Maybe a logo change? I cant remember if this is First Federal or First Financial and cant seem to locate anything on the web with the logo that is there now.

 

Edited May 31, 20223 yr by SleepyLeroy
who's on 1st

Here's a link to an article about how the owners are refreshing the brand of the building as they renovate it. Still looking to see what company that logo belongs to.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/05/23/hertz-selects-jll-center-at-600-vine.html

Found it. FirstGroup.

 

The logo on their website is the same so not a refresh in branding. Maybe they just aren't the primary tenant anymore since they sold two Cincinnati based divisions last year to a Swedish company.

1 minute ago, Cincy_Travels said:

Found it. FirstGroup.

 

The logo on their website is the same so not a refresh in branding. Maybe they just aren't the primary tenant anymore since they sold two Cincinnati based divisions last year based to a Swedish company.

Yeah, the Cincinnati-based company was founded as American Transportation Enterprises in 1955, then acquired by Ryder in 1986, then acquired by First Group in 1999: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transit

Why the Millennium Hotel purchase costs more than expected

By Chris Wetterich  –  Staff reporter and columnist, Cincinnati Business Courier

Jun 8, 2022

 

In the face of rising interest rates, the board that oversees the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority voted Wednesday to refinance $54 million in bonds issued in 2020 to acquire and demolish the Millennium Hotel.

 

The Port will issue $65 million in new bonds that will likely have a 25-year amortization period, according to officials.

 

It signals the official end of the original plan for the Millennium site and now provides a clearer picture about how much the property’s purchase actually will cost.

 

MORE

With the news of Cincinnati not getting a bid for the World Cup do you think there will be a less of a rush to get the hotel built? Seemed like most of the current talk was to get it completed by 2026 for the games. 

It's just unbelievably stupid how much money was spent to acquire and demolish the Millennium as fast as possible (and pay millions to the developer who "facilitated" the deal) when we aren't even close to having a solid plan in place for replacing it. Would have been smarter, IMO, to renovate the Millennium into a decent, affordable hotel and build the new signature hotel on the south lot.

39 minutes ago, taestell said:

It's just unbelievably stupid how much money was spent to acquire and demolish the Millennium as fast as possible (and pay millions to the developer who "facilitated" the deal) when we aren't even close to having a solid plan in place for replacing it. Would have been smarter, IMO, to renovate the Millennium into a decent, affordable hotel and build the new signature hotel on the south lot.

The only thing I could think of is that they would not be able to finance construction as long as the millennium was operating.

 

personally, I would have loved to keep the millennium operating and then develop a high end convention hotel on the 5th street lot in tandem. This would give a couple price points as options for convention goers. Not sure how they would work in the business though 

Edited June 17, 20222 yr by Brutus_buckeye

1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

The only thing I could think of is that they would not be able to finance construction as long as the millennium was operating.

 

personally, I would have loved to keep the millennium operating and then develop a high end convention hotel on the 5th street lot in tandem. This would give a couple price points as options for convention goers. Not sure how they would work in the business though 

Millennium was in such disrepair, and the existing ownership was unwilling to make any improvements. As much as it sucks, the city/county/port needed to get them out of there. I am not sure if it would have been cost prohibitive to renovate the millennium i know i have been on two exploratory groups in the property prior to demolition discussion. Low ceilings in the south building, and tight spaces in the north building. We just need to get our asses in gear and get another property started or ground broken. Between this hotel debacle and the county commissioners bitching about cost upgrades for FIFA its no wonder they moved on past us. World cup doesnt just happen every 4 or 8 years for a city. Its a rare hosting occurrence where you roll out the red carpet.  

2 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Millennium was in such disrepair, and the existing ownership was unwilling to make any improvements. As much as it sucks, the city/county/port needed to get them out of there. I am not sure if it would have been cost prohibitive to renovate the millennium i know i have been on two exploratory groups in the property prior to demolition discussion. Low ceilings in the south building, and tight spaces in the north building. We just need to get our asses in gear and get another property started or ground broken. Between this hotel debacle and the county commissioners bitching about cost upgrades for FIFA its no wonder they moved on past us. World cup doesnt just happen every 4 or 8 years for a city. Its a rare hosting occurrence where you roll out the red carpet.  

