Ovation: Northern Kentucky’s Urban Waterfront Resort is Buzzing with Life

Construction activity continues to advance across Ovation, the urban, mixed-use, waterfront development in Newport, Kentucky.  A new mural has been completed as sales for the final residential building at The Boardwalk Residences at Ovation reach 40 percent sold.

New Mural:  Winter/Wind

Northern Kentucky-based artist Christian Dallas has completed a large-scale mural, his second at the development, on the last building at The Boardwalk Residences. The piece, themed “Winter/Wind,” spans 48 feet wide by 35 feet tall and reflects Dallas’ thoughtful, place-specific style.

 

“This mural celebrates the beauty of winter and the power of wind by transforming them into a scene of warmth, nostalgia and wonder,” said Dallas. “Through a semi-abstract forest painted in cool blues, purples, and greens, a golden light breaks through, illuminating two children joyfully playing in the snow, a reminder of the excitement of a ‘snow day.’ Subtle details, like a softly hidden owl and glowing snowflakes, add mystery and magic, while the balance of warm and cool colors evokes both serenity and delight. The design invites viewers to rediscover the joy and enchantment that even the coldest days of winter can bring.”

 

A graduate of Northern Kentucky University, Dallas has completed more than 25 murals across Greater Cincinnati, including commissions for Rookwood Pottery, CVG Airport, the BLINK festival and OneNKY Center. His works combine scale, storytelling and design to enhance the communities they serve.

The Boardwalk Residences Strong Sales

As Ovation continues to evolve as a mixed-use community, residential interest remains strong as well. As the final Boardwalk Residences building reaches more than 40 percent sold, overall condo sales across Ovation are approaching 80 percent sold. Construction on the third building is on track for completion in early to mid-2026, a milestone that will bring additional residents to the riverfront community and further activate the development’s walkable lifestyle.

 

Residents moved into the first two buildings of The Boardwalk Residences in the spring and have been actively enjoying the community of residential neighbors, easy access to the High Note Rooftop and MegaCorp event and music Pavilion, and the Cincinnati skyline from their balconies.

 

“With public art like Christian Dallas’ mural and continued progress on our residential offerings, Ovation is delivering on its promise to bring energy and vibrancy to Northern Kentucky’s riverfront,” said Brett Blackwell, president and COO of Corporex. “These milestones highlight the momentum of the project and the strong demand for this one-of-a-kind destination. We look forward to a flurry of visitor traffic, as the Bengals kick off their 2025 season and we gear up for America’s River Roots Festival in October this year, where Ovation will play an active role.”

 

Ovation is a nearly 25-acre, five-city block equivalent urban, mixed-use development along the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers in Northern Kentucky. The community is host to a world-class music venue, a state-of-the-art office building, waterfront residential condominiums. a hotel, bars and open spaces. Once complete, Ovation will be an iconic regional destination, offering unique public artworks, restaurants, bars, and experiences to visitors, connecting residents and the community directly to the rivers with an unbeatable view of the Cincinnati skyline.