Great pictures, Dirty Sandpit!

Thanks!

QCS is frustrating in that it can look really good in a certain light from certain angles.  But mostly it is just ugly.

Great pictures Dirty Sandpit!

 

I think as the Banks development continues to rise, QCS will look more integrated in the city scape.

Best shots I've seen so far Dirty Sandpit!

 

For what it's worth, here are some parallel lines showing the relative height of QCS and Carew as viewed from wherever Dirty Sandpit took this shot:

 

^{[glow=red,2,300]flagpole[/glow]}

 

:-o

Pic #2 with The Banks and riverfront in the foreground and Mt. Adams in the background looks awesome!

These pictures were all taken from Devou Park, in Kentucky.

 

But the picture with parallel lines are relative and not a true measure of size comparison between the two.  The land actually slopes so QCS sits lower than Carew tower.  Therefore this isn't a very accurate depiction of the building's relative height since they're not on a planar surface.

 

Standing next to QCS you can feel the height of it verses the feel of Carew tower.  The building is massive.  But from a distance it does appear shorter. 

comment about the durability of the structure--back in the spring, high winds whipped through the city, and knocked out two grey panels, one in toto, that other partially, on the north facade (maybe 16 or so stories up).  There is another panel out on the west facade, just below the south balcony.  You have to wonder about the durability of this thing if these panels can be gashed by high winds. 

 

I'm still wondering when they are going to get around to repairing them.

Commenting on durability when a building is still under construction is unfair.  All fasteners aren't secured yet, joint sealants aren't dry, extra stiffening members may not be installed yet, and the open nature of the structure can cause strange wind tunnel effects and other forces that parts of the building weren't designed to accommodate. 

Commenting on durability when a building is still under construction is unfair. All fasteners aren't secured yet, joint sealants aren't dry, extra stiffening members may not be installed yet, and the open nature of the structure can cause strange wind tunnel effects and other forces that parts of the building weren't designed to accommodate.  

 

Fair or not....just sayin'. Time will tell, I guess.

None of these new fangled buildings have anything on the Carew.

QCS ,also being farther away in the picture than Carew, would naturally look slightly shorter...beautiful shots, thanks!!!

I started a petition called, "Enclose the Birdcage!"

It is kinda weird that you can see all the mechanical elements exposed underneath the "tiara", they really should enclose it somewhat. It looks unfinished.

It is kinda weird that you can see all the mechanical elements exposed underneath the "tiara", they really should enclose it somewhat. It looks unfinished.

 

They aren't really done with the tiara enclosure yet, are they? This is what I keep telling myself and other people. The building and the birdcage don't look aesthetically connected.

When I was at riverfest in Newport, I over heard an older guy and lady talking about QCS.  She said, hey that building will be finished next year for the fireworks.  He responded, yeah I think they are going to put glass on the top of that crown thing.  I really wanted to say something but I didn't!

It is kinda weird that you can see all the mechanical elements exposed underneath the "tiara", they really should enclose it somewhat. It looks unfinished.

 

They aren't really done with the tiara enclosure yet, are they? This is what I keep telling myself and other people. The building and the birdcage don't look aesthetically connected.

 

They're not done...lol they still have to put the signage up.

 

Also, all this talk about enclosing the Tiara, why would you enclose the birdcage when you have the Cooling tower and stuff on top? Doesn't that stuff have to vent into the outside air? I would imagine it would be unbearably hot up there if it were enclosed in glass? I don't think it's feasible to enclose the Tiara.

They should enclose the birdcage because it looks unfinished and awful.

 

BTW, Princess Diana's tiara looks nothing like the top of QCS:

 

http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=princess+diana+tiara&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=qsWaTLf9CI7ksQOks8DnBA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDMQsAQwAA&biw=1639&bih=1233

As much as I photographed and bravoed the tower, I really find that it is incomplete at the top. I had assumed early-on that it was going to be a glass enclosure, but realized (and was corrected) that it wasn't. Not surprised, but really disappointed since the building is all but finished, and you can see the mess at the top from a lot of vantage points.

