14 minutes ago, sono4315 said:

I wish something 25+ would go on the triangular grass lot at High and Nationwide.  

Nationwide should have never been approved for this five story suburban style office building. We all pretty much know the city will basically bend over backwards for anything they want though.  

1 minute ago, VintageLife said:

I don’t see why not, it’s pretty similar in size to the Hilton tower lot. 

Agreed, especially for a hotel or residential use where the width of a guestroom/unit floor can be fairly narrow (the AC hotel is a good example of how skinny a hotel floor can be since those rooms are not very deep). Something like office use could be more challenging since the square footage of each floorplate would be limited by the smaller footprint.

This was a 15 story proposal done back in 2014. I think realistically something in the 15-20 story range would be best for that area. 
 

 

https://columbusunderground.com/two-15-story-towers-proposed-at-convention-center/

Edited December 23, 2024Dec 23 by VintageLife

2 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

This was a 15 story proposal done back in 2014. I think realistically something in the 15-20 story range would be best for that area. 
 

 

https://columbusunderground.com/two-15-story-towers-proposed-at-convention-center/

 

Wasn't that before the parking garage was built and took up some space?

8 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

Wasn't that before the parking garage was built and took up some space?

I believe so, I think this had a garage at the bottom, so it wouldn’t look exactly like this but I still think 15-20 would be possible 

25 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I believe so, I think this had a garage at the bottom, so it wouldn’t look exactly like this but I still think 15-20 would be possible 

From Google earth, it looks like the footprint of the lot next to the convention center is a tad larger than the Le Meridien. Plus they have the parking already in place with the garage next door.  Just checked and theLe Meridien has 135 guest rooms.  

Edited December 23, 2024Dec 23 by sono4315

The crane is now almost as tall as the Hilton Tower.  

13 hours ago, sono4315 said:

The crane is now almost as tall as the Hilton Tower.  

We're now getting to the point where the actual massing is starting to take shape. The floorplates are also getting smaller, meaning we should see an increase in pace come spring (with winter the concrete is hard to cure properly without sensors and blankets - it's an insane job actually to monitor them all. I sat in on a presentation by the engineers that did this for both Hilton 2.0 and the flyover ramp and its a very heavily-watched operation).

16 hours ago, sono4315 said:

The crane is now almost as tall as the Hilton Tower.  

The angle makes the crane appear taller than it is. I was at Stories on High last night (bar at the top of the Hilton) and had a perfect view of merchant tower. We were higher than the crane by a decent amount. Next crane jump should put it about even though. Merchant tower is definitely making its presence known though!

It's actually hard to imagine the skyline prominently extending north past Nationwide Tower, but we won't just have one, but more like a cluster of buildings here. This section of the Arena District can basically feel seamless with downtown from a high-rise perspective!

Few shots taken this afternoon. 

On 12/28/2024 at 11:09 AM, columbus17 said:

We're now getting to the point where the actual massing is starting to take shape. The floorplates are also getting smaller, meaning we should see an increase in pace come spring (with winter the concrete is hard to cure properly without sensors and blankets - it's an insane job actually to monitor them all. I sat in on a presentation by the engineers that did this for both Hilton 2.0 and the flyover ramp and its a very heavily-watched operation).

There are three sections in height to the building. It seems the shorter of the three have almost topped out. 

View from the James at OSU. 
(I’m OK, just visiting a friend)
 

 

More angles I got today

1 hour ago, Kriegs said:

More angles I got today

 

You can see it pretty well now from the bridges over 670 on Grandview Ave too!

Update on The Merchant Building's completion from Rockbridge's Jim Merkel

 

The Merchant Building rising next to Columbus' North Market Downtown is on track to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026.
 

The Merchant Building will span 700,000 square feet and include 212 hotel rooms, 174 apartments, a 347-space parking garage and an additional 18,000 square feet of market space.
 

This will be the first luxury hotel in Columbus, Merkel said.

 

"With the recent announcements of large companies planting a flag here, it is crazy to me that we don't have one luxury hotel," Merkel said. "As a city we need to have that product and positioning as companies are looking to come here. Where they stay is their first impression of Columbus."

 

Both the city and Franklin County have contributed funds to the project. Franklin County's contribution included $5 million for a separate affordable housing project to be completed by the developers.

 

Merkel said work has begun on their portion of that commitment, but it was too early to say exactly where this project would be located or when construction might start.

So, uh, what's the "luxury" brand, Merkel?

33 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

Both the city and Franklin County have contributed funds to the project. Franklin County's contribution included $5 million for a separate affordable housing project to be completed by the developers.

 

Merkel said work has begun on their portion of that commitment, but it was too early to say exactly where this project would be located or when construction might start.

 

Interesting. This is the first I've heard of this. 

7 minutes ago, cbussoccer said:

 

Interesting. This is the first I've heard of this. 

It was reported on at some point. I remember seeing people complaining about it, saying it wasn’t good enough or something, not on this site but other places. 

23 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

So, uh, what's the "luxury" brand, Merkel?

I have a feeling it will just be another one of their own hotels, like the junto. They will just make it luxury. 

29 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

So, uh, what's the "luxury" brand, Merkel?

