Rooms With A View

Cincinnati, like ancient Rome, was purportedly built on seven hills. 

Unlike most of Ohio’s flat topography, the Queen City carries forward the rolling hills of its southernly neighbor, Kentucky, providing cool vistas, low valleys, and challenging biking throughout the southwest corner of the state.  Cincinnati’s semi-circular basin area bordered neatly on three sides by several of these hills was the first and most densely settled area in this river town until the late nineteenth century. However, once maximum density was reached in the basin and public transportation made scaling the city’s modest ‘mountains’ more accessible, Cincinnati’s hillsides were transformed into its first inner ring suburbs where residents could escape the thick, sooty skies of the basin and enjoy rarefied ‘country air.’  The resulting 19th century homes built on the hillsides not only created new neighborhoods adjacent to downtown, but provided a perch where views of the industrial city, neighboring hillsides, the sweeping Ohio river, and its friendly neighbor to the south were plentiful.

Perhaps most recognizable of Cincinnati’s ‘hillside communities’ is Mt. Adams, with its multi-million dollar homes, busy nightlife, european vibe, and densely inhabited streets. Homes cling to precarious cliffsides for dear life where millions have been spent stabilizing its rapid growth, all for the sake of spectacular ‘views.’ And what a sight it is with as far as the eye can see views of the Ohio River and downtown buildings so close you can reach out and touch them from Oregon Street.  Of course those views come at a cost – the average home price in Mt. Adams hovers close to $400,000.  (If that’s not in your price range, the Eden Park overlook affords similar sights for a much smaller price tag – free). But Cincinnati’s urban views don’t start and end in Mt. Adams.

While burgeoning neighborhoods undergoing revitalization generally champion walkability and affordability, one of the best kept secrets is the views Cincinnati’s other hillsides offer the discerning new resident. And with prices less than $200,000, you can buy or rent your own special view and still have quick access to all the amenities offered in nearby Downtown Cincinnati.  Realtor and urban living specialist Jim Moll says Cincinnati’s views are not only affordable, but they rival other towns he’s lived in as well.

“[Cincinnati offers] views unmatched by any I had living in Charleston, Savannah or Chicago’s Lincoln Park,” he says.

Moll should know: he now lives in the Emery Building at Central Parkway, between Main and Walnut Streets in Over-the-Rhine. Rehabbed and restored eight years ago, the former Ohio Mechanics Institute is now home to 59 unique apartments and one spectacular rooftop deck that almost spans the entire block abutting Central Parkway.

“We chose this location for the spectacular views of the Hamilton County Court House as well as looking up at Mt. Auburn, Mt. Adams and Main Street…we can count nine church steeples from our rooftop as well as City Hall, Issac Wise Temple, Music Hall and Union Terminal,” Moll says. 

Moll says the word about the urban core’s great views is getting out as well.

“Downtown Cincinnati homes, condos and apartments are mostly known for their views. Whether they are river views or architectural views, most think of views when choosing to live in the Central Business District, Prospect Hill, Over-the-Rhine or the West End.”

Here are four spectacular Cincinnati views and the people who get to enjoy them every day.

Neighborhood: Klotter Cline (Fairview)
Owners: Idris & Monique McKelvey

The McKelvey’s purchased their home in Fairview three years ago. Idris, an attorney with Procter & Gamble, originally lived at Sycamore Place at St. Xavier Park in downtown Cincinnati. His wife Monique relocated to Cincinnati from St. Louis after finishing graduate school.

In search of a single-family home near the city center, their realtor showed the couple homes on Conroy Street, a cul de sac off of Klotter Avenue. Within walking distance of both Uptown and Downtown, the neighborhood is a mix of older rehabbed homes and newer developments that face West and South. Idris says the view in their home sold them.

“From all three floors of our home, we can see all of downtown and into Kentucky. Each of the homes up here have roof-decks, which have panoramic views of everything from Mt. Adams to Downtown, to Price Hill. The roof is great for entertaining, but is also nice for a private evening at home. It’s particularly great for watching fireworks on Labor Day or after Reds’ games,” he says.

The McKelvey’s neighborhood also offers quick access to restaurants and entertainment downtown and around the University of Cincinnati’s campus – the couple enjoys salsa night at the Mad Frog just across from UC. And when its nice, Idris rides his bike to work downtown. His commute time averages four to six minutes. But sometimes they just prefer to stay at home.

