White Castle considering $65M mixed-use development at HQ site

 

 

The City of Columbus development department has proposed incentives to entice White Castle System Inc. to commit to a $65 million mixed-use development on its headquarters site near downtown.

 

A new corporate office for the family-owned burger chain would be among users of 150,000 square feet of Class A office and 300 apartments on 15 acres at 555 Goodale Blvd., according to legislation to authorize an economic development package included in the agenda for City Council on Monday.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2017/07/14/white-castle-considering-65m-mixed-use-development.html

Doesn't surprise me. Considering the emergence of Grandview Yard, I figured it was only a matter of time before an effort would be made to develop the Goodale corridor to better connect it with the Arena District and Downtown in general. Plus with immediate access to Rt. 315, 670, etc., the White Castle HQ is sitting on prime real estate.

I've always thought the site and 600 Goodale across the street are really isolated. Yeah, there's good vehicular access but it's pretty dismal from a pedestrian standpoint.

The TIF for the White Castle site was approved. The Dispatch mentioned Columbus is planning "A new public road to access the site." Could this be a connection to Nationwide Blvd. under the railroad tracks? With the TIF accepted I would expect to see renderings soon. Hopefully some green space and a MUT along the river will be included.

Also, nearby across Nationwide Blvd. from the municipal plant project, the land that NRI owns had 'dozers on it today moving dirt. Update on that soon to come?

Also, nearby across Nationwide Blvd. from the municipal plant project, the land that NRI owns had 'dozers on it today moving dirt. Update on that soon to come?

 

That's been happening for years off and on with nothing coming to light.  I hope this time you're correct!

Plans for White Castle Headquarters Site Moving Forward

 

Plans to build a mixed-use development on the 15-acre White Castle Headquarters site at 555 W. Goodale St. are moving forward.

 

The City of Columbus is now working out the final details of an agreement that will facilitate the $65 million project.

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/plans-for-white-castle-headquarters-site-moving-forward-bw1

 

^ Someone at CU posted this aerial view of the current White Castle property.  It was noted that a redevelopment of the White Caste site might include a new road that would connect Goodale Street with W. Nationwide Boulevard.  This new road could start at Goodale, run south through the White Castle property, run under I-670, and connect with an existing access road that connects with W. Nationwide Blvd. in front of the former power plant that is being renovated.

 

^That would be an expensive road indeed. It would have to dip below two active railroad lines while avoiding the columns and foundations for I-670 above. The $2 million in TIFF money from White Castle wouldn't come close to covering that cost.

^That would be an expensive road indeed. It would have to dip below two active railroad lines while avoiding the columns and foundations for I-670 above. The $2 million in TIFF money from White Castle wouldn't come close to covering that cost.

 

I'm assuming it would cross the RR tracks at grade. There's significant room underneath 670, so that wouldn't be a problem. Something like that needs to happen to make some active grid connections. It'll be winding but incredibly beneficial to both developments.

^So basically through the site where the casino should have been built?  Or where, cough, Crew Stadium should go?

 

Btw, how are the "Pen West" developments coming along?

Here's the White Castle HQ redevelopment plan:

 

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/white-castle-unveiling-master-plan-for-18-acre-downtown-development

It's very suburban looking. Buildings surrounded by surface parking. I find it telling that the main drive off of Goodale dead ends at the parking garage at the south end of the site. Access to the proposed Schottenstein project is through a service drive that wraps around the garage. Does White Castle think the Schottenstein plan is not a legit plan so they're not connecting the two?

^^Hoooooly crap that looks terrible.

 

Suburban mixed-use sites like Grandview Yard and the Bridge Street Project put it to shame.

 

Cut it up and start over, White Castle.

It's very suburban looking. Buildings surrounded by surface parking. I find it telling that the main drive off of Goodale dead ends at the parking garage at the south end of the site. Access to the proposed Schottenstein project is through a service drive that wraps around the garage. Does White Castle think the Schottenstein plan is not a legit plan so they're not connecting the two?

 

^^Hoooooly crap that looks terrible.

 

Suburban mixed-use sites like Grandview Yard and the Bridge Street Project put it to shame.

 

Cut it up and start over, White Castle.

