"Deisgn refinement"...hhmmm.  I dont know, but I dont like the sound of that.  I guess we will see. 

"Subject to required pre-leasing" is the phrase that I don't like the sound of.

"Subject to required pre-leasing" is the phrase that I don't like the sound of.

 

As I said earlier...I have spoken directly with the lead developer of QCS, from Eagle Realty, and he seemed very upbeat about phase II.  He stated that they are in negotiations with some major tenants for phase II.  I would presume that once these negotiations have finished (probably another 6 months) then they will be ready to break ground.

^well I am glad youre optimistic, but I cant help but continue to be skeptical until I see a building built. 

How much are they looking to prelease? 50%? That's 400,000 square feet. Hopefully it won't take another 15 years before the next 35+ story skyscraper is built.

Hopefully it won't take another 15 years before the next 35+ story skyscraper is built.

 

If we see some of the growth that Atlanta has seen the last 15 years ( minus some of the sprawl ), we would see more 35+ story skyscrapers.  What retricts us from that kind of growth, I don't know.

How much are they looking to prelease? 50%? That's 400,000 square feet. Hopefully it won't take another 15 years before the next 35+ story skyscraper is built.

 

50% sounds a little high, but then again I am not an expert on these things.  However, as mentioned earlier Eagle Realty sounds optimistic to break ground within a year.  You can take that for what its worth.....and yes (atlas) I am always optimistic about Cincy....whether that is good or bad I'll let you decide.

BTW, the grand opening is tomorrow.

 

This article notes that so far the building only has two tenants, both subsidiaries of Western-Southern/Eagle.  It doesn't say how much space they are taking up, though.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060312/BIZ01/603120363/1076/rss01

 

I took these last week, it's easy to remember because it was the only sunny day in like the last 2 weeks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

can someone catch me up on this a bit.  is there a 'phase 2',  when? where?  are they tearing down the old Western-Southern garage?  If they do, can I have the giant rotating sign?

 

I thought Capital University had a banner up that they were moving in.

I thought Capital University had a banner up that they were moving in.

 

What is Capital University....I've never heard of them.

They are a Lutheran University (not seminary) located in Bexley (Cbus suburb). I have noticed they have a branch/regional/off-site campus in Dayton. I figured this would be a similar campus.

^Huh....thx for the update...and knowledge :wink:

so then why would Capital U want office space in Cincy?  Are they planning on bringing a branch to the Cincy area and need offices to do that?  Hmmm.....

I figured the branch was in the office building. We are probably talking some small satelite location or something, not a decent sized campus.

I walk by Phase I each day.  The lobby area is...interesting, and awfully green. 

Looks great!! Time for Phase II!

The lobby looks like 1985.  I am disappointed with HOK on the lobby. 

The sign on the building is for Cincinnati Capital Properties.

 

 

LMAO!

lol.

Construction completed

By Greg Paeth

Post staff reporter

 

All of the major construction work on downtown Cincinnati's newest office building, called Queen City Square, is finished and the $62 million facility is about half leased.

 

Plans by the developer, an arm of Western and Southern Financial Group, to move ahead with a skyscraper next door will wait until the 16-story Queen City Square is fully occupied, officials said.

 

Priority one is completing the leasing of the 16-story building at 303 Broadway, said Mario San Marco, president of the Eagle Realty Group, the Western & Southern subsidiary that is handling the leasing of the building.

 

Two other Western & Southern companies - IFS Financial Services and Ft. Washington Investment Advisors - are renting 100,000 square feet in the building, leaving about 85,000 square feet to be filled, San Marco said.

 

Publication date: 03-14-2006

 

Leasing continues at Queen City Square, Cincinnati's newest office building.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060314/NEWS01/603140354/1010/RSS01

With Convergys opening up a lot of space, and essentially sending Cincinnati Bell jobs to Norwood (where additional Convergys jobs came from) I am not sure this will be built in the near future.  I do, however, like San Marco and his enthusiasm for wanting to develop Downtown.  I think if anyone can get this done now, it will be someone like him.  Maybe he could find a company in Atlanta looking to move as they seem to be the biggest raiders.  I also like that we get periodic updates from him instead of the typical announcement from a developer who disappears.

Yes, If Cincinnati lured an Atlanta company here, I would see that as the ultimate prize.

With Convergys opening up a lot of space, and essentially sending Cincinnati Bell jobs to Norwood (where additional Convergys jobs came from) I am not sure this will be built in the near future.  I do, however, like San Marco and his enthusiasm for wanting to develop Downtown.  I think if anyone can get this done now, it will be someone like him.  Maybe he could find a company in Atlanta looking to move as they seem to be the biggest raiders.  I also like that we get periodic updates from him instead of the typical announcement from a developer who disappears.

I think it's a wash. Federated is bring jobs to Cincinnati and P&G will be bringing high level jobs to Cincinnati from the Gillette deal. It's unknown how many jobs Cinergy will take. We kept Chiquita, which could be back in the F500 some time soon. I think it's more positive than negative as far as potential job growth downtown.

