August 5, 20222 yr 13 minutes ago, Mogilny89 said: The off centeredness of that sign is going to drive my OCD crazy. I actually felt the opposite - centering the sign would drive me crazy. Normally i like center but I actually like that it will be right-aligned in that location. :)
August 5, 20222 yr 3 minutes ago, NightNectar said: I actually felt the opposite - centering the sign would drive me crazy. Normally i like center but I actually like that it will be right-aligned in that location. :) I agree. The building isn't symmetrical, so, it being in the center would look weird.
August 5, 20222 yr 17 hours ago, PizzaScissors said: Hi Now we just need something to replace that Drury!
August 5, 20222 yr Someone on here mentioned a few months ago that they thought there was going to be some chemical wash that would help create more uniform coloring on the terra cotta and black panels. Do we think that is still something that will be done?
August 5, 20222 yr 14 minutes ago, Mogilny89 said: Someone on here mentioned a few months ago that they thought there was going to be some chemical wash that would help create more uniform coloring on the terra cotta and black panels. Do we think that is still something that will be done? They've been going up and down the sides of the building doing something - maybe its window washing or maybe that's it.
August 5, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, Mogilny89 said: Someone on here mentioned a few months ago that they thought there was going to be some chemical wash that would help create more uniform coloring on the terra cotta and black panels. Do we think that is still something that will be done? They've been working on that in stages. It'll never be perfectly uniform, but the variation has lessened significantly where they've treated the panels.
August 16, 20222 yr Not really surprising. It’s still getting close, though. Hilton Columbus Downtown tower opening delayed as team races to finish “The Hilton Columbus Downtown has slightly delayed its opening as hundreds of new staff members quickly get trained and prepare the new hotel tower for guests. The 28-story, 463-room tower will be open to guests on Sept. 11, following about three years of construction on the project, said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. A grand opening celebration, previously scheduled for Aug. 29, has also been delayed. It will now take place Sept. 8. The Ohio Dental Association is among the first groups that will arrive once the property opens. Then, on Sept 17, the hotel will welcome the International City/County Management Association for its first sell-out. “They’ll occupy the entire hotel,” Brown said. “That’s a big deal for us.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/16/hilton-columbus-downtown-opening-september.html
August 16, 20222 yr The final Hilton sign at the top of the tower (on the south side) is installed as of today.
August 16, 20222 yr 2 hours ago, PizzaScissors said: The final Hilton sign at the top of the tower (on the south side) is installed as of today. Kinda odd there’s no signage on the west side.
August 17, 20222 yr 19 hours ago, amped91 said: Not really surprising. It’s still getting close, though. Hilton Columbus Downtown tower opening delayed as team races to finish “The Hilton Columbus Downtown has slightly delayed its opening as hundreds of new staff members quickly get trained and prepare the new hotel tower for guests. The 28-story, 463-room tower will be open to guests on Sept. 11, following about three years of construction on the project, said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority. A grand opening celebration, previously scheduled for Aug. 29, has also been delayed. It will now take place Sept. 8. The Ohio Dental Association is among the first groups that will arrive once the property opens. Then, on Sept 17, the hotel will welcome the International City/County Management Association for its first sell-out. “They’ll occupy the entire hotel,” Brown said. “That’s a big deal for us.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/16/hilton-columbus-downtown-opening-september.html Playing video games as a hobby has made me expect delays with literally anything these days. I think the biggest news here is that they've already sold out the entire hotel for a conference. That's enormous news. That was exactly the point of this entire thing and having one 10 days after the place officially opens is a great sign for more events coming to the hotel and convention center in the coming years.
August 17, 20222 yr 1 hour ago, TIm said: Playing video games as a hobby has made me expect delays with literally anything these days. I think the biggest news here is that they've already sold out the entire hotel for a conference. That's enormous news. That was exactly the point of this entire thing and having one 10 days after the place officially opens is a great sign for more events coming to the hotel and convention center in the coming years. I feel for the workers, that is a sh*tload of business right away. Hopefully most of them have experience or have been training enough.
