hmmm, not so sure  I like it.  I think it has been said before, it looks like you took sububia and plopped it down right into the core of downtown

I wouldn't say "suburbia" but I think its dumb to try and create a village there. If they're going to do that, I'd like to see something like Victorian Village but with almost no setbacks.

 

Edit: Thats weird...it looks much less dense from the birds eye view.

It's a very abrupt change from Downtown's skyscrapers, for sure.  I think I'd like it, if it was either done outside the Innerbelt, or maybe on the outer southside of downtown.

Edwards said that by employing residential construction methods, such as wood frames instead of steel frames, costs can be better contained.

 

Hmm...

 

Edwards said that by employing residential construction methods, such as wood frames instead of steel frames, costs can be better contained.

Columbus is not Cleveland!

 

 

Hey David, 

 

I like the scale, density, and use of green space in this development, though I'm not sure what you mean by " Columbus is not Cleveland! "  Can you please explain?

 

 

I just came from downtown Columbus for the first time after attending a job inteview and I had time to walk through the downtown and saw construction of this place..I knew about this site and found this thread.Is this building going to look like that awsome looking rendering I saw eariler in this thread whith the digital signs and stuff?? If it is thats the most awsome freakin thing Ive seen in awhile in Ohio..Its like a Mini times square..Is that how its going to look or have things changed?

The renderings still look very cool...

 

thx for the pix and rendering --- man it's so nice to see the utter crap that was on that corner being replaced.

I may be moving to columbus and working downtown, it'll be great to see this thing everyday..BTW I was very impressed overall with Columbus, the place have changed alot since last time Ive been there.

 

I found the website and was intrigued by this statement,

 

"This promises to be the only permitted “Times Square” type of graphic presentation in the Midwest. With only eight “slots” available it provides a unique opportunity for high level corporate identification and exposure."

 

They say it as if no one else will be allowed to do it..

^Well in Cincinnati they had to do some finagling in order to get the video board put up on top of Macy's (overlooking Fountain Square).  One stipulation is that they can not use it for advertising.  So, I don't know if most cities have this same thing or not.

Advertising gets animated at Broad and High corner

 

Beer, groceries, phone service and medical care are the latest commodities that will be marketed in flashing images at the center of downtown Columbus this fall, when a $22 million redevelopment at High and Broad streets is completed.  The president of the company putting the advertisements together says it could mark a change in the direction of his company. 

 

Peter D. Scantland and his Orange Barrel Media, long known for their enormous wallscape ads that attract the attention of passers-by and raised the ire of government transportation officials, have secured four more sponsors for a series of light-emitting diode, or LED, screens that will adorn the buildings at 2-8 E. Broad St.

 

Full story at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/07/16/story5.html?b=1184558400^1490458

Auction set for Modern Finance building

BY BRIAN R. BALL | COLUMBUS BUSINESS FIRST

August 10, 2007

 

Changes to the Gay Street corridor in downtown Columbus may hold promise for a century-old office building scheduled to be sold at an auction.  Gay Street Office Property LLC, which for eight years has owned 11 E. Gay St., plans to sell the four-story, 21,000-square-foot building Sept. 26.  It has been about three years since primary tenants WorldCom Wireless and Modern Finance Co. vacated the building.

 

East Gay between North High and North Third streets has become a hub of activity lately.  At the Third Street end, the Renaissance Columbus hotel and Carlyles Watch condominium project anchor a commercial strip that has added the Due Amici restaurant. The former Buckeye Federal building in the middle of the block is being converted to a Residence Inn hotel.  "People are really appreciating Gay Street as an urban environment," said developer Don DeVere, who has renovated the Ruggery office building at 22 E. Gay and a housing and office property at 15 E. Gay.  While the Columbus developer acknowledged he might be a "logical buyer" of the Modern Finance building, other projects likely will keep him on the sidelines. "We kind of have our plate full," DeVere said.

 

The building has two finished offices on the first floor and about six offices on the second floor, according to Ohio Real Estate Auctions LLC, which is conducting the sale.  Best said the building has garnered some interest, including from downtown housing developers.  But they typically have sought contracts with long time frames for due diligence, he said, while the auction would force buyers to close by mid-November. "We'd prefer to have a quick sale," Best said.

 

The construction and redevelopment at Broad & High keeps pluggin along.  Here's a photo I took yesterday afternoon.  The exterior insulation is starting to enclose all the exterior facades.  On the North High portion to the left in the photo, the brick exterior facing is up to the roofline. 

 

 

 

And here is a rendering of the final product . . .

 

^Beautiful!

