On The Waterfront

Story by Stephanie A. Creech Photography by Peter Muefler

Cincinnati developer David Imboden invites Design into his Waterfront East penthouse and shares not just a glimpse of his breathtaking vista, but also himself.

One step inside David Imboden's home reveals what he's all about remaining connected and open to his friends and family.

Just beyond the river's bend, as they say, Waterfront East holds the $2.5 million penthouse condominium of David C. Imboden, president of DCI Properties, LLC. A porch swing suspended from his living room ceiling creates a lofty perch from which to watch the river, and the world, go by.

It seems that this magnificent location, like so many other destinations in the life of David Imboden, is but one more example of his charting a course and never looking back. David describes his approach to life as being "all about the best method of getting from A to B." And, for David, that best or shortest route between the two is seldom a straight line.

The fast track is nothing new to David. Even in high school, while serving as captain of the Lakota football team, David accelerated things, managing to complete his high school career a full six months ahead of the rest of his class. Leaving high school for Miami University, and joining Miami's football team as well, David then continued at his own very clipped pace to finish his four-year bachelor's degree in just two years. From there, it would seem he's never slowed down.

At the age of 20, fresh out of college, teaching and coaching in the Cincinnati Public School District, David bought his first home, "a shack," as he describes it, in Hebron, Kentucky. "And, I mean a box-shaped, four-room shack," he says. "I redid everythingóthe plumbing, the electric, everything."

Two years after his first purchase and rehab in Hebron, David went on to his first building project, a new home in

the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville, a neighborhood not particularly bachelor-friendly back in the late 70s. David laughs as he recalls, "The residents of this little family neighborhood weren't all that happy to see me coming, a single guy and his backyard barbecues." But they apparently tolerated David well enough.

With one rehab and one build under his tool belt, David continued to purchase and turn around more and more properties. "Living on a teacher's salary, I had to be pretty creative," says David. "I'd buy a lot on land contract and flip it. Sometimes, it felt like I was borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. Man, was I broke! But I always had good credit."

David's fascination with Eastern Avenue began in 1987. " I was floating down the river on my buddy's boat," he recalls. "I looked up at the properties along Eastern and realized that this great location with an incredible view was just two miles from downtown." David couldn't believe it. "Why hasn't anyone bought all of this?," he wanted to know. Clearly, the question was rhetorical. That same night, for $32,000, David Imboden bought his first Eastern Avenue property and officially dropped anchor.

While certainly not the most fashionable address at the time, it has become, largely due to David's urban pioneering spirit, home to upscale, urban living on the water.

Since that first shack more than 25 years ago, David has purchased and developed roughly 400 parcels of land, all along the Ohio River, creating some of Cincinnati's most posh addresses.

His first condominium project was Riverfront East back in 1995. Across the street, David then built Riverfront Terrace in 1998. And the two buildings at Waterfront East were developed in 2002 and 2004. Currently, he has three additional projects under way: David has the development rights for 170 acres of riverfront retail and residential development in Dayton, Kentucky; the old Highlands public school building on Eastern Avenue, which he's developing to house a restaurant, deli, offices, and a salon and day spa; and, just '/2 mile up Eastern Avenue from the school, he's developing an 11-acre residential site.

But it's Waterfront East that David calls home. This is where he lives and works. The first floor of David's penthouse clearly illustrates who David isóone terrific friend and host. The entire floor plan is airy and open. Its contemporary flair creates an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality for this most eligible bachelor. Whether it's an intimate drink with a friend or a full-blown party, a fully stocked bar is just in the center of things.

The pingpong table stands ready in front of David's "wall of shame," a collection of favorite photographs of friends and family. "My friends are my family," says David. "We get together all the time. They know my door is always open to them." These friends are the reason Cincinnati is home for David. "My friends are here," he says, "guys like Scott Hendricks, who's been my best friend since fourth grade. This is my life." No sooner are the words out of his mouth when his phone rings with an update from a dear friend, his former high school sweetheart, Danne Dunworth, who's only too happy to remind David that she "knew him when."

But despite David's open-door policy, neatly tucked away behind the staircase is a cozy little corner that is quietly all David. His books, consisting of all the essential reads for success, line the shelves; his fourth grade football jersey rests behind glass; and, his chess set, with more than a few of the pieces broken in the heat of the moment, serves as testament to the passion with which he plays the game.

David's office is a second-story open area overlooking his home's public spaces and the beautiful Ohio River. When David's in his office, so is Rock, his big, lovable Himalayan cat, usually right in David's lap. Also well within reach are David's many little wind-up toys, popping all over the desk, guaranteed to amuse not just Rock, but also any unsuspecting reporter trying to remain focused on a story with David.

Despite his amazingly appointed kitchen, David, by his own admission, is not much of a cook. He and his family of friends will often eat out or carry in. It's also not unusual for David to come home at the end of a long day to discover his desk has been set with a gourmet meal, prepared and dropped off by his neighbors Lynn and Kirk Pompeo. David loves his neighbors, and, given the frequency with which they pop in and out all day long, the feeling must be mutual. Not many builders live in their own properties. It speaks volumes about David's work ethic and character that he not only lives in one of his, but that he is also close friends with the residents.

"It works out for me because when I develop a property, I do it the way I'd want someone to do it for me. I try to live by the Golden Rule," he says, with an emphasis on trying.

The second floor of David's home is his sanctuary. A big fan of naps, David's bedroom offers yet another lofty, breathtaking view of the river and the perfect spot for his afternoon siesta. David's also set things up so it's easy for him to roll off the massage table and right into bed. His master bath offers a spa-like retreat where the Jacuzzi tub faces a glowing fireplace and a wide-screen television. The shower is open on one end and features six shower heads guaranteed to help loosen up tense muscles. And, as if all this weren't enough, there's also a dry sauna. No need for concern about David's chi.

Yet, amid all of these amenities, his favorite place is, just like the song says, up on the roof. David can be found most nights on his roof-top terrace enjoying the river as it rolls by. "All I care about," says David, "is the view. I'm obsessed with the view."