![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/NewCincinnatiSkyline.jpg)
Photo taken by: Aaron Davidson
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarondavidson/
I figured it was time Cincinnati had its own thread, especially since there are a lot of large projects under construction or planned, and it doesn’t seem like things will slow down anytime soon. I am going to include some recently completed projects, projects currently under construction, and planned development. So here it goes…
1.
Great American Tower at Queen City Square
Cost: $322 million
This is Cincinnati’s new tallest building. It was completed in the spring of 2011, and is 660 feet tall. Tenants include Great American Insurance Company, Great American Financial Resources, Frost Brown Todd, JPMorgan, KeyBank, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, IFS Financial Services, Analytic Partners, Lafayette Life, and Capital Analysts.
Source:
http://www.queencitysquare.com/tenants.php
2.
The Banks
Cost: $1 billion
This is a large development along the Ohio River between Great American Ballpark and Paul Brown Stadium. It is a mixture of residential, ground floor retail, a hotel, and office space. Phase one of the project, which is right next to Great American Ballpark, was recently completed, and includes 300 apartments and 80,000 square feet of retail space. The apartments are 98% leased, and 8 tenants are committed to the retail space. It should also be noted, that this project sits on top of the largest parking underground parking garage in North America, with over 3,300 parking spaces.
Picture of phase one below:
Phase two will begin before this summer, and is adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium. The garage which phase 2 will sit on top of is finished, and is roughly the same size as the garage supporting phase 1. Phase 2 will include another 300 apartments and 70,000 square feet of retail and office space.
Also planned for the site is this office tower:
No tenant has yet signed on to occupy this tower. However, just this week it was announced that a company is looking into it. The company is known for its unique and innovative workspace, so this tower could see a redesign (I hope!).
Information and photos from:
http://thebankscincy.com/default.aspx
3.
Smale Riverfront Park
Cost: $120 million
This 45-acre park is under construction, and is bounded by the Ohio River, the two sports stadiums, and the Banks project. It will include 12 acres of lawn space, an event lawn, grand fountains, walking and bike paths, interactive water features, and much more. It will also include a bike and mobility center. People will be able to rent bicycles at the center. Locker rooms, shower facilities, and bike storage rooms will also be available. As you can see in the video below, part of the park sits on top of the large garage which is part of the Banks project.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBZkJ...layer_embedded
Information and photos from:
http://mysmaleriverfrontpark.org/index.htm
http://www.cincyparks.com/waterfront...rk/index.shtml
4.
Moerlein Lager House
Cost: About $10 million
This project is also a part of the Cincinnati Riverfront Park, and is being built by the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company.. The exterior is a rather modern design, but the inside is meant to embody Cincinnati’s 19th and 20th century German beer culture. It will have a capacity of 500 inside and 600 outside in the beer gardens. Christian Moerlein will brew beer and grow its hops on site. It will open next month, and will serve all local Cincinnati beers, as well as beer from around the world!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=BWAbUWJYiHo
Information and photos from:
http://www.cincyparks.com/waterfront...rk/index.shtml
http://www.urbancincy.com/2010/06/ci...n-lager-house/
http://mysmaleriverfrontpark.org/index.htm
5.
Riverfront Transit Center
Cost: $23 million
This 3, 740’ long facility was completed in 2003. I have included it in the tread because it sits directly beneath the Banks project, the stadiums, and the riverfront park. It was built to be used as a bus and commuter rail hub, but has been largely unused. However, a commuter rail project is in the works which will run through the East side of Cincinnati linking downtown and Milford. This facility will be used as the terminus of the line.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/transitcenter13.jpg)
Information and photos from:
http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/transitcenter.html
6.
Cincinnati Horseshoe Casino
Cost: $400 million
This will be one of the first casinos in Ohio. Casinos are also being built by the same developer in Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. It is located on what was once a MASSIVE parking lot the outskirts of downtown in the Pendleton neighborhood. It is well under construction, and construction of the large 1.5 acre plaza will begin soon.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/CincinnatiHorseshoeCasino-5sm.jpg)
Information and photos from:
http://bridgingbroadway.com/category/news/
7.
