I love the design :clap:...i can't wait to go spend my money down there!! Hopefully, a lot of people are thinking the same thing... :-D

 

 

I didn't realize how ugly the old square was, until I compared them. Ugh, money well spent.

theres gonna be a damn forest in the heart of downtown.  Too many trees in that rendering I think.  I hope theres not that many.  I kind of like the modern looking new facade.  Its just OK to me.  Anything beats the old look though. 

Yeah but they aren't recladding the 5/3rd tower like the rendering shows.  They make the 5/3rd tower look like is has Scripps blue glass, but it isn't going to happen.  And what is up with the 5/3rd building incorporated into the parking garage to the left?  I haven't heard about this construction.  Are they planning on adding a few floors to the left of the garage or is this just another artist getting carried away with the rendering?

yea the 5/3 tower looks like what queen city square is suppost to look like.  Oh, I see, since QCS cant be built, theyre just gonna make 5/3 look like it as a compromise.  Oh well, Ill take what I can get.

^  :laugh:

And what is up with the 5/3rd building incorporated into the parking garage to the left?  I haven't heard about this construction.  Are they planning on adding a few floors to the left of the garage or is this just another artist getting carried away with the rendering?

 

I think it just looks taller thanks to the dreaded skywalk being removed. I wonder if the time frame to get this done is the same as the square itself. I would like to think 5/3 likes the new look of this building and decides to do it to the tower.

If you reclad the tower and built the crown on top, you'd just about have QCS.

 

I hope 5/3 doesn't get sold and jepordise/delay something.

And what is up with the 5/3rd building incorporated into the parking garage to the left?  I haven't heard about this construction.  Are they planning on adding a few floors to the left of the garage or is this just another artist getting carried away with the rendering?

 

I think it just looks taller thanks to the dreaded skywalk being removed. I wonder if the time frame to get this done is the same as the square itself. I would like to think 5/3 likes the new look of this building and decides to do it to the tower.

 

No I am referring to the blue glassy 5/3rd add-on to the left of the garage.  That isn't currently there.  Do they plan on adding a few floors to that piece or is that extended height all smoke & mirrors?

^ the tower looks reclad in the rendering because the artist was trying to make it look a little less nasty.  i dont see any reason why or how they would add any space to the banking center...there just trying to impove the composition with a little more height via a couple false walls

I think the design is ok.  I'm just worried that they will only reclad the square side of the building and spend less time and effort on the 6th Street side, kinda like the hodgepodge looks of the Cinergy Center.  IMO, 6th Street is just as an important key as the square itself with the CAC and Aronoff all located on the corner of 6th.

Wow... I really like the new design! I also like the idea of the word, "Cincinnati" going across the top. Just like someone else pointed out, it's strictly a pride thing and I will be more than glad to show that sign off. The banners with photos are also a great addition to the look. Has anyone ever been in the big Cincinnati Vineyard in Tri-County???

 

.... They do a great job of branding with photographic scenes from Cincinnati.

These were taken on 2-16-06 from the carew.

 

 

Interesting pics Rich.

Nice perspective!

Detour - soon, a rebuilding

The plan: Open defining landmark by Reds opener

 

BY MARLA MATZER ROSE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The demolition of Fountain Square begins its final phase Monday.

 

By the end of February, the rebuilding of the square will begin - starting with mundane structures such as the vault holding a permanent refrigeration unit for the square's ice rink that will form the foundation of the $42 million renovated space.

 

The concrete poured in February will disappear as winter turns into spring and then summer, since the finished square will be clad in granite.

Why do we need to put the name of the town on every new project.  We know where we are.  Seems desperate.  The Square needed a face lift but that modern facade will be dated in a few years.  And way too many trees.  I have said that all along.  Too many superfulous water features too.  Only need the Tyler Davidson.  I am not sure this is going to meet the mark.

... I am not sure this is going to meet the mark.

 

Of course you don't... ;)

I think the new square in conjunction with the updated government square will put some much needed sparkle back in the queen city's crown. I like the "Cincinnati" logo, but wonder if it will really be there.  I also hope that seafood restaurant comes thru and interested to see how that will be placed.  Maybe the Westin and/or Cincy will finally do something with that Westin atrium, what a waste of space.

 

Finally, as long as I'm hoping, I hope that some real urban shops, eateries and artisan spots can cluster around the square.  I was very very very weary of "24 Hour Banking!!" 

I'd rather have the fountain square "Cincinnati" sign than the one that is currently on the Convention Center.

  I think this one looks nice.

  The one on the convention center is just, I don't know.........weird looking.

                              ( At least during the day.)

I think the new square in conjunction with the updated government square will put some much needed sparkle back in the queen city's crown. I like the "Cincinnati" logo, but wonder if it will really be there.  I also hope that seafood restaurant comes thru and interested to see how that will be placed.  Maybe the Westin and/or Cincy will finally do something with that Westin atrium, what a waste of space.

 

Finally, as long as I'm hoping, I hope that some real urban shops, eateries and artisan spots can cluster around the square.  I was very very very weary of "24 Hour Banking!!" 

 

OTRFAN, have no fear... One of my customers is the Westins' security manager. He told me that they are re-doing the entire Westin Hotel. He also said that they have been working on the rooms for the past few months (started with the actual rooms). They are closing 5th and Vine restaurant in March, I believe (along with the Albee) and then the entire bottom portion of the Westin is going under a major reno. The renovation will enhance the retail part of the Westin Hotel. Right now, it has pretty poor placement and they are aware of that.

