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| - A group gathers for a construction tour of The Banks. |
I took up an invitation from the folks at Carter-Dawson to see the current progress on
The Banks, the development currently rising between the two stadiums on Cincinnati's riverfront. Upon completion, the complex will have nearly 300 apartments in phase 1 and feature a wide variety of retail and dining options. There's even room for an office tower to be built as well as a hotel. The development will be surrounded by Great American Ballpark, Paul Brown Stadium, downtown and the new
Central Riverfront Park.
The project had been a concept since 1997, but didn't have a finalized master plan until 2007. Since the groundbreaking in 2008, construction has continued at a feverish pace. Even those attending Reds opening day today will notice a stark difference in the riverfront from the end of last baseball season. Currently, one tenant is up an running: The Holy Grail Bar and Grill.
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| - A look inside one of the apartment display models. |
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| - View from a corner apartment. The streetcar will eventually pass directly below, before heading North on Main. |
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| - Live right across from GABP and right on the streetcar line, if only I had the cash... |
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| - Banks Balcony view over Main St. |
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| - Apartment construction. |
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| - What will eventually be filled with pedestrian traffic and street level retail. |
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| - The tour group in front of GABP. |
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| - Rooftop pool under construction. |
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| - View from one of the top level apartments. |
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| - Touring a penthouse. |
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| - View looking West. |
My friend Ryan, who came along on the tour, saw the view towards Paul Brown Stadium and remarked: "If you're a Bengals fan, what more could you ask for?"
"A decent team," I replied.
The amount of progress along the Riverfront is staggering, it's great seeing it all come together. Throw in Phase 2, the office building, the hotel, the streetcar, put the
Riverfront Transit Center into use and the riverfront will be in good shape. A renaissance is rising in downtown.
Update | Oct. 18, 2017:
- The Banks still isn't fully built out, but everything seen here is active. Tenants still seem to come and go, but the development is still growing.
