“The core of Covington is experiencing a revival,” says city Public Information Officer Liz Barlik. Evidence: The Aparium Hotel Group is pairing with Salyers Group (parent company of Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Furs and the Madison Event Center) to transform the former city hall into a boutique hotel.

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Both the Mutual Insurance and Pike Star buildings have been renovated and converted into mixed-use structures (business accelerator UpTec moved into the Pike Star from Newport). And over on Banklick Street, Orleans Development built the Pulse Loft Apartments—a sleek new 32-unit residential complex. At least partial financing for much of the area’s new development has been secured with help from the nonprofit Catalytic Fund—one of Northern Kentucky’s biggest cheerleaders by far.

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

Neighboring Newport has its fair share of shiny new projects, too. The Aloft hotel, Aqua apartment complex, and an 800-space parking garage are all well under construction on the Levee’s east side, plus there’s a Hampton Inn going up on the site of the old Travelodge. Kentucky Route 9 is being rerouted to take major truck traffic out of residential neighborhoods—a double bonus, says Newport Development Services Director Greg Tulley, because “all that new roadway will open up development opportunities.” And the Newport Pavilion is now 100 percent occupied and offers two things most urban Cincinnati neighborhoods would kill to have: a Kroger and a Target.

Scroll though to see classic Northern Kentucky homes:

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

Photographs by Aaron M. Conway

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Photograph by Aaron M. Conway

Stats

Newport/Covington Population: 15,273/40,640 | Median Home Price: $75,000/$75,000 | Change since 2010: -2.6%/59.6%

Down the Road