June 14, 20187 yr ^ Totally agree. I think it looks great from the Commons side, but sub par from the other side. Hopefully we can get some infill moving East on Rich Street to kind of cover it up. We already have that 15-story building proposed next to the Holiday Inn so that's a start. The surface lot at the corner of Rich and Third desperately needs to be developed though. It could be a great spot for a hotel given it's proximity to the Commons, Ohio Theater, Millennial Tower (hopefully) and the rest of the River South District, German Village, and the Greyhound station (though I don't know how many people taking a Greyhound would be staying in a hotel right there).
June 14, 20187 yr The sidewalk is back in along 3rd street, though pedestrians are still walking on the street in that path. Also, Root Insurance will be moving in to the building when it's ready - https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/05/18/digital-auto-insurer-root-to-move-to-columbus.html Very Stable Genius
June 14, 20187 yr ^ Totally agree. I think it looks great from the Commons side, but sub par from the other side. Hopefully we can get some infill moving East on Rich Street to kind of cover it up. We already have that 15-story building proposed next to the Holiday Inn so that's a start. The surface lot at the corner of Rich and Third desperately needs to be developed though. It could be a great spot for a hotel given it's proximity to the Commons, Ohio Theater, Millennial Tower (hopefully) and the rest of the River South District, German Village, and the Greyhound station (though I don't know how many people taking a Greyhound would be staying in a hotel right there). Yeah, the saving grace for 80 on the Commons is that the only really good side is the side that will always be exposed the most-the Commons side. And do you think that they will ever get the Greyhound station to move? Filling in that and the lot directly south of it would help immensely. I know it serves a need, but increasingly Greyhound is a blight. Couldn't it work on the perimeter somewhere?
June 14, 20187 yr ^ I think the airport would be a good location to move the Greyhound station to. We already have the AirConnect COTA route that Greyhound riders could hop on if they need to get downtown. There is also plenty of parking infrastructure available at the airport that Greyhound could tap into. I have no idea what Greyhound ridership is like so it's difficult for me to guess where a good location would be.
June 14, 20187 yr The pedestrian bridge is staged on Rich St. I imagine it will be lifted into place soon.
June 15, 20187 yr ^^ Greyhound absolutely needs to stay downtown IMO. I think ideally it would work best in a consolidated facility with Amtrak/commuter rail near the convention center Pittsburgh has a beautiful, state-of-the-art, really very very nice Greyhound station on the ground floor of a parking garage across the street from their Amtrak stop. It works extremely well and is so convenient. I wish we could just copy-paste the same thing over here to Columbus
June 19, 20186 yr Late May view of 80 on the Commons from a slightly different angle. This view is from the 12th floor roof of the recently completed and similarly tall 250 High mixed-use office/residential building. The Greyhound bus station that has been mentioned in previous posts is visible in this view - across Third Street from the 80 on the Commons: https://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-may-2018-we1
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh.
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Very Stable Genius
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels.
June 25, 20186 yr Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill Does the Downtown Commission have any guidelines to base decisions off of other than parking and height requirements? The Victorian Village commission, via the Short North Design Guidelines, would never allow such hideous materials. The worst you're going to get is the Castle. That isn't nearly as bad as this thing. Did the Downtown Commission know what these EIFS panels look like before they approved their use? If not, why didn't they ask for samples? If so, what horrible taste. Why couldn't they go with how they clad 250 High?
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels. Is it possible they skimped on the bridge because the parking garage is not long for this world?
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels. Is it possible they skimped on the bridge because the parking garage is not long for this world? Every single ounce of hope and reason inside of me wants that to be the case, but my brain knows it's absolutely not.
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels. Is it possible they skimped on the bridge because the parking garage is not long for this world? Every single ounce of hope and reason inside of me wants that to be the case, but my brain knows it's absolutely not. Yeah, I actually felt a little bit stupid typing that.
June 25, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels. Is it possible they skimped on the bridge because the parking garage is not long for this world? Every single ounce of hope and reason inside of me wants that to be the case, but my brain knows it's absolutely not. Yeah, I actually felt a little bit stupid typing that. Hopefully the garage gets built on eventually. With the bus garage being a part of it though I highly doubt that ever happens.
June 26, 20186 yr They honestly need to do something with the garage, it looks terrible from every angle. It's weathered like crazy all along the sides, the 3rd street retail arcade is decrepit and abandoned, they screwed some generic vinyl tarps into random parts advertising "courthouse/columbus commons parking" which are now faded and torn, there's a bunch of mall signage inside that was never removed/replaced, etc etc...
June 26, 20186 yr the 3rd street retail arcade is decrepit and abandon There's a yoga studio and a few bail bonds or something like that. Very Stable Genius
June 26, 20186 yr Update - Looks like the catwalk went up over the weekend! While I do enjoy the angular design, I am honestly disappointed that it's not a fully enclosed walkway. It's just a bridge with steel grating on the sides and a solid "roof" directly above the walkway, why was this honesty needed? If you're going to force a catwalk downtown, why go with a design that barely even gets you out of the elements. Ugh. It looks like a complete waste. Kind of like the whole building... and people want to let Kauffman take up a large space in Short North with this crap just for the sake of infill I have to admit that I do actually love the building (especially the commons side) haha, however the catwalk is just unnecessary on all levels. Is it possible they skimped on the bridge because the parking garage is not long for this world? What's kind of ironic about the garage is that back in the mid-1980s when it was being planned, there were competing proposals to build up to 20-story mix-used towers on top of it. They were never built due to the expense of required sprinklers. I'm not sure if the garage ended up being built with possible upward development in mind. Now, we'd all prefer to see that topside development or the garage be replaced entirely, the latter of which seems really unlikely.