I knew it was outdated, did not know if it could have served as a cheaper option along with a high end 600-800 room convention hotel to the South. 

 

Agreed that they waited too long to take care of this matter. As bummed as I was, I do think KC deserved the bid first. Besides having the convention hotel, they had over 25 years of hosting US soccer in their town. It was their turn. I would have been pissed if Nashville got it because Cincinnati is a better option for many reasons and Nashville did not deserve it. 

 

However, we can take this loss, improve our infastructure and get the new hotel built and stage a number of other US National team events in the coming years and we put ourselves in prime position to host the Womens World Cup when it comes back to town. While not the Mens Cup, it is still a great draw at least in the North America and Western Europe.

26 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Millennium was in such disrepair, and the existing ownership was unwilling to make any improvements. As much as it sucks, the city/county/port needed to get them out of there. I am not sure if it would have been cost prohibitive to renovate the millennium i know i have been on two exploratory groups in the property prior to demolition discussion. Low ceilings in the south building, and tight spaces in the north building. We just need to get our asses in gear and get another property started or ground broken. Between this hotel debacle and the county commissioners bitching about cost upgrades for FIFA its no wonder they moved on past us. World cup doesnt just happen every 4 or 8 years for a city. Its a rare hosting occurrence where you roll out the red carpet.  

One thing Cincinnati needs to do to up its profile is to work to stage more key conventions and become a bigger player in that space, even if it runs a deficit for a while. Indy developed this with ametuer athletics and has leverage that into allowing it to get final fours, and key NCAA events and even BIG ten events. 

Cincinnati used to play much better in this area (back when the arena was more functional of course). But part of our problem is a perception problem.  People like travelling to Nashville, Indy, Charlotte, even Kansas City has a buzz now.  These are essentially all peer cities to Cincy now and although they may be growing a bit faster in some cases, all are smaller cities in general to Cincy. The big difference is that people do not talk about coming ot Cincy and "how cool" a weekend in Cincy is, whereas  Nashville has an "it" factor, even Charlotte, Raliegh, Indy, have a bit more of an "it" factor because they are bringing in a lot more out of town dollars. It is more perception than reality, but after a while, the perception does become reality.

 

 

"people like traveling to Nashville...", I just spent a few days in Nashville. What a lively city.Yesterday, Friday took the trolley tour around the city. The tour guy was horrible but, the city is bustling. Easily 30 cranes floating over the skyline. At least 30 new buildings are being constructed right now. These buildings are between 15 and 40 floors, sleek, modern and appealing. The music/bar/party area was 5 or so blocks long and each side street was a continuation of the same type of entertainment. Flashy signs, loud music from the bars as well as the cars, trucks, vans, peddle wagons. For blocks it was wall to wall young people, partying at 3pm on a friday. There were outdoor restaurants, balconies from apartments, condos, and roof top terraces filled with party-ers, visitors and in general happy people.  Think of our restaurant food sampling weekend in 3D. Oh, and many intersections stopped traffic in all directions allowing pedestrians  to cross in whatever fashion they chose. Think Tokyo. The tour was one big advertisement for Nashville Kats. None of this was my cup of tea but a conventioneer would leave this town and have tons of stories to tell. The weather sticky, muggy and hot. The pocketbooks of Nashville filled to overflowing. The reputation of Nashville soaring. About a year ago I read an article about surging city growth and somewhere in the article Cincinnati was mentioned, "What's happening in Cincinnati; nothing".