“I think Monique and I love the fact that just looking out the window is its own activity up here. Whether you like to watch beautiful sunsets, or just see the city lit up at night, you really have it all up here.”

Neighborhood: East Price Hill
Owner: Marc Baverman, Jr.

Once only accessible via the Price Hill Incline, the stretch of Grand Avenue that hugs the crest of East Price Hill offers single family homes, new condo developments, and apartments that all offer an easterly look back at downtown Cincinnati, Uptown, and to the south, Northern Kentucky.

Baverman purchased his condo in August 2007. A manager with Kenmarc Electric, he says he got a pretty good deal and welcomed the opportunity to own his own place.

Even without Baverman’s vistas, the neighborhood already includes a prime viewing spot available to anyone at Italian restaurant Primavista just down the street. It also abuts the planned City Lights development at Incline Square, which includes an office tower, restaurants and medical offices. Close by is Mt. Echo Park, which includes its own panoramic views of the city, and neighboring Ludlow, Kentucky.

“It’s an ideal location for me. It’s close to the highways, work, and school,” Baverman says.

What’s the favorite part about his view?

“I can see down the river to the right and to the left, downtown Cincinnati – including the Duke Energy “Cincinnati” sign and the stadiums. It’s also a perfect view for the Ludlow (Kentucky) fireworks in June.”

Neighborhood: Prospect Hill (Mt. Auburn)
Owner: Sarah Bellamy

Bellamy moved to the Prospect Hill Historic District at the base of Mt. Auburn 15 years ago – since then she’s moved twice on the same street (Milton) in search of more room and an even better view. She finally found a three bedroom at the high point of the street with a south facing deck. Bellamy rents her home because she loves to be able to be free to travel and explore.

“My extra money takes me to Bali instead of paying for new gutters,” she says. 

Bellamy teaches art in the Forest Hills school district and also runs the art program at Uptown Arts in Over the Rhine.

“I grew up in the suburbs, so city life seemed more exciting and glamorous. I also teach art in the suburbs, so the city affords me privacy away from school.”

Nearby Milton’s is the cozy kind of neighborhood pub that once existed on every corner in Cincinnati. The bar serves as headquarters for formal (and informal) neighborhood association meetings, benefits and showcases local artists on its walls. Of course, Main Street’s galleries and Vine Street’s Gateway Quarter are minutes away, while Nicola’s on Sycamore offers fine dining steps away from Bellamy’s home. Her favorite part of her view?

“I am able to not only see Union terminal but the fireworks on the river in September.”

Her panoramic view also offers a seasonal slideshow.

“Fall leaves are so beautiful and not in the places I travel to – but winter ice storms are incredible downtown and exquisite. Summer leaves provide more privacy to my deck and spring just feels so good,” she says.

Another bonus about Bellamy’s home: “My neighbors. All are interesting, unique and creative people. Artists, poets, musicians and people who love their work.”

Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine
Owner: Chris Seelbach

Originally from the suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky, Seelbach, who works from home, purchased his condo in August 2004. His partner Craig, who owns his own landscaping and design business, moved in in 2006. Seelbach previously lived at Groton Lofts in downtown, and admits to “a natural instinct to live in an urban environment.”

“I knew I wanted to get out of the cookie cutter, all white, middle class, suburban neighborhoods I had spent my life in. That just didn’t attract me.”

What he wanted was old buildings and funky floor plans that aren’t replicated over and over again. He found it in Over-the-Rhine, a neighborhood he describes as having “undeniable potential.”

The building that houses the pair’s condo on Main Street is one of the tallest in Over-the-Rhine. Their condo occupies the 3rd and 4th floors on the west side of the building, with eight windows facing south that all get direct sunlight.

“I like living in a building built before even my grandparents were alive…I like wondering who has lived here before, what they were like, what they did everyday.”

For their view, the condo developer took the south side of the fifth floor of their building and removed the roof to make a spectacular rooftop deck with 360 degree views of the city. Seelbach’s favorite part of the view?

“Going up on the roof with Craig, drinks in hand, on a summer night, looking south at the skyline and east towards Mt. Adams and just taking it all in. It’s pretty amazing. We have some great photos and experiences from those nights.”

In addition to the view, Seelbach values the diversity his neighborhood offered him as well as the convenience.

“I like walking down the street everyday among people who look different than me. I like being able to walk several blocks to my favorite bars and never worry about having to drive home.”