June 26, 20186 yr I've often wondered if the garage could be removed to the first column line south of Rich St. allowing for a narrow development parcel similar to 250 S. High. You could work around the vehicular and pedestrian garage entries. Whatever is built would have awesome Columbus Commons views.
June 26, 20186 yr I've often wondered if the garage could be removed to the first column line south of Rich St. allowing for a narrow development parcel similar to 250 S. High. You could work around the vehicular and pedestrian garage entries. Whatever is built would have awesome Columbus Commons views. My guess is that something like this is "technically" possible, however the financial and political will absolutely does not exist. IIRC the garage contains an insane amount of spots (3500-ish?), knowing that, my guess is that nobody with CDDC or the city is even slightly willing to take on the pr nightmare of removing downtown structure parking. I just wish that if the plan is to keep it, that someone has a plan to update/rehab/even clean up the eyesore it is. Its massive and so much lost real estate, the absolute least someone could do its paint the damn thing. How can we make something happen? lol
June 26, 20186 yr What's kind of ironic about the garage is that back in the mid-1980s when it was being planned, there were competing proposals to build up to 20-story mix-used towers on top of it. They were never built due to the expense of required sprinklers. I'm not sure if the garage ended up being built with possible upward development in mind. Now, we'd all prefer to see that topside development or the garage be replaced entirely, the latter of which seems really unlikely. That would be an interesting proposal and would love at least the 3rd side get built on or a horseshoe shape to add addition viewing space to the commons for concerts.
October 22, 20186 yr I'm looking for a new place and called Gravity because I thought it would be cool to live there and be close to work Downtown. Despite it looking very finished on the exterior it is going to be ready for occupancy in March so they directed me to 80 on the Commons which has had people living in it for months. I didn't think it was occupied yet because I eat at the food trucks in Columbus Commons every so often and it looks like there's still a lot of work left to do on the building. Apparently not. I went over to look at the units and took some pictures. They're very expensive, $1,200 for 490 SQ FT studios, $1,450+ for the smaller 1 bedrooms. I don't want to know what they're charging for 2 bedrooms. I don't think I'll end up moving because it's a hassle, however if I was I'd pick this building. Out of all the new buildings I've seen in Columbus after looking at places before moving here and during the Urban Living tour, this is far and beyond the most well built and solid feeling new building in the city. The units feel sound proof and air tight when you close the door and there weren't any visible signs of short cuts and sloppiness in the finishes. That bus terminal needs to go. Some views from 250 S High:
October 23, 20186 yr 19 hours ago, cityscapes said: They're very expensive, $1,200 for 490 SQ FT studios, $1,450+ for the smaller 1 bedrooms. I don't want to know what they're charging for 2 bedrooms. As a Seattlite, this comment made me miss home ? 1655/mo for my current studio which is not luxury at all. ugh
October 23, 20186 yr On 10/22/2018 at 8:31 PM, cbussoccer said: If only the outside of the building looked as nice as the inside.... It seems as if their builds have progressively improved over time with 600 Goodale being the worst, damn that building has aged horribly. Personally, my only gripe with 80 on the Commons when I toured was the balconies, they are so uncomfortable to be on the way they jutt out from the structure. You kind of feel uncomfortable/exposed on them and that is unfortunate to how great 250s balconies are integrated and I'm sure feel. Does anyone know if the "80" sculpture is still happening or if the 3rd street side is getting any actual curb appeal?
October 23, 20186 yr Just now, DevolsDance said: It seems as if their builds have progressively improved over time with 600 Goodale being the worst, damn that building has aged horribly. Personally, my only gripe with 80 on the Commons when I toured was the balconies, they are so uncomfortable to be on the way they jutt out from the structure. You kind of feel uncomfortable/exposed on them and that is unfortunate to how great 250s balconies are integrated and I'm sure feel. Does anyone know if the "80" sculpture is still happening or if the 3rd street side is getting any actual curb appeal? I actually think 250 is a pretty decent looking building and I think they did a good job with an awkward plot of land. 80 Commons just looks so bad though. The only half decent portion is the portion that faces the park. That's an interesting point about the balconies. They definitely look awkward from a distance. I haven't been past their Gravity project in at least a month, but last time I drove by that, it was actually looking pretty good.
