6 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Yeah, I’m kinda surprised they’re going for something decent with the exterior for something that will largely be hidden from view. 

I know at one point the parking lot in front of it was also going to be developed. Hopefully that is still part of the overall plan 

13 hours ago, VintageLife said:

I’m pretty sure it is this one in the yellow. 

If they are building this parking garage why not get rid of the 66 street level parking spaces and make that a parklet-plaza? They could always add a floor to the garage right? Some trees, flowers/shrubs, maybe some art or a fountain, some benches for sitting, a nice small bricked plaza-why not? We lack these kind of small intimate public places. It would look much better in front of that grand old building instead of a bunch of cars/blacktop.

13 hours ago, VintageLife said:

I know at one point the parking lot in front of it was also going to be developed. Hopefully that is still part of the overall plan 

Do you mean the 66 space lot? I did not see your post until after I posted.

8 minutes ago, Toddguy said:

Do you mean the 66 space lot? I did not see your post until after I posted.

Yes that is the one, but reading back through proposals, it doesn’t look like it will be removed. This project overall is a huge letdown from what it was supposed to be. I’m glad they saved the building, but it’s just not the same level anymore. It’s simplistic and boring. 
 

I agree that they could activate the garage better, and that it could be made nicer. It would be cool to have a little ally style retail in that area also. 

It's a garage so I'm not gonna spend to much time praising it but the stairwells throw the whole aesthetic off. Why not just brick the entire face or at least go with a different 'field brick custom blend' there? Or something more aestetic than exposed concrete. Ultimately, it's hidden so it's not a big deal bit still an odd choice. 

2 hours ago, VintageLife said:

Yes that is the one, but reading back through proposals, it doesn’t look like it will be removed. This project overall is a huge letdown from what it was supposed to be. I’m glad they saved the building, but it’s just not the same level anymore. It’s simplistic and boring. 
 

I agree that they could activate the garage better, and that it could be made nicer. It would be cool to have a little ally style retail in that area also. 

 

Well as long as they have no proposal, there remains the chance that it at some time will go from parking lot to parklet or small retail shopping lane(or combo of both), right? Better nothing than some crappy one floor nothing building that will be there for decades. Trying to see the silver lining here I guess.

22 hours ago, PrestoKinetic said:

 

I'm really feeling the "Field Brick Custom Blend". Sounds like a flavor of coffee.

 

Pretty good interview with Mike Kelley about the soon-to-reopen South Wind in Columbus Monthly. Some cool bits of information on the history and renovation of the motel. 
 

 

“What are some of the other design details that you’ve incorporated into the project?   

 

We really put a lot of thought and effort into the design details inside the rooms. We wanted each room to have a unique and boutique feel, with high quality and thoughtful finishes. We worked with a local furniture maker to have custom-made real walnut furniture in each unit, including a built-in desk, headboard, side tables and a closet wall. We tried to incorporate details to honor the midcentury roots, while also bringing in some contemporary touches. 

 

On the exterior portion of the building facing High Street, we replaced the painted plywood with real cedar wood, to restore the original material and look. We’ve cleaned up all the brick and stonework. All the windows are brand new, but we retained the historic aluminum window frames and just added screens to them, so guests are able to open their windows and get nice fresh air.“

https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/2022/06/01/south-wind-motel-given-new-life-prepares-reopen-next-month/7469192001/?fbclid=IwAR1Fq6SGuq28NkYv-SMjVsYOilfTm6IthkGma1HXoPQ2uvuRvrHZmaIJtzo#l3xr9xrs2j6vptmwsfc

 

In other Brewery District renovation news, Schiff’s redevelopment of the Copious site should go before City Council this month. 

Last night, City Council unanimously approved this project, after the BD recommended approval. 

 

German Village-area project from Schiff Capital to break ground this fall
 

 

“A seven-story mixed-use building proposed by Schiff Capital Group near German Village is set to break ground this fall. 

 

The project got final approval from Columbus City Council Monday.

 

The Pierre, as the building will be called, will have 72 units. The shell of the old Copious restaurant will be leased to a new tenant, said Schiff Capital CEO Michael Schiff.
 

The apartments will be a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Some affordable housing has been built into the project, but Schiff wasn't sure how many units would be affordable. He hopes to get residents in the building by spring of 2024.“

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/14/schiff-brewery-district-project.html

21 minutes ago, amped91 said:

Last night, City Council unanimously approved this project, after the BD recommended approval. 