I'll cut the guy some slack and wait to see what he comes up with. But luxury is an easy word to throw around like every new apartment complex is now "luxury." 

Columbus still doesn't have a true luxury hotel and it hurts the convention business here. One next to the convention center is really needed and would work there, I feel.

Gotta beat CMR to that first 5-star. There is no way Dublin should have it over downtown.

6 minutes ago, columbus17 said:

Gotta beat CMR to that first 5-star. There is no way Dublin should have it over downtown.

I think that one is just going to be a boutique hotel, so probably more along the lines of Moxy and Junto. I didn’t see anything about it being a luxury hotel brand, just boutique 

31 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I think that one is just going to be a boutique hotel, so probably more along the lines of Moxy and Junto. I didn’t see anything about it being a luxury hotel brand, just boutique 

It will be 5-star though. *Bridge Park - not MB. Brain isn't working today.

Edited January 27Jan 27 by columbus17

I guess I must be out of touch, because I thought Hilton was luxury.

5 hours ago, GCrites said:

Columbus still doesn't have a true luxury hotel and it hurts the convention business here. One next to the convention center is really needed and would work there, I feel.

It makes sense why we never have though. It wouldn't be for the locals. We are a "wear your sweatpants out to dinner" type city. We have only recently been attracting business and people from all corners of the country.

5 minutes ago, PrestoKinetic said:

I guess I must be out of touch, because I thought Hilton was luxury.

Hilton does have luxury hotels, they just have well over a dozen different types of properties and we just don't have any of the fancy ones here. They are a solid hotel brand, their "worst" hotels are Hampton Inns and the new ones are honestly pretty nice.

Stopped by the North Market for lunch today (1/28/2025). Got a couple photos of the new tower on my way out. Part of the facade is starting to go up as well. 

Two quick photos from I-71.

 

 

Few hours ago at the Merchant 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, MayDay said:

Two quick photos from I-71.

 

Now let's fill in the gaps ;)

CbusOrBust with THE glow-up in photos!!!

13 hours ago, sono4315 said:

Now let's fill in the gaps ;)

The single story yellow brick office building across Spruce St would be perfect for redevelopment.

36 minutes ago, KyleofColumbus said:

The single story yellow brick office building across Spruce St would be perfect for redevelopment.

The howl at the moon building could also be replaced. That area still has so much space, I’m just not really sure it will ever be properly utilized. 

 

The Merchant Building from Grandview Ave bridge over 670

 

 

Oooooooh, she getting beefy! You'll be able to see it from most parts of 315 really soon, even the part that dips down near the soccer stadium.

 

Few more looks at the Merchant from earlier this afternoon 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Couple quick ones from Saturday afternoon

 

 

 

 

 

Couple quick ones from 3rd St looking over the Convention Center 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, CbusOrBust said:

 

Couple quick ones from 3rd St looking over the Convention Center 

 

 

 

How quickly are they knocking floors out?

1 hour ago, 614love said:

How quickly are they knocking floors out?

Well hopefully they are adding floors, not knocking them out!

 

 

/s

Horrible picture with the glare from the sun " I tried to edit it".  I need to get a pic in the late afternoon. This was taken from the Russell Street garage in Short North today.  I'll get better pics later today. 

Second pic was from Saturday, Seems like first of the three tiers of the building has topped out along with the elevator shaft of the second tier. Now work will focus on floors for the tallest part of the tower. I can't believe the expected completion date for this is at the end of this year! 

Edited February 25Feb 25 by sono4315

Any news on what hotel brand will be over the hotel? I would love to see something like a Shinola Hotel. Now let's start a new convention center hotel, Ritz, W, Four Seasons ;)

Edited February 25Feb 25 by sono4315

1 hour ago, sono4315 said:

Any news on what hotel brand will be over the hotel? I would love to see something like a Shinola Hotel. Now let's start a new convention center hotel, Ritz, W, Four Seasons ;)

I believe it will be an independent hotel by MAKEREADY, like the Junto, and not under a major brand.

2 hours ago, PizzaScissors said:

I believe it will be an independent hotel by MAKEREADY, like the Junto, and not under a major brand.

I haven’t had any of the restaurants in the Junto, other than the coffee shop, but damn did they do an amazing job on the lobby. If they do a higher end hotel and add some of the features of the Junto lobby, the place will be very popular. 

Few pics I took today while I had some extra time. 

 

Quick one from bridge over 670 on Grandview Ave

 

 

 

On 3/2/2025 at 9:38 PM, CbusOrBust said:

 

Quick one from bridge over 670 on Grandview Ave

 

 

 

Very happy for this building's contribution to the city and to the skyline, but man does it irk me how said skyline continues to get longer when viewed from the west. Can't wait for the Estrella to add some height in between Capitol Square and the Franklin County courthouse complex. 

2 hours ago, CMHOhio said:

Very happy for this building's contribution to the city and to the skyline, but man does it irk me how said skyline continues to get longer when viewed from the west. Can't wait for the Estrella to add some height in between Capitol Square and the Franklin County courthouse complex. 

Agree! Columbus has one of the most spread of skylines. Someone should do a rendering of all the buildings clustered together.