As I walk out onto the fifth-story open-air rooftop, I'm instantly struck by the panoramic view that stretches from Devou Park to the spires of Mother of God Church under the day's beautiful cerulean sky. Downtown Cincinnati looms large in the center frame, with pockets of old Covington peppering the edges. The Radisson's revolving restaurant, the Ascent, a fully clothed Brent Spence Bridge, the tip of the Goebel Park clock tower—seemingly every physical landmark can be seen from high atop the John R. Green Lofts at 6th and Bakewell Streets in Covington.
The Queen City as seen from JRG Lofts in Covington.
Both new and old Covington as seen from the JRG Lofts rooftop.
I'm here just to check it out. Co-owner, Ernie Brown, extended an invite to check them out after we connected on Twitter. He set me up with my tour guide, Brittney, who shares the details about the new living community with me. Though only phase one is finished and currently renting, there will be a total of 178 apartments, seven of which will be townhouses, once everything's finished. Phase two is scheduled to be move-in ready in mid-June, and phase three will be ready in September.
While common areas are still being arranged and punch lists are wrapping up, I already have a good idea of how the rooftop will look once the furniture is unwrapped and set. Under a small overhang stands a couple of bar tables and chairs with several loungers close by. Large paddle fans are poised overhead, ready to make the coming summer months a little more tolerable in the shade.
Turf covers a considerable amount of the rooftop. A freestanding hammock swings gently in the breeze between barstools lined up against the edge of the railing nearby and reclining sun chairs on the other side of the rooftop.
In addition to incoming outdoor games and a movie screen, Brittney tells me a saltwater pool will be added to another open-air rooftop area of JRG Lofts in a later phase.
The rooftop has a panoramic view of Covington and Downtown Cincinnati.
The Club Lounge sits adjacent to the open-air rooftop, providing a necessary indoor option for residents who want that same great view without the harsh elements of unseasonal weather. It's outfitted with a stylish couch, tables and chairs, a fireplace, and a private meeting room. I imagine the parties and social gatherings that will inevitably be held in this room. Super Bowls, showers, movie nights, Labor Day firework gatherings, Oktoberfest after-parties, wine nights...
The Club Lounge with a great view from east to west. Notice the Brent Spence Bridge is covered at the moment for maintenance.
But JRG Lofts is more than an incredible rooftop. Brittney takes me downstairs to their model. The two-bed, two-bath apartment opens with an electronic key fob, and we enter the pristine, well-staged unit.
I notice the handsome, grey countertops of the kitchen island first. My eyes wander over toward the cabinets—a striking two-tone combo of an ivory top and chestnut bottom. I then notice this unit doesn't have the standard GE stove you find in every new apartment. The microwave, stove, and fridge are all Frigidaire brand. Brittney tells me the double door fridge is included in every JRG Loft apartment.
I then admire all the natural light spilling into the dining area from the NW-facing corner of the room. Corey Rineair's thoughtful staging with trendy furniture and decor works beautifully in this modern space and brings an unlimited amount of life to the apartment. I can perfectly visualize a lazy afternoon in this comfortable, charming place without straining. It all feels uplifting and positive.
Both bedrooms in this particular floorplan are separated by the kitchen, making it entirely possible for roommates to coexist with privacy or out-of-town guests to have a space that doesn't share a wall with the renter's bedroom. Each bedroom features its own bathroom, too, adding another level of comfort to it all. She tells me this particular layout (two bed/bath) is in the $1,700/month price range.
I ask Brittney some additional questions about other amenities offered at JRG Lofts. Aside from the rooftop and everything I'd experienced up to that point, there's a massive street-level gym with every piece of equipment one would need to stay in shape. Because the building is pet-friendly, it also features a dog wash station, which I personally appreciate as it was one of my favorite features of the building when I lived in the Crane Factory Flats. The building also features indoor bike storage with temperature-controlled auxiliary storage, which is excellent for those who need a little extra space but don't necessarily need it to be livable.
And because it's always a hot topic, I ask the magic question everyone in the area always needs answering: what about parking? There's a three-floor parking garage onsite for residents (for an additional monthly fee), the first floor of which is used as public parking. However, if you live in JRG Lofts and work close by, you likely will not need your vehicle often as Mainstrasse and the surrounding area have loads to offer within walking and biking range. The area is filled with bars and restaurants, as well as access to transit to everything Downtown.
The parking garage is located below phase two and three, which are still under construction.
We finish our tour with a walk through the attractive first-floor lobby area where a kitchenette with a coffee machine and a shelf stacked with jars of candy sits under an emerald and gold 'JRG LOFTS' sign. I bid my guide good day and proceed to do a walk around of the building in full.
Part of the first-floor lobby.
The exterior of the completed phase one in daylight.
While the majority of the JRG Lofts is new construction, the original 19th Century John R. Green Company building, from which the lofts take their name, was spared demolition and incorporated into the design. Faded ads for the former purveyor of school supplies remains on the building. Hub + Weber, LLC is acting as the project architect for this space.
Though I knew the footprint of the John R. Green Lofts was sizable, I didn't grasp the scope of it until walking down Bakewell Street. There, when compared to the modestly sized homes that abut the still-under-construction phases two and three of the lofts, you get a sense of just how truly massive the place is. The architect for this project is M+A Architects and Turnbull-Wahlert Construction Inc. is the general contractor. John Whitson, principal with RealtyLink, and Ernie Brown, founder of EB Capital Partners, co-own the lofts.
Phase three construction as seen from 7th Street.
Phase three construction as seen from 7th Street.
Phase three construction as seen from Bakewell Street.