 

That is how you do contemporary, Cincinnati.

^Beautiful!

 

That is how you do contemporary, Cincinnati.

 

About 5% of that is done in the contemporary design...but it is simply gorgeous!

^Bingo!

In reality, I don't mind more when it is in the context of historic buildings or more traditional architecture: ie. CAC.

So then to do contemporary correctly is by actually not doing it...or at least on a very small scale?

^Not really on a small scale, rather a mix. That could mean a completely new building aside something traditional (like CAC, the portion with the NBC logo from above) or a design that reflects both (like the Aronoff Center).

 

Complete megablocks of modern crap is what I can't stand, nor substantial building that have such unsubstantial/cheap exterior materials.

^Not really on a small scale, rather a mix. That could mean a completely new building aside something traditional (like CAC, the portion with the NBC logo from above) or a design that reflects both (like the Aronoff Center).

 

Complete megablocks of modern crap is what I can't stand, nor substantial building that have such unsubstantial/cheap exterior materials.

 

Agreed...I just wanted clarification.

count me in, it's striking and clever. it's integrated. it incorporates media at the correct location. i like it. thx rider.

It is starting to look promising.  Glad everyone likes it. 

 

Broad & High isn't the largest or most expensive project in Downtown Columbus, but it might have the most positive impact. 

Only time will tell whether this works in downtown Columbus.  Personally, I don't like it.  8 E Broad looks okay, and am happy that the reuse as condos preserving an important building.  The ersatz Roy's Diamonds building is uninspired and the advertising on the top cheapens the entire project.  I really dislike that particular form of electronic signage  although it can look good in the right setting--this is just the wrong venue.  Looks disjointed and odd.  I haven't seen it in person yet, so maybe it'll look better then. It is funny that for decades the city did not want garish advertising, especially around the square, and now they are embracing it with such gusto. 

 

It is starting to look promising.  Glad everyone likes it. 

 

Broad & High isn't the largest or most expensive project in Downtown Columbus, but it might have the most positive impact.

 

Potentially a similar impact as the Fountain Square redevelopment.  Obviously this isn't a public square or gathering spot, but the impact could be similar economically speaking.

Construction update on the Edwards Companies Gay Street Neighborhood development from Brewmaster's Cap City Savvy blog.

 

Direct link:  http://capcitysavvy.com/2007/08/13/construction-update-gay-st-neighborhood/

 

Construction Update: Gay St. Neighborhood

So I’m on the record as being critical of this “neighborhood”, but I’m getting over it.  It is what it is.

 

Part of me is waiting to open up the paper and read that Jeff Edwards, the developer, has caved in to criticism from bloggers and has decided that there will be a few 5 and 6 story buildings full of cheap flats.  We can always dream.

 

Anyway, there’s a lot of low/medium-density neighborhood building going on behind the faux housing billboard.  Here are some pics…

 

 

Note the scale of this neighborhood next to the 34 story, 438 ft. tall Borden Building next door.

 

 

 

 

 

Nobody can argue that it’s not an upgrade over what was there though.  Bring on the progress!

 

~ by Eric on August 13, 2007.

 

 

I think that the vast/large amounts of surface parking are being overtaken by too much low density housing.  That is a huge area based on the website that appears as though it will have 2 to 3 story buildings on it.  Must have bought the properties extremely cheap to be able to go that low density in the downtown area. 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:  GAY STREET TWO-WAY CONVERSION

 

http://capcitysavvy.com/2007/08/14/construction-update-gay-st-2-way-conversion/

 

Construction Update: Gay St. 2-way Conversion

Gay St. definitely seems to be the darling of our city leaders of late, as it seems they’re trying to concentrate public dollars and create some momentum.  There were perks given to the Gay St. Neighorhood developers in the form of low interest loans, a new parking garage, and now…Extreme Makeover: Gay Edition!

 

 

More info on the project can be found http://pubserv.ci.columbus.oh.us/transportation/GayStreet/Default.htm

 

The idea is to calm traffic and create a more inviting, livable, ”people scaled” street.  All great stuff.  It shouldn’t be very contentious here either, as Gay St. isn’t a main auto thoroughfare.  A small handful of parking spots are being sacrificed, but if anyone is having any trouble finding a parking space in the downtown area, just consult this map at www.geturban.com/KyleEzell2.htm.

 

Here are a few snapshots of the project…

 

One of the “bump-outs” that will hold a tree planter and small patch of grass

 

 

 

Median being installed east of 4th St.

 

 

 

~ by Eric on August 14, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

*giggle* @ the title of this thread.

So much potential. The "goes both ways" angle alone...

