Press Release
CASA Takes Shape at Ovation with New Mural, Wooden Boardwalk and BLINK After Glow Event at MegaCorp Pavilion
“CASA” – color, art, sound, architecture – comes to life at riverfront development
COVINGTON, Ky. (August 19, 2024) – The privately held national development and investment firm, Corporex, is partnering with Christian Dallas, a Cincinnati-based contemporary painter and muralist, to complete up to four murals at Ovation, a 25-acre riverfront development located on the banks of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. The first, Spring/Water, was recently completed on the northern end of the second condominium building of The Boardwalk Residences.
Dallas, who has a BFA in painting from Northern Kentucky University, is best known for his large-scale murals on the façade of Rookwood Pottery in Over the Rhine (2017), a mural honoring Ralph Haile in Covington, Ky. showcased at the nation’s largest light, art and project mapping experience, BLINK™ (2019), and one at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, CVG (2021).
“I had just finished my mural at CVG and was feeling really great about the project when I got a phone call that Bill Butler wanted to meet with me,” said Dallas. “I thought ‘wow, this is the big leagues.’ I was nervous going into that call but once we started talking about my work and areas of specialty the conversation became very collaborative, he was providing me with some really great ideas. His only request was to create something timeless. I thought, ‘what about the four seasons’ and he immediately agreed that would be a great concept.”
In addition, a new uniquely designed wooden boardwalk is taking shape at Ovation. It adorns the outer rim of the development along the Riverfront Commons multi-use trail and overlooks the Ohio and Licking Rivers, as well as the General James Taylor Park and the Cincinnati skyline.
These new elements, along with two others that were recently completed in partnership with ArtWorks, are helping to bring CASA to life. At Ovation, CASA is a purposeful design choice composed of a mix of Color, Art, Sound and Architecture.
“From Ovation’s conception, it was always very important to establish a concept that breathes life into this community by creating a crescendo of senses through light, colors, sounds and aromas,” said Bill Butler, Founder and Chairman of Corporex and the visionary behind Ovation. “This idea of CASA brings life and energy into the development by filling it with public art, music and architecture for everyone in the community to enjoy.”
The first piece of the CASA equation was the intentional design of the various buildings within the development. For example, The Boardwalk Residences were intentionally built on an angle along the riverfront to provide the best views of downtown Cincinnati from the balconies. The Boardwalk plays a crucial role in the overall development, significantly enhancing the visitor experience. Its thoughtful designed layout and aesthetic appeal are integral to creating an outstanding and memorable destination for all.
MegaCorp Pavilion’s creative use of space allows for a dual-use indoor/outdoor stage. The venue hosts nearly two hundred musical acts and events a year. This brings a rich lineup of world-class musical entertainment to the community, sending rhythm and music floating through the community and a large part of the sound element in CASA to life.
An official BLINK™ after party called “afterglow” will be hosted at MegaCorp Pavilion at Ovation on Saturday, October 19 in partnership with PromoWest Productions/AEG.
“We are thrilled to bring this new, unique element of BLINK to Ovation’s MegaCorp Pavilion,” said Suzanne Deatherage, Vice President of Marketing, Corporex. “The walkability, riverfront location and atmosphere make Ovation the perfect destination for visitors, current and future residents and tenants, and the general community at large. Participating in a world-renowned creative placemaking event on this scale is the perfect way to showcase Ovation and our dedication to CASA to those who plan will enjoy BLINK this fall.”
Finally, murals play a crucial role in providing public art for residents and visitors to enjoy. In addition to the new mural that was just completed on The Boardwalk Residences by Dallas, Corporex partnered with ArtWorks in Spring of 2024 to bring two large-scale murals to life on the side of the Homewood Suites – “I Wrap Myself in Starlight” and “Sunrise.”
Ovation is a 25-acre, riverfront development sitting at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Ovation will continue to evolve to include a hotel, luxury residential and rental units, Class-A office space, entertainment and dining spaces. Learn more about CASA at Ovation at: www.ovationontheriver.com/community/casa.
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About Corporex
Corporex Companies is a national, privately held investment and development firm based in Covington, Kentucky. Corporex has a nearly 60-year history of developing world-class hotels, Class A offices, luxury residential and mixed-use developments in over 22+ states across the U.S. The company has more than $1B in assets under management, has built over 25M square feet, and generously invested in communities with nearly $2.9M in corporate and foundation giving in 2023. Today, the company remains one of the leading privately held, vertically integrated owner/operators of commercial real estate in the country. Learn more at Corporex.com.
About Ovation
Ovation is a 25-acre, urban, mixed-use development that sits along the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers in Northern Kentucky. The development offers accessibility, convenience, and connectivity to a world-class music venue, state-of-the-art office buildings, residential options, hotels, open green spaces, and unique restaurants, bars, and experiences. Once complete, Ovation will bridge cities in the region, connect residents and the community directly to the rivers, and offer incredible river views combined with a boardwalk that transcends time and activates all your senses. To learn more visit ovationontheriver.com.