 

I'll give White Caste an "attaboy" for moving ahead and taking a first pass at the site design.  But like Pablo said, way too much surface parking and a very weird street connection with the proposed neighboring Schottenstein project (https://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,3335.msg868438.html#msg868438 in the Arena District thread).

 

The conceptual street grid and the general placement of residential buildings, office buildings and the new White Caste HQ actually seem like something that can be worked with and improved.  But those urban design details are far too "Polaris" and far too little "Dublin Bridge Street".  It needs a more thoughtful redo.  Taller residential buildings wouldn't hurt either.  But this is why we have a Downtown Commission with design review authority.

From the Downtown Commission via Columbus Underground:

“The river is highly valuable… it’s not the back side of this site, it’s the sweet spot,” countered Downtown Commissioner Mike Brown. “I suggest you go bigger with residential there if you can, because the demand is there and market will support it. I’d hate to see something built there that is so suburban with so much asphalt.”

 

Commissioner Jana Maniace agreed, noting that from the aerial view, it appears that there is too much asphalt and parking on the site.

 

“You have these beautiful areas for parks,” she stated. “I want you to think about consolidating some parking and accentuate the green spaces you’re creating.

 

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-details-emerge-for-white-castle-headquarters-project

From the Downtown Commission via Columbus Underground:

“The river is highly valuable… it’s not the back side of this site, it’s the sweet spot,” countered Downtown Commissioner Mike Brown. “I suggest you go bigger with residential there if you can, because the demand is there and market will support it. I’d hate to see something built there that is so suburban with so much asphalt.”

 

Commissioner Jana Maniace agreed, noting that from the aerial view, it appears that there is too much asphalt and parking on the site.

 

“You have these beautiful areas for parks,” she stated. “I want you to think about consolidating some parking and accentuate the green spaces you’re creating.

 

 

http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-details-emerge-for-white-castle-headquarters-project

 

Looks good from the Goodale side IMO.

 

So White Castle is obviously working with Elford on this project, but seeing the proposal I wish they would have just contracted with Kaufman who did the 600 Goodale project across the street.

Addressing the street from Goodale is pretty good at that one corner, but the plan falls apart as you approach 670. Just as a preliminary study, I looked at employing a more urban block system on the site. If you could connect the Goodale connector bridge to the site it would really make for better access and utilization of the existing light. 10.6ac of developable parcels, .61 acres of active green space (not including the existing riparian zones and vegetated embankments that encompass the site)

The White Castle site plan is a pretty big mess IMO from all sides. While the massing along goodale is alright, the ground floor of those buildings is even more parking, and therefore will be totally dead to the street. Not good IMO.

Addressing the street from Goodale is pretty good at that one corner, but the plan falls apart as you approach 670. Just as a preliminary study, I looked at employing a more urban block system on the site. If you could connect the Goodale connector bridge to the site it would really make for better access and utilization of the existing light. 10.6ac of developable parcels, .61 acres of active green space (not including the existing riparian zones and vegetated embankments that encompass the site)

 

Nice work. Much better site plan and it probably took you 10 minutes lol.

 

I don't get why the connection to Grand Central curves around the parking garage, instead of continuing straight and linking up at the 315/Goodale light. Then the outlet is between that light and another existing light at Michigan/Goodale. Why not hook into that light? Also, they really should be building a multi-use trail along the east side of the Olentangy here. You shouldn't have to cross the street here to get to the Goodale Connector, then ride down the west side of the river and then have to cross the river again at some point to get to downtown.

 

Other than that, glad to hear the commission's concerns. Way too much surface parking. Not enough height, and apparently no retail at all. At least a coffee shop and cafe should be there for residents and employees for breakfast/lunch. Maybe that's what the community center thing is all about, but IDK. I think White Castle needs to contact Borror or Kaufman to get this project where it should be.

^Connecting to Michigan would require a bridge over the exit ramp from 315, probably something White Castle doesn't want to pay for.

^Connecting to Michigan would require a bridge over the exit ramp from 315, probably something White Castle doesn't want to pay for.

 

A more substantial project could provide more TIF revenue to pay for better infrastructure. This site plan is a pedestrian nightmare.