1 hour ago, RJohnson said:

"people like traveling to Nashville...", I just spent a few days in Nashville. What a lively city.Yesterday, Friday took the trolley tour around the city. The tour guy was horrible but, the city is bustling. Easily 30 cranes floating over the skyline. At least 30 new buildings are being constructed right now. These buildings are between 15 and 40 floors, sleek, modern and appealing. The music/bar/party area was 5 or so blocks long and each side street was a continuation of the same type of entertainment. Flashy signs, loud music from the bars as well as the cars, trucks, vans, peddle wagons. For blocks it was wall to wall young people, partying at 3pm on a friday. There were outdoor restaurants, balconies from apartments, condos, and roof top terraces filled with party-ers, visitors and in general happy people.  Think of our restaurant food sampling weekend in 3D. Oh, and many intersections stopped traffic in all directions allowing pedestrians  to cross in whatever fashion they chose. Think Tokyo. The tour was one big advertisement for Nashville Kats. None of this was my cup of tea but a conventioneer would leave this town and have tons of stories to tell. The weather sticky, muggy and hot. The pocketbooks of Nashville filled to overflowing. The reputation of Nashville soaring. About a year ago I read an article about surging city growth and somewhere in the article Cincinnati was mentioned, "What's happening in Cincinnati; nothing".

this is a really hot and bad take. Nashville has become a grotesque baby Las Vegas wannabe. Everything is very focused towards development that caters to singles and bachelor party goers. 
 

Nashville is a fun city, but I never once stopped myself asking if I wanted to physically live in downtown Nashville - especially with a family. 
 

meanwhile cities like Toronto, San Diego, Seattle, Denver, Boston, etc…I’ve asked myself multiple if I could live there.

 

The problem with Nashville development is that it feels incredibly skewed towards the party and less towards making a genuine bonified urban city where you can raise a family. 

judge not less you be judged. if mother's can deliver babies in the jungles of India, Africa and S. america, they can deliver and rear them in :Nashville. It was hot but my take was not. stop looking for something to whine about. jeez mary, humans have done pretty well with raising families all over this planet. the new king james will say, god destroyed sodom, gomorrah, and nashville. did you notice i mentioned stopping all traffic at intersections to allow any and everyone  (includes mothers and babies) to cross the street. that should make all ohio urbaners so happy. in my lifetime the world's population has jumped from 2 billion to 7.5 billion. bees and pests, like bachelors and singles must be destroyed.

5 hours ago, RJohnson said:

judge not less you be judged. if mother's can deliver babies in the jungles of India, Africa and S. america, they can deliver and rear them in :Nashville. It was hot but my take was not. stop looking for something to whine about. jeez mary, humans have done pretty well with raising families all over this planet. the new king james will say, god destroyed sodom, gomorrah, and nashville. did you notice i mentioned stopping all traffic at intersections to allow any and everyone  (includes mothers and babies) to cross the street. that should make all ohio urbaners so happy. in my lifetime the world's population has jumped from 2 billion to 7.5 billion. bees and pests, like bachelors and singles must be destroyed.

 

You are officially a national treasure. 

Just spent the weekend in Columbus and noticed their new 34 story convention hotel. Definitely left me amazed how Columbus has came a long way in their urban core. I really hope Cincinnati has something up their sleeve for our future convention hotel 

The lost FIFA bid will not delay this project at all. 3CDC is hard at work on it and full steam ahead. This hotel is wayyyyy over due and needed badly.

12 hours ago, cin614 said:

Just spent the weekend in Columbus and noticed their new 34 story convention hotel. Definitely left me amazed how Columbus has came a long way in their urban core. I really hope Cincinnati has something up their sleeve for our future convention hotel 

Its amazing how much development is up and down High Street in Columbus. The new Hilton expansion will be very nice addition to the skyline. It be nice if we could get some Columbus based developers in Cincinnati. Crawford Hoying is now working in CUF but we need them downtown to help create energy that, North American, Towne, and even 3CDC cant muster with new developments. 

