Out of curiosity, when did Madison's close? The signage and ground-level windows look like they were designed and installed in the 80's or early 90's.

4 minutes ago, scorpio said:

Out of curiosity, when did Madison's close? The signage and ground-level windows look like they were designed and installed in the 80's or early 90's.

 

From the dear departed CU messageboard:  https://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/q-history-of-madisons-department-store

 

RoundTowner wrote:  "Madisons was mostly a womens store, they did have several suburban mall stores in Columbus, Dayton and Cincy.  The Downtown store closed around 1990 and has basically sat empty for the last 2 decades.  A nightclub operated in the High Street location briefly during the 90s."

Broadwin, Madison and White-Haines redevelopment projects land historic tax credits from the state

 

Three years-languishing historic properties have received tax credits to spur their redevelopment.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/08/05/broadwin-madison-and-white-haines-redevelopment-p.html

 

.....................

 

Madison’s and White-Haines

 

Total Project Cost: $60,589,377

Total Tax Credit: $4,416,157

Address: 72-84 N. High St., Columbus, 43215

 

The Madison’s and White Haines buildings in downtown Columbus are commercial buildings that for more than 60 years held Madison’s Department Store and an optical products company. After decades of vacancy and deterioration, the planned rehabilitation will preserve an important part of High Street’s streetscape with commercial spaces on the ground level and apartments above. In an adjacent vacant lot, the developer plans to construct a new building that will hold parking spaces, commercial spaces, and residential units.

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/three-columbus-projects-get-historic-tax-credits-bw1

 

5 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

In an adjacent vacant lot, the developer plans to construct a new building that will hold parking spaces, commercial spaces, and residential units.

 

I'm excited to see their plans for this. I'm not expecting anything massive, but something in the 10-12 story range would be great. 

5 hours ago, cbussoccer said:

 

I'm excited to see their plans for this. I'm not expecting anything massive, but something in the 10-12 story range would be great. 

The Nicholas 2.0? ?

 

Hope this latest attempt to renovate and restore the properties, as well as build on the adjoining lot, are successful. It, along with the Harmony Tower proposal would really do wonders for the stretch of High St. from Broad & High to Nationwide. Looking forward to the renderings for the surface lot.

19 hours ago, cbussoccer said:

 

I'm excited to see their plans for this. I'm not expecting anything massive, but something in the 10-12 story range would be great. 

Isn't this the place where they were going to put the 12 story hotel? Let me check.

 

*edit* from page 4 of the Gay street thread: 

 

Quote

B) Madison's/White-Haines Building -- Renovation of existing buildings into 30 apartments with ground-floor retail space.  Possible second phase for a new 12-story building with 100 apartments and parking garage.

 

Edited August 6, 20204 yr by Toddguy

7 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

Isn't this the place where they were going to put the 12 story hotel? Let me check.

 

*edit* from page 4 of the Gay street thread: 

 

 

Hopefully they go back and keep this part.

 

*sorry I meant this to be an edit of the previous post...new system and all smh.

Edited August 6, 20204 yr by Toddguy

Additional information regarding the ongoing White-Haines building renovation. Edwards is attempting to put in a French bistro concept in the former Brioso coffee location on the corner of Gay and High.

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2020/10/27/french-bistro-take-over-former-brioso-space-downtown/6052036002/

Like it but the rest of the buildings there really need some work they are a huge eye sore on that prime section of high. This nice restaurant will look odd next to the abandoned buildings.

I noticed scaffolding going up on the High St. side. That either means work is beginning or they need to protect pedestrians from falling building bits.....

8 minutes ago, Pablo said:

I noticed scaffolding going up on the High St. side. That either means work is beginning or they need to protect pedestrians from falling building bits.....

 

Unfortunately it's the latter, a piece of the cornice fell off (though Jeff Edwards who presented the concept for the French restaurant also mentioned he would be back in front of the commission soon for the renovation of the White-Haines and Madison buildings). They covered it close to the end of yesterday's downtown commission meeting:

 

 

Three new concepts coming to downtown. The French bistro mentioned above, Speck Italian Eatery and a wine shop will all be new additions to the High and Gay St area.

 

https://www.columbusalive.com/foodanddining/20201103/food-news-new-french-bistro-speck-italian-eatery-are-coming-to-downtown-columbus?fbclid=IwAR1RXfP22savVPV5DwXAF40aj4CNcOhAUXpFjDwncVLSPHfsaGXgKVitNa0

 

 

Hopefully this new restaurant concept comes on the heels of actual work on the White-Haines and Madisons buildings, for reasons already mentioned. Also really hoping the concept sticks and serves as a bellwether for fine dining downtown. It seems that, unless it's a steakhouse, fine dining has a tough time surviving downtown. deNOVO and Saber's other downtown restaurants were a valiant effort, but fell victim to multiple issues operating in the center of town. That being said, the Gay St. corridor has served several restaurants well and has a dynamic where the addition of these establishments could only further enhance and feed off the area.

https://www.columbusunderground.com/13-story-apartment-building-proposed-for-downtown-bw1
 

This was included in the recent columbus underground article about a different project. Thought it would be a welcome add. 
 