So White Castle is obviously working with Elford on this project, but seeing the proposal I wish they would have just contracted with Kaufman who did the 600 Goodale project across the street.

 

600 Goodale is cheap, look at it in depth. Maybe they could've worked with the same architect, but not the same developer. Elford builds quality and builds to last, they are a great choice.

So White Castle is obviously working with Elford on this project, but seeing the proposal I wish they would have just contracted with Kaufman who did the 600 Goodale project across the street.

 

600 Goodale is cheap, look at it in depth. Maybe they could've worked with the same architect, but not the same developer. Elford builds quality and builds to last, they are a great choice.

 

It is cheap. Pressure treated framing on the underside of the balconies is clearly visible in Google Streetview.  :-/

So White Castle is obviously working with Elford on this project, but seeing the proposal I wish they would have just contracted with Kaufman who did the 600 Goodale project across the street.

 

600 Goodale is cheap, look at it in depth. Maybe they could've worked with the same architect, but not the same developer. Elford builds quality and builds to last, they are a great choice.

 

It is cheap. Pressure treated framing on the underside of the balconies is clearly visible in Google Streetview.  :-/

 

It looks worse in person.

Broke out the posts about this White Castle HQ site redevelopment proposal from the Random Developments thread to create this stand-alone thread.

I noticed nobody posted this rendering of the proposed new White Castle HQ building.  It's the one part of this preliminary plan I wouldn't mind seeing retained.

 

 

Downtown Commission Approves New White Castle Headquarters Building

 

 

A new White Castle Headquarters building at 555 W. Goodale St. was approved by the Downtown Commission on Tuesday. The four-story building will be the first of many constructed on the 15-acre site, although plans for future buildings will have to be brought back to the commission.

 

 

In addition to the building itself, also included in this round of approvals is a two-level rear parking garage, a new road network to provide access to the site from Goodale, and an amphitheater-like green space that will serve as a front lawn of sorts for the new headquarters building.

 

 

More below:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/downtown-commission-approves-new-white-castle-headquarters-building-bw1

 

 

Demolition has begun on the rear of the existing building.

Didn't White Castle start in Chicago?

 

Didn't White Castle start in Chicago?

 

 

Wichita, KS, HQ has been in Columbus since 1933.  McDonald's was originally franchised in Chicago.

For some reason, I thought it was based in Columbus but when I went in one all I saw were historic White Castle photos from Chicago.

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/05/23/exclusive-white-castle-shares-new-renderings-of.html

 

White Castle shares new renderings of $65M headquarters, mixed-use development

 

The "small city" White Castle is building near the Arena District will let the company adapt and grow with Columbus, its leaders say.

 

White Castle will break ground Thursday on the dramatic $65 million redevelopment of its 555 W. Goodale Blvd. corporate headquarters, converting it from an aging office building into a 21-acre mixed-use development with 250 apartments, 175,000 square feet of office space, a community center and an amphitheater.

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2018/05/23/exclusive-white-castle-shares-new-renderings-of.html

 

White Castle shares new renderings of $65M headquarters, mixed-use development

 

The "small city" White Castle is building near the Arena District will let the company adapt and grow with Columbus, its leaders say.

 

White Castle will break ground Thursday on the dramatic $65 million redevelopment of its 555 W. Goodale Blvd. corporate headquarters, converting it from an aging office building into a 21-acre mixed-use development with 250 apartments, 175,000 square feet of office space, a community center and an amphitheater.

 

It's better than the old site plan, but still kind of disappointing.  Still too much surface parking, still no real interaction with the river.  Still too much like a suburban office park. Still too short.

Yeah it could be more, but I think it's "okay-enough" given the location

I don't see why all those scrubby trees and brush along the Olentangy get saved. Save the biggest and best but the weedy stuff can go. This goes for most of the river in town.

^I have that same qualm with the Miami where it runs through Dayton. The current riverbank is just floodplain filled with weeds and a grassy levee. I know it's hard to sculpt these things but it would be great if Ohio's urban rivers could get properly landscaped, somehow. I know it's tricky with the Miami and Scioto/Olentangy since they regularly flood, but there has to be some precedent somewhere we could copy.

