On 2/22/2024 at 10:07 PM, 646empire said:

Financing is complete for the 200 Million Dollar Convention Center renovation, Construction to commence in July.

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/22/duke-energy-convention-center-rennovation-gets-final-funding/72700608007/

 

Now all eyes turn to the hotel.

Was in Indy over the weekend. The site for the 38 story Hilton Signa hotel has three huge cranes up and they are still pouring concrete for the massive foundation. I had hoped that Cincinnati would have broken ground and started construction first on our new convention hotel....but hopefully, very soon. 

3CDC has started posting pictures of the Convention Center demolition:

 

https://flickr.com/photos/53177138@N04/albums/72177720319478882/

 

I took the photos at right in 1999 with a cheap camera:

 

The design company that did the concourse bought them off me in 2005.  I begged them to let me retake them but they said no.  The bad photos not only survived that vetting but now several months of demolition work. 

^ maybe they will fur a portion of that wall out and burry your photos like they once did with the charley harper mosiac - and then uncover it it decades later.

Ok so with lack of news about the hotel brand I have been keeping a tally on brands/flags that are available and could still come to Cincinnati. 

 

Marriott: 

- JW is out since Western Southern has the flag 

- Sheraton is still a possibility but its an old forgotten brand, cant imagine any developer using the brand.

- Gaylord is a convention brand, there is some potential but I doubt it.  

- W is not a convention brand hotel 

- Ritz is too high end for the market and Convention Center 

 

Hilton 

- The brand does not have any active negotiations on the convention hotel, so (Signia, Waldorf, LXR, Conrad or relocated Hilton) are out of the equation 

 

IHG 

- Intercontinental is still a possibility rare but still an option and would allow IHG to get some foothold in the region 

 

Hyatt 

- Not in the running with current Hyatt Regency 

 

Omni 

- If i were a betting man i would say the new property will be an Omni, bringing the brand back to Cincinnati, and replicating similar property to what was developed in Louisville. Plus Cincinnati has been on their target market for awhile now, and is posted on their site. 

 

Choice & Accor 

- Neither hospitality group would be in the running based on brands and strength in the marketplace. 

I wouldn't be shocked if it's Omni either but I'm surprised Loews isn't in the conversation as they are in similar-sized markets.

14 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

I wouldn't be shocked if it's Omni either but I'm surprised Loews isn't in the conversation as they are in similar-sized markets.

Loews is struggling financially, although they should have been in the mix. These developers want seed money and Loews isnt in the position to do that currently. 

Surprised to see Hilton is not in negotiations. I know they are not happy with the current state of the Carew Tower hotel and have threatened to pull their flag if improvements aren't made.

6 hours ago, taestell said:

Surprised to see Hilton is not in negotiations. I know they are not happy with the current state of the Carew Tower hotel and have threatened to pull their flag if improvements aren't made.

Can't go into detail but Hilton is not in the mix at all for the property. Unless there is a Hail Mary deal come through it won't be via Hilton. 

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

Can't go into detail but Hilton is not in the mix at all for the property. Unless there is a Hail Mary deal come through it won't be via Hilton. 

I don’t think any hail marys are in the cards at this stage. I’ve been hearing for months that the hotel flag has been finalized and interior designs that fit that brand have been applied. So the cake is pretty much baked (the icing being construction I guess lol)

Edited August 16, 2024Aug 16 by 646empire

3 minutes ago, 646empire said:

I don’t think any hail marys are in the cards at this stage. I’ve been hearing for months that the hotel flag has been finalized and interior designs that fit that brand have been applied. So the cake is pretty much baked (the icing being construction is guess lol)

If this is true, why are they waiting to announce it. Not questioning your take but if it is finalized I don’t understand the secrecy. 

1 hour ago, Broman said:

If this is true, why are they waiting to announce it. Not questioning your take but if it is finalized I don’t understand the secrecy. 