August 17, 20222 yr 42 minutes ago, VintageLife said: I feel for the workers, that is a sh*tload of business right away. Hopefully most of them have experience or have been training enough. Yes from what I’ve seen and heard new Hotels and Restaurants in particular have almost all been having horrific openings. Hiring and training is still chaotic and rushed industry wide. I went to a opening last week and it was clear from start to finish this place was not ready for the crowds but still decided to pack the place full. But it’s good sign that they decided to slow down a bit. Edited August 17, 20222 yr by 646empire
August 17, 20222 yr 27 minutes ago, 646empire said: Yes from what I’ve seen and heard new Hotels and Restaurants in particular have almost all been having horrific openings. Hiring and training is still chaotic and rushed industry wide. I went to a opening last week and it was clear from start to finish this place was not ready for the crowds but still decided to pack the place full. But it’s good sign that they decided to slow down a bit. Might be a bit better with it being attached to an already functioning Hilton.
August 20, 20222 yr Look/design/aesthetic wise how do you feel about the Hilton tower in Cleveland compared to our Hilton tower? I really don’t have a strong opinion I’m just curious what others think.
August 20, 20222 yr I think they both suit their context well and would look out of place if switched The all glass cleveland hilton looks great and contrasts well with the brutalist justice center and more traditional key tower marriott Similarly I think the terra cotta/ glass mix of our hilton 2.0 fits in nicely next to the all glass hyatt, hilton 1.0, and the historic brick buildings nearby
August 22, 20222 yr I really like the mix of materials on the Columbus building. It seems pretty unique and one of kind. The variation of the "terracotta" and glass in an abstract pattern/design is eye-catching and adds color to the skyline. I also really like the base being so angular with all the glass rather than just a glass box. Both are great additions to their respective downtowns though.
August 23, 20222 yr I think the Columbus Hilton does a good job of making a nod to its context of the convention center with the High Street façade and the existing Hilton with the precast color and window patterning. Going with a purely glass form on that site likely would have felt out of place with the way the tower abuts the convention center. I also like that it's added some color to the Columbus skyline beyond the shades of beige and brown.
August 31, 20222 yr Seems like one set back after another for this tower. We sure this isn’t the one built on old burial grounds? 🧐 Hilton Columbus Downtown cancels ribbon cutting, but still plans to open on time after water damage “The new Hilton Columbus Downtown tower has canceled its planned Sept. 8 ribbon cutting event, but the team is still expecting to be ready to welcome guests on Sept. 11. Forty rooms on floors seven through 20 were damaged by water about 10 days ago, said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the hotel's owner. The damage cost the authority about $200,000, he said. But he said the tower should still be able to accommodate guests on Sept. 11, assuming all inspections and certifications are completed on time. Chris Coffin, the hotel's general manager, said the plan had always been to use the new tower only after the existing building was fully booked, which is how things will proceed starting the 11th. Coffin said they've canceled the ribbon cutting to remove any unnecessary distractions for the crews repairing the water damage and preparing the tower to open.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/31/downtown-columbus-hilton-still-plans-to-open-on-ti.html
August 31, 20222 yr 5 minutes ago, amped91 said: Seems like one set back after another for this tower. We sure this isn’t the one built on old burial grounds? 🧐 Hilton Columbus Downtown cancels ribbon cutting, but still plans to open on time after water damage “The new Hilton Columbus Downtown tower has canceled its planned Sept. 8 ribbon cutting event, but the team is still expecting to be ready to welcome guests on Sept. 11. Forty rooms on floors seven through 20 were damaged by water about 10 days ago, said Don Brown, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the hotel's owner. The damage cost the authority about $200,000, he said. But he said the tower should still be able to accommodate guests on Sept. 11, assuming all inspections and certifications are completed on time. Chris Coffin, the hotel's general manager, said the plan had always been to use the new tower only after the existing building was fully booked, which is how things will proceed starting the 11th. Coffin said they've canceled the ribbon cutting to remove any unnecessary distractions for the crews repairing the water damage and preparing the tower to open.“ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/31/downtown-columbus-hilton-still-plans-to-open-on-ti.html Yikes, $200,000 in damages, wonder if they rushed a little bit too much. Hopefully this thing doesn’t have problem after problem, once it opens.
September 14, 20222 yr I wasn’t able to grab a pic, but it looks like the Hilton’s crown lightning is finally online.
September 15, 20222 yr 21 hours ago, Kriegs said: I wasn’t able to grab a pic, but it looks like the Hilton’s crown lightning is finally online. Is the tower finally open?
September 15, 20222 yr If it is, someone needs to go update the Wikipedia page! Still has it listed as "under construction".
