Local bloggers tour Gateway Quarter as developers explore working together

Just over a dozen local bloggers were treated to an exclusive tour of the Gateway Quarter in an effort to foster a relationship between developers, real estate agents, and bloggers and to explore ways in which they can work together.

Holly and Michael Redmond and Jim Moll, as well as other staff from the Gateway Quarter information center, organized the tour with bloggers in mind because most of the writers have an urban mindset, are socially mobile, and are in the age range of a typical Over-the-Rhine condo buyer.

Bloggers also offer a specifically-targeted, niche product with a dedicated readership, and can break stories in a more conversational and free-flowing manner than traditional media.

Project developers led the group through completed buildings from the first and second phases, including the Gateway Condos, Duncanson Lofts, Duveneck Flats and Centennial Row.

They were also treated to a look at the Urban Sites Properties project at 1232 Vine Street, which is currently under construction and scheduled to open by this summer.

The excitement of the day led to tentative plans to schedule similar outings in the future.

"Everyone was very welcoming and it was nice to put a face with many of the names of the Cincinnati blog community," said Jayson Gomes, founder and editor of Cincy Images.

Phase three of the Gateway Quarter kicked off on February 8 with the demolition of a carryout at 1335 Vine Street, which will be the site of a 34-unit condominium project by The Model Group called Trinity Flats.

The entire phase will result in the creation of 107 new residential units and more than 15,000 square feet of commercial space on Vine, Main, Pleasant and Republic streets.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Gateway Quarter, 3CDC


Photography by Blake Fox
Enjoy this story? Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.