For the past several months it’s never really been about “Hotel Flags” and such it’s been about MONEY. The developer, Gov and 3CDC filling in the gaps. What many are forgetting is the hotel flag needs to be finalized in order to get proper construction estimates especially for hotels of this size. Different hotels require varying finishes and lots of different details, some “flags” are a lot cheaper than others to build.  This project has grown to be upwards of 400ish Million Dollars. Combined with the Convention Center Renovation we are looking at a whopping 600+ Million dollars. 

Edited August 16, 2024Aug 16 by 646empire

14 minutes ago, 646empire said:

Different hotels require varying finishes and lots of different details, some “flags” are a lot cheaper than others to build.

FYI I’ve heard this is also a key reason for the flag change at The Gwynne Building. They wanted Pendry but the buildout is now too expensive. The finishes included marble and all kinds of high end stuff. It’s still going to be a nice hotel just not Pendry level.

Edited August 16, 2024Aug 16 by 646empire

On 8/14/2024 at 4:39 PM, savadams13 said:

Ok so with lack of news about the hotel brand I have been keeping a tally on brands/flags that are available and could still come to Cincinnati. 

 

Marriott: 

- JW is out since Western Southern has the flag 

- Sheraton is still a possibility but its an old forgotten brand, cant imagine any developer using the brand.

- Gaylord is a convention brand, there is some potential but I doubt it.  

- W is not a convention brand hotel 

- Ritz is too high end for the market and Convention Center 

 

Hilton 

- The brand does not have any active negotiations on the convention hotel, so (Signia, Waldorf, LXR, Conrad or relocated Hilton) are out of the equation 

 

IHG 

- Intercontinental is still a possibility rare but still an option and would allow IHG to get some foothold in the region 

 

Hyatt 

- Not in the running with current Hyatt Regency 

 

Omni 

- If i were a betting man i would say the new property will be an Omni, bringing the brand back to Cincinnati, and replicating similar property to what was developed in Louisville. Plus Cincinnati has been on their target market for awhile now, and is posted on their site. 

 

Choice & Accor 

- Neither hospitality group would be in the running based on brands and strength in the marketplace. 

I'm hearing IHG going in at Factory 52.

1 hour ago, jag said:

I'm hearing IHG going in at Factory 52.

Factory 52 feels like a Hotel Indigo style property, can't see intercontinental going in 52.

33 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Factory 52 feels like a Hotel Indigo style property, can't see intercontinental going in 52.

Yes, Hotel Indigo is an IHG brand/product...I was just told it was "one of the IHG hotels"

IHG Brands

And I should clarify my initial comment: If they looking at Factory 52, I'd doubt they considering downtown.
 

Edited August 16, 2024Aug 16 by jag

Any word on how removal of the Albee Arch is going?  Drove by and it doesn’t look like it’s something being taken apart for preservation.  
I hope I’m wrong.  

3 hours ago, TheCOV said:

Any word on how removal of the Albee Arch is going?  Drove by and it doesn’t look like it’s something being taken apart for preservation.  
I hope I’m wrong.  

i saw the top right corner that looked that a wrecking ball had smashed it several times. and, the nice part isn't protected at all. I'm afraid another one strikes the dust.

From 3CDC:

 

Quote

Crews are still carefully dismantling the Albee Arch in pieces and returning the structure to the City of Cincinnati.

 

16 hours ago, TheCOV said:

Any word on how removal of the Albee Arch is going? 