September 15, 20222 yr Definitely still work being done. They had said before they expected to be able to welcome guests Sept 11, but I haven’t heard if that happened. This weekend is supposed to be the big ICMA conference where the whole hotel was booked up.
September 15, 20222 yr 20 hours ago, columbus17 said: Is the tower finally open? The booking on the website is open and the first date I see available is September 21st, I would assume that is opening day.
September 16, 20222 yr I feel like they will definitely need to put up some type of barrier on the corner with how many people drive in the buildings in Columbus. Wish I was kidding. I could definitely see someone going right through this huge glass window.
September 16, 20222 yr 7 hours ago, 614love said: I feel like they will definitely need to put up some type of barrier on the corner with how many people drive in the buildings in Columbus. Wish I was kidding. I could definitely see someone going right through this huge glass window. It gives me anxiety just looking at it, thinking of someone barreling through there 😅
September 16, 20222 yr 10 hours ago, 614love said: I feel like they will definitely need to put up some type of barrier on the corner with how many people drive in the buildings in Columbus. Wish I was kidding. I could definitely see someone going right through this huge glass window. First snowflake of the year someone is going to slam on the gas to hit 70+ MPH and sail through that window.
September 16, 20222 yr 10 hours ago, 614love said: I feel like they will definitely need to put up some type of barrier on the corner with how many people drive in the buildings in Columbus. Wish I was kidding. I could definitely see someone going right through this huge glass window. I thought the same exact thing when I passed by there the other day. Anyway, the crown was lit last night:
September 16, 20222 yr Not bad. Although I thought the whole crown would be lit up and what I mean is what looks like the top two floors of the crown would be lit up with multiple colors so I think they missed out on an opportunity to truly light the top of that thing up but I’m not complaining.
September 17, 20222 yr Author I'm still surprised they didn't put the Hilton sign on the westside. Ya know, "the view" the skyline gets in postcards. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 18, 20222 yr On 8/16/2022 at 1:06 PM, amped91 said: Then, on Sept 17, the hotel will welcome the International City/County Management Association for its first sell-out. “They’ll occupy the entire hotel,” Brown said. “That’s a big deal for us.”’ https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/16/hilton-columbus-downtown-opening-september.html The new hotel tower apparently isn't ready... they bumped hundreds of guests to other downtown hotels for this conference (and are apparently paying for their stays in full). I was talking to someone earlier that is going to this conference and was moved to another hotel.
September 18, 20222 yr 12 minutes ago, .justin said: The new hotel tower apparently isn't ready... they bumped hundreds of guests to other downtown hotels for this conference (and are apparently paying for their stays in full). I was talking to someone earlier that is going to this conference and was moved to another hotel. Well that isn’t good
September 18, 20222 yr 13 hours ago, .justin said: The new hotel tower apparently isn't ready... they bumped hundreds of guests to other downtown hotels for this conference (and are apparently paying for their stays in full). I was talking to someone earlier that is going to this conference and was moved to another hotel. Dang, that’s too bad. The tower was pretty much just built for the purpose of attracting these big conferences and being able to offer 1,000 rooms in one hotel. Hopefully another chance comes along soon.
September 22, 20222 yr Sounds like the tower is open for guests, just too many visitors from the conference to hold them all there: ”The $264.5 million tower, whose 463 guest rooms make the Hilton Columbus Downtown the state's largest hotel, officially opened this month. This past weekend Columbus played host to a convention with more than 4,000 attendees — many of whom stayed in the new tower.” And another mention of the Convention Center train station: ”While the Hilton may be the last project Brown sees from start to finish, he hopes to help start the potential Amtrak station at the Greater Columbus Convention Centers before his successor takes over. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority envisions a two-level station at the center, near the intersection of High Street and Nationwide Boulevard. Brown said he has high hopes Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will throw his support behind the project, which he said could take three to five years to complete.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/09/22/hilton-columbus-downtown-don-brown-fccfa-retiring.html
September 22, 20222 yr 34 minutes ago, amped91 said: Sounds like the tower is open for guests, just too many visitors from the conference to hold them all there: ”The $264.5 million tower, whose 463 guest rooms make the Hilton Columbus Downtown the state's largest hotel, officially opened this month. This past weekend Columbus played host to a convention with more than 4,000 attendees — many of whom stayed in the new tower.” And another mention of the Convention Center train station: ”While the Hilton may be the last project Brown sees from start to finish, he hopes to help start the potential Amtrak station at the Greater Columbus Convention Centers before his successor takes over. The Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority envisions a two-level station at the center, near the intersection of High Street and Nationwide Boulevard. Brown said he has high hopes Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will throw his support behind the project, which he said could take three to five years to complete.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/09/22/hilton-columbus-downtown-don-brown-fccfa-retiring.html It’s nice he has confidence in DeWine to support Amtrak, but I’m at about .1% faith he will back it.