This is great news Cincy-Rise  :clap:  although my kids will miss that "hall of mirrors" near the Reds shop there!  You can feel the ghosts of the old Albee theatre in that massive mostly empty atrium.  Doesn't that area actually belong to the city?  Either way that is some prime real estate used mostly as a pedistrian cut-thru. It would be exciting to seem increased retail, restaurant & other (any!) use there.  thx for the update

Here is a little bit of good news...

 

I was eating at Mytho's in Newport last night and I was talking to someone that I went to high-school with (his parents own Mytho's). He told me that someone contacted his parents, although I'm not sure who it was, and told them that they have been wanting to ask his parents about putting a Mytho's on Fountain Square. The rep from, I'm assuming 3CDC, said that they have been watching the restaurant for a little while due to people requesting that Mytho's have a location on FS.

 

To make a long story short, they will have a 3,500sf restaurant on FS and it will be more upscale compared to their current locations. The Mytho's on 7th St. will continue to stay open as well as adding a new location in Florence Mall.

 

If you haven't had a chance to try Mytho's out, you should. They have really good food and the food is authentic.

 

 

^ Great news, Cincy-Rise!  Keep it coming!  :)

Great.  Glad to hear it's not gonna be a bunch of Max & Erma's.

Can i make reservations now??? :|  I cant wait for fountain square to reopen with all of the new mix of restaurants and stores on the square.

Here are three photos taken on 2/25/06

 

 

 

I see they aren't wasting any time with that portion under 5th St. I wonder how soon before demo is complete and we see actual construction?

Check out the section of 3cdc's website regarding Fountain Square:

 

http://www.3cdc.org/content.jsp?articleId=228

 

The site has added alot of information about what's happening in and around the Square.  The link to "Related District Projects" includes a couple renderings I haven't seen before: 580 Walnut, the Westin.  Also check out this link:

 

http://www.cbre.com/USA/US/OH/Cincinnati/Property/cincifountainsquare.htm?pageid=0

 

It's the leasing agent link which has even more new info about the Square including more new renderings and a better idea of what the "Probasco Market" entails.  Most interesting, the map shows Fifth Third occupying the Southeast corner of their building.  I thought they were totally vacating their first floor retail.

Thx for the update!!!

Interesting links, thanks for posting!

 

Is the "Probasco Market" the farmer's market that has been mentioned?  That would be so cool!

I am trying to figure out where the Probasco Market is? Can someone that has seen the PDF help me out here?

 

Wow! I am really impressed, this is huge and is or already causing a huge domino effect!

Here, I'll give it shot.

 

It looks like this building will have mood lighting. This must be the lighting after a Reds win.

 

 

Here's the market images. It runs right down the middle of the 5/3 building.

 

 

 

Look at all those trees!

I might as well post the rest.

 

I just realized, I don't know what side of the square this building is. It doesn't look like the same place as where Rock Bottom or the marketplace will be.

<i>This must be the same building, just facing sixth street. It took me awhile.</i>

 

Rock Bottom and the marketplace will be here.

 

Inside the marketplace?!!?

 

I'm liking what I'm seeing.

I just realized, I don't know what side of the square this building is. It doesn't look like the same place as where Rock Bottom or the marketplace will be.

This must be the same building, just facing sixth street. It took me awhile.

 

Yes, that is the intersection of 6th and Vine.

 

Thanks, Moonloop. This is what I was thinking, but I wasn't for sure...

 

If that is mood-lighting, it will definitely be a good idea. The scenery always changing, you know what I mean?

 

 

I am very excited about this, but I will even be more excited once I see the video board going up! I've been watching www.aroundcinci.com every now and then (live web cams).

 

We'll see about those chandeliers. Neat idea.  These renderings make you realize how big a piece of the puzzle that crappy low 5/3 building is.

This is not what I expected!!!!  If the night shots really look like that, it should give it a very urbanized, modern, tokyoish, hong kongish feel....?   

 

I am pretty pumped about this!!

haha...nice.  the project is looking good but i will feel a whole lot more comfortable with it once they start cladding that building.  it just seems like that whole portion of the design is something that could get cut off because of lack of cooperation from 5/3 or anything.  its is also nice that they havent turned their back on the 6th street side of the banking center.

Agreed 100%    PhattyNati!!!!

wow.  i really had little knowledge on the probasco market situation.  I am definitely likeing how the design of this looks.  Still too many trees though.  I guess we will have to see about that.

also looks like they got rid of that whole smaller fountain idea.  i think that was a good move.

I believe they cited the cost of operating the smaller fountain (year round) was the issue and reasoning behind eliminating it from the plan.

the market/arcade is incredible.

I have 2 questions/concerns:

 

1) Spaces 10 and 11 on the availability map are only 2,000 sq feet.  This seems like it would be way too small of an area to put reataurants.  What would go in those spaces?

 

2) How much use do you think the market would really get aside from downtown residents?  If people are coming downtown to shop/eat/go to a show or game would they really go market shopping?  Plus, wouldn't this market close at night, thus creating an empty space on the sqaure at night?

^First, I'm sure those areas could be combined. I would think 3CDC and the leasing agent will be creative. Second, I believe the market will be inside the building. I don't think there is an open air area there. Maybe that will change, but I believe there will still be 5/3 offices above the first floor.  I'd be curious if the current tenants will remain and if 3CDC will try to go upscale. They can leave Quiznos alone, I'm addicted to their subs. ;-)

Oh I was under the impression that the market was to go in the corridor that connected the Square to 6th street.

^ yea me too.  but if you look at the current square there is no such corridor so in order to achieve that, they would have to tear out some building.  So maybe the market is going to be indoors. 

I was talking to someone today about the square and they said it would be nice to put in a jungle jim for the kids. I'm still not sold on that one. :-)

^Nor am I...cheesy