March 21, 20196 yr 80 on the Commons in CU's latest downtown construction roundup at https://www.columbusunderground.com/construction-roundup-downtown-franklinton-we1 View from Rich Street east of Third Street (with of course the Greyhound Bus Terminal in the foreground!):
March 22, 20196 yr ^^ Maybe I am just getting used to it, but it does not seem quite as monstrous to me as it once did, especially this side of it. It would help greatly if they developed that surface parking lot across the street from the bus terminal so this building(and this side of it)could "blend in" a bit more. God forbid they should ever actually redevelop the eyesore bus terminal itself into something better, but hope springs eternal I guess. *shrugs* Edited March 22, 20196 yr by Toddguy
March 22, 20196 yr 23 minutes ago, Pablo said: I wonder if the units facing the bus terminal charge a premium for the view? ? LOL. I wonder how they compare to the views over the massive parking garage to the south? *Honestly though, I would live there in a heartbeat if I could afford it(it is not as bad as I have made it out to be actually I will admit.) Hey I would be in the one place where it absolutely could not be seen as well.
March 22, 20196 yr Maybe it's because I haven't been by in awhile, but that exterior looks unfinished - almost like black foam. Also, assuming it's basically done...it looks quite a bit different from when the 225 renderings. Very Stable Genius
March 22, 20196 yr 7 minutes ago, cbussoccer said: ^ It looks pretty much exactly like that rendering... Hmm, I would have rather had that skywalk and sculpture over the ones we ended up with. Don't get me wrong, I love the light skeleton but I have a weakness for the juxtaposition of raw materials like wood and concrete together. Also I just love large dimensional art pieces vs the giant illuminated 80 thats barely an art piece.
March 22, 20196 yr 2 minutes ago, DevolsDance said: Hmm, I would have rather had that skywalk and sculpture over the ones we ended up with. Don't get me wrong, I love the light skeleton but I have a weakness for the juxtaposition of raw materials like wood and concrete together. Also I just love large dimensional art pieces vs the giant illuminated 80 thats barely an art piece. I was speaking specifically about the building itself. It matches the rendering pretty perfectly.
March 22, 20196 yr 4 minutes ago, cbussoccer said: I was speaking specifically about the building itself. It matches the rendering pretty perfectly. Absolutely, yeah I think this and 250 High actually turned out pretty identical to the proposed renders with Gravity is shaping up to be the same. It's exciting, seems they have finally figured out their flow.
March 22, 20196 yr I will say I don't really like that angle, it looks too stout and bland, but the view from the park is actually pretty cool
June 30, 20195 yr I can't think of another building where I have such different thoughts on its architecture depending on the angle. Love. Bleghhh. Also here's a close up of the texture of the building. It looks a lot like sound damping foam (maybe on purpose to cancel out concert noise for the residents?). But I also think it looks 1000x better than warped and wavy EIFS we've seen on other new builds.
June 30, 20195 yr I also since people are living there I think it's interesting that most of the balconies facing the park have chairs and other items out that make them feel lived in, but only a couple of the balconies on the east or south have anything on them. I wonder if it goes to that exposed feeling from them just jutting out of the building, like DevolsDance mentioned above.
July 1, 20195 yr Having been on the south and east facing balconies DevoIsDance is right you do feel exposed and uncomfortable on the balconies, the view of the surface lots and parking garage isn't particularly great either. The west facing side is much better in terms of looks and balcony enjoyment. It's nice looking down on the park and seeing the river.
October 18, 20195 yr Downtown office and apartment building sold for $72 million https://www.dispatch.com/business/20191018/downtown-office-and-apartment-building-sold-for-72-million
October 18, 20195 yr 13 minutes ago, Pablo said: Downtown office and apartment building sold for $72 million https://www.dispatch.com/business/20191018/downtown-office-and-apartment-building-sold-for-72-million It's my understanding Kaufman sold off 80 on the Commons and 250 High, I have been told they are trying to shore up capital. I'm curious if this means something big is on the horizon.
October 19, 20195 yr They built it for $60M, that's a 20% return in just a couple years. I hope that encourages them to reinvest that back into a new project.
October 19, 20195 yr 17 hours ago, 17thState said: They built it for $60M, that's a 20% return in just a couple years. I hope that encourages them to reinvest that back into a new project. Gravity 3.0! ?
October 24, 20195 yr Coastal Ridge Real Estate Partners will be joining Root Insurance as the main tenants in the office portion of 80 on the Commons. Coastal Ridge currently has an office near the corner of Dublin Road and W. 5th Avenue in Marble Cliff. But that building and adjoining property was recently purchased by AEP for an expansion of electrical infrastructure on an adjoining AEP parcel - more about this in the Columbus Random Developments thread. Marble Cliff's loss is Downtown Columbus' gain - more about it below: Real estate group to move into new Downtown space, add 80 jobs Coastal Ridge Real Estate Partners plans to move into new space Downtown as part of an expansion in which total employment at the real estate and investment management firm will double. The company expects to create 80 jobs over the next three years with hiring in accounting, finance, investment, development, information technology, marketing and other jobs expected to begin this winter. The company currently has 75 employees at its current headquarters at 2200 W. 5th Avenue. Coastal Ridge will move into 20,000 square feet of office space at 80 on the Commons at 80 E. Rich Street by early spring. MORE: https://www.thisweeknews.com/business/20191017/real-estate-group-to-move-into-new-downtown-space-add-80-jobs
Create an account or sign in to comment