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| (All Photos from Newport on the Levee website) |
Our next center in this ongoing Ohio Lifestyle Center series is Newport on the Levee. Many familiar with this development will immediately point out that Newport, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Kentucky, is NOT in Ohio and that certainly is the case. However, the development is significant enough that the main driver of its visitors are from the Cincinnati metro area and the development has access by boat, car, as well as the Purple People Bridge that connects downtown Cincinnati via a pedestrian bridge that connects directly with the center.
Opened in September of 2001, the 10 acre, 400,000 sf urban center’s future may have been thought as questionable as the events of 9/11 brought many centers to a screeching halt with Newport on the Levee being no exception. Leasing for the $215 million center was very slow in the beginning and even two years after its opening there was still an 18% vacancy rate that was a concern for the future of the development. [See related article here]. However, the center persevered and just recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary.
Although smaller than most of the centers I have covered in this series, it is notable as one of its anchors is the Newport Aquarium, a 100,000 sf venue with over 11,000 marine animals that opened in 1999 at a cost of $40 million. The constant flow of families to this popular attraction provided a unique opportunity for them to spend additional dollars at the center.
In addition to the aquarium, the center also boasts one of the largest theaters in the area with an AMC Newport 20 Theaters, and other entertainment anchors including Star Lanes on the Levee (boutique bowling center with restaurant and bar), Jefferson Hall (a live music venue featuring local and regional artists), GameWorks (the popular “arcade” developed by Sega), and Barnes & Noble. The center also has 13 dining establishments including Brio Tuscan Grille, Claddaugh Irish Pub, and Mitchell's Fish Market as well as parking for 2,000.
This center does differ from others discussed in this series as it is primarily an entertainment destination. Though the center does have a retail component, it is very small compared to the entertainment and dining choices. This is not necessarily a negative and perhaps is one of the reasons for its success, particularly as a place to go after the many events in downtown Cincinnati and the surrounding areas.
One of the best assets of the center is their view of the Cincinnati skyline which includes the Reds’ Great American Ballpark and the Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium. These two venues also help contribute to the 3.5 million visitors per year that keep the center hopping 12 months of the year.
The center is owned by The Price Group and was co-developed by Steiner + Associates.
If you visit or have visited Newport on the Levee, let me know your experience via comment below or email.
For a review of other posts from this Ohio Lifestyle Center series, see the following:
Part 1: The Shops at Fallen Timbers (Maumee, Ohio)
Part 2: Crocker Park (Westlake, Ohio)
Part 3: Levis Commons (Perrysburg, Ohio)
Part 4: The Greene Town Center (Beavercreek, Ohio)
Part 5: Legacy Village (Lyndhurst, Ohio)
I would like to acknowledge that I come from a different point of view than most of your readers. This is not meant to be political or offend anyone in particular.
ReplyDeleteNewport (as a Cincinnati metro native) is the ideal spot for family and outdoor mall style entertainment. It allows for the suburban class to indulge in their common voyeuristic and consuming lifestyles without giving much regard for the surrounding areas. Obviously, I have a little bone to pick with Newport and it's customer's and I'm sad to say that the new development across the river (the Banks) seems to be following the same strategy. I guess what I really would like to say is that I'm very disappointed in the lack of (especially metro) support in giving such a beautiful city, with a really interesting history, a stage to really distinguish itself. These developments are fine, and have been enjoyed by families for decades, but I still have trouble dealing with the simple fact that they seem to be here more for our wallets than for our people.
... maybe just a question rather than comment.
What does Newport on the Levee really do to enrich the lives of the people in Newport and Cincinnati over the long term, or is it just here as a temporary distraction from the sites around Cincy that are not as easily walkable or attached to an iPhone app?
Jason – first thanks for the comment. I appreciate your question. I have a passion for retail development. I think it is one part of an economic engine that not only provides people a place to shop for goods and services but also to employ people, provide an economic base to a community, and when done really well, contribute to the fabric of the city.
ReplyDeleteLet me try to address your question of “What does Newport on the Levee really do to enrich the lives of the people of Newport and Cincinnati over the long term”. First – I think many projects have merit and value based on their contribution to the community. Those that do not have merit or value, eventually close.
For those that are successful, what that contribution means specifically to individuals, varies greatly since it would literally be different for each person. For example – if NOTL is providing a job for an individual or a storeowner to open a new business and/or employ associates – then the enrichment comes in the form of income. The taxes paid by the employees as well as the sales taxes generated from thousands of visitors each year (and many from areas outside the Cincinnati metropolitan area) and property taxes help pay for community needs such as roads and municipal services.
Switching to the businesses themselves, does an aquarium enrich people’s lives? A movie theater, a restaurant? I suppose they all can enrich people’s lives depending on the circumstance. I am not going to make a statement that suggests NOTL is THE mixed-use development for personal enrichment – but it certainly can be argued that many can be enriched by its presence. The same could be said about the Bengals, the Reds, etc. Their main purpose may be competitive sports that provide an entertainment value to their fans – but does in enrich the lives of people, again – I think you can argue that it does to varying degrees (as well as help others through their charities, good will, and economic contribution).
So I would be interested (authentically) about what you would like to see in NOTLs place. Perhaps that is not what your question was after but I am trying to understand your question a bit more specifically. I can argue that any retail center offers some sort of enrichment – but I think you are after something bigger than that – so please let me know.