13 hours ago, cin614 said:

Just spent the weekend in Columbus and noticed their new 34 story convention hotel. Definitely left me amazed how Columbus has came a long way in their urban core. I really hope Cincinnati has something up their sleeve for our future convention hotel 

Columbus has always invested more heavily in their convention market than Cincinnati. Like Indy, they built a much larger convention center in hopes of landing larger conventions. Cincy did not want to play in as large of a sandbox given the competitive nature of the industry and while content to get large national conventions, Cincy was wanting to compete against the INdy's, Columbus, Charlotte's of the world for convention business while COlubmus was trying to compete head on against Chicago, New Orleans, Vegas, etc. 

I am sure Columbus had many more losses than wins playing in this arena but the wins they had were much bigger when they came. 

Things have seemed pretty quiet on this front since the World Cup bid fell through. Any news or updates here? Has momentum cooled some lately or do we still expect to see something built by 2025?

4 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Things have seemed pretty quiet on this front since the World Cup bid fell through. Any news or updates here? Has momentum cooled some lately or do we still expect to see something built by 2025?

Nope it’s still on schedule, I have very close eyes on this project, they are finalizing a developer/operator. The plan was always to have a developer in place 4Q22/1Q23 and groundbreaking sometime next summer/fall of 2023. The next news we should hear is a developer and some official proposal details, 3CDC is VERY focused on it last time I got a update about a month ago.

Edited August 24, 20222 yr by 646empire

13 hours ago, 646empire said:

Nope it’s still on schedule, I have very close eyes on this project, they are finalizing a developer/operator. The plan was always to have a developer in place 4Q22/1Q23 and groundbreaking sometime next summer/fall of 2023. The next news we should hear is a developer and some official proposal details, 3CDC is VERY focused on it last time I got a update about a month ago.

 

In my circle it sounds like 3CDC is waiting for selecting developer/operator before choosing hotel franchise banner. Some solid brands stick out that would really elevate the convention experience in the city.  Marriott, (JW Marriott (INDY), Sheraton) Hilton, (Signia by Hilton (Indy)) Loews, Omni (Nashville, Louisville), IHG (Intercontinental). We already have Hyatt, Westin, Hilton and the Marriott is across the river so those cant be in play.  

16 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

 

In my circle it sounds like 3CDC is waiting for selecting developer/operator before choosing hotel franchise banner. Some solid brands stick out that would really elevate the convention experience in the city.  Marriott, (JW Marriott (INDY), Sheraton) Hilton, (Signia by Hilton (Indy)) Loews, Omni (Nashville, Louisville), IHG (Intercontinental). We already have Hyatt, Westin, Hilton and the Marriott is across the river so those cant be in play.  

That sounds about right, the hotel developer/operator would be selected first before the flag and or in conjunction. The flag can also effect the construction budget, the higher end hotel brands = higher end facility design and finishes etc. I think I mentioned before how im very excited that we will most likely not be getting a new Hilton like Cleveland and Columbus. Hilton is fine buts it’s very blah and basic. I would prefer a Omni like Louisville or such. NOW I must say it is possible for properties to lose their flag and I remember many years ago I heard rumors of Hilton taking its flag off of Netherland Plaza if “improvements” weren’t made. But that hasn’t happened. I’m hoping Mr Powers (I think that’s his name) will use the Carew Tower sale money on the upkeep of The Hilton.

Edited August 24, 20222 yr by 646empire

9 minutes ago, 646empire said:

That sounds about right, the hotel developer/operator would be selected first before the flag and or in conjunction. The flag can also effect the construction budget, the higher end hotel brands = higher end facility design and finishes etc. I think I mentioned before how im very excited that we will most likely not be getting a new Hilton like Cleveland and Columbus. Hilton is fine buts it’s very blah and basic. I would prefer a Omni like Louisville or such. NOW I must say it is possible for properties to lose their flag and I remember many years ago I heard rumors of Hilton taking its flag off of Netherland Plaza if “improvements” weren’t made. But that hasn’t happened. I’m hoping Mr Powers (I think that’s his name) will use the Carew Tower sale money on the upkeep of The Hilton.