Also on the agenda is a plan to restore the long-vacant Madison’s and White-Haines buildings at 72-84 N. High St, an effort that has already been awarded state historic preservation tax credits. 

 

Edwards Companies Envisions More Art & Entertainment for Gay Street District

 

The idea to renovate the buildings and construct a new 12-story hotel on the adjacent parking lot were first presented by The Day Companies in 2015, but failed to materialize. Instead, The Edwards Companies are planning to move forward with a version of the plan that would include the same mix of renovation, new construction, and some new outdoor public spaces.
 

While new restaurants have already been announced for the district, Edwards sees the addition of art and retail as being equally important for the future of the area.

“This is probably the most architecturally intact and healthy retail, restaurant and activity center in all of Downtown Columbus so we want to build upon what’s already on Gay Street,” he stated. “We’ve already had conversations with a number of art galleries interested in relocating here.”

 

Edwards also mentioned plans to have a large hanging sculpture installed above the intersection of Gay Street and High Street, designed by artist Janet Echelman.

This will be a great addition to that intersection:

 

https://www.columbusunderground.com/edwards-companies-envisions-more-art-entertainment-for-gay-street-district-we1

58 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

This will be a great addition to that intersection:

 

https://www.columbusunderground.com/edwards-companies-envisions-more-art-entertainment-for-gay-street-district-we1

Agree, I wonder if that is the exact piece they are going with. I look her up and she has some amazing pieces. 

14 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Edwards Companies Envisions More Art & Entertainment for Gay Street District

 

The idea to renovate the buildings and construct a new 12-story hotel on the adjacent parking lot were first presented by The Day Companies in 2015, but failed to materialize. Instead, The Edwards Companies are planning to move forward with a version of the plan that would include the same mix of renovation, new construction, and some new outdoor public spaces.
 

While new restaurants have already been announced for the district, Edwards sees the addition of art and retail as being equally important for the future of the area.

“This is probably the most architecturally intact and healthy retail, restaurant and activity center in all of Downtown Columbus so we want to build upon what’s already on Gay Street,” he stated. “We’ve already had conversations with a number of art galleries interested in relocating here.”

 

Edwards also mentioned plans to have a large hanging sculpture installed above the intersection of Gay Street and High Street, designed by artist Janet Echelman.

 

Really hoping this, or anything involving the Madison's/White-Haines block (save demolition), comes to fruition. I can't help feeling only cautiously optimistic that this proposal becomes a reality, as it seems it has lingered and languished as is for far too long. 

 

The idea of expanding the relative success of the Gay St. corridor onto N. High St. with a focus on the arts could be a solid concept. Galleries continue to look for new (and cheaper) spaces. CCAD could bookend this concept on the East end of Gay St. as well. While Franklinton has the independent, organic flare more in tune with artistic spaces, if Edwards can attract galleries by promising to attract clientele that can afford to buy pieces in a space that makes economic to the creator(s), they might be able to make this work. Mac Worthington may have been a little ahead of the times when he moved his gallery into the Atlas Building a few years ago. Unfortunately, it closed early this year. Maybe his studio can make a comeback here?

 

Truly though, among the Madison's/While-Haines, the Citizen, and the Nicholas, Edwards has amassed quite the concentration of property in this intersection. They owe it to themselves and to the Downtown community to make the area truly remarkable if they really want to fully capitalize on their investment. 

17 minutes ago, CMHOhio said:

 

Really hoping this, or anything involving the Madison's/White-Haines block (save demolition), comes to fruition. I can't help feeling only cautiously optimistic that this proposal becomes a reality, as it seems it has lingered and languished as is for far too long. 

 

The idea of expanding the relative success of the Gay St. corridor onto N. High St. with a focus on the arts could be a solid concept. Galleries continue to look for new (and cheaper) spaces. CCAD could bookend this concept on the East end of Gay St. as well. While Franklinton has the independent, organic flare more in tune with artistic spaces, if Edwards can attract galleries by promising to attract clientele that can afford to buy pieces in a space that makes economic to the creator(s), they might be able to make this work. Mac Worthington may have been a little ahead of the times when he moved his gallery into the Atlas Building a few years ago. Unfortunately, it closed early this year. Maybe his studio can make a comeback here?