 

German Village-area project from Schiff Capital to break ground this fall
 

 

“A seven-story mixed-use building proposed by Schiff Capital Group near German Village is set to break ground this fall. 

 

The project got final approval from Columbus City Council Monday.

 

The Pierre, as the building will be called, will have 72 units. The shell of the old Copious restaurant will be leased to a new tenant, said Schiff Capital CEO Michael Schiff.
 

The apartments will be a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Some affordable housing has been built into the project, but Schiff wasn't sure how many units would be affordable. He hopes to get residents in the building by spring of 2024.“

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/06/14/schiff-brewery-district-project.html

 

I am extatic that this proposal is coming to fruition without any major changes, particularly a height reduction. Can't wait to see it rise in the Brewery District and I hope this is the start of a trend of building taller on South High St. 

25 minutes ago, CMHOhio said:

 

I am extatic that this proposal is coming to fruition without any major changes, particularly a height reduction. Can't wait to see it rise in the Brewery District and I hope this is the start of a trend of building taller on South High St. 

South high has so much potential and I agree, hopefully this is the push it needs. It would also benefit from a road diet, doing any type of walking on south high is a nightmare, people drive 60+ mph, inches from the road. 

Edited June 14, 20223 yr by VintageLife

On 6/14/2022 at 2:50 PM, VintageLife said:

South high has so much potential and I agree, hopefully this is the push it needs. It would also benefit from a road diet, doing any type of walking on south high is a nightmare, people drive 60+ mph, inches from the road. 

Yes, This is beyond necessary. Something needs to change - wider sidewalks and extended corners for easier crossing. The city has been adding islands to most crosswalks and the one by Beck is in need. 

Looks like the rezoning and variance requests for the Whittier Peninsula project will be voted on next time Council meets in a couple weeks (6/27). 
 

Not BD, but the Driving Park/Livingston Ave project will also get a vote at that same meeting. 
 

I’m somewhat surprised about this getting a vote last night after Cbus Parks started a last minute push to drive public opposition to this development. I’m a bit split on the project. It’ll provide a lot more housing, but it’s sort of on an island, and I hope they’re able to do this in a way that doesn’t negatively impact the park. 
 

City approves North Carolina developer's plans for $250 million mixed-use project near Scioto Audubon Park

 

 

“Columbus City Council has approved a $250 million development that would transform the Whittier Peninsula.

 

North Carolina-based Zimmer Development Co. plans to build three, seven-story buildings at 142 W. Whittier St., near Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The land is owned by CSX Transportation Inc.

 

The development will have green roofs with vegetation, a 1.5-mile trail and 10 acres of green space, which will be open to the public.
 

Zimmer Development Co. also has plans to donate $1 million to the city to help build a pedestrian bridge near the site to connect the Brewery District to the park or make other improvements.”

 

- Each building will have about 260 units of 1 and 2 bedroom and studio apartments, with 10% at 80% AMI. 

- The developer plans to fund a new road to access the apartments from Whittier. They also plan to help with improvements at the Whittier and Front intersection. 

- The developer expects to break ground around the time next year for the first of three phases. 
 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/12/whitter-peninsula.html

51 minutes ago, amped91 said:

I’m somewhat surprised about this getting a vote last night after Cbus Parks started a last minute push to drive public opposition to this development. I’m a bit split on the project. It’ll provide a lot more housing, but it’s sort of on an island, and I hope they’re able to do this in a way that doesn’t negatively impact the park. 
 

City approves North Carolina developer's plans for $250 million mixed-use project near Scioto Audubon Park

 

 

“Columbus City Council has approved a $250 million development that would transform the Whittier Peninsula.

 

North Carolina-based Zimmer Development Co. plans to build three, seven-story buildings at 142 W. Whittier St., near Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The land is owned by CSX Transportation Inc.

 

The development will have green roofs with vegetation, a 1.5-mile trail and 10 acres of green space, which will be open to the public.
 

Zimmer Development Co. also has plans to donate $1 million to the city to help build a pedestrian bridge near the site to connect the Brewery District to the park or make other improvements.”

 

- Each building will have about 260 units of 1 and 2 bedroom and studio apartments, with 10% at 80% AMI. 