So immature  :roll:

 

You can tell someone is new to Columbus by their reaction when you give directions to Gay & High!

 

 

 

Oh lighten up, it's Patriot Day!  :-P

Didn't realize 9/11 had been renamed Patriot Day.  I thought Patriot Day was that April Monday celebrated in Boston.

 

 

It's amazing how fast progress is happening. The brick facades going up on the High St side are looking very nice. They even used different kinds so that it doesn't look like it's the same development. Nice touch.

Another photo update and progress report for the Edwards Companies Gay Street residential development - this one from Columbus RetroMetro.  

 

Here's the link to the site:  http://columbusretrometro.typepad.com/

 

Photo of the Day: Bricks and Boulevards

This series was taken a week and a half ago but since I drive by the site almost daily, I felt the need to share some more progress on the NeighborhoodLaunch.com project on Gay Street. I wasn't aware they'd be moving so quickly. One newsworthy note is that they are reusing the brick for the building they just demolished (hence the picture of the brick piles which are currently being sorted and stacked a couple block to the north on Long St.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are some shots of the medians that are currently under construction on Gay St. as part of the process of returning the street to two-way traffic. Again, these shots are a week+ old and now the medians have dirt in them. Things are moving along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/09/17/story2.html 

 

Focus turns to Carlyles Watch

Developer sets auction for unsold condos

Business First of Columbus - September 14, 2007

by Brian R. Ball, Business First

 

The remaining condos at Carlyles Watch at 100 E. Gay St. downtown will go on sale via auction Oct. 28.

View Larger The developer of Carlyles Watch in Columbus will try to auction off 35 condos at the 10-story development in an effort to combat the drag of slow sales.

 

Paul Sherlock, a partner in Urban Loft Ventures I LLC, confirmed the Cleveland developer took the unsold condos in the 54-unit project off the Columbus Board of Realtors' multiple listing service as it prepares for an Oct. 28 auction. Urban Loft Ventures began closing on sales in February while construction continued on the upper floors of the building at 100 E. Gay St. Seventeen condos have been sold and two are in contract.

 

I think what they mean by re-using the brick is they are going to crush the brick and use it as a soil fill material for the structures.  I am sure that the brick was challenged structurally in the tear down process.  I don't believe an engineer would ever risk thier license to design something re-using the brick. 

From Columbus Retro Metro comes a link to 10TV about the upcoming Carlyles Watch condo auction. 

 

http://www.10tv.com/?story=sites/10tv/content/pool/200709/212983006.html

 

Downtown Condos To Go Up For Auction

Sep 18 2007 10:29PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio - An excess of high-priced condominiums is forcing developers to get creative.  A slowdown in the downtown condominium market is forcing developers to either drop prices or put them up for auction, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.  "I think we're going to sell them for less than what we hoped to sell them for," said Caryles Watch Condos developer Thomas Fortin.

 

Fortin is auctioning 34 one and two bedroom condos inside his Gay Street Condos, Landers reported.  Eight of the lofts will not have a minimum bid, Fortin said.  That means that no matter what someone bids, the developer will accept it. 

 

Realtor Larry Schottenstein blames the condo cool down on slower sales in the suburbs.  "If they can't sell their home in Dublin, they aren't going to move downtown," Schottenstein said.  Colleen Gilger, the city's downtown development director, said that developers need to lower prices so that condo sales can pick up. "We definitely have more inventory at a higher price point and there's definitely a need for more downtown housing at a variety of price points," Gilger said.

 

Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.

 

Link to Download Cartwell Auction Flier - http://columbusretrometro.typepad.com/columbus_retrometro/files/chartwellauction.pdf

An auction is a very different way of selling a condo.  I wonder how true the issue with selling a condo downtown being linked to being able to sell the suburban home, really is.  If this is the case and the condo builders along with many "urbanaut" groups want people to move downtown maybe they should buy up those homes with a non-profit and re-sell them to get people moving into the condos.  This might increase the excitement, or buzz, level of this neo-traditional life style.

 

Also, does anyone know if this development will have any affordable housing?  I notice that many condo builders promote downtown living as a way to live more eco-friendly and what not but there always seems to be a lack of affordable housing.  I know the property is of prime value but as all good urban promoters know disperal of income leads to better results, of course I over generalize here.

Also, does anyone know if this development will have any affordable housing?

