Construction begins on American Can apartments in Northside

The striking skeleton of a historic factory that towers over Northside will be remodeled and filled with people by the end of the year, developers working on the project said.

After six years of planning, the apartments in the American Can Building went under construction March 4, the day after financing was finally secured for the project. The 110 apartments will range in size from 700 sq ft lofts to 1600 sq ft 3-bedroom units.

Developer Steven Bloomfield said the construction company that is currently building the apartments inside the old factory have a "very aggressive construction timetable," and he expects to have the first apartments available to rent by late August or early September of 2011. The remaining construction on apartments and common areas should be 90 percent complete by the end of 2011, he said.

When Bloomfield and partner Kenneth Schon first proposed to remodel the American Can Building in 2005, the project was heralded as a boon to community development in the Northside area. But despite a patchwork of funding tools secured by their company, the financial crash of 2008 and ensuing lending freeze put the project on hold. A combination of historic tax credits and an FHA-Insured mortgage that came through on March 3 enabled them to finally start construction. The project has received financing from the City of Cincinnati, Clean Ohio grant money from the State of Ohio and stimulus money from the federal government.

In contrast to much of the housing available in Northside, one of Cincinnati's quirkiest urban corridors, the American Can Apartments will offer conveniences like secured parking, a bocce court, a yoga room, art room and TV lounge with Coffee Bar.

"The message today is that in Northside now there is a clean, exciting new housing development," Bloomfield said.

Bloomfield said that prices are still being established, but will range roughly from $750 for a studio to $1400 for a 3-Bedroom unit. He also said the development will probably include furnished short term rental units available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. People interested in learning more about housing at American Can Apartments can email the Bloomfield/Schon + Partners, the developers and property managers of the project, at [email protected].

Writer: Henry Sweets
Photography by Scott Beseler