 

Kind of confused, because we were brought in to make the improvements to the Hilton Netherland. Hilton wanted new carpet, wall covering, window treatments and soft seating and other minor updates in the rooms. Our team wanted to upgrade furniture but Hilton said it wasnt needed.  We then went above and beyond and made updates to all ballrooms and conference spaces. Hilton team in DC was satisfied with the upgrades. The biggest issue with the hotel is ever since they lost Chef Todd Kelly, Orchids just hasnt been as nice as it once was.

Edited August 24, 20222 yr by savadams13

1 minute ago, savadams13 said:

Kind of confused, because we were brought in to make the improvements to the Hilton Netherland. Hilton wanted new carpet, wall covering and other minor updates in the rooms. We then went above and beyond and made updates to all ballrooms and conference spaces. Hilton team in DC was satisfied with the upgrades. The biggest issue with the hotel is ever since they lost Chef Todd Kelly, Orchids just hasnt been as nice as it once was.

 

 

8 minutes ago, 646empire said:

I remember many years ago I heard rumors of Hilton taking its flag off of Netherland Plaza if “improvements” weren’t made. But that hasn’t happened.

Again this all sounds right, if I’m not mistaken these “flag” discussions happened 6-8 years ago, and the “improvements” you speak of happened after which is why things may have settled down with Hilton being satisfied with the updates. 

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

 

In my circle it sounds like 3CDC is waiting for selecting developer/operator before choosing hotel franchise banner. Some solid brands stick out that would really elevate the convention experience in the city.  Marriott, (JW Marriott (INDY), Sheraton) Hilton, (Signia by Hilton (Indy)) Loews, Omni (Nashville, Louisville), IHG (Intercontinental). We already have Hyatt, Westin, Hilton and the Marriott is across the river so those cant be in play.  

So from what you are hearing it sounds like they are pushing more of a higher end convention brand like a JW, Omni, Loews? 

8 minutes ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

So from what you are hearing it sounds like they are pushing more of a higher end convention brand like a JW, Omni, Loews? 

Yes, the idea is to get smaller-mid sized but higher end conventions, with a nicer higher end property it can create a nice niche market where our surrounding competition is going for the bigger across the board conventions. 

13 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Yes, the idea is to get smaller-mid sized but higher end conventions, with a nicer higher end property it can create a nice niche market where our surrounding competition is going for the bigger across the board conventions. 

are they still targeting around 700-800 rooms or will it be scaled down some?

2 hours ago, savadams13 said:

We already have Hyatt, Westin, Hilton and the Marriott is across the river so those cant be in play.  

 

I'm not sure that having existing Hilton/Marriot hotels in the core would prevent them from getting a higher end Conrad or JW Marriott at the Convention Center.

1 hour ago, taestell said:

 

I'm not sure that having existing Hilton/Marriot hotels in the core would prevent them from getting a higher end Conrad or JW Marriott at the Convention Center.

You misunderstood what I was saying, I was saying we wouldnt see another, Hilton, Marriott, Westin or Hyatt. As i suggested we could see a JW Marriott since the flag is not in use in the region. I honestly think Conrad is out of the question though, since Hilton is primarily using the brand for resorts and more exclusive locations now. 

1 hour ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

are they still targeting around 700-800 rooms or will it be scaled down some?

Last discussions are still in the 800 room area. 

3 hours ago, taestell said:

 

I'm not sure that having existing Hilton/Marriot hotels in the core would prevent them from getting a higher end Conrad or JW Marriott at the Convention Center.

Would love to see something similar to the Loews in Chicago. 

On 5/31/2022 at 2:24 PM, Ucgrad2015 said:

I’m going to assume we’ll be seeing a mural on the 84.51 building and that space being part of Blink this fall. 

AGAR posted on Instagram this morning that a mural is being painted on that wall by Tristan Eaton. 

The mural is already traced out and they started painting this morning. The official Blink map just shows the icon for the mural and doesn't mention anything else going on in the large grass field or having any other events/vendors/restrooms etc. so I'm curious if the fence will even be open during Blink for people to be on the grass or not.

