NEST acquires 3927 Ludlow

“Northside developer acquires key parcel”: Cincinnati Business Courier, January 11, 2021

Northsiders Engaged in Sustainable Transformation, the Cincinnati neighborhood’s community development organization, has acquired a key piece of property at the entrance to the growing neighborhood's business district.

NEST acquired the four-story, 19,000 square foot former Stagecraft costume store building, located at 3927 Ludlow Ave., for $350,000 on Dec. 29, according to Hamilton County auditor’s records. It purchased the building from Stagecraft Costuming Inc.

The building will require some minor environmental abatement, with NEST planning to begin community engagement on what should go into the building during the first quarter of 2021.

NEST acquired the building with the help of federal Community Development Block Grant funds that were passed through the city of Cincinnati. Such funds can be used to acquire dilapidated structures.

“It’s exciting to have it secured,” said Sarah Thomas, executive director of NEST. “It could be all commercial. It’s not going to be easy to develop. It has one staircase. For all intents and purposes, it’s like a shell.”

NEST may partner with a developer on the project.

“NEST is excited to activate underutilized part of Knowlton's Corner and support our business district gateway,” Thomas said.

Last year, NEST announced it would develop Apple Street Senior, an $11.1 million LGBTQ-friendly apartment project, in partnership with Philadelphia-based Pennrose, at 4145 Apple St.