I'm frustrated at the lack of new galleries opening up in a different business district as a result. OK, so the SN is too pricey, so why aren't you doing the obvious? Talk with other priced-out artists, select another dense urban district to set up shop in, and boom...

 

I assume you meant priced-out gallery owners? Gallery owners and artists are generally two different groups of people.

 

I agree that some group-effort could have a positive impact in creating another area, but it takes a lot of additional energy over just running your own gallery. It may seem "obvious" but really requires the right group of people and the right location.

 

So which is it? Do we not have the right people and/or locations? Hell, Pittsburgh has three art gallery districts:

I'm frustrated at the lack of new galleries opening up in a different business district as a result. OK, so the SN is too pricey, so why aren't you doing the obvious? Talk with other priced-out artists, select another dense urban district to set up shop in, and boom...

 

I assume you meant priced-out gallery owners? Gallery owners and artists are generally two different groups of people.

 

I agree that some group-effort could have a positive impact in creating another area, but it takes a lot of additional energy over just running your own gallery. It may seem "obvious" but really requires the right group of people and the right location.

 

It takes non-self-entitled Gen-Y'rs

Which there are plenty of if you're willing to look at them as individuals and not as one big overgeneralized group. ;)

So you're saying we have the right individuals, but not the right groups of individuals.

Pizzuti dubs hotel project ‘The Joseph’

Business First - by Doug Buchanan

Friday, November 5, 2010, 2:02pm EDT

 

Pizzuti Cos.’ planned Short North hotel, office and parking garage complex has a new name honoring the family patriarch.  The developer’s president, Joel Pizzuti, said the 130-room boutique hotel planned for a city-owned lot at 618 N. High Street has been dubbed “The Joseph” after his grandfather, an Italian immigrant who worked in a factory and dabbled in residential development in northeast Ohio.

 

The Short North project budged a bit Oct. 28, as we reported in our print edition, when a majority of the Victorian Village Commission indicated in an informal poll that the developer likely has made enough of an economic hardship case to support the partial demolition of the historic United Commercial Travelers property at 632 Park Street.  A formal vote on the demolition, along with the design of the office and parking garage complex, could get consideration in mid-November.

 

If that portion of the project does get approved, Pizzuti still needs approval of the hotel across North High from the Italian Village Commission.  Getting a parking component of the mixed-use project built is considered critical to the project’s success.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2010/11/pizzuti-dubs-hotel-project-the-joseph.html

Perhaps the trend of developers naming projects after loved ones is coming back. And can the IVC make up their minds already? (Say yes, dammit!)

And can the IVC make up their minds already? (Say yes, dammit!)

 

I don't think the Italian Village Commission is the holding up the hotel.  It sounds like the whole project hinges on the parking garage approval - which involves the partial demolition of the UCT Building.  And that's on the Victorian Village Commission side of High Street.  It looks like the developer is trying to gain VVC approval first, and then the IVC approval after that.

 

Sure its taking a long time.  But that's to be excepted for the high density project that involves a demolition request that spans two historic districts.  I'm just glad Pizzuti is a smart enough developer to be able to see this process though.

Here's another nicely dense project for High Street in the Short North.

 

Solid rental market in Short North spurs Wood Cos. project for new apartments

Business First - by Brian R. Ball

Thursday, November 11, 2010

 

Strength in the Short North retail and apartment markets is spurring a plan to dramatically expand the building that houses the Northstar Cafe.  Developer Mark Wood is moving forward on a $4.5 million project to add three floors to 937-951 N. High St., the building his Wood Cos. bought in 2002.  Wood plans to add 10,000 square feet of office space and two apartments on a second floor and 22 apartments on the third and fourth floors.  When Wood Cos. renovated the building for street-level retail eight years ago, it had the former medical lab strengthened with additional structural steel in preparation for eventually adding floors. 

 

The project will mean a temporary relocation of the Jazz Arts Group offices to Wood Cos. space across High Street.  Other tenants include the Zpizza gourmet pizzeria and the Kiaca gallery of African art.  Those businesses, as well as the Northstar Cafe, are scheduled to remain open during the construction.  Once the three-story addition is complete, Jazz Arts Group and Wood’s firm will move their offices to the building’s second floor.