 

The Carlyles Watch was built as a market rate residential development (i.e. no subsidized units).  However, if someone gets a unit at a low auction price, it'll be very "affordable"!  (see the auction flier below)

 

Downtown condos up for auction

Thursday,  September 27, 2007 3:58 AM

By Mike Pramik and Debbie Gebolys

The Columbus Dispatch

 

The developers of a Downtown condominium building plan to offer many of the units at auction next month, a fire sale that reveals at least some cracks in the urban housing market.  Partners in Urban Loft Ventures say they want to sell 24 of the 54 units at Carlyles Watch, 100 E. Gay St., at auction on Oct. 28.  The reason: They need money to pay off lenders and don't want to hold units that they can't sell. So far, only 19 of the units have sold or are in contract in the eight-story building at the corner of Gay and 3rd streets that was completed in early 2007.

 

Read more at http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/09/27/Condo_auction.ART_ART_09-27-07_A1_FN81AQN.html?sid=101

Modern Finance Building Auctioned Off

 

Link to the auction website: http://www.ohiorealestateauctions.com/09-26-071.htm

 

 

 

Via the columbusretrometro blog:

"And I was beginning to think is would never happen but thanks to Eric over at Cap City Savvy we are know in-the-know about the Modern Finance building on the southeast corner of Gay St. and N. High St.

 

Given the fact that this building was sitting around for around $1,000,000 for some time for well over a year, this auction ended up getting the owner more than it had been listed for. It will be curious to see how the Carlyles Watch auction goes on October 28th after witnessing these results."

 

Link: http://capcitysavvy.com/2007/09/26/i-hear-8008-an-a-quarter850/

Eric Wittine

Cap City Savvy

September 26, 2007

 

I hear 800…8 an’ a quarter…850…

Ever been to an auction where someone dropped over $1 mil? Neither have I, until today that is.

 

A friend and I were eating at Cafe Brioso when we noticed the commotion across the street at the Modern Finance Building. There was actually an auction for the building set for noon so we decided to stroll over and check it out. Absolutely the most fun I’ve had during lunch in awhile. Here’s a shot of what the scene looked like…

 

 

Total wuss move by me to watch from the other side of the glass walls in the atrium, but I was completely petrified that the auctioneer (center) was going to interpret my camera phone snapshot for a million dollar bid.

 

Anyway, the room was fairly full, but things just kept bouncing back and forth between two bidders. One of them dropped off at around $1.3 million appearing to let the other have it. In an exciting finish, a group of indian men from Atlanta (pictured in the blue shirt - far left) ended up joining the fun at the end for a cool $1.375 million.

 

Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed and hope they turn around and develop it quickly.   That corner (High and Gay) is too valuable an address to let things sit idle.  The ground floor is perfect for retail, and I’m thinking a few more stories can probably be stacked on top.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope it's a CHEESECAKE FACTORY!!!

 

*wink wink* ;)

Gay St just keeps getting better and better.

By definition, it should be the happiest street in town!

The Dispatch catches up to the sale of the Modern Finance Building at the southeast corner of Gay & High in Downtown Columbus with this story . . .

 

Gay St. building sold at auction

$1.5 million deal could help drive street's revival

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

By Mike Pramik, THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

An abandoned office building could become a cornerstone of a renovated Gay Street if its buyer follows through with planned improvements.  Out-of-state investors offered the winning bid of nearly $1.5 million for the four-story building at 1 E. Gay St., the former headquarters of Modern Finance and also a Dollar Federal Savings Bank office.  The circa-1900 building was empty for two years after being abandoned by two bankrupt companies, Modern Finance and WorldCom.  Bob White, principal broker with Prudential Cres Commercial Real Estate, said the bidders are "a father and two sons out of Atlanta."  He declined to identify them pending the closing of the deal.

 

Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2007/10/09/AUCTION.ART_ART_10-09-07_B04.html?sid=101

Some new pix (October 12, 2007).  Really starting to take shape here.  I really like the old style brick framing around the windows and, yes, they are windows that actually open and let in fresh air (at least as fresh as urban air can be).

Looks good.

Thanks Noozer.  Great looking pics of a great looking project. 

 

I'm glad you got some detail shots of the corner building (i.e. the Roy's Jewelers replacement building) and the 8 E. Broad Street Building (i.e. the 16-story tower with the stone front). 

 

That pic of the corner building's upper facade facing High Street looks beautiful.  The quality of the brick and stone detailing is surpassing what was indicated on the project's renderings.  And how about the restoration of the stone front on the 16-story tower!  The project developers are doing a superb job so far at Broad & High.

Yes.  I am very impressed with that stone work on 8 East Broad.  You never know how beautiful such work is sometimes until decades of crud are cleaned off.  Both of these buildings are going to be prime addresses for retail, office and residential.

 

All it needs is a streetcar stop!