SouthShore tower most recent jewel added along the Ohio River

One of the newest and most prominent high-rise buildings in the Cincinnati region resides in Newport, Kentucky.  The SouthShore condominium tower, named for its location on the Ohio River’s southern shore, rises some 240 feet into the air near the edge of the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge (aka ‘Big Mac’) that carries thousands of people along I-471 over the river daily.

This particular high-rise is one of several towers planned for the site.  A second twin residential tower, with a slightly shorter office tower, is also envisioned for the site .  In the meantime, the next feature to be added to the complex will be the 100-slip marina along the Ohio River, which gained approval late last year.

Sound luxurious?  Well it is, with the current tower boasting a rooftop amenity deck five floors up that includes an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, sundeck, walking trails, gardens, clubhouse and even a putting green.  Each unit also features breathtaking views of the riverfront and Cincinnati skyline, made even more enjoyable by the floor to ceiling windows.

Units start at $300,000 and go up to $3,000,000 if you are looking for this kind of luxury, and apparently many people are.  Of the building's 17 floors of condominium space, roughly 65 percent of the living space has already been sold, and the building moved its first residents in at the end of 2008.

The new marina, planned to open next spring, will be 800 feet long and co-owned and operated by B&B Riverboats. While it will primarily serve SouthShore residents, it will also be available for annual rental to the general public.  This will be the first new marina near downtown in a decade.

SouthShore is the latest of several high-rise condominium towers along the Ohio River that boast high price points and luxurious amenities.  This continued investment along the river will continue in coming years as several more projects have been proposed and are currently in the process of gaining their necessary approvals and financing.

The result of these projects is a dramatic change along Northern Kentucky’s riverfront from a modest style of living reminiscent of Main Street USA to that of a luxurious “gold coast” feeling you might experience in Miami, Chicago or San Diego.

If you would like to tour the SouthShore condominium building and its offerings, you can do so by visiting the sales center located at 400 Riverboat Road, Newport, Kentucky (across from Don Pablos) between 10am and 6pm Monday through Thursday or on Fridays by appointment.

Writer: Randy Simes
Source: Greg Fusaro, Capital Investment Group Inc.
Photography by Randy Simes