 

Wood said the architectural design by Schooley Caldwell Associates Inc. features a 2,500-square-foot patio for office and apartment tenants on a first-floor roof toward the back of the complex.  The expansion also will include converting a portion of the property off Second Avenue into a 24-slot parking garage for residents and office tenants.  Construction should get under way by late November with completion set for next fall.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2010/11/12/solid-short-north-rental-market-spurs.html

 

EXISTING VIEW OF 937-951 N. HIGH STREET

 

 

PROPOSED UPPER-STORY ADDITION TO 937-951 N. HIGH ST.

I'm for it.  Good design, keeps the first floor, the project is a no brainer.

very good to see.  Northstar cafe, the space on the northern most section of the existing building, is AMAZING.  I go there every time I am in town. 

Hope that Wood Cos. development isn't too much of a construction hassle for businesses that choose to stay in their first floor spaces during the build-out process. Paradise Garage and the Jazz Arts Group have both moved, but I think zpizza and Northstar will stay.

<b>Vintage Store “The Attic” Opens in The Short North</b>

By Walker | November 2, 2010 8:00am

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/attic2.jpg">

 

Rhome Ruanphae has got his hands full. After opening Basil Thai last December, he’s already embarking on another business venture next door. The Attic, located at 1122 North High Street will carry a variety of vintage furniture and clothing in addition to an assortment of other local products including baked goods from Pattycake, candles from Candle Lab and jewelry from local crafters.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/vintage-store-the-attic-opens-in-the-short-north

<b>Ambushed Salon Now Open in The Short North</b>

By Walker | November 19, 2010 9:45am

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/Ambushed6.jpg">

 

The Yukon Building in the Short North is gaining a new tenant as Ambushed Salon plans their grand opening for December’s Holiday Hop on Saturday, December 4th. Ambushed is the creation of stylist Amy Bush, and focuses on clientele with naturally curly hair. We recently spoke with Amy to find out more about her new business.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/ambushed-salon-opening-soon-in-the-short-north

<b>Furniture Store “Inside” Opens in The Short North</b>

By Walker | November 29, 2010 2:00pm

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/inside-2.jpg">

 

The Short North will be gaining its second furniture store in the past two months as “Inside” hosts their grand opening this weekend during the Holiday Hop. Partners David M. Berg, Julie Butler and Paige Langdale are opening the new store at the former Concrete Jungle location at 940 North High Street.

 

We spoke recently with Paige Langdale to find out more.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/new-furniture-store-inside-opens-in-the-short-north

<b>Pop-Up Retail: Repertoire at Brigade</b>

By Walker | December 3, 2010 11:00am

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/shoe-repertoire-1.jpg">

 

During tomorrow’s annual Short North Holiday Hop, a new pop-up retail store called Repertoire will make its debut inside Brigade at 607 North High Street. Repertoire is a shoe boutique concept that started with trunk shoes and online sales and is now experimenting with temporary retail spaces. We spoke recently with owner Patrick Hicks to find out more about this new shoe shopping experience.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/pop-up-retail-repertoire-at-brigade

More on the Pizzuti Short North hotel project.  Its not through the VVC and IVC yet:

 

Pizzuti’s Short North project fails to win demolition permit

Business First - by Brian Ball

Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 5:21pm EST

 

Developer Joel Pizzuti had hoped to receive support for a demolition permit during the 10th joint meeting of the Victorian Village and Italian Village commissions Wednesday night to help push a mixed-use project that has caused much intense discussion since January.  A 70-minute meeting apparently convinced Pizzuti to back off.

 

When it looked like that support would not come easily, the Pizzuti Cos. president and his legal and design advisers huddled for five minutes and then announced they would forego a vote on the permit until the design portion of the project gets fleshed out better and gains the necessary support.  Pizzuti called the strategic retreat a matter of “trusting” permission to secure a demolition of the back portion of the ex-United Commercial Travelers property at 632 N. Park St. will come from the Victorian Village panel once a few nagging issues get resolved.

 

Not forcing a vote likely will work in Pizzuti’s favor, given a statement by Victorian Village commissioner Jack Decker that his reading of the city’s code for historic neighborhoods appears to call for a concrete plan for a new project before a commission can approve a demolition permit, conditional or not.  “In my view, the demolition permit goes hand in hand with approval of an appropriate (replacement) project,” Decker said.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2010/12/pizzutis-short-north-project-fails-to.html

 

Here's the latest rendering of the Victorian Village side of High Street:

Short North parking might get squeezed further

Monday, December 20, 2010 

By Robert Vitale

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Think parking's a pain when you visit the Short North?  Try living there.

