Middle Earth's $35.4M upscale apartments slated for 2009

Middle Earth Developers is finalizing the design on their $35.4 million mixed-use project at 617 Vine Street Downtown, which will include 150 upscale apartments and 54,000 square feet of commercial space when completed late in 2009.

The 14-story, 288,000-square-foot building, which was built in 1928 to house the Cincinnati Enquirer's reporting staff and printing press, was purchased my Middle Earth last June after languishing as undesirable, outdated office space.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and holds treasures such as marble walls, etched bronze elevator doors and an exterior bronze grille featuring details documenting the history of printing.

Middle Earth has just begun to clear some debris from the building, and Bill Langevin has been hired as the architect of record.

When completed, the apartments are expected to range from 800 to 1,100 square feet and to have monthly rents between $850 and $1,100.  Commercial spaces will fill floors 1 through 3 and will rent for $12 per foot per year.

Each residential unit will feature high-end finishes such hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom fixtures.

The three-story basement, which used to house massive printers, will be converted to a 150-space parking garage.


Glenn Kukla, project developer for Middle Earth Developers, points out that the Downtown residential market - and especially the apartment market - has continued to stay strong and that the project is designed to capitalize on that trend.

"A friend of mine was remarking that for the first time in his memory, you can go Downtown any night of the week and see lots of people walking around, visiting shops and eating at restaurants," Kukla said.  "There is a new sense of vibrancy now Downtown that we’ve never had before.  Like I always like to say, 'It’s no wonder no one goes Downtown…it’s always too crowded!'"

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Glenn Kukla, Middle Earth Developers, Inc.

Photography by Scott Beseler
617 Vine St.
Rendering courtesy of Middle Earth Developers, Inc.