 

Imagination Alley:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Imagination+Alley/@39.1101004,-84.5152285,3a,75y,268.44h,100.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLp3069y78EIUCNpKKUTH6g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-10.737682390892672%26panoid%3DLp3069y78EIUCNpKKUTH6g%26yaw%3D268.4416385760778!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x8841b35cecee6a3b:0x592c57dc021f01ec!8m2!3d39.1100166!4d-84.5154917!16s%2Fg%2F11qgl71sw8?coh=205410&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

12 hours ago, Lazarus said:

 

Imagination Alley:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Imagination+Alley/@39.1101004,-84.5152285,3a,75y,268.44h,100.74t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLp3069y78EIUCNpKKUTH6g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-10.737682390892672%26panoid%3DLp3069y78EIUCNpKKUTH6g%26yaw%3D268.4416385760778!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x8841b35cecee6a3b:0x592c57dc021f01ec!8m2!3d39.1100166!4d-84.5154917!16s%2Fg%2F11qgl71sw8?coh=205410&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Can I just say how impressed I am with that streetscape. We don't have anything like this in Columbus.

I was also concerned about the arch! I've been walking around the site during lunch lately. It does look like they're removing it piece by piece.

I guess I never thought about it being mostly facade pieces and columns on a newer frame.

 

Other photos included from my walk.

i heard that the woodenknickle got the bid on this and they are removing the albee facade with care and deliberation. hit it with a wrecking then pick up the pieces.  

I walked past the convention center and WOW it is quite the construction site! its a beautiful hot construction mess at the moment. You can see what I mean in the 3cdc construction pics.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/53177138@N04/albums/72177720319478882/

 

And with the Paycor HQ W. 5th Street is pretty dramatic with all the construction

Edited October 14, 2024Oct 14 by 646empire

Are we getting closer to announcing the Hotel plans?

4 hours ago, tonyt3524 said:

Are we getting closer to announcing the Hotel plans?

The fact that it's gone way to quiet and they have not broken ground makes me wonder what happened with Portman the Developer and the County Commissioners. The Convention Center is currently closed and under renovation this ideally would have been perfect timing to start the hotel construction...

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

The fact that it's gone way to quiet and they have not broken ground makes me wonder what happened with Portman the Developer and the County Commissioners. The Convention Center is currently closed and under renovation this ideally would have been perfect timing to start the hotel construction...

Details within the next 6 weeks if I had to guess. If Portman was out or there was an issue that big I think that bomb would have dropped already. I did hear in the summer that when details do become public things are going to move very fast in regards to approvals and groundbreaking.

The sooner the tower crane sprouts, the better.

Today

 

 

21 hours ago, 646empire said:

Today

 

 

I am seriously surprised they haven't turned the CINCINNATI sign off yet. I figured Blink was it's last hurrah. Are they leaving that end untouched and the Weiss Murals and the CINCINNATI sign are staying put through construction?

 

On 10/15/2024 at 3:10 PM, 646empire said:

Details within the next 6 weeks if I had to guess. If Portman was out or there was an issue that big I think that bomb would have dropped already. I did hear in the summer that when details do become public things are going to move very fast in regards to approvals and groundbreaking.

 

When did 3CDC say they expected to announce/breakground? Are they still on schedule?

38 minutes ago, Miami-Erie said:

 

When did 3CDC say they expected to announce/breakground? Are they still on schedule?

Q4 2024 so basically right now. I wouldn’t say they are on schedule, they really wanted to start the hotel late last year. Some of the delay is the need to start the convention center first.

Edited November 5, 2024Nov 5 by 646empire

On 11/5/2024 at 10:51 AM, 646empire said:

Q4 2024 so basically right now. I wouldn’t say they are on schedule, they really wanted to start the hotel late last year. Some of the delay is the need to start the convention center first.

Are they wanting to complete them at the same time?? Doesn’t make much sense to have a completed center with no signature hotel ready. 

1 hour ago, Broman said:

Are they wanting to complete them at the same time?? Doesn’t make much sense to have a completed center with no signature hotel ready. 

They can’t complete them at the same time at this point the center is now at least a year ahead. The hotel would be 2027 at this point. And the Convention Center doesn’t need the hotel to host conferences, small conventions and annual stuff like reds fest, home and garden, car shows etc. We do need the hotel before we bid The NFL Draft and events like that.