 

Despite that, the leader of one residents group is suggesting something he acknowledges is unlikely to go over well with his neighbors.  Italian Village Society President Larry Totzke said people who live there and in nearby Victorian Village should consider easing parking restrictions on nonresidents, at least temporarily.

 

Plans by the Pizzuti Cos. to build a hotel and office building in the heart of the Short North would add 500 parking spaces in a new garage.  But 125 spaces in two surface lots would be lost during construction.  Totzke is asking Italian Village and Victorian Village leaders to help out businesses during the interim.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/12/20/copy/parking-might-get-squeezed-further.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

If some lot owners weren't such @ssholes (holding on to empty land and refusing to make use of it) there are places that could temporarily serve as new parking lot alternatives (NE corner of 5th and High, the always empty lots next to Family Dollar and UDF). Aside from that,  people here need to learn to use the bus and/or walk a bit. Also, the parking situation is greatly exaggerated and the article makes it sound like it's NYC/LA rush hour traffic 24/7 in the SN when it's only peak hours during Friday and Saturday night that there's any lack of parking on High. Last time I went with friends in a car to Gallery Hop, we found a spot on Smith (just up from 5th) no problem and it was unmetered, on-street parking.

 

If visitors, and more importantly entrepreneurs, really see the parking situation there as a curse rather than a blessing (too many customers), then entrepreneurs need to look at another street altogether to open their business. Moving in and then whining about parking shows you should have known better, but didn't do some basic research. Other cities have addressed this issue by creating other similar districts on different streets (see Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and now Lawrenceville in Pittburgh) instead of stubbornly sticking to the one same "hip" neighborhood time and time again with the same amount of parking vs. starting a new strip where parking is available like several other cities already successfully did. Columbus is too big of a city to keep sticking to just one commercial strip and expecting there to be sufficient room for businesses, residents, and visitors on busy weekends.

 

If it's the city government that is too big of an obstacle for entrepreneurs to take over another urban commercial strip (with plenty of available storefronts and ample parking by the way), then they need to speak up and vocalize this issue like outspoken critics Liz Lessner of Betty's, Tip Top, Surly Girl, Dirty Frank's, and the now delayed The Jury Room (the city "lost" her interior plans for the space) and the Zettlers at Zettler Hardware to name just a couple. Let local residents know that this is a serious problem (and it certainly seems to be the case with too many local entrepreneurs) so that it can be addressed (see local outrage towards the parking meters that needs to be directed towards the city's hostility toward local small businesses). Take the handful of dense blocks of S High in Downtown that have empty storefronts and no parking allowed in front (the entire right hand lane is a bus lane) which with added on-street parking and a cooperative government would be a no-brainer for a mini-Short North with much cheaper rent, central location, and high walkabilty between businesses.

 

Once again it's a problem compounded by ignorance on parts of the local residents, visitors, businesses, and city government, hence why parking in the SN & Downtown is even seen as a problem.

Great news. The place is getting better and better. Short North is going to be a great place to be in.

Looks like a new restaurant will be opening up sometime in the next month or two.  It's located at the southwest corner of Buttles & High (very prime location!), directly south of Black Olive.  The restaurants name is Two Fish Bistro and appears to be part of the Daeoh family of restaurants (of which Black Olive is also).  Signs in the window say they're conducting interviews on Monday, January 3rd.

 

One of my friends mentioned a couple days ago a new restaurant opening up a little further north... I think possibly in the space formerly occupied by the Rosendales restaurant at Hubbard & High.  I haven't walked by that space in a couple weeks, so I'm not sure if they have signs indicating the name and scheduled opening. 

<b>Hubbard Grille Opens in The Short North</b>

By Walker | December 31, 2010

 

<img src="http://www.columbusunderground.com/archives/hubbard-grille-2.jpg">

 

One of the most talked about restaurant renovations throughout 2010 will officially be coming to life in just two more weeks. Hubbard Grille, located at 793 North High Street in the former Rosendale’s location is currently in the process of preparing for their grand opening on Friday, January 7th.

 

The experience at Hubbard Grille is being described as “modern Americana” with a focus on comfort and quality. Their menu will feature local and organic choices, including a southern-style, truffle oil fried chicken and a Short North Cobb Salad with a creamy avocado dressing.

