‘New frontier’ for housing uses modular units to cut time, costs

 

An important test of how modular housing could help solve the growing housing crisis in Central Ohio recently started on the Near East Side. 

 

Developer Brad DeHays opened a prefabricated housing factory at 3251 Westerville Road in Linden last year, and the first project to come out of the facility is being stacked across the street from the East Market, which DeHays also developed.

 

DeHays said he hopes the Trolley District Apartments project proves the construction method is practical, economical and sustainable. The time it takes to build a modular apartment complex is much shorter than traditional construction, he said, and it only takes four workers to stack the modules.

 

“We wanted to show what we can do. We know this is a test case,” he said. “This checks a lot of boxes. It can be versatile.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/08/08/trolley-district-appartments-connect-realty.html

 

In typical fashion, UO breaks development stories before the rest of the media! 😀

This is such a disappointing development to me. I will never understand why this isn’t going to the corner, with an entrance at the corner. It doesn’t even need retail space, even though it should. 

(8-25-24)

 

 

 

 

On 8/30/2024 at 11:25 AM, NorthShore647 said:

(8-25-24)

 

 

 

 

Update on East Market apartments.  Taken this morning.  

7 minutes ago, sono4315 said:

Update on East Market apartments.  Taken this morning.  

I like what this proves, but hate every bit of how it looks.

That's a good way of putting it.

 

Trolley District Apartments 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

Trolley District Apartments 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That parking lot at the corner is going to piss me off forever. These honestly look better than I thought they would though. 

5 hours ago, VintageLife said:

That parking lot at the corner is going to piss me off forever. These honestly look better than I thought they would though. 

Parking lot in this type of location is not a forever thing. And I agree, they look better even though they're still value engineered to hell.

10 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

Parking lot in this type of location is not a forever thing

What could they do in that space though, it’s pretty small?

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

What could they do in that space though, it’s pretty small?

If nothing else, it's a pretty good spot for a small greenspace to act as a gateway into the Trolley District

56 minutes ago, Dblcut3 said:

If nothing else, it's a pretty good spot for a small greenspace to act as a gateway into the Trolley District

A nice park with some public art and a water feature would be great.

A small apartment building would fit. Franklin Park is just a block away.

 

Was at the East Market earlier for lunch so I thought I'd get a few more of the Trolley District Apartments rising along Oak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 5/9/2024 at 6:38 AM, aderwent said:

The Conservatory has a new master plan:

 

 

"The Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens were expected to unveil a new master plan Thursday that calls for 15 major changes to the Columbus attraction, including a new entrance, a new visitors center building, new underground parking and a full renovation of the John F. Wolfe Palm House.

 

"I would describe this as the roadmap for the future," said Bruce Harkey, president and CEO of the 129-year-old Conservatory. "This is part of our vision to become a premier botanical garden destination."

 

Harkey noted that the master plan — with two exceptions — is a guide that is subject to change, not a specific building plan.

 

"Master plans are evolutionary, so when I'm no longer the leader, others may identify additional priorities," said Harkey, who has run the Conservatory since 2007. 'But I feel really confident in my lifetime I will see the team today and the team of the future bring this forward.'"

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2024/05/09/franklin-park-conservatory-proposes-major-changes-in-new-master-plan/73584799007/

according to permits, it appears the first steps to this plan are going to be starting soon. I was just wondering if this would happen, and hopefully they can get it all accomplished. 
 

 

7 hours ago, VintageLife said:

according to permits, it appears the first steps to this plan are going to be starting soon. I was just wondering if this would happen, and hopefully they can get it all accomplished. 
 

 

There's a meeting tomorrow morning on this for those interested. I sadly cannot make it - have a capital call. I've heard great things about it though!

Franklin Park Conservatory grows footprint with purchase of Broad Street building

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is expanding.

Friends of the Conservatory, Franklin Park Conservatory's 501(c)3 nonprofit arm, purchased a roughly 7,300-square-foot building at 1706 E. Broad St. in April, according to Franklin County property records. The $1 million transaction included two parcels, which are under half an acre together.

Franklin Park Conservatory plans to use the space, located right across Broad Street from its main facility, for administration and programming, a spokesperson said via email.

The horticultural and educational institution is still determining how the building needs adapted, the spokesperson said, but major renovations are not likely.

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/05/08/franklin-park-conservatory-property-purchase.html

First apartments using modular Connect Housing Blocks welcome residents in Trolley District

Connect Real Estate founder Brad DeHays’ first project built from his prefabricated modular Connect Housing Blocks is now open to residents in the Trolley District.

Vertical construction began in July 2024 for The Station, an apartment complex with 102 units.

This May, a handful of residents moved onto the first floor of the complex at 1599 Oak St., across the street from another DeHays development, the East Market.

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/06/12/brad-dehays-modular-units-trolley-district.html