Update: Tristan Eaton LA based visual artist mural coming along, shame no movement on new convention hotel but glad to see this massive blank wall getting some love 

3CDC unveils plans for $200 million redevelopment of Duke Energy Convention Center
 

https://www.fox19.com/2022/10/17/plan-revealed-200-million-redevelopment-duke-energy-convention-center/

 

Edit: Added about the $100 million price increase and "The renderings shown Monday depict a [hotel] building around 28 stories tall, though it isn’t clear the hotel design falls under the architecture firms’ purview. "

Edited October 17, 20222 yr by Pdrome513

wow

27 minutes ago, Pdrome513 said:

3CDC unveils plans for $200 million redevelopment of Duke Energy Convention Center
 

https://www.fox19.com/2022/10/17/plan-revealed-200-million-redevelopment-duke-energy-convention-center/

I figured the quiet phase surrounding the convention center and hotel would be ending in a bang any day now! Love this!

 

First piece of funding for design and such is coming.

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/10/17/duke-energy-convention-center-city-money.html

Edited October 17, 20222 yr by 646empire

1 hour ago, Pdrome513 said:

3CDC unveils plans for $200 million redevelopment of Duke Energy Convention Center
 

https://www.fox19.com/2022/10/17/plan-revealed-200-million-redevelopment-duke-energy-convention-center/

 

Edit: Added about the $100 million price increase and "The renderings shown Monday depict a [hotel] building around 28 stories tall, though it isn’t clear the hotel design falls under the architecture firms’ purview. "

Was trying to get a good idea of the height of the hotel. I like the overall design although I’d rather have it going east to West not north to south. 

25 minutes ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

 I like the overall design although I’d rather have it going east to West not north to south. 

Not sure if you're referring to the featured facade , but it looks to me like that's the south facing elevation, which would be east to west.

Very Interesting that it looks as tho they want to get rid of the big Cincinnati sign on the west side of the building

31 minutes ago, zsnyder said:

Not sure if you're referring to the featured facade , but it looks to me like that's the south facing elevation, which would be east to west.

Saying that when you come down the cut in the hill you get the full width of the building. Basically an example would be seeing Great American Tower vs Seeing Carew Tower coming down the hill. 
 

1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Was trying to get a good idea of the height of the hotel. I like the overall design although I’d rather have it going east to West not north to south. 

Just based on renderings with perspective, tower looks to be similar in height to the Hilton Netherland maybe a bit taller. which would be welcome on the west side of downtown, here is hoping for even more height!

1 hour ago, 646empire said:

Very Interesting that it looks as tho they want to get rid of the big Cincinnati sign on the west side of the building

All for it. I've always been confused why people need to be informed about where they are. 

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

 tower 

Ah, I assumed it was about the Center, itself.

Edited October 18, 20222 yr by zsnyder

2 hours ago, savadams13 said:

Just based on renderings with perspective, tower looks to be similar in height to the Hilton Netherland maybe a bit taller. which would be welcome on the west side of downtown, here is hoping for even more height!

I would think it is more of a placeholder design at this point. They say the official RFP for hotel is due on Monday th 24th so hopefully we hear something by end of the year regarding a rendering.

 

 

 

More below:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/10/18/3cdc-unveils-duke-energy-convention-center-redevelopment-plans/69569681007/

 

cobblestoned elm!

 

9 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

 

 

 

More below:

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/10/18/3cdc-unveils-duke-energy-convention-center-redevelopment-plans/69569681007/

 

 

I've heard it over and over again that we need more contiguous space to attract larger convention events. This doesn't look like it adds space. Maybe we're just going for the unique design to attract conventions instead?

 

My questions would be 

 

1. does this project increase the contiguous square footage or would there still be a question of whether to expand or not?

 

2. Which directions and elevations does the design allow for future expansion if that is still pursued?

 

3. Is it Possible to activate any of the frontage with street facing spaces or uses?