The District at Deerfield

Project Narrative

The vision for the District at Deerfield is ambitious: transform 12-acres of former farmland into a vibrant mixed-use development. Utilizing principals of new urbanism, at the heart of the development is a Central Park.

Deerfield Township is a burgeoning suburb about 20 miles to the North of the City Center. The Township and building developer, Silverman and Company, had a vision of creating a destination for the residents of Deerfield. Through intense collaboration between the Township, developers, potential tenants, architects, civil engineers, landscape designers and planners, The District at Deerfield was designed as a new city center. It brings density, community, and a sense of place to the suburbs.

The park is a joint public/private venture. The local township oversees programing at the park including shows from local performers in its bandshell at the East of the park. The bandshell is perched adjacent to a civic green, begging visitors to lay out blankets to listen to performances or watch the game projected onto a screen at the back of the bandshell.

The center of the park is its heart, with two angled structures that reinforce the strong geometry of the park, providing shading during the day and light at night for the cozy patio furniture underneath, serenaded with the sound of splashing water in the fountain. The park’s flexibility supports winter festivities, like the ice-skating rink located on the west side of the park, and other seasonal programs to ensure the park stays relevant and active year-round.

The park is nestled between two large, mixed-use buildings to the north and south. These create a sense of scale at under 4 and 5-stories each but establish the development’s style and presence through modern materials and design approaches. The ground floor of each building is activated by a steady rhythm of commercial tenants, catering to dining and entertainment. Foot traffic is encouraged by providing ample parking focused at the perimeter of the site in both surface lots and a garage at the corner of the development, as well as bike racks strategically distributed throughout the site. Above the first-floor commercial tenants, apartments provide upscale living for young workers, empty nesters looking to downsize, and anyone looking to reside in this vibrant, modern community.

The park is anchored on the west by Fifty West Brewing and Pins Mechanical on the east, each with prime visual and physical connections to the space. . The result is a walkable, leisure-focused community which will become Cincinnati’s latest DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area).

The District at Deerfield aims to create a well-rounded and dynamic urban district. Through thoughtful design, top-tier tenants, and a holistic approach to site planning, the District at Deerfield it will attract visitors to this sustainable, walkable, community for its future generations.

                                           

Project Details -

Submission Category

Landscape Architecture & Community Planning – Implementation

Date of Completion

June, 2025