 

Truly though, among the Madison's/While-Haines, the Citizen, and the Nicholas, Edwards has amassed quite the concentration of property in this intersection. They owe it to themselves and to the Downtown community to make the area truly remarkable if they really want to fully capitalize on their investment. 

 

So... tear down the Nicholas and start over?

12 minutes ago, jonoh81 said:

 

So... tear down the Nicholas and start over?

Yes please hahah

Restaurants, 'iconic' sculpture in the works as developer reimagines High and Gay area downtown

 

Developer Jeff Edwards envisions long-term investments at the High and Gay area will bring another level of vibrancy to the downtown neighborhood.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2020/12/09/retailers-signed-at-new-downtown-development.html

 

I have desired more for Gay street for such a long time now. I understand the need for a mixed bag of businesses but I have felt that the print shops and other 9-5 spots should make way for more entertainment and restaurant concepts that can help to drive more success into ideas like the moonlight markets and pearl market just around the corner.

 

I am all in for this -- especially a landmark piece and the lighting/visual concepts for the sidewalks. 

After this project (hopefully) happens, all we need is a 10-20 story tower on this surface lot to officially cap of Gay Street.

 

19 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

After this project (hopefully) happens, all we need is a 10-20 story tower on this surface lot to officially cap of Gay Street.

 

And then hopefully in about 10 years or so, the market will make them tear sections of the Nicholas down to make room for a tower or two, like what should have been there. 

57 minutes ago, NightNectar said:

I have desired more for Gay street for such a long time now. I understand the need for a mixed bag of businesses but I have felt that the print shops and other 9-5 spots should make way for more entertainment and restaurant concepts that can help to drive more success into ideas like the moonlight markets and pearl market just around the corner.

 

I am all in for this -- especially a landmark piece and the lighting/visual concepts for the sidewalks. 

 

Obviously the virus has to be over with, but DT employers must do away with the short 30 minute lunches for that to happen all the way.

On 12/14/2020 at 5:01 PM, GCrites80s said:

 

Obviously the virus has to be over with, but DT employers must do away with the short 30 minute lunches for that to happen all the way.

Very true. 

 

The virus just may be what was needed to push this forward as it has forced employers to quickly adopt flexibility into their work week. Lunch does not need to be such a rigid ideology any longer. 

I picture some boss standing on the 28th floor of a building looking down at High Street exclaiming "When I got started here in '87 there were restaurants and fast food all up and down the street" while the employees all eat macaroni salad that they brought from home at their desks. Then you look at the walls and they have a bunch of clocks on them that say "30 minute lunch, since Y2K"

1 minute ago, GCrites80s said:

I picture some boss standing on the 28th floor of a building looking down at High Street exclaiming "When I got started here in '87 there were restaurants and fast food all up and down the street" while the employees all eat macaroni salad that they brought from home at their desks. Then you look at the walls and they have a bunch of clocks on them that say "30 minute lunch, since Y2K"

 

Ohh the clock watchers. They're still hanging on...

 

**12:31**

 

"You're late..."

So I don't know if I ever saw this previously (I was poking around Casto's commercial holdings), and this is dated 05/2020 so it's not exactly recent, but this includes a different site plan than the previous hotel proposal, instead calling for "apartments above" ground floor parking and restaurant. Worth noting?

 

^ That seems to align with this graphic from this article about Edwards' plan for the area around Gay & High:

 

42 minutes ago, jebleprls22 said:

So I don't know if I ever saw this previously (I was poking around Casto's commercial holdings), and this is dated 05/2020 so it's not exactly recent, but this includes a different site plan than the previous hotel proposal, instead calling for "apartments above" ground floor parking and restaurant. Worth noting?

 

well

Well I hope this is the case-I would imagine a 400 car garage will be at least 6-7 floors alone. I wonder just how much residential would go on top of it?  As long as they have most of the ground floor High street frontage as a restaurant I don't care about the parking especially if it supports a good number of residential floors. I really want to see this area finished, done, and looking good. 

 

*maybe we can get the height we should have gotten with the Nicholas?-who knows...one can hope right?

6 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

I would imagine a 400 car garage will be at least 6-7 floors alone. I wonder just how much residential would go on top of it?

 

The rendering says 232 units. If I recall correctly, 232 residential with 400 parking spaces is about the same makeup as the The Nicholas. Given that the square footage of the lot is about a quarter the size of The Nicholas, it seems this building would be at least 15 stories tall. 

3 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

The rendering says 232 units. If I recall correctly, 232 residential with 400 parking spaces is about the same makeup as the The Nicholas. Given that the square footage of the lot is about a quarter the size of The Nicholas, it seems this building would be at least 15 stories tall. 