- The developer plans to fund a new road to access the apartments from Whittier. They also plan to help with improvements at the Whittier and Front intersection. 

- The developer expects to break ground around the time next year for the first of three phases. 
 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/12/whitter-peninsula.html

I would like it a lot more if their design was better. The buildings look like sh*t and could have been a lot better. If they end up actually building the pedestrian bridge, that will be a great addition though. 

Are there updated renderings or material information? We haven't seen anything in over a year on it so maybe(?) There are some changes.

 

 

I really don’t mind the design of the buildings. They kinda remind me of Gravity 1.0. 
 

The Dispatch has a more extensive write up on the drama between Parks and Council. 
 

 

“The Columbus City Council unanimously passed a zoning change Monday evening, setting in motion the approval process for a 750-apartment complex on private land adjacent to Downtown's Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

 

The vote, however, came after council members expressed dismay with Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks for not agreeing to cede a strip of park land that city officials say is needed for a new entrance to accommodate 1.5 million additional car trips a year to and from the project.

 

The dispute puts the city and park system on a collision course that could ultimately force part of that new traffic flow — some 4,100 trips a day on average — through a road that winds through the center of the park. That's because a narrow strip of the parcel would only accommodate a one-way entrance, meaning all residents would at least exit through the two-way park road, Maier Place.

 

Several council members pointed a finger back at Moloney for standing in the way of a traffic solution that would pave the way for providing new housing — including a voluntary 10% of the units designated as "affordable." despite no requirement to do so because the property isn't in a zone to qualify for what have become routine city property-tax abatements for similar buildings. For six months, they have pushed for the parks district to sell an easement allowing for the one-way entrance to accommodate two-way traffic.“

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2022/07/12/columbus-metro-parks-fight-over-apartments-near-scioto-aububon/10026987002/

 

Such a ridiculous cluster for a mediocre at best project on such a prime piece of property adjacent to one of Columbus's best assets. 

 

Edit: Mediocre at best, HEAVILY CAR DEPENDENT urban core project 

Edited July 12, 20222 yr by DTCL11

 

 

I'm probably a bit behind, but we're talking about the area in red, right?  Train tracks are highlighted in yellow.  I've put a blue arrow in the bottom right where the only entrance/exit is.

12 minutes ago, DarkandStormy said:

 

Have to agree with council on this. If the developers are offering to building something in another location, to replace the land needed for a road, let them do it. 

Edited July 12, 20222 yr by VintageLife

2 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

Such a ridiculous cluster for a mediocre at best project on such a prime piece of property adjacent to one of Columbus's best assets. 

 

Edit: Mediocre at best, HEAVILY CAR DEPENDENT urban core project 

To play devil's advocate, the site is bound by a public park on three sides and a private rail line on the fourth.  Without spoiling the park further by adding additional public transit access, I don't really know how to make it not car dependent without forcing residents to walk, like, a mile in either direction to get access to public transit.   Due to it's location within a public park, it's likely going to require car trips to support any commercial development within the development.  While I, personally, think the development is underwhelming, I also think we should realize that a dense mixed use building relying solely on pedestrian and public transit access in Columbus park, with the closest bus stop being over a mile away, may not be the most successful plan and may not be realistic for the site.  

You're not wrong. And that speaks to how Columbus is failing on so many levels. That we need to stop saying 'well, these are the reasons it just has to be this way' while we bend over backwards to make sure it is convenient for drivers at the cost of parks, pedestrians, bikes, busses, etc. This has the opportunity to be something amazing but all parties are complacent in the existing circumstances and not actively working to take the opportunity for a better master plan for the site for residents, the park, and businesses. The city also has roads with right of ways that can be collaboratively addressed with the railroad.  A singular parking structure with a vehicle bridge connection to Sycamore etc. Eliminating the middle road altogether for a shared road along the tracks the city owns and maintains to avoid potential state laws preventing the sale etc. Bringing back the cbus which stopped just 3 blocks away (with pedestrian bridge), adding a private shuttle like University Village, and so on. 

 

The list is extensive as to the collaborative options to provide something better, which is where I stand in that we will end up with a mediocre at best, Car dependent development when we don't have to have it that way at all. 

 

I'd rather see this sit vacant for another 10 years then end up with this. 

^It's a symptom of not having nodes due to lack of rail transit. Without nodes things happen willy-nilly like this.

