One Hyde Park

At PLK Communities, our vision for Hyde Park Square is clear: Refine and enhance the beauty of this cherished space; create an architecturally appealing area that preserves its neighborhood charm; and restore the Square to its former prominence as a community gathering space where restaurants, shops and, most importantly, people can thrive.

We are proud Cincinnati natives, and this project holds deep personal significance to us. We respect Hyde Park Square’s importance and legacy to the community. As individuals, we have many great memories created at this space, and we are committed to enhancing the Square in ways that ensure future generations of Cincinnati natives and visitors continue to make great memories.These efforts benefit Hyde Park, surrounding neighborhoods, the City of Cincinnati and our company.

As we enter the design phase of this project, we are committed to collaborative discussions with neighborhood representatives, the City of Cincinnati and other key stakeholders interested in the long-term success of Hyde Park Square. The project’s design will evolve and improve during this phase. Our design focus will continue to be to enhance the beauty and positive attributes of the Square, while also addressing areas in need of improvement.

To ensure meaningful engagement, we will establish a project-based Design Advisory Council, consisting primarily of Hyde Park residents, to focus on genuine concerns and fine-tune key elements to optimize integration with the surrounding area. This will include a review of heights and setbacks. We are committed to finding balanced solutions that respect Hyde Park Square’s character, enhance walkability and pedestrian safety, and strengthen its future as a thriving neighborhood destination.

As we move forward, we are mindful that the City of Cincinnati proactively and independently restored the proposed 85’5” height to maximize parking options for visitors and tenants of Hyde Park Square. We remain committed to working closely with the City, the neighborhood and other stakeholders to bring this exciting and complex project to life.

Timeline

We are in the Planned Development (PD) Concept Approval phase.

December 2024 – PLK Communities submitted a petition to rezone the 1.78-acre project site from CN-P-B (Community Neighborhood-Pedestrian-Business) to Planned Development (PD).
February 28, 2025 – City Planning Department staff report released supporting the project.
March 7, 2025 – Cincinnati Planning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of the zoning change.
April 8, 2025 – Next public meeting – Equitable Growth & Housing Committee.
Spring 2025 – Architectural refinement and contractor selection.
Late Summer 2025 – Final PD submission and review.
Late Summer 2025 – Site preparation begins.
Fall 2025 – Garage construction commencement.
2026-2028 – Construction phases and completion.

Traffic & Parking Impact Analysis

Our existing retail spaces and the À L’aise building, which we own, currently lack dedicated parking—this plan corrects that.
The City of Cincinnati’s Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) concluded that “the proposed development will have minimal impact on existing travel conditions on Edwards Road.”
The underground garage will provide 350 spaces, including over 100 spaces available for public use—more than Hyde Park Square has ever had.
Aerial mapping and research from Walker Parking Consultants confirm at least 255 existing public spaces within a 3–5-minute walk of the Square.

Community Enhancements

Historic Preservation – The À L’aise Building will be fully restored and designated a historic landmark.
Pedestrian-Friendly Design – Wider sidewalks, safer crossings, and a new public plaza for community events.
Vibrant Retail & Hospitality Mix – 25,000 sq. ft. of retail to attract local businesses while maintaining the Square’s charm.

Economic Impact & Business District Growth

Our goal is to ensure that the Square remains vibrant, competitive, and relevant for future generations.

Supporting Business Success – Hyde Park Square has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati for decades, and investment is needed to ensure long-term sustainability. The number of businesses has declined from 151 to 51 since the 1980s. Our project adds more customers, improves pedestrian access, and provides dedicated parking to support local businesses.
Boutique Hotels & Local Business Growth – Studies show that boutique hotels increase local business sales by up to 20 percent by bringing in steady visitor traffic, especially for restaurants, cafes, and specialty shops. A hyper-local boutique hotel in Hyde Park Square would celebrate the neighborhood, attract guests looking for a walkable experience, and contribute directly to the district’s economic health.
Retail Foot Traffic & Customer Base – Top-tier retailers meticulously analyze foot traffic when choosing new locations. Lululemon ranks its Hyde Park store 140th out of 180 locations for national foot traffic, suggesting that the Square’s customer volume has not kept up with other districts. More residents, visitors, and hotel guests will support the existing businesses.
Enhancing Walkability & Visibility—The total retail square footage will remain largely unchanged, but it will be redesigned to improve storefront visibility, accessibility, and customer convenience to help businesses thrive.
A More Competitive Square – Other neighborhood business districts in Cincinnati have evolved and attracted more traffic. We want Hyde Park Square to remain a premier destination for shopping, dining, and gathering, ensuring its success for years to come.

Will construction disrupt businesses and residents?

Construction is never easy, but long-term growth requires investment.

Phased Construction – The project sits above one garage, allowing for efficient staging to minimize disruptions.
Business Support – Once final designs and timelines are complete, we will coordinate with businesses to address concerns, including signage, storefront access, and maintaining pedestrian-friendly pathways.
Past Project Experience – Our development team has successfully completed projects in active business districts and partnered with JS Held, a national leader in construction consulting, to ensure success.

How does this project preserve the character of Hyde Park Square?

Hyde Park Square’s character is defined by its historic charm, walkability, and vibrant small business community—all of which this project enhances.

A Community-Guided Process – We recognize that character means different things to different people. That’s why we will continue gathering input throughout the design phase to ensure that Hyde Park’s charm is not only protected but enhanced.
Preserving Historic Buildings – We are restoring and preserving the À L’aise Building, a treasured part of Hyde Park’s history, and committing to landmarking it after completion.
Architectural Compatibility – The design will incorporate materials and scale in line with existing buildings, ensuring that new construction blends seamlessly into the Square.
Enhancing Walkability – Wider sidewalks, a new public plaza, and safer pedestrian crossings will strengthen Hyde Park’s identity as a pedestrian-first business district.
Maintaining Small Business Focus – The retail square footage remains nearly unchanged, ensuring space for local, independent businesses to thrive.

Is the project too tall for Hyde Park Square?

The proposed heights are in line with existing buildings in Hyde Park Square and have been designed with intentional setbacks to preserve the pedestrian scale.

Height Context – Several existing buildings within Hyde Park Square already exceed 50 feet. The 3500 Michigan (Lululemon) Building, the Cooper/Loring Building, our Existing A L’aise Building, and the Skylar Building range from 62–80 feet. Our proposal follows these precedents.
Step-Back Design – At the street level, the buildings match the height of existing structures. Taller portions are set further back, minimizing the visual impact from pedestrian viewpoints.
Preserving the Square’s Scale – The À L’aise Building (65 feet) remains a focal point, and we are preserving and landmarking it as part of the development.
Neighborhood Planning Support – The 1980s Hyde Park Square Plan identified this exact location for high-density investment. This project aligns with that long-standing vision.

Will this create a parking problem?

Hyde Park Redevelopment Images

Historic Hyde Park Square

Historic Hyde Park Square
Buildings to be removed

Buildings to be removed
Hyde Park Today

Hyde Park Today
Inspiration for the Future

Inspiration for the Future
What Zoning Allows

What Zoning Allows

A Community Vision for Hyde Park Square

Meet the Project Team

The project increases public parking availability, not reduces it.

Hyde Park Redevelopment Images