Guys, do not judge the tiara yet.  The signage will be a HUGE differene. It is not just letters they are putting up there bu there are actual tiles that will indeed be an enclosue.  Now it will only be that lower level of the tiara that is actually enclosed but it will flow from the building much better than it does now and it will block essentially of the "insides" of the tiara that you see now. Be patient.

Now it will only be that lower level of the tiara that is actually enclosed but it will flow from the building much better than it does now and it will block essentially of the "insides" of the tiara that you see now. Be patient.

 

Unless you are looking at it from the East or West...  I agree though, wait til the signage is up before judging.

This is completely off topic, and I'm sorry, but this is really bugging me:

 

What church is sticking it's steeple up between Atrium Two and Holy Cross Monastery?  It looks like DeSales to me, but I thought that was way too far away to be possible.  These pics are from Devou, correct?

 

That's got to be DeSalle's

This is completely off topic, and I'm sorry, but this is really bugging me:

 

What church is sticking it's steeple up between Atrium Two and Holy Cross Monastery?  It looks like DeSales to me, but I thought that was way too far away to be possible.  These pics are from Devou, correct?

 

 

These are from devou. I don't know what else you're talking about though lol.

Yes that's St. Francis DeSales.  It shows up remarkably well from a LOT of very far away places. 

Yes that's St. Francis DeSales. It shows up remarkably well from a LOT of very far away places.

 

That's crazy!  I didn't realize it was THAT tall. 

 

Anyway, back on topic...

 

Just an FYI, DeSales is 230 feet tall (23 stories).

Also, all this talk about enclosing the Tiara, why would you enclose the birdcage when you have the Cooling tower and stuff on top? Doesn't that stuff have to vent into the outside air? I would imagine it would be unbearably hot up there if it were enclosed in glass? I don't think it's feasible to enclose the Tiara.

 

It seems to me there could be glass panels with small gaps. That should alleviate any trouble with temperature or ventilation. It may be difficult to pull off with wind issues, though. I'm not sure.

 

I agree that it's not good as it is. Hopefully the signage helps. I am still hopeful they will install some cool lighting which will make it look nice at night.

They need to add light or something because right now the tiara is invisible at night.  It just looks like the building was chopped off.

Just an FYI, DeSales is 230 feet tall (23 stories).

 

I can see Desales clearly from the 28th floor terrace at Atrium II.

Just an FYI, DeSales is 230 feet tall (23 stories).

 

What elevation is it at? It might actually appear to be taller than Carew, if we adjust for perspective.

The corner of Madison and Woodburn is at 808 feet above sea level, so that would put the top of the tower at 1,038 feet.  5th and Vine is at 550 feet, and with Carew Tower being 574 feet tall, that puts it at 1,124 feet. 

 

http://cagisonline.hamilton-co.org/CagisOnline/index.html

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, all this talk about enclosing the Tiara, why would you enclose the birdcage when you have the Cooling tower and stuff on top? Doesn't that stuff have to vent into the outside air?  I would imagine it would be unbearably hot up there if it were enclosed in glass?  I don't think it's feasible to enclose the Tiara.

 

It seems to me there could be glass panels with small gaps. That should alleviate any trouble with temperature or ventilation. It may be difficult to pull off with wind issues, though. I'm not sure.

I agree that it's not good as it is. Hopefully the signage helps. I am still hopeful they will install some cool lighting which will make it look nice at night.

 

From an architectural and maintenance standpoint glass would be a bad choice, because it is a solid sheet and because this is in a service location.  An open metal mesh could fasten to the back or front of the structural elements in a more cost effective solution. The mesh would also have the benefit of catching light, having less wind resistance, and being lighter weight.  An Okalux product similar to the mesh used at Des Moines Public Library ( http://www.floornature.com/media/photos/30/4804/wr621_1_popup.jpg) but in stainless steel (http://www.architectural-mesh.com/images/architectural-wire-mesh-10.jpg), could be cut to fit the triangular structural frames.  A large scale pattern could be created with areas left open and mesh behind or in front of the structure.