I understand the symptoms. It's 80 years of bad policy. I can rant for days about the city, COTA, ODOT, and it's transportation policies.

 

But at this point, I'm much ragier and  closer to not giving a you know what and banning cars and parking than I am to 'its reasonable that we should expect 765 units to increase trips by an average of 4100 per day on the penisula a stones throw from downtown, a major grocery store with pharmacy, mutiple bus routes, and the most significant bike path in the city'... and just being like, 'well, it is what it is because of what it is'. That's almost 5.5 trips per day per unit and 1.3 parking spaces per unit. 

 

'Well, some of those units will include multiple residents and multiple cars and blah blah blah.'  

 

I just don't care about the case for cars for this project, or any within the core as untold thousands go without cars and manage the terrible public transit as is on a daily basis. We just discount it because it's the unseen poor neighborhoods and we are apologetic about new apartments adjacent to downtown that they might be inconvenienced by not having easy access to parking and in and out? They might have to go a little farther for transit than just outside their door? And the more we continue to be apologetic about decades of failed policy, the more the city and developers stay complacent. Yes, there are solutions to fix the in and out and I'd be more lenient, again, if it was a worthwhile project with a 'whole of peninsula' approach but its not. Apartments for the sake of apartments in this location while single handedly blaming the parks for not ceding to cars is not it for me.

 

Again, there are solutions thay will better both, but to end up with the same lackluster development in the end? No thanks. 

 

I've said it more often on the COTA thread but the absolute absurdity of the car dependency of this city and its clear lack of urgency for transit overhaul is my number one detractor for Columbus and the top reason why I'm considering living anywhere else.   

 

And no more chicken and egg stuff. No more 'we need to have the options first'..  Time's up. 

Edited July 12, 20222 yr by DTCL11

6 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

I understand the symptoms. It's 80 years of bad policy. I can rant for days about the city, COTA, ODOT, and it's transportation policies.

 

But at this point, I'm much ragier and  closer to not giving a you know what and banning cars and parking than I am to 'its reasonable that we should expect 765 units to increase trips by an average of 4100 per day on the penisula a stones throw from downtown, a major grocery store with pharmacy, mutiple bus routes, and the most significant bike path in the city'... and just being like, 'well, it is what it is because of what it is'. That's almost 5.5 trips per day per unit and 1.3 parking spaces per unit. 

 

'Well, some of those units will include multiple residents and multiple cars and blah blah blah.'  

 

I just don't care about the case for cars for this project, or any within the core as untold thousands go without cars and manage the terrible public transit as is on a daily basis. We just discount it because it's the unseen poor neighborhoods and we are apologetic about new apartments adjacent to downtown that they might be inconvenienced by not having easy access to parking and in and out? They might have to go a little farther for transit than just outside their door? And the more we continue to be apologetic about decades of failed policy, the more the city and developers stay complacent. Yes, there are solutions to fix the in and out and I'd be more lenient, again, if it was a worthwhile project with a 'whole of peninsula' approach but its not. Apartments for the sake of apartments in this location while single handedly blaming the parks for not ceding to cars is not it for me.

 

Again, there are solutions thay will better both, but to end up with the same lackluster development in the end? No thanks. 

 

I've said it more often on the COTA thread but the absolute absurdity of the car dependency of this city and its clear lack of urgency for transit overhaul is my number one detractor for Columbus and the top reason why I'm considering living anywhere else. 

I get what you’re saying and agree somewhat. I would love better transit and more transit options. It is still way to easy to drive around Columbus, quickly. Until that stops, most people won’t even consider better transit. Projects like this, in my opinion, are a great way to get to better transit. The more we fill in everywhere, the longer it will take to get places. At some point people will start to vote for increases in public transit funding. If we stop building units, in certain areas, we will never get to that point. 

Would it be great if the city could just prepare for the future and build better transit now, yes it would. Sadly it won’t happen until our density is higher and peoples travel time doubles. 

5 minutes ago, VintageLife said:

I get what you’re saying and agree somewhat. I would love better transit and more transit options. It is still way to easy to drive around Columbus, quickly. Until that stops, most people won’t even consider better transit. 

 

While this is most likely true, you have to admit that this is the exact opposite of good planning. 

Just now, surfohio said:

 

While this is most likely true, you have to admit that this is the exact opposite of good planning. 

