering.
April 17, 200718 yr They just look cheap...and that they might not last. I could very well be wrong, but I've been living in suburbia for faaar too long and have seen more than enough crappy construction and cost-cutting measures implemented in the structure. You know something like...they could have spent $100 per window, but instead went with the window that only costs $80...but is 10x worse. The glass and the stucco (or whatever it is) both give me this feel with the building. But like I said, maybe it is still early and their is some sort of additional coat to go on still. i have to agree with you and i really can't articulate the reasons why, but there is just something odd about the materials, almost like mcmillan manor
April 19, 200718 yr Interestingly, the Ascent can be seen as you are driving south on I-71 towards downtown, in the Walnut Hills area. It can be viewed immediately to the left of the P&G towers.
April 20, 200718 yr Interestingly, the Ascent can be seen as you are driving south on I-71 towards downtown, in the Walnut Hills area. It can be viewed immediately to the left of the P&G towers. And from the cut-in-the-hill.
May 25, 200718 yr I caught my first Reds game last night and I had to look at this piece of crap all night. Although I like the shape and the idea of the tower, the materials look extremely cheap and chessy, and distract from the Roebling when coming down Main (and other vantage points, I'm sure). Perhaps the architect has seen this cladded beauty in Newark? :roll:
May 25, 200718 yr I'm still undecided. So far it reminds me of the cladding they used to have on the Kroger building.
May 25, 200718 yr I also like the building, but for different reasons than before. lol, the building you used for comparison though, does look similar! We need more "edgy" architecture in this city (or, Newport or Covington) and not that we don't have any now.
May 25, 200718 yr i like it. its unique and the national media will eat it up. I don't like the traditional look for every building. its one of a kind
May 25, 200718 yr The building does add some much needed variety to the Covington skyline. It also gives Cincy another 'Starchitect' building (for better or worse). However, I still take the position that ink shares as well...the materials just look cheap.
May 25, 200718 yr i dont think it looks cheap at all but im dislike the blue more and more every time. i wish it were a little lighter. i also think the roof portion is going to weather terribly and just look bad in a few years.
May 25, 200718 yr the only thing i see wrong in that picture is the undeveloped riverfront around the bridge. lets get something done down there. bah!
May 26, 200718 yr I will just say that I am glad it is on the Kentucky side. Now give us Robby the robot on 3rd street.
May 26, 200718 yr In fashion like all the naysayers, I'm going to place all my bets on this sucker collapsing in five years. Look how cheap it is! Panels! Glass! Roof! Cincinnati has 10000x better buildings! IT'S RIDICULOUS! :)
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