DevolsDance

Suburban style campus, built in the city, removing easy neighborhood access, and all keep under a thick veil of shady politics. I think I prefer to forget this development exists at this point.

I believe it is a fine line that has to be walked. I would say that context isn't "always" the most important but that depends on the design of the structure. The problem with designs that aren't contextually fitting is that many of them don't go far enough, they try to half blend and half be unique. If an architect isn't trying to fit a structure contextually then they need to go bold and go for an extreme juxtaposition, otherwise they need to just play save and go for contextual/simple. The most interesting neighborhoods in the world are a mix of traditional/historic with ultra modern/bold mixed in, but it's in that "kinda blend but stand out realm that things turn bad very quickly. I think that's what has happened here, Edwards tried to go "modern" but also keep context with some materials but also break the super-block feel and it just turned into, well... a mess. I do agree though that Chicago should be the bar we set for ourselves. You cannot convince me that it will ever hurt Columbus to reach for the architectural and design levels of one of the worlds architecture capitols.

I think its strange because the middle and far ends sections really turned out rather nice, however the south end of the building is just bad. Its very yuppie box/bridge street imho. I keep telling myself 'at least its no longer a massive surface lot', but man, this is not quality or contextual infill.

One more update, another double. The Xander on State (Borror project next to Grant) is going up Oak and Eighth is moving at snail pace but is showing a preview of it's future red color

Double Update The Mews II, Phase... IDK has broken ground. 230 East Long continues to rise.

The Nicholas on High seems to be wrapping up. Streetscape has begun and glass railings are going in around the amenity decks.

Update Looks like work has begun on the Hayden compels on Capitol Square

Updates Groundwork for Cherry + High. LC RiverSouth

Ask and you shall receive... Aww man, a little too late. Either way, now you have double proof.

There may be other plans in the works for High St or something. I would guess with High already being the strongest corridor, any plans would be less focused on "growing smart" and more on just moving people and supporting the development and connections that already exist in maybe a more efficient manner? Idk but if it was left out, there was probably a reason. While I love the High street redesign, I can't help but feel it was very short sighted in its configuration. The new configuration will force any new or existing transit models to run in mixed traffic which we all know is a losing strategy for moving people.

The tower crane has gone up on the site for the parking garage along 3rd, depending on timelines we may have two cranes on site before the end of the year.

Columbus is going to continue to ignore studies, rehash concepts, and water-down solutions until it's shot itself in the foot. I am constantly shocked by the lack of vision the leadership and power players in this city have. Prediction: The city will use this as a "guiding principal" to explore and study plans for future transit, infrastructure, and density plans. The city will never act on any of it in any substantial way, while simultaneously touting how Columbus "Gets things done". I have never wanted to be so wrong, but I can almost promise that I am not.

Curious, I am very intrigued by this. I think the hotel needs a refresh or new operator but I'd kind of hate to see two high-rises come down in the CBD. I wonder how far hotels book out rooms? Seems demolition within the coming year or two could interfere with current reservations at all and currently scheduled expos.

I'm impressed with how this has progressed design and heigh-wise. I am really in love with this one, dare I say, possibly more than the Hilton in downtown CLE which I absolutely was blown away with. A recap of just how far this thing has come.

Update - 230 E Long is going up! View is down Lafayette looking south towards Long.

Based on the most recent design updates, yes. I believe the last time they were publicly updated was back in 2016, at that time South High was being built as "capable". It is being handled differently this time being that the cap won't be built with the bridge but the structure exists to cap it if a developer or the city were to step up during construction or at a later date. Now is this still the plan? I do not know for sure, but per the existing project site and a rundown of the project by MORPC in late 2018, both Third and High are being built to allow caps. http://www.morpc.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Columbus_Crossroads_Narrative_FINAL.pdf

It is difficult to make this not sound political but, I would venture to say if the "Immigrant" and "Immigration Status" question make it on to the 2020 Census, it will be much much less accurate.

Nailed it. It is so obscure how ODOT designs freeways and interchanges. Columbus has slowly gotten rid of most of the cloverleafs I thought, but then replaced them with some of the strangest designs. The one that always blows my mind is 161 from I270 to Hamilton Rd. There is a tunnel, flyovers, left and right exits, and a strange center upper deck that supports Dublin Granville Rd or 670 and 71 Downtown with it's flyover that feels like you're 200' above the ground. It is all very strange.

I dub this the Jr.405. But seriously joking aside, this is a monstrosity. IF this must happen it should be capped at every bridge (like full high street cap) or just Big Dig the entire thing like Boston. The decision makers at ODOT are absolutely useless.

I was kind of shocked by this picture, I don't think I have ever noticed this was just a large blank gray wall. Im guessing not being visible from the street is the reason it's never gotten any treatment, but I think it does call for something now that more and more structures are being built where this will be routinely seen. I think that means it's time for another living wall or bold mural (I can wish right). I always thought it was strange that the Joseph Hotel side got such a large blank wall too, though it seems they attempted to dress it up a but with the brick pattern. I wish they would consider a large installation in the brick pattern like the Citizen M Building in Manhattan did a few years back in its windows. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7203609,-73.9940123,3a,75y,63.54h,116.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJj1UAdwqc-lYw4CWnKBseg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192 http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/tag/citizenm-hotel

I believe Donatos owns and developed the building, I think they and Black Brick are probably sticking around in that spot. However it is confusing that the old RAM spot hasn't been snatched up yet, it's quite possibly one of the most prime locations in the SN.

The sculpture planned for the White Castle building finally went in this week. It hangs above the White Castle patio/entry. [Moderator note: embedded image removed at request of the photographer.]

"NorM"

Really interesting to see these "final phase" concepts for the rest of the build out, I really appreciate that they are going taller and a bit denser with the final pieces. I would venture to say the final design of the taller structure wont look anything like shown above, it seems the most "conceptual" render in the bunch. I imagine the final design will be a bit more in line with the architecture in Jeffrey and probably a bit more of a showpiece. I toured one of the condos in the area a few weeks back and I will say, the agent didn't bring up the possible loss of view until I asked and they he just came out and said "views are not guaranteed". Overall though this has turned out as a really good infill of such a massive blank slate (minus the lack of retail interspersed).

So, uh, yeah I do have just one little question though, does the arena have a uh... field that I am unaware of? Seriously though I hope this is not real. Please do not be real. Facepalm.