January 15, 2003

Fisher Design Signs Lease That Will Begin Renovation of Early 1900s Walnut Hills Landmark

660 Lincoln LLC Chooses Al. Neyer, Inc. to Deliver Design-Build Services on $10.5 Million Renovation of Former Ford Motor Co. Manufacturing Plant

CINCINNATI - After a decade of standing vacant, one of Cincinnati's oldest and most visible landmark buildings will be completely renovated as a new business center in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. A leading Cincinnati package and industrial design firm has signed a lease that will enable the property's owner to begin a complete renovation of the 120,000-square-foot former Ford Motor Co. manufacturing plant at 660 Lincoln Ave.

660 Lincoln LLC, the partnership that owns the property, has obtained financing and signed a lease with Fisher Design, a global design firm based in Cincinnati, to occupy the entire top floor of the building, which translates into 33,000 square feet. Fisher Design presently occupies about half of that amount on Victory Parkway in Walnut Hills.

"A move is absolutely imperative for our company to be able to keep growing," William Fisher, president, says. "We looked at buildings all over Greater Cincinnati, but this one stood out. We will design the space to reflect our corporate vision and culture, as well as create the best working environment possible for our design professionals."

David Ottenjohn represented the tenant in the lease.

"Fisher Design is a great anchor tenant for 660 Lincoln and sets the right tone for the future of the property," according to Steve Bloomfield, a principal with the partnership that owns 660 Lincoln. "The space will both look good and function well, which can only help with future leasing efforts. It will be some of the hippest office space available anywhere in the city."

Most of the building's façade is glass, Bloomfield says, "so natural light will be abundant throughout the building. They will also provide great views of downtown and some of Cincinnati's oldest neighborhoods." Bloomfield's group acquired the property in 2001.

Al. Neyer Inc. will begin the $10.5 million renovation later this month. "It's a wonderful design-build project for Neyer," according to Ken Schon, vice president of office development. "The building is structurally very sound." The historic façade will require careful reconstruction of its beautiful terra cotta work.

Schon says renovation will include the addition of on-site parking spaces, which will be under 24-hour security surveillance.

Schon says 660 Lincoln is another in a long line of urban renewal projects for Neyer. The 135-year-old developer recently renovated several historically important buildings on the eastern side of downtown. Its renovation of the former Krippendorf Dittman shoe manufacturing plant into 105 loft-style apartments recently won an award from the Cincinnati Preservation Association.

Bloomfield says the project's financial partner is LaSalle Bank. "Jenni Roudebush, recognized early on the potential of this project," he says. "LaSalle's investment in 660 Lincoln is a testament to its commitment to Greater Cincinnati and the city's great corporate heritage."

Michele Laumer of Carey Laumer represented 660 Lincoln in lease negotiations. Bloomfield says his group is showing the property to a number of other prospective tenants.

"It's a building with an interesting past and a great future," Bloomfield says. "You can't beat its visibility from I-71." Bloomfield estimates about 120,000 vehicles pass by 660 Lincoln daily.

660 Lincoln has been criticized as an eyesore after it became a target for graffiti artists, and several city officials previously have called for its razing.

"We've gone the distance to bring this property back to being a community asset," Bloomfield says.