Tag: architecture

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Business Development News

Former Boss Cox home to become new Clifton Library Branch

The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County will move its Clifton Branch from Ludlow Avenue to Parkview Manor nearby.  The $3.5 million project will require a full renovation of the 1895 home for notorious Cincinnati politician George Barnsdale “Boss” Cox.

Once the home of arguably Cincinnati’s most influential politician, the 10,000 square-foot Parkview Manor was designed by the famed Samuel Hannaford and is located directly across from Burnet Woods near the intersection of Brookline, Wentworth and Jefferson avenues (map).  Hannaford’s trademark use of limestone coursing and geometrically shaped rooms are visible here.  The architect’s firm, Hannaford and Sons, completed over 300 buildings in the Cincinnati area, including both Music Hall and City Hall.

Boss Cox meanwhile was known for controlling the goings on in Cincinnati through the Reform movement of the late 1800s. While his methods of governance were dictatorial and corrupt, Cox also made contributions to the city, including street cleaning and developing the plan for the ill-fated subway system.

The existing Clifton Branch of the Public Library is currently one of the busiest, and smallest, in the entire county-wide system. Its location on Ludlow Avenue does not have a dedicated meeting space, yet last year the branch presented 232 programs which were attended by 5,281 people.  The programs included a wide variety of topics including a weekly preschool story time and an English as a second language conversation group.

Circulation at the Clifton Branch has increased more than 12 percent over the past four years, which library officials believe is evidence that demand for the library is far exceeding the current capacity. The new location would be four times the size of the current building on Ludlow Avenue.  The new facility would also allow for a larger material collection space, more computer space, a dedicated children’s area, program room, teen area, and an easily accessible location with 16 parking spots in an extremely walkable neighborhood.

In order to make this dream a reality, library officials need to raise $3.5 million to renovate Parkview Manor and complete the move.  The library is actively seeking contributions for this project, and those interested in helping can contact development director John Reusing at (513) 369-4591 or through the project’s web page.

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Development News

Newport’s Southshore condominium tower promises life, luxury, fantastic views

Newport saw the completion of its first high-rise tower when the 21-story SouthShore condominium tower began welcoming residents over a year ago. With much of the tower now occupied, UrbanCincy was invited to tour the dramatic riverfront building to see where it stands now.

The building soars 240 feet above Newport, overlooking the Daniel Carter Beard “Big Mac” Bridge and downtown Cincinnati. SouthShore’s 61 luxury condominium units range in size from 1br to a 5,000 square-foot penthouse that encompasses the entire 21st floor. Condominiums range from $395,000 to $3.3 million for the large penthouse unit.

One of the most unique features of the SouthShore tower is its front loaded design that allows each unit to face north toward the Ohio River and downtown Cincinnati – a common design approach in high-end, waterfront residential towers. The building was intentionally designed with all of the mechanical features facing away from the river so that all the residents have stunning views of downtown, Mt. Adams and the river. Each unit also features a terrace, which range in size from a modest sitting area to an enormous 3,000 square-foot outdoor terrace for the penthouse.

With potential flooding being a concern for the structure, architects designed the building to be integrated right into the levee. The first four floors of the structure is a parking garage for residents and visitors, which feature two sets of floodwalls. If the City of Newport must shut their floodwall to protect the city from rising waters, residents at SouthShore can still exit from the complex’s private floodgate. The building then narrows as it rises from the garage, creating ample rooftop deck space for a swimming pool with fountains and a hot tub, an 1,800 square-foot fitness center, putting green, walking trails, gardens, and a two-level clubhouse for residents.

On the ground level, many of the residents use a secure storage area for their bicycles and segways. The building management is also looking to purchase two segways for residents to use at their leisure.  Many residents walk to Kroger in Newport, spend time at Newport on the Levee, or walk or bike into other parts of Cincinnati. It is just a ten minute walk from SouthShore to The Banks development on the other side of the river. Realtors from Sibcy Cline also speak highly of the building’s soundproofing which allows residents to enjoy peace and quiet despite sharing walls with their neighbors.

Capital Investment Group, the project’s developer, has plans to build a similar tower next door to SouthShore called The Marina. This residential tower is planned to feature many of the same amenities with the addition of private dock space for homeowners in the new 100-slip marina approved by the US Army Corps of Engineers early in 2009.

Those interested in obtaining more information about condominiums at SouthShore can contact Christine Schoonover with Sibcy Cline at (859) 431-8000 or CSchoonover@sibcycline.com. When you speak with her, mention that you read about the condos on UrbanCincy.

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Development News

$14.4M Red Cross headquarters poised for LEED-Gold certification

When the Cincinnati Region of the American Red Cross celebrated the opening of a new $14.4 million Disaster Operations Center in Evanston last month, local leaders and community members were celebrating much more than new and improved facility, they were celebrating a new and improved facility that focuses on sustainability.

Designed by Cincinnati-based emersionDESIGN, the new 45,000 square-foot facility includes a variety of sustainable features like low-flow water fixtures that reduce water consumption by 40 percent, high-efficiency glazing and well-insulated wall cavities, bike racks and showers to promote eco-friendly transportation, sensor lighting and controls to reduce energy use. Outside the structure developer Neyer Properties included bioswale and rain garden systems to decrease impact on the storm water system, use of native landscaping to reduce irrigation, LED parking lot lights, an energy recovery ventilation, and a green roof.

In addition to the building features, the development team used more than 30 percent recycled material on the project, 40 percent regional materials, used woods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, and recycled over 75 percent of construction debris from the site. The team expects to hear back on their Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) application by the end of 2010, but it is widely expected that the structure will achieve LEED-Gold certification.