 

Also, all this talk about enclosing the Tiara, why would you enclose the birdcage when you have the Cooling tower and stuff on top? Doesn't that stuff have to vent into the outside air?  I would imagine it would be unbearably hot up there if it were enclosed in glass?  I don't think it's feasible to enclose the Tiara.

 

 

Agreed-

I don't think it should/can be filled in and I'm absolutely certain that once its done, it will have lighting that will make the "tiara" look great at night-

However, what's inside there currently will in no way be hidden by the signage,  Just from looking at the website the signage only covers a small portion.  (sorry for the super crappy image- I did it in Preview in 4 seconds using annotation ovals) Basically, either some of that stuff is temporary (hopefully) or its gonna be seen forever.

^^ Thanks for the info.

 

Very good first post; I hope you become a regular user.

 

That is to say, "Welcome to UrbanOhio, nati streets!" :D

Has anyone been inside the tower yet?  Is it impressive?

Hey all! been a bit since I posted.  I moved to LA but I'm still following the city I love!  QCS looks great.

If nothing else it would seem effective to simply build a taller parapet wall inside the cage around the mechanical units.  You would still see this wall, but at least it would appear as a nice clean box (just like the mechanical screening on queen city jr.) not a mess of air intakes and louvers of different heights and colors.  For that very reason, though, i dont think it would work.  The cooling towers and what not have open clearances to maintain or else they wont operate properly.

ninja: thanks for the welcome.

 

^phatty: I don't think a box is necessary in fact the geometric regularity is part of the reason the current cooling tower/mechanical sticks out so much.

Really the crown just needs either a partial cover or some added depth to catch light and attract your eye away from the mech beyond.

So courtesy of me not being able to sleep, I provide the following options.

 

*Of note the triangular additions to the thickness (again in a perforated metal) are my favorite, and provide a changing design compliment from multiple angles. 

** Gray=Signage. Structural diagram from the Business Courier.

^I like option 1, then 2.  3 and 4 don't seem to provide as much cover but are more visually interesting.

I like 1 the best also.  It's the least Chrysler-ripoff-ish.

Any new tenants sign up lately?

Regarding the base of the tiara, aside from the GA logo I still think there is work to be done on the sides that will help cover some of the rooftop equipment.  Unless the renderings are inaccurate.

Regarding the base of the tiara, aside from the GA logo I still think there is work to be done on the sides that will help cover some of the rooftop equipment. Unless the renderings are inaccurate.

The renderings seem to show glass in the tiara...so...I think it's safe to say they aren't accurate.

The last time the Reds went to the world series The script building was completed. Hmm just maybe this building is another rabbit's tail.

^I like it !

Which is a sign of "build more skyscrapers" ;).

 

Rise of an Icon.

"In July 2008, the second phase of Queen City Square began construction. Phase II, dubbed the "Great American Tower" (after primary tenant Great American Insurance) would eventually come to be a 41 floor office tower topped with a "tiara" inspired after the late Princess Diana's, a tribute to Cincinnati's nickname of the "Queen City." The first Cincinnati skyscraper to be constructed in the past two decades would continue to rise despite the onset of the "Great Recession" while other major construction projects in nearby Kenwood became rusty hulks on the suburban skyline. A new icon was rising in Cincinnati."

 

 

New multimedia piece I did from photos I shot this summer for the Cincinnati Business Courier. If you go to the main page, it features an interactive slideshow and audio interview with Mario San Marco of Eagle Realty Group, the firm in charge of leasing the new building. In it he talks about what inspired the tiara, what other options were considered and how he feels the building is becoming a symbol for the city.

 

 

 

Let me know what you think. Check out The Rise of an Icon.