Newport on the Levee
A mixed-use dining, retail, office, and attractions destination on the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Newport on the Levee is a mixed-use waterfront destination on Third Street in Newport, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. The development combines restaurants, retail, offices, community events, and visitor attractions in a pedestrian-oriented setting adjacent to the Purple People Bridge. Its location provides views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River, while placing it near Newport's East Row Historic District and Monmouth Street Historic District. The site was previously occupied by the Posey Flats apartments, a pair of four-story Queen Anne-style structures that had been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Although the buildings were later removed, their historic designation remains associated with the former site. Newport on the Levee opened in 2001 after a reported development investment of approximately $200 million. From its opening, the project was designed as more than a conventional shopping center: the Newport Aquarium served as its anchor attraction, supported by an AMC cinema, restaurants, a comedy club, Barnes & Noble, and an IMAX theater. The original attraction and entertainment mix changed over time. The IMAX theater closed in 2003, while the Barnes & Noble store eventually closed in 2019. In 2017, the AMC theater began a revitalization project and extended its lease through 2032, reinforcing the cinema's continuing role in the destination's entertainment offer. A residential component, Aqua on the Levee, expanded the complex toward its eastern side and opened in 2016 following an approximately $80 million expansion. Newport on the Levee's identity is closely tied to its riverfront setting, views of Cincinnati, and proximity to regional attractions. The complex functions as a leisure and social destination for the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati markets, with the Newport Aquarium as its principal anchor. Its tenant mix and public spaces support dining, entertainment, tourism, office use, and community programming. A shooting on March 16, 2024, injured three people at the destination and became a significant safety-related event in its history.
History
Newport on the Levee occupies a prominent riverfront site on Third Street in Newport, Kentucky, beside the Purple People Bridge and opposite downtown Cincinnati. Before the current development was built, the property contained the Posey Flats apartments. The former apartments consisted of two four-story Queen Anne-style buildings and were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. The structures no longer stand, but the historic listing remains associated with the former site. The Newport on the Levee development opened in 2001 after a reported construction budget of approximately $200 million. It was conceived as a destination combining retail, dining, entertainment, offices, and attractions rather than as a single-purpose commercial property. The Newport Aquarium was established as the principal anchor tenant. The initial tenant and attraction mix also included an AMC movie theater, restaurants, a comedy club, Barnes & Noble, and an IMAX theater. The IMAX facility closed in 2003, illustrating the way the site's entertainment components evolved after opening. The destination later expanded beyond its original retail and attractions format. Aqua on the Levee added a residential component on the eastern side of the complex. The approximately $80 million expansion opened in 2016 and increased the site's mixed-use character by introducing housing alongside its established visitor, dining, and entertainment functions. The cinema remained an important part of the destination's offer. In 2017, AMC began a revitalization project and extended its lease through 2032. Other original tenants did not remain permanently: the Barnes & Noble location closed in 2019. Through these changes, the Newport Aquarium continued to serve as the development's defining anchor and a major reason for regional and tourist visitation. Newport on the Levee's setting is central to its identity. It is positioned along the Ohio River, offers views toward Cincinnati, and is within walking distance of historic Newport neighborhoods including the East Row Historic District and the Monmouth Street Historic District. Its public spaces host community-oriented activity, while its restaurants, offices, residences, and attractions create a destination that serves both local users and visitors. On March 16, 2024, a shooting at Newport on the Levee injured three people. The incident is a significant safety-related event associated with the destination, although the available reference material does not provide further details about the investigation, responsible parties, or subsequent operational response.
- 2024
Shooting injures three people
[1]A shooting at Newport on the Levee on March 16 injured three people.
- 2019
Barnes & Noble closes
[1]The Barnes & Noble store at the destination closed.
- 2017
AMC cinema revitalization begins
[1]AMC started a revitalization project at the cinema and extended its lease through 2032.
- 2016
Aqua on the Levee opens
[1]The eastern expansion added the Aqua on the Levee residential component after an approximately $80 million development program.
- 2003
IMAX theater closes
[1]The IMAX theater included in the original entertainment mix closed.
- 2001
Newport on the Levee opens
[1]The mixed-use waterfront destination opened with the Newport Aquarium as its anchor, alongside a cinema, restaurants, a comedy club, Barnes & Noble, and an IMAX theater. The reported development budget was approximately $200 million.
- 1987
Posey Flats receives historic designation
[1]The former Posey Flats apartments on the future Newport on the Levee site were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Products and positioning
A riverfront mixed-use leisure and entertainment destination serving Newport, Northern Kentucky, and the wider Greater Cincinnati region.
Aquarium and visitor attraction · 2001
Newport Aquarium
The Newport Aquarium is the destination's anchor attraction and a principal driver of regional and visitor traffic. It gives Newport on the Levee a tourism and family-entertainment role in addition to its retail, dining, and office functions.
Cinema and entertainment · 2001
AMC cinema
The AMC movie theater was part of Newport on the Levee's opening entertainment mix. It later underwent a revitalization project beginning in 2017, accompanied by a lease extension through 2032.
Retail and food service · 2001
Dining and retail district
Restaurants, shops, and visitor-oriented businesses form the commercial core of Newport on the Levee. The mix has changed since opening, including the closure of the original Barnes & Noble location in 2019.
Residential development · 2016
Aqua on the Levee
Aqua on the Levee is the residential component added on the eastern side of the complex. Its 2016 opening expanded Newport on the Levee's role from a visitor and shopping destination into a broader mixed-use development.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2017
AMC cinema revitalization and lease extensionStrategyBackground
The AMC cinema was an important component of the original entertainment offer, and the destination pursued continued cinema operations as its tenant mix evolved.
Action taken
AMC began a revitalization project and extended its lease through 2032.
Aftermath
The decision supported the cinema's continued presence at Newport on the Levee after the closure of other original tenants, including the IMAX theater and Barnes & Noble.
Recent events
- 2019
Barnes & Noble location closes[1]
Other
The Barnes & Noble store at Newport on the Levee closed, changing the original retail and entertainment tenant mix.
- 2017
AMC theater begins revitalization and extends lease[1]
Other
AMC began a revitalization project at its Newport on the Levee cinema and extended the theater's lease through 2032.
- 2016
Aqua on the Levee residential expansion opens[1]
Other
The development's residential component, Aqua on the Levee, opened on the eastern side of Newport on the Levee following an approximately $80 million expansion.
- 2003
IMAX theater closes at Newport on the Levee[1]
Other
The IMAX theater that formed part of the original entertainment mix at Newport on the Levee closed two years after the development opened.
Sources2 sources
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