Fully agree, this project isn’t great and I would rather it not happen, but it seems it will, so in the end, hopefully it helps being more demand for increased public transit. 

https://columbusunderground.com/whittier-development-moving-forward-despite-metro-parks-concerns-bw1/

 

It looks like this Columbus Underground article has different renderings than the Columbus Dispatch article posted above. They've removed a lot of the angles and replaced it with a more boxy design. Hopefully they use quality materials at least. 

14 minutes ago, Kriegs said:

https://columbusunderground.com/whittier-development-moving-forward-despite-metro-parks-concerns-bw1/

 

It looks like this Columbus Underground article has different renderings than the Columbus Dispatch article posted above. They've removed a lot of the angles and replaced it with a more boxy design. Hopefully they use quality materials at least. 

This is the design I remember getting approved. I’m hoping they changed it and the dispatch article is the updated version. 

^the CU article notes that the developer will need to go back to the BD commission for final design approval. 
 

I think this is new though:

 

”Also planned is a shared-use path running north from the apartments that would extend under the freeway to Downtown. Zimmer said his company will work with the Ohio Department of Transportation to develop the connection after the agency’s work there on the I-70/71 split project is complete.”

 

….so about another 20 years?

If we keep allowing, let alone requiring in some areas, building units with a parking ratio of 1+ spots per unit, and businesses with similar ratios, there will never be an increase in demand for transit. We can add 20,000 units but if they all have a guaranteed parking space at home and a guaranteed parking space at the destination, people will drive and it is stupid inexpensive. Americans are conditioned to drive even with decent transit. Infill for the sake of infill allowing car dependency doesn't create any stress on the system or increase demand for transit among the general population. The powers at be need to stop with the chicken and egg, carrot and stick, back and forth and just start doing the right thing. 

 

That being said, it's NEVER going to happen here. Under no circumstances will we see, in most of our lifetimes, a scenario where Columbus moves beyond car dependency because leaders are too afraid. And Columbus will continue to fall behind mid size cities. 

 

I also find the City's argument of 'this is housing so it's the public good' being the get around for the state law to be a bit of a farce here. Using that argument sets the precedent that any developer can seek to acquire land for that purpose as long as they can articulate 'we are contributing to the regional housing shortage'.... and the city saying 'sales to private utilities' is comparative to a private housing developer. Come on..

 

This is what I agree with no matter what: What needs to happen for the road is the city needs to aquire an easement along the entire rail tracks to create a public road that services the apartments, the neighboring business park, and the park itself. The center road can be closed and converted to a non vehicular path. There is plenty of room behind the warehouse as well for easement or it can wrap around front.   Then the park can sell to the city for the greater good and avoid the legality of selling land for a private road servicing a private complex under the guise of 'if you don't, then it will ruin traffic in your park so you really should see it as a public good allowing the private entity to buy it or else.' Removing that center road is a benefit for all regardless of the final approved residential build. 

 

Again. Too many people thinking about their individual parts and not the peninsula as whole. 

Scioto Audubon-area development gets Columbus City Council approval

 

Columbus City Council has approved a $250 million development that would transform the Whittier Peninsula.

 

North Carolina-based Zimmer Development Co. plans to build three, seven-story buildings at 142 W. Whittier St., near Scioto Audubon Metro Park. The land is owned by CSX Transportation Inc.

 

Landon Zimmer, managing partner of Zimmer Development Co. said each building would have 260 units, with 10% of them available for those making 80% of the area median income, he said, or about 80 units.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/07/12/whitter-peninsula.html

 

4 hours ago, amped91 said:

^the CU article notes that the developer will need to go back to the BD commission for final design approval. 
 

I think this is new though:

 

”Also planned is a shared-use path running north from the apartments that would extend under the freeway to Downtown. Zimmer said his company will work with the Ohio Department of Transportation to develop the connection after the agency’s work there on the I-70/71 split project is complete.”

 

….so about another 20 years?

 

The original proposal was that the city, ODOT and Zimmer would reconnect Mound street so switching to a mixed use path is a reduction from the original concept. 

 

The Dispatch has updated their article rendering now and show the standard 2010s-2020s clad style buildings. 

 

Otherwise, there's alot of scarcity on site plans etc right now. The one shown on CU is actually a bit better than the previous one in terms of access and green space so I'll take that as a small win for now but we really need more details. 