 

READ MORE: http://www.columbusunderground.com/hubbard-grille-opens-in-the-short-north-on-jan-7

The new restaurant going into the old Rosendale's location at 793 N. High looks great.  This interior renovation brought back memories of a previous exterior renovation of that building (aka The Winders Motor Sales Company Building).  Below are some photos of that previous exterior renovation from Urban Order Architecture:

 

The building before its previous renovation

 

The building during its previous renovation

 

The building after its previous renovation

 

The new Hubbard Grille restaurant didn't need to do anything to the exterior for their project.  But they did add a new landmark-type sign, which looks pretty amazing:

 

 

 

Beatiful sign on a beautiful building.  Very nicely done.

From what I've heard it's like Black Olive: all style, no substance. Apparently, that seems to work here.

From what I've heard it's like Black Olive: all style, no substance. Apparently, that seems to work here.

 

Seems to work at this location, or Columbus in general?

From what I've heard it's like Black Olive: all style, no substance. Apparently, that seems to work here.

 

Seems to work at this location, or Columbus in general?

 

In the context of the Short North. If you haven't, you should try some of the places serving flavorless foodstuffs, which at the very least, do serve as sustenance. There are some quality restaurants too, but places like these are somehow multiplying. I'd attribute it to visitors who prefer to see and be seen vs. eat good food, even though the two are not mutually exclusive here. It's their loss.

More on the Pizzuti Short North hotel project.  Its not through the VVC and IVC yet:

 

Pizzuti's Short North project fails to win demolition permit

Business First - by Brian Ball

Date: Thursday, December 9, 2010, 5:21pm EST

 

Developer Joel Pizzuti had hoped to receive support for a demolition permit during the 10th joint meeting of the Victorian Village and Italian Village commissions Wednesday night to help push a mixed-use project that has caused much intense discussion since January.  A 70-minute meeting apparently convinced Pizzuti to back off.

 

When it looked like that support would not come easily, the Pizzuti Cos. president and his legal and design advisers huddled for five minutes and then announced they would forego a vote on the permit until the design portion of the project gets fleshed out better and gains the necessary support.  Pizzuti called the strategic retreat a matter of “trusting” permission to secure a demolition of the back portion of the ex-United Commercial Travelers property at 632 N. Park St. will come from the Victorian Village panel once a few nagging issues get resolved.

 

Not forcing a vote likely will work in Pizzuti’s favor, given a statement by Victorian Village commissioner Jack Decker that his reading of the city’s code for historic neighborhoods appears to call for a concrete plan for a new project before a commission can approve a demolition permit, conditional or not.  “In my view, the demolition permit goes hand in hand with approval of an appropriate (replacement) project,” Decker said.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/blog/2010/12/pizzutis-short-north-project-fails-to.html

 

Here's the latest rendering of the Victorian Village side of High Street:

Last Sunday, the Dispatch featured Italian Village in their on-going series of articles about Columbus neighborhoods.  The article featured an update of sorts about what has become known as "The Pizzuti Short North Hotel".

 

From: History meets future in Italian Village - Century-old homes and new developments share space

 

"Last week, developer Joel Pizzuti updated neighborhood leaders on the planned 135-unit boutique hotel along High Street on the Italian Village side of the Short North."

 

"The size and scope of the plan, which includes a parking garage west of High Street, sparked concern among members of the Italian Village Commission, which determines whether new homes or renovations fit the community's character.  Pizzuti said he is refining the facade and building materials to make sure they're what the neighborhood wants."

 

"The project, which Pizzuti said he hopes to start this summer, could cost up to $50 million, a pricey addition to a neighborhood that has been through hard times."

Failed Ibiza condo project in hands of new developer

Schiff Capital Group plans retail, office, residential at Short North site

Tuesday, March 29, 2011  06:23 PM

By Jim Weiker

The Columbus Dispatch

 

A Columbus developer plans to build an office and residential tower on the site of the failed Ibiza condominium project in the Short North.

 

Schiff Capital Group has assumed control of the site at N. High Street and Hubbard Avenue, said principal Michael Schiff.

 

Schiff said he is planning an eight- to 10-story building to include retail and restaurants on the ground floor, three or four floors of office space and some sort of residential - probably apartments - on the upper floors.