Various Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood Projects
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/5528734168_31337424c2_o.jpg)
Photo by Aaron Davidson.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=4980...%20the%20rhine
Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is one of Cincinnati’s oldest, most urban, and most beautiful neighborhoods. It was mostly built by German immigrants, and was the center of Cincinnati’s rich beer brewing history. At one point German was the overwhelmingly dominant language in the neighborhood, and in 1850 boasted a density of 86,000 people per square mile.
However, in the 1940’s the neighborhood began its decline, and until fairly recently was one of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods. After the race riot in 2001, the neighborhood was largely emptied. Thanks to Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, a non-profit development company, OTR is becoming one of Cincinnati’s most desirable places in the city, and is seeing a ton of new development. Their projects are mostly historic building renovations, but they are doing new construction as well. Below is a list of current 3CDC projects:
Washington Park
Cost: $48 million
This is one of the oldest parks in the city, and is directly across from the Cincinnati Music Hall. It will be 8 acres when completed, and sits above a brand new 450 space underground parking garage. The park will include interactive water features, various play areas, and an amphitheater Since it is across from music hall, classical music will be played through the speakers. People will be able to download an app to their smartphones which will allow them to select the song they want to hear. The music will be synced with the interactive water features. This is supposedly the first such system in the county. The garage is basically finished, and the park will open this year.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/6689607249_dd27918125_m.jpg)
Information and photos from:
http://www.3cdc.org/follow-our-projects/washingtonpark/
Mercer Commons
Cost: $53.5 million
This is a HUGE residential development on Vine Street. It is a total of 2.67 acres. The renovation of 19 historic buildings and 26 vacant parcels of land are included. The project will yield 126 rental units, 28 condominiums, 17,600 square feet of commercial space, and a 340 space parking garage. Site prep just started this past week.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/mercer4.jpg)
Information and photos from:
http://www.3cdc.org/follow-our-projects/mercer-commons/
There are just too many 3CDC projects to list. Here is a PDF of current and planned projects, along with occupancy and revenue information:
http://www.3cdc.org/images/editor/fi...eport_indd.pdf. Most of 3CDC’s completed condo projects are sold out, and the demand for more is huge. Below are some pictures of some of its completed projects:
Sangerhalle
The Belmain
Bremen Lofts
Fountain Square Overhaul
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/fountainsquare1.jpg)
Photos from:
http://www.3cdc.org/follow-our-projects/
Since 2004, 3CDC alone has invested more than $319 million in the neighborhood.
8.
U square at the Loop
Cost: $78 million
This is a large mixed use development near the University of Cincinnati in Uptown. The project includes 150 apartments, two parking garages, office and retail space. Construction begins this month.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/U-Square-at-The-Loop.jpg)
Information and photo from:
http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/12/co...-this-january/
9.
Schiel School Redevelopment
Cost: $20 million
An old school has been demolished to make way for this mixed use development. It is also located in Uptown (Corryville) near the University of Cincinnati in the Short Vine area. It will include 102 apartments and ground level retail space.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/Schiel-School-Infill.jpg)
Information and photo from:
http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/12/hi...in-corryville/
10.
American Can Lofts
Cost: $22 million
This old factory in the popular Northside neighborhood has been redeveloped into 110 apartments and 12,000 square feet of office and retail space. The project also included 75 parking spaces, which have been integrated inside the building. It opened in September, and is just about fully leased.
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/americancan.jpg)
Information from:
http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/07/22...his-september/
Photo from:
http://www.driven31.com/2011/05/visi...can-lofts.html
11.
Cincinnati Streetcar
Cost: $100 million
The streetcar will be Cincinnati’s first form of public rail transportation since its historic streetcars were torn out. The first phase will be a 4 mile loop modern streetcar system. It will connect the Banks, both stadiums, downtown, OTR, and Findlay market. In addition, it will connect Fountain Square, the main library, Music Hall, Government Square, Washington park, the Aronoff Center, and more than five Fortune 500 headquarters are also along the line. The next line will extend the system up to the University of Cincinnati. There are also proposed extensions to Cincinnati Union Terminal, the casino, and across the river into Covington and Newport Kentucky. Construction should begin any week now!
![](http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m575/natiboy1/Shelter_with_streetcar.jpg)
Information and photo from:
http://www.urbancincy.com/page/2/
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/noncms/projects/streetcar/
I know I am missing some. I will do my best to keep everything updated!