September 22, 20222 yr 5 hours ago, VintageLife said: It’s nice he has confidence in DeWine to support Amtrak, but I’m at about .1% faith he will back it. He's not really good at doing anything good. You've gotta get a developer or someone with a business background in to really push this stuff along - career politicians are just that and don't really care about trying to speed anything up or push something along.
September 30, 20222 yr This week’s CBF cover story is on the (in the process of) opening Hilton tower and its impact on the local tourism industry. Included is a gallery of over a dozen new pictures. OUR NEW TOURISM MAGNET “When 4,000 meeting planners from across the globe descend on Columbus in January – spending upwards of $20 million in just a few days – the city will have the Hilton Columbus Downtown expansion to thank for this boost in tourism. The new $264.5 million tower, which is opening after more than three years of construction, links with the first Hilton across High Street to give the state its only 1,000-room hotel. The new Hilton tower’s opening is a significant moment for the Columbus travel economy. Without the hotel addition, the Professional Convention Management Association would not have chosen Columbus as their host city in 2023, its organizers say. The much sought after conference could help Columbus generate hundreds of millions of dollars spent during events in the coming years.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/09/30/hilton-columbus-downtown-tower-opening-tour-price.html
September 30, 20222 yr Author Hilton Columbus Downtown: See inside the city's newest high-rise The journey to opening the new Hilton Columbus Downtown tower has been a difficult one, with construction delays and rising costs compounded by a late-in-the-game water damage issue prompting the cancellation of a planned mid-September opening celebration. But while the $264.5 million facility is still in its opening stages — guests can't yet call up and book a room, for instance, but some conference attendees have stayed there and events are being held — Columbus Business First recently got early access for a photo walk-thru of the newest addition to the downtown skyline. More below: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/09/30/hilton-columbus-downtown-photos-hotel-opening-fall.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
October 19, 20222 yr Author First Look: Hilton’s New Downtown Tower Columbus is now officially home to Ohio’s largest hotel after the 28-story Hilton Columbus Downtown tower opened to guests last month. The project has been described since it was first proposed as an expansion, since the new tower is connected via skybridge to the 532-room Hilton across High Street, which opened in 2012. Together, the two buildings contain 1,000 hotel rooms and a total of 858,000 square feet of space, including 75,000 square feet of meeting space, 22,000 square feet of pre-function space, and 40 different meeting and breakout rooms. A recent media tour of the building showcased the building’s lobby, a corner suite on the 14th floor, a fourth floor event space, and FYR, the hotel’s signature restaurant (which served its first diners last week). Still not open is Stories on High – which will be Columbus’ tallest rooftop bar when complete – and a planned grab-and-go market that will serve convention-goers as well as hotel guests. More below: https://columbusunderground.com/first-look-hiltons-new-downtown-tower-bw1/ "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 10, 20222 yr New Hilton Columbus Downtown tower should have all rooms open by late November “The opening of the Hilton Columbus Downtown tower has come in stages, as water damage to 40 rooms just before its scheduled opening pushed back timelines and forced the cancellation of the official ribbon cutting. But with five more floors coming online this week, the tower is now nearly completely available to guests. Only two floors remain unavailable for public use. Don Brown, executive director the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, the hotel's owner, said the last two floors — 27 and 28 — should be ready for use by Thanksgiving. The 28th floor is home to Stories on High, the rooftop restaurant and bar, which is still getting some finishing touches. There are no guest rooms on that floor, which will start hosting private parties in December and be open to the public in January.” https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/11/10/hilton-eyes-nov-25-for-full-occupancy.html
September 1, 20231 yr Building Columbus: Project of the Year good article on the new Hilton, found a section that caught my eye: “The authority secured financing for the expansion in January 2020, months before the pandemic hit. Brown said any later would likely have stalled the project.” pretty crazy how close this was to not getting built at all. Good thing it was because it seems to have been a success.
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