Let us pray...lol.  

16 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

The rendering says 232 units. If I recall correctly, 232 residential with 400 parking spaces is about the same makeup as the The Nicholas. Given that the square footage of the lot is about a quarter the size of The Nicholas, it seems this building would be at least 15 stories tall. 

 

I think the 232 units is describing The Nicholas, not the future development. @jebleprls22posted a snippet from this marketing brochure for the retail space in The Nicholas, not the potential future building across the street.

Edited March 29, 20214 yr by .justin

1 minute ago, .justin said:

 

I think the 232 units is describing The Nicholas, not the future development. @jebleprls22posted a snippet from this marketing brochure for the retail space in The Nicholas, not the potential future building across the street.

 

Ah, good catch.

Nice.

 

 

11 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

Nice.

 

 

*Insert inevitable complaining about height* lol

 

I'm all for height, but given how large the actual footprint is of this lot, I'm happy with this.  I also love how connected all of these infill projects are making our city!!  I also really like the modern dark/sleek materials proposed, it is a nice contrast against the more traditional older buildings next-door to it.  It reminds me a bit of the new AC hotel slightly.

Edited July 21, 20213 yr by Gnoraa

Get er done! This gives me mini harmony tower vibes as well.

Seems weird they would have the parking garage visible. Hopefully this gets going soon, those buildings need rehabbed quick. 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

those buildings need rehabbed quick. 

Yea, that stretch of High Street is depressing right now.  Driving south on High Street, you pass through the bustling Short North, and then, afterwards, you come to this area filled with decaying buildings, seedy characters lingering around Long Street, and empty store fronts in the ugly Nicholas building.  We really need to inject some life here.

Edited July 21, 20213 yr by TH3BUDDHA

Oh. Not much of a fan of that deck. And it says a restaurant will be on the first floor but that first floor looks more like the deck than a restaurant space. I honestly hope there is pushback on that. Not a great look for high street. Especially with access to a big deck directly behind that is underutilized outside business hours. Otherwise it seems fine. 

51 minutes ago, Gnoraa said:

I'm all for height, but given how large the actual footprint is of this lot, I'm happy with this.

 

I think the height is very appropriate for this block. Not everything needs to be 30+ stories. Now hopefully we can still get Harmony Tower built a block up High Street....

14 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

Oh. Not much of a fan of that deck. And it says a restaurant will be on the first floor but that first floor looks more like the deck than a restaurant space. I honestly hope there is pushback on that. Not a great look for high street. Especially with access to a big deck directly behind that is underutilized outside business hours. Otherwise it seems fine. 

Maybe it is being designed to be able to be converted eventually?? It looks bad and I don’t think there will be push back. Edwards seems to get away with anything, I would assume because of how much he has invested downtown. Hopefully I’m wrong and they will make him convert that whole front into retail/restaurant. 

6 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

Maybe it is being designed to be able to be converted eventually?? It looks bad and I don’t think there will be push back. Edwards seems to get away with anything, I would assume because of how much he has invested downtown. Hopefully I’m wrong and they will make him convert that whole front into retail/restaurant. 

 

For what it's worth, the retail leasing brochure for the Nicholas shows a ground floor restaurant in this building as well (though it looks like they moved the elevator core to the opposite side). The rendering above just makes the ground floor look like an empty shell space - the parking garage levels above all have cars on them while the ground floor does not.

 

 

I imagine there will be some more details in what Edwards submitted to the Downtown Commission, which we should be seeing soon.

 

 

1 hour ago, cbussoccer said:

Nice.

 

 

Cool. We need more investment in that stretch. Also, looks like the Dispatch article was updated to say 14 stories now. 

1 hour ago, 614love said:

Get er done! This gives me mini harmony tower vibes as well.

Harmony 😢 

4 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Cool. We need more investment in that stretch. Also, looks like the Dispatch article was updated to say 14 stories now. 

 

That's odd. I can only count 12 floors in the renderings.

1 minute ago, cbussoccer said:

 

That's odd. I can only count 12 floors in the renderings.

Same. They have to be counting the one below ground garage floor as one of the 14. 

Now it's 15 floors.

https://www.columbusunderground.com/15-story-building-proposed-for-downtown-bw1/

 

 

Edited July 21, 20213 yr by Pablo

1 hour ago, TH3BUDDHA said:

Yea, that stretch of High Street is depressing right now.  You drive south on High Street through the bustling Short North and then you come to this area filled with decaying buildings, seedy characters lingering around Long Street, and empty store fronts in the ugly Nicholas building.  We really need to inject some life here.

 

It's not even the good kind of seedy.