^I have that same qualm with the Miami where it runs through Dayton. The current riverbank is just floodplain filled with weeds and a grassy levee. I know it's hard to sculpt these things but it would be great if Ohio's urban rivers could get properly landscaped, somehow. I know it's tricky with the Miami and Scioto/Olentangy since they regularly flood, but there has to be some precedent somewhere we could copy.

 

Um... the Scioto Greenway?

^I have that same qualm with the Miami where it runs through Dayton. The current riverbank is just floodplain filled with weeds and a grassy levee. I know it's hard to sculpt these things but it would be great if Ohio's urban rivers could get properly landscaped, somehow. I know it's tricky with the Miami and Scioto/Olentangy since they regularly flood, but there has to be some precedent somewhere we could copy.

 

Um... the Scioto Greenway?

 

I really wish they would complete/extend it north to include the Confluence park area. Beyond that, I don't see anything but maybe some clearing/thinning along the riverbanks if there is some parkland there. But they really should finish it up to and including the confluence. Put a connecting pedestrian bridge spanning the Scioto to make it a circuit also.

White Castle Breaks Ground at “The Reach on Goodale” Development

 

 

After 84 years in their headquarters at 555 W. Goodale St., White Castle is ready for some new digs. A groundbreaking ceremony is taking place this afternoon to kick off construction on the first phase of development, which has been officially named “The Reach on Goodale.”

 

“We realize that it’s really important to have a name that gives us a sense of place,” explained Jamie Richardson, VP of Government and Shareholder Relations at White Castle, describing the location as connecting the areas between Downtown Columbus and Grandview Yard. “This is going to be our home for White Castle, but we also needed a great expression of what others get to experience when they call this their own home.”

 

More below:

https://www.columbusunderground.com/white-castle-breaks-ground-at-the-reach-on-goodale-development-we1

 

 

 

I hope all those apartments come with Crave Case delivery chutes!

The more I look at it the more it looks like a lost opportunity and more like a small suburban office park somewhere in the far north of Dallas.  And to think this and 600 Goodale are actually within the downtown district boundaries and this is all we get? smh,

^It's a weird, isolated pocket of downtown surrounded by freeways and railroads. Even walking to Grandview Yard is an uncomfortable journey. I don't think any building design can get over these obstacles.

 

I think the building is OK on it's own.

Maybe if the area to the south gets more built up it won't be on it's own as much.

Edited February 15, 20205 yr by GCrites80s

^It's a weird, isolated pocket of downtown surrounded by freeways and railroads. Even walking to Grandview Yard is an uncomfortable journey. I don't think any building design can get over these obstacles.

 

I think the building is OK on it's own.

 

Some sort of separation to get people under the railroad tracks without having to be next to zooming traffic would mitigate the issue. Probably a tunnel. There would still be two wide roads that must be forded though.

The more I look at it the more it looks like a lost opportunity and more like a small suburban office park somewhere in the far north of Dallas.  And to think this and 600 Goodale are actually within the downtown district boundaries and this is all we get? smh,

 

If Schottenstein didn't back out(like they so often do) so quick on the "Grand Central" development this project would look a lot better.  You would've essentially had no break in the streetscape outside of the highway overpasses and the bridge to Olentangy (which is about 1/10th of a mile total) between downtown and Grandview Yard.

There is more height and density in Dublin's Bridge Street project.  This is pathetic.

^I have that same qualm with the Miami where it runs through Dayton. The current riverbank is just floodplain filled with weeds and a grassy levee. I know it's hard to sculpt these things but it would be great if Ohio's urban rivers could get properly landscaped, somehow. I know it's tricky with the Miami and Scioto/Olentangy since they regularly flood, but there has to be some precedent somewhere we could copy.

 

This "scrubby stuff" is what holds the river banks together. This section of the Olentangy is not an "urban river"

The path should always stay clear and the adjacent vegetation maintained, but there is no reason to obstruct the habitat space and vegetation that prevents erosion and keeps the Olentangy River more wildlife-friendly in this area. We have a healthier river corridor because of these vegetated banks. Don't overlook that for your anthropocentric need for an orderly landscape everywhere you deem "yours"

edit: the necessary changes were made to the previous post

Edited February 15, 20205 yr by GCrites80s