Edited November 7, 2024Nov 7 by 646empire

the DOW is up 43,729.93  +1,508.05 (3.57%) today. if that sounds like a spike well maybe it's the end times or there is gonna be a tumble in the jungle. Per the news media. we have been on a terror of building, buying, investing, and believing. sooner or later there has to be a correction. before you start two major bridges, a new arena, a new convention hotel, and a rework of the CCC itself. plus, a new covington neighborhood, and a billion-dollar biosphere 3 football thingy, check your wallet.  

A terror?

 

 

That sounds tearable.

All I want for Christmas is a hotel reveal. 

Blurb from the Enquirer's article with the new Visit Cincy chair. Nothing really new here but they don't mention Portman trying to get an extension on the TMUD credits, so Q1 of 2025 may still be the target.

 

Quote

 

Q: That's also why we need an 800-room convention headquarters hotel Downtown, right? To bring thousands of more people to Cincinnati. What is the status of that?

A: The developer, Portman Holdings, is in the process of choosing a flagship hotel brand. There are so many moving parts to putting something like this together in the legal aspect of it, so that's why it's taking a while. However, the state money we received stipulates that we have to break ground on the site by the end of the first quarter in 2025. From there, that will free up the sales team at the convention center to book more business.

 

 

^Link to that article: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2024/12/09/meet-scott-robertson-visit-cincy/76260804007/

Enquirer has the scoop on the hotel.  It's pay-walled though, so no info available. 

 

 

New visuals for the $470 million project show a 300-foot-tall, glass-clad hotel tower with a six-story podium rising on the current site of a surface parking lot at Fifth and Plum streets. Designed by architecture firms Cooper Carry and Moody Nolan, the 635,000-square-foot structure will house 800 rooms, flexible meeting space and nearly 15,000 square feet of ground-floor leasable retail space

 

Atlanta-based Portman Holdings and Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., also known as 3CDC, said preliminary site work will begin in January with an official groundbreaking scheduled for the second quarter of 2025

 

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2024/12/18/cincinnati-inches-closer-to-building-470-million-convention-hotel/76958872007/

Quote

Atlanta-based Portman Holdings and Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., also known as 3CDC, said preliminary site work will begin in January with an official groundbreaking scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.

 

New visuals for the $470 million project show a 300-foot-tall, glass-clad hotel tower with a six-story podium rising on the current site of a surface parking lot at Fifth and Plum streets. Designed by architecture firms Cooper Carry and Moody Nolan, the 635,000-square-foot structure will house 800 rooms, flexible meeting space and nearly 15,000 square feet of ground-floor leasable retail space.

 

It will also include rooftop outdoor space and a sky bridge connecting the hotel to the Duke Energy Convention Center next door.

 

Edited December 18, 2024Dec 18 by tonyt3524

The way I read the article it will be a 26 storie hotel tower on top of a 6 storie podium at 300 feet tall.

Edited December 18, 2024Dec 18 by ucnum1

So it won't even be as tall as the enquirer building?  Disappointing but not surprising.  

32 story 300 foot addition to the skyline is still pretty solid.

The Millennium Hotel was 350 feet so this 50 foot drop isn't...terrible...but I'd rather it at least match the previous hotel.

3CDC, Portman Holdings release new renderings of convention center hotel

 

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. released new renderings of a potential downtown headquarters hotel slated to be built south of a revitalized Duke Energy Convention Center.

 

3CDC and the developer, Portman Holdings, must do some construction activities on the $480 million project during the first quarter of 2025 because of a major $40 million tax credit they received from the state of Ohio earlier this year through its transformative mixed-use development program.

 

The overall convention center district project received $46 million in the most recent state capital budget, which can be used either for the $209 million convention center overhaul itself or the hotel.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2024/12/18/downtown-headquarters-convention-hotel-renderings.html

 

4 hours ago, ucnum1 said:

32 story 300 foot addition to the skyline is still pretty solid.

32 stories seems like it would typically be more than 300 feet? This is what is confusing to me

Worst take ever on Carew Tower. 🤣