Covington's landmark Radisson Hotel will soon become a Reverb by Hard Rock Hotel.
The towering cylindrical structure just south of the Brent Spence Bridge, with its revolving restaurant, is expected to eventually shutter and transform into a 220-room hotel under the Hard Rock flag.
Mark McClure, managing partner of Miami-based GenX Capital Partners, told The Enquirer his firm is working on plans with Atira Hotels to reimagine the 18-story structure at 668 W. 5th St. The project is estimated to cost $27 million.
What is Reverb?
The Reverb brand is marketed as a tech-forward hotel for music fans. There's already a Reverb in Atlanta, which opened in 2020 near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and more are planned across the U.S. for Scottsdale, Arizona; Kalamazoo, Michigan;
Pensacola, Florida; and Florence, Alabama. There's also another Reverb open in Hamburg, Germany.
Will the rotating restaurant stay?
Greater Cincinnati's Reverb will have redesigned guestrooms and suites, a 6,000-square-foot ballroom for events like comedy nights, boxing, business seminars and trade shows, an upgraded gym, and a new lobby bar and dining area.
Eighteen on the Radisson, the rotating restaurant on the top floor, will also be redesigned as a new concept.
According to McClure, the project team is working with former professional boxer Lennox Lewis for a twice-monthly fight night and a two-to-four-times monthly comedy night with local, regional or national acts.
When will the Radisson close?
The hotel is expected to stay open independently during the renovation process, but McClure said the goal is to open before summer 2027. The entertainment, food and beverage spaces will be upraded before opening, he added.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Covington's Radisson Hotel to become Reverb by Hard Rock