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/03/29/Failed-Ibiza-condo-project-in-hands-of-new-developer.html

An update about the Pizzuti Short North Hotel Project posted at Columbus Underground:

 

From the Short North Civic Association facebook site:

 

RENDERINGS: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2400102/2011-04-13_Short-North-UCT-Renderings.pdf

 

SITE PLAN: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2400102/2011-04-13_Short-North-UCT-Dvlpmnt-Dwgs.pdf

 

There is a meeting tomorrow at 6 pm.

It looks like the parking garage portion of the project that is west of High Street has been reduced in height by at least one story next to High Street and by at least two stories next to the salvaged building facing Park Street.  The hotel portion of the project that is east of High Street looks like it is the same height but now steps back from High Street on the upper stories.

It's too bad they had to delay the project because it was "too tall". As a SN business owner pointed out, the Short North is Columbus' downtown and when you take that into consideration it's quite silly that the main urban district is reluctant to have anything over five stories tall.

I am usually highly skeptical of modern architecture, but I like this design in the Short North context.

An update on the Pizzuti Short North hotel proposal from this article in today's Columbus Dispatch:

 

Italian Village Commission due to study plan for hotel

 

On Wednesday, the Italian Village Commission is expected to consider plans for the Joseph, the Pizzuti Cos.' proposed boutique hotel that would occupy sites on both sides of High Street in the Short North.

 

The Victorian Village Commission voted to let the project move forward last week.  The Italian Village Commission, whose approval is also needed, was to consider it Tuesday but did not have a quorum.

 

Here is the original design from 2010.  View looking north on High Street from the I-670 Cap:

 

 

Here is the revised design presented to the Victorian Village Commission that has jurisdiction over the west side of High Street (left in the photo) and the Italian Village Commission that has jurisdiction over the east side of High Street (right in the photo).  The VVC side to the left contains the parking garage, ground floor retail and upper story art galleries.  The IVC side to the right is the hotel.

Yea or nay?

The Short North Special Improvement District (SNSID) announced their 2010 design awards in their most recent online newsletter.  The winners chosen by the Short North SID for 2010 are:

 

Jackson on High, for quality new development.

 

 

Bollinger Tower for a significant renovation.

   

 

 

The Greystone for significant enhancements to the courtyard

 

 

Columbus Foundation and the City of Columbus for work on the Short North kiosks.

 

 

READ MORE: http://shortnorthsid.blogspot.com/

Yea or nay?

I like the original design better than the current one. So I guess nay.

Agree on the design, but my question was for the IVC.

 

Of course, the kiosks Downtown and in the Short North appeared after I had stressed just how important way-finding is with maps and destinations for highlighting what great things are in some of the neighborhoods here and making them accessible to visitors vs. wandering around on their own. There's even one that follows my suggestion for connectivity between neighborhoods as seen with the downtown kiosk pointing visitors there to the more bustling Short North. At least the SNBA gave my work some recognition and asked to use a photo of Goodale Park at the kiosk in front of Hyde Park Steakhouse. My vote for best design goes to The Jackson, although the kiosks are much more useful in their function.

Pizzuti gets initial OKs for Short North hotel, office projects

Business First

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011, 7:40am EDT

 

Read more: Pizzuti gets initial OKs for Short North hotel, office projects | Business First

 

Developer Pizzuti Cos. has preliminary approvals for its hotel project in Italian Village and a companion office and parking garage across High Street in Victorian Village, Columbus Business First reports.

 

But the Columbus-based real estate developer still needs the Italian Village Commission and Victorian Village Commission to approve details of the two projects and needs to secure formal zoning approvals before the $50 million project can break ground early next year. Once Pizzuti gets so-called certificates of appropriateness from Italian and Victorian village panels, it can move forward on the 10-story, 135-room boutique hotel dubbed “The Joseph.”

 

The zoning process for the hotel, commercial building and garage could start this summer and be completed this fall.

 

Read more: Pizzuti gets initial OKs for Short North hotel, office projects | Business First

 

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/morning_call/2011/05/pizzuti-gets-initial-oks-for-hotel.html

 

 

Good news!

 

I didn't dislike the original design.  But I like the revised design better.  Especially the hotel portion of it east of High Street.

New rendering  :clap:

 

 

 

Boutique hotel for Short North gets conditional OKs

Sunday, May 22, 2011  03:19 AM

By Marla Matzer Rose

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

A long-planned Short North boutique-hotel project from the Pizzuti Cos. has taken an important step forward.

 

The Italian Village Commission last week gave conditional approval to the conceptual plