Today, City leaders broke ground on a transformative renovation project at the Lunken Airport Terminal alongside leaders from development partner Salyers Group. The 50,000 square foot project will reimagine the now shuttered terminal to include a new hotel and restaurant.

“This terminal building has always connected Cincinnati to the rest of the world and to one another but slowly it lost its luster and eventually closed entirely. Today, we start the transformation into its next phase – allowing it to once again welcome families and travelers through its doors,” said City Manager Sheryl Long.

The hotel is expected to house 34 guest rooms, three patios and 4,200 square feet of event space. The bar and restaurant will provide both upscale dining and casual walk-up service with a reflecting pool located behind the building.

“It’s a testament to the incredible work of our City Manager’s administration that we’ve gotten to this stage,’ said Mayor Aftab Pureval. “Residents will get to look forward to a new flagship hospitality venue at this iconic site, and I can’t wait to see the energy and life this project to the area.”

“This project represents more than a hotel and restaurant — it’s an investment in preserving the spirit of Lunken while creating something new for Cincinnati to enjoy. We are excited to officially begin construction and celebrate this milestone with our partners and community,” said Guy van Rooyen, CEO of Salyers Group/VR Group.

The City of Cincinnati is contributing $2 million to the more than $20 million project expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The reimaging of this building is but one part of a larger assessment of Lunken Airport. The City is currently developing a strategic plan to ensure the entire asset is utilized to its fullest potential.