“As the design developed, it became apparent to us that we could move up in LEED rankings,” said Charlie Pond, Building Development Director, Neyer Properties. “It was a joint goal between Neyer Properties and the Red Cross to create a sustainable building, and we were emphatic about being environmentally friendly.”

The green roof incorporated into the building’s design covers approximately 25 percent of the total roof area. The sedum plants covering the roof area minimize the need for heating and air conditioning by reducing the amount of heat the building absorbs in summer and conserving building heat in winter.

Officials with the Red Cross believe the structure has approximately a 50-year lifespan for their purposes. The sustainable design features, meanwhile, are expected to have less than a five-year payback period through annual energy savings of 30 to 35 percent, meaning big savings for the non-profit.

“It’s great to work with emersion because of their large number of LEED Accredited Professionals. They are very familiar with green projects and they have similar goals as us,” Pond concluded. “We feel that developing sustainable projects the right thing to do, and we want to get Cincinnati caught up-to-speed on the green building movement.”

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Business Development News

Moerlein Lager House to open August 2011, new details announced

Details on the much-anticipated Moerlein Lager House were announced today by Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory and the development team which consists of the Cincinnati Park Board, Christian Moerlein Brewing Company, Cunningham Restaurant Group, Tilsley & Associates Architects, Schumacher-Dugan Construction, Cincinnati Growth Partners and the City of Cincinnati. The $4 million restaurant and microbrewery will boast a large outdoor biergarten capable of seating 600 people in addition to the 500 people that can be held inside the restaurant.

“This is huge for the Park Board,” said Willie F. Carden, Jr., Director of Cincinnati Parks. “The Moerlein name is synonymous with the history of Cincinnati and beer, and it’s just huge to bring that back. The Moerlein Lager House will really identify the city with its brewing and beer heritage.”

The brewery portion of the Moerlein Lager House will produce 5,000 barrels of beer annually and will be open for tours. Menu items will also be prepared to compliment the beer and replicate items often found on menus in Over-the-Rhine’s 19th Century biergartens.

“Our mission is to breathe new life and vigor into the grand brewing tradition that made Cincinnati one of the world’s greatest brewing meccas over a century ago,” said Greg Hardman President & CEO of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. “The Moerlein Lager House in Cincinnati Riverfront Park will become an economic driver that will significantly propel Cincinnati’s heritage tourism industry. Patrons will experience what is authentic and unique about this city and its compelling history with every visit to the Moerlein Lager House.”

The development team stated that the 15,000 square-foot, two-story building will be built to LEED standards, and will include a geothermal heating and cooling system, green roof, and sun shading features among other things. The team also said that they have set a goal of 30% Small Business Enterprise hiring on this project.

The new structure is being built in conjunction with phase 1 of the new $120 million Cincinnati Riverfront Park, and once complete, will feature expansive views of Great American Ball Park, the Ohio River, Paul Brown Stadium, Roebling Suspension Bridge, and the new park.

“The design of the Moerlein Lager House was inspired by its magnificent location, the buildings surrounding it, and the design elements of the park, created by Sasaki Associates of Watertown, Massachusetts,” said Greg Tilsley, founder, Tilsley & Associates Architects. “ We wanted to conceive an almost unexpected, iconic building that would convey both a sense of our region’s future and honor for its past. So the dramatic use of glass and steel on the exterior is ‘outward’ and ‘forward’ looking’; while materials for the interiors, such as wood for beamed ceilings, bricks from former breweries, and stone are more reminiscent of the region’s legendary brewing heritage.”

In June 2010, Cincinnati City Council approved a 40-year lease for the Moerlein Lager House. The terms of the agreement maintain the City of Cincinnati as the owner of the restaurant site with no rent being paid in the first year of operation. After that point, the Moerlein Lager House will $150,000 rent in 2012, and $225,000 in rent annually each year after that. The agreement also requires payment of 1.875% of the total gross sales to the City. According to officials, this money will go towards covering operation costs of the new 45-acre Cincinnati Riverfront Park.

“Every little bit helps because what is not raised will be covered by the taxpayers,” Carden said about the the park’s costs. “We are doing everything we can to mitigate taxpayer responsibility and our seven different revenue centers at the Cincinnati Riverfront Park, including the Moerlein Lager House and one other restaurant, will help to do that.”

Construction on the new Moerlein Lager House will being fall 2010 and is expected to create 150 construction and 100 full-time jobs. Once complete in August 2011, the Moerlein Lager House will be open 11am to midnight Sunday through Wednesday, and 11am to 2am Thursday through Saturday.  It will feature live entertainment and is expected to become a major anchor of Cincinnati’s central riverfront redevelopment.

“This new establishment will contribute mightily to the vision of Cincinnati Riverfront Park as the ultimate destination park,” said Willie F. Carden, Jr., Director of Cincinnati Parks. “What’s more, every member of the Moerlein Lager House team that is creating this unique restaurant and brewery is rooted in this community. They make their lives and livelihoods here and so they are driven to deliver a world-class restaurant and brewery to the citizens of Greater Cincinnati and to our region’s new destination park. We have always had outstanding local talent in this community—and we are bringing the very best to the table on this project.”

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Arts & Entertainment Development News

Take a mini-tour of UC’s dramatic architecture and urban campus

The campus of the University of Cincinnati has been called one of the most dynamic urban campuses in the world, and recently named one of the world’s most beautiful campuses by Forbes Magazine.  Stunning architecture is met by dramatic urban spaces in the heart of Uptown Cincinnati, and it can all be seen in this video produced by Soapbox Cincinnati.

“There are at least a dozen buildings designed by world-renowned architects in partnership with local architects,” said Michaele Pride, Director, School of Architecture and Interior Design at the University of Cincinnati.  “The highest concentration of these special buildings align with what is now known as Main Street in the center of campus.”