43 minutes ago, DTCL11 said:

 

The original proposal was that the city, ODOT and Zimmer would reconnect Mound street so switching to a mixed use path is a reduction from the original concept. 

 

The Dispatch has updated their article rendering now and show the standard 2010s-2020s clad style buildings. 

 

Otherwise, there's alot of scarcity on site plans etc right now. The one shown on CU is actually a bit better than the previous one in terms of access and green space so I'll take that as a small win for now but we really need more details. 

Seems there is a good chance it could be on the agenda for the next brewery district meeting, with city council passing it. Maybe they will have updated designs and renderings. 

^Some of their past projects could possibly be a clue as to where they might go for the Whittier Peninsula. Some of their projects give me a bit of a River & Rich vibe. 
 

https://www.zdc.com/multi-family-developments/

 

I’m going to guess we don’t see final design plans until closer to this winter. Although I could always be wrong. 

16 hours ago, DTCL11 said:

This is what I agree with no matter what: What needs to happen for the road is the city needs to aquire an easement along the entire rail tracks to create a public road that services the apartments, the neighboring business park, and the park itself. The center road can be closed and converted to a non vehicular path. There is plenty of room behind the warehouse as well for easement or it can wrap around front.   Then the park can sell to the city for the greater good and avoid the legality of selling land for a private road servicing a private complex under the guise of 'if you don't, then it will ruin traffic in your park so you really should see it as a public good allowing the private entity to buy it or else.' Removing that center road is a benefit for all regardless of the final approved residential build. 

 

Again. Too many people thinking about their individual parts and not the peninsula as whole. 

 

Agree with your whole post (the anti-transit portion I could go on for days about...but in another thread), but especially this paragraph at the end.

 

I'm not sure exactly where I fall on this yet.  I can see merits on both sides.  Scioto Audobon is a great park for being ~1/2 mile from downtown.  We go there all the time, went to a wedding there.  For its location, it's pretty great.  As for the legalities of zoning and all that, I'd have to defer to lawyers on that.

 

That warehouse is a bit weird.  I think there's a robotics company and a CrossFit gym there.  Kind of bizarre to have to go through a metro park to get to it.

 

That said, the unused peninsula area between the park and the train tracks is just a bit of a wasteland.  It'd almost be better if they could connect Sycamore over/under the train tracks to get to that property location.  I don't love the idea that the city can just start designating property around metro parks locations for housing or other development...defeating the purpose of the parks in the first place.  As I'm sure others have pointed out, there are plenty of surface lots still available in the downtown area...and I'm also sure others have pointed out why the city wants to keep those as parking lots.

The Dispatch with a write up on the recently re-opened South Wind Motel. 
 

Brewery District's South Wind Motel restored to mid-century style
 

 

“The Kelley Companies, the longtime Columbus development firm, has restored the South Wind Motel, at 919 S. High St., to its mid-century glory.

 

"With its architectural style, we thought it could become a really good boutique motel," said Kelley, a partner in his family's firm. "With so many independent destinations around here — Antiques on High, Chapman's Eat Market, Law Bird — we thought we could become part of that fabric.’”

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/07/28/columbus-brewery-district-south-wind-motel-restored-mid-century-vibe/7829819001/?itm_source=premium_bundle&itm_medium=onsite
 

And a photo gallery:

 

https://www.dispatch.com/picture-gallery/business/2022/07/28/photos-south-wind-motel-returned-mid-century-glory/10159595002/

First Look: South Wind Motel

 

After a year-long renovation, the South Wind Motel at 919 S. High St. is open for guests. The 22-room motel features lots of mid-century touches, like vintage furniture and turntables, as well as modern upgrades, like electric vehicle charging stations and new, energy-efficient windows.

 

The plan to give the 60-year-old motel a retro remodel was first proposed last spring, after the building was purchased by the Kelley Companies.

 

“The response of everyone that’s stayed here has been really, really good, we’ve been very happy about that,” said Michael Kelley, who has been heading up the project for the Kelley Companies.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/first-look-south-wind-motel-bw1/ & https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/04/south-wind-motel.html

 

This move will more than double their office footprint. 
 