^ wow unusualfire that positive attitude is unlike you ;)  You summed it up well.

Took an exploring trip downtown yesterday, and here are the pics I got of QCS:

 

The Lobby (couldnt go anywhere else due to security):

 

 

 

 

Here is one of a touch screen monitor, in the lobby, that helps you navigate the bldg.  I took a pic of the screen listing the current tenants of the bldg.

The green is terrible. I like the ceiling.

The green is terrible. I like the ceiling.

 

I'm not a big fan of the green either ... they should've used grey or blue.

  I don't think it looks bad at all.

The ceiling is cool....the green is very...well financial. 

I walked in there this week.  I have to say I was unimpressed & disappointed with the lobby. I'm not sure what I was expecting, something a bit grander I suppose.  It was smaller and just more plain than what I would have thought for a downtown office space.

oh - for sure... I'll take it in a heartbeat.  Now,  C'MON PHASE II !!!!!

 

 

I walked in there this week.  I have to say I was unimpressed & disappointed with the lobby. I'm not sure what I was expecting, something a bit grander I suppose.  It was smaller and just more plain than what I would have thought for a downtown office space.

 

 

I'm sure you thought of this already, but... this is only Phase 1.

If they ever get around to building Phase 2, the lobby will most likely be bigger on a grand scale.

Too bad it will be a while before we can see that one.

Hopefully we hear good news soon.

We'll put this in the completed section until phase II gets under way.

This is dated but news on Queen City Square & 303 Broadway have been slim

http://www.fortwashington.com/pdf/FW-650-0510.pdf

 

Fort Washington Plans Move to 303 Broadway at Queen City Square

 

CINCINNATI — Oct. 20, 2005 — Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., (Fort Washington) announced it plans to relocate its offices to the new 303 Broadway at Queen City Square office building in early 2006.

 

Fort Washington, Cincinnati’s largest money management firm1 with $25.7 billion under management, will occupy 30,000 square feet, principally on the 12th floor of 303 Broadway. Fort Washington provides comprehensive investment management services for institutions, corporations, mutual funds and high-net-worth individuals. Fort Washington is a registered investment advisor and a member of Western & Southern Financial Group®.

 

 

Great American Ballpark from 303 Broadway:

 

Any word on Phase II?

^^I'm curious monte, how did you get into the bldg to take that picture??  I went in and tried to smooth-talk the guy at the desk, but it wasnt working.  I was told that if Rob Alpern (Eagle Realty development agent..in charge of leasing the tower) gave me the go-ahead then it would be cool to go and check it out.

that is a pretty sweet picture.  wouldnt mind workin there if i was lucky enough to get a window cube. 

That photo was found on the internet, sorry I didn't make that clear.  If a photo is from me it will have a http://www.cincyimages.com or http://pbase.com/cincyimages domain.

ah ha....thx for the clarification.  I was getting very jealous :roll:

Has anyone heard, new information on phase II, phase I is really nice, but I'm excited to know when phasse II will be starting

^As for your inquiry...here is something I posted a little while back, and as far as I know, this is where the project still stands.  One major tennant is what it will take, or the consolidation of Western & Southern operations under this one roof.  Both are possible, but they will both take some careful planning/marketing.

 

As I said earlier...I have spoken directly with the lead developer of QCS' date=' from Eagle Realty, and he seemed very upbeat about phase II.  He stated that they are in negotiations with some major tenants for phase II.  I would presume that once these negotiations have finished (probably another 6 months) then they will be ready to break ground.[/quote']

As a NYer, let me just say that I always liked Cincy's skyline.  It definitely blows away most US cities including some that are bigger  Cincy.  To me, once you reach a certain level of skyline beauty/size (and Cincy has achieved such level), new office towers really aren't too important shouldn't be built unless absolutely necessary.  With the vacancy in other buildings, I don't see why phase 2 should be built.  Why not focus on resedentuial developmet particularly the Banks and OTR?

^ heard that.  but at the same time it would be a sign of progress...something a lot of people are yearning for around here.  i agree in that i would rather see other projects succeed, such as the banks, than worry about phase two being built.  the banks would be a much greater sign of progress.

^ heard that.  but at the same time it would be a sign of progress...something a lot of people are yearning for around here.  i agree in that i would rather see other projects succeed, such as the banks, than worry about phase two being built.  the banks would be a much greater sign of progress.

 

Phaty, I hear ya that many people are yearning for it and I don't think it would necessarily a bad thing to have it built but I like you insinuated, I honesty think there are things much more important to the city than an office tower. the Banks would go a long long way to vibrancy, health, image of Cincy.  I don't think an Office tower would.

We'll put this in the completed section until phase II gets under way.

 

grasscat says no!  :-D  :lol:

I figured since there's still conversation going on, I'd move it back.

 

I saw a picture of the new skyline with a completed QSCII on emporis and it looks pretty cool, it isn't so much taller than carew that it is the only focal point.