I wasn't expecting to release these so soon, given that I only have a rough article completed. But a client needed photos of the Arena District, so I went ahead and pushed these live. These are taken from the past two years, enjoy :)

 

Arena District

The Arena District is located west and north of downtown Columbus, Ohio, originally bounded by the Conrail railroad to the north, Neil Avenue to the west, Front Street to the east and Spring Street to the south. Pen West, located west of Neil, has been increasingly referred to the Arena District as well. Named after Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets made their home debut in the city, the district is a mixed-use development containing residential condominiums, offices, retail and entertainment venues.

 

Initial planning for the former 75-acre Ohio Penitentiary site began in June 1997 by Nationwide Realty Investors that included 1.5 million sq. ft. of commercial space and 350 residential units. The Arena District was named after Nationwide Arena, which opened in 2000, financed entirely by private investors.

 

_{Looking down at Convention Center Drive and a heavily trafficked freight rail line.}

 

 

_{This was taken from a 2007 UrbanOhio meet. Look at how young we were then!}

 

_{Arch Park: An arch from the former Union Station frames this park at the Arena District.}

 

 

 

_{Arch Park}

 

 

 

 

 

_{Condominiums line John H. McConnell Boulevard.}

 

 

_{Infill along Cozzins Street.}

 

_{A view down Neil Avenue and the Northbank Condominium development.}

 

_{Condominiums along John H. McConnell Boulevard.}

 

_{Arch Park}

 

 

_{Arch Park}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_{Nationwide Arena}

 

_{Nationwide Arena}

 

_{Nationwide Boulevard}

 

 

 

 

 

_{Along North Front Street}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click through to the Arena District for more photographs and history!

Great shots.

thanks, nice pictures. The area somewhat reminds me of Battery Park City in Manhattan. It's sad that all they saved from the train station was the arch (or was there more that I don't know about?). I remember there was still passenger train service in Columbus in the late 70's.

Wonderful!

This was taken from a 2007 UrbanOhio meet. Look at how young we were then! And FAT.

 

I think we've all gained weight, except for Greg.

I'm packing about 35-40 less that I was in this picture (the jolly fellow in the middle with the brown coat).

Wow, Sherman these are great.  I always love the striking contrast in your photos.  Between the red brick, green grass, and blue sky, my eyes thoroughly enjoyed this thread!

I'm packing about 35-40 less that I was in this picture (the jolly fellow in the middle with the brown coat).

 

I went from 120lb there to 130lb :(

The Arena district looks like a great neighborhood, but what is the context? Are there other neighborhoods around that blend with the AD? I've been to that Buca Di Bepo before and remember thinking it was sort of an odd place for a restaurant like that, as there was very little around it (other than the residential).  Then again, this was probably 7 years ago, so it has likely grown and matured a lot since.

Think of it like The Banks.  The Banks obviously doesn't have any neighborhoods for it to blend in either but it's an extension to downtown and the river.  Ditto the Arena District.

Hellooooooooo Cleveland... this is how it's done.  No siding, no plastic, no corrugated aluminum.  No bald surfaces.  Bricks arranged elegantly, with stone highlights.  Texture.  Warm earthen colors.  Awareness of its location in a cold climate.  Above all... height and density!

I'm packing about 35-40 less that I was in this picture (the jolly fellow in the middle with the brown coat).

 

I went from 120lb there to 130lb :(

 

Fatass.

 

Gorgeous pictures, though. I forgot how beautiful that day was weatherwise. And for the out-of-towners, it was early in the day on a Saturday; the Arena District is not normally that empty. Between Nationwide Arena, Huntington Field, the restaurants, the theater, offices, and yes, ACTUAL RESIDENTS, the area teems pretty much 12-16 hours a day. Fairly family-friendly, too. Nice wide sidewalks for biking and walking.