SparkHaus

Kenton County partnered with Blue North and the Northern Kentucky Port Authority to transform the former Sim’s Furniture Building in downtown Covington into SparkHaus, an entrepreneurial hub designed to foster Northern Kentucky’s next generation of business leaders.

The project brings together founders, investors and support organizations under one roof, creating a front door for entrepreneurship in Northern Kentucky.

“Northern Kentucky is privileged to be home to so many phenomenal entrepreneurs,” Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said. “A thriving business environment, alongside education and public safety, is the bedrock of any successful community. And with SparkHaus, we have the opportunity to create a welcoming, community-oriented space for entrepreneurs at each stage of their journey.”

Frequently asked questions

What is SparkHaus?

The vision behind SparkHaus is three-fold:

• Capital: A primary objective in creating SparkHaus is establishing a space where funders, from seed-stage venture capitalists to Northern Kentucky’s largest private equity groups, can easily interact not only with one another but also growing companies. 
• Growth: With a wide variety of flexible space, SparkHaus aims to be a go-to destination for companies growing and scaling. These spaces are designed to serve companies regardless of their size, from one-man shops to teams of 10 or more until they grow into more long-term space.
• Collisions: By bringing together founders, investors and support organizations, SparkHaus will foster a collaborative environment where ideas can collide to fuel the region’s next success story. 

Where will SparkHaus be located?

SparkHaus is located in the former Sim’s Furniture building at the corner of Madison and Eighth Street in Covington. Prior to Sim’s Furniture, the building was a Montgomery Ward department store and features that brand’s iconic “Spirit of Progress” imagery on its facade, something SparkHaus’ new branding builds upon.

Who owns SparkHaus?

In May 2023, the Port Authority deployed $3 million from the Kenton County site development fund to purchase the site on behalf of the Kenton County Fiscal Court. SparkHaus was the first project to benefit from the $13 million fund, which is overseen by the Port and was secured in 2022 by Sen. Chris McDaniel.

Who is working on SparkHaus?

The project is being spearheaded by Kenton County, Blue North and the Northern Kentucky Port Authority. In 2023, the team selected Urban Sites to serve as developer for the project. Urban Sites is a veteran in creating unique apartment, office and retail spaces within Greater Cincinnati. 

For the project's branding, Blue North partnered with Covington Creates, an organization that brings together multiple Northern Kentucky branding and design agencies. This unique collaboration leveraged the region's world-class design talent to build the brand as a community effort.

What will SparkHaus cost to build?

SparkHaus cost $16 million to complete. The project is funded by state dollars, private donors and the Catalytic Fund.

What is the project's timeline?

Construction began in October 2024, with tenants moving into the building Sept. 1, 2025.

To learn more about SparkHaus, visit their website at SparkHaus.co.