Joseph Group moving from Arena District office to Brewery District

 

 

“The Joseph Group, which currently operates out of an Arena District office at 300 Marconi Blvd., will move into a new office space at 605 S. Front St.
 

Demolition and renovations will begin in the new space in August, with an anticipated move-in date in early 2023, according to a media release.
 

The firm's current space is about 6,000 square feet. The new office space on Front Street is 13,000 square feet.
 

“With rapid growth in clients, our team also has grown significantly. We simply need more space,” Joseph Group CEO Travis Upton said in the release. “We started our search last year and this new location is perfect – it provides room for years of future growth and is still centrally located for our clients and team.”‘
 

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2022/08/08/joseph-group-brewery-district-office-arena-distric.html

On 9/9/2021 at 4:25 PM, VintageLife said:

Panera Bread near German Village closes

 

It would be a shame if this was replaced with decent development….
 

The company that owned Panera bread, owns the building. They didn’t respond for information on what they will do with the property. 

Looks like you won’t be getting your wish.

 

An entity called Ben Bulben LLC submitted the below application to the brewery district commission. Looks like it’s going to be some restaurant. I looked up Ben Bulben LLC and couldn’t find much of a connection to any restaurant. It does currently have a registered trade name for Lagree House, which is the exercise place on High.The renderings are pretty clear this won’t be an exercise facility though. The owners must be trying their hand at a food concept.
 

https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fcolumbusohdev.box.com%2Fs%2Fguopypcx2k9u77nagox2dh1k0hx78rr4

41 minutes ago, smjjms said:

Looks like you won’t be getting your wish.

 

An entity called Ben Bulben LLC submitted the below application to the brewery district commission. Looks like it’s going to be some restaurant. I looked up Ben Bulben LLC and couldn’t find much of a connection to any restaurant. It does currently have a registered trade name for Lagree House, which is the exercise place on High.The renderings are pretty clear this won’t be an exercise facility though. The owners must be trying their hand at a food concept.
 

https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fcolumbusohdev.box.com%2Fs%2Fguopypcx2k9u77nagox2dh1k0hx78rr4

Eh, I’m always up for a new concept, so if they have a good restaurant, it will be great. Just don’t want another chain restaurant in that area. 

Interestingly, looks like Schiff will have their High & Blenkner project, which had already received approval in June, back before the BD commission, asking for a further reduction in required parking space. I guess they replaced some of the parking with a few additional units. 
 

 

13 hours ago, smjjms said:

Looks like you won’t be getting your wish.

 

An entity called Ben Bulben LLC submitted the below application to the brewery district commission. Looks like it’s going to be some restaurant. I looked up Ben Bulben LLC and couldn’t find much of a connection to any restaurant. It does currently have a registered trade name for Lagree House, which is the exercise place on High.The renderings are pretty clear this won’t be an exercise facility though. The owners must be trying their hand at a food concept.
 

https://m.box.com/shared_item/https%3A%2F%2Fcolumbusohdev.box.com%2Fs%2Fguopypcx2k9u77nagox2dh1k0hx78rr4

 

According to a comment on Reddit:

 

It’s going to be called Cobra. Yakatori/Noodle house. Approachable cocktail bar. Late night food and drinks until 2 am, 7 days a week. Alex Chien (Watershed/Blind Lady/Bombay Sapphire national brand ambassador), David Yee (watershed/Oddfellows), Jack Bennett, chef (San Morello, Saddleberk, BlackBerry Farm/ Watershed), and Josh Spiers (Watershed/Oddfellows) are the owner/operators. Should be open this fall.

That sounds like a tremendous upgrade from a Panera. Nice to see late night 7 day a week hours too. 

I hope it's a true noodle house with hand pulled noodles etc if they are branding as a noodle house. 

Has anybody seen or heard any updates from the Hoster Brewery renovation project? The last thing Schooley Caldwell posted about it on their Instagram was from January and I don’t think I see anyone working there when I drive by from the outside at least.

On 9/15/2022 at 12:58 PM, 614love said:

Has anybody seen or heard any updates from the Hoster Brewery renovation project? The last thing Schooley Caldwell posted about it on their Instagram was from January and I don’t think I see anyone working there when I drive by from the outside at least.

9 minutes ago, 614love said:

Have not seen any updates, but I’m sure they are still working on it

1 hour ago, 614love said:

 

I drove by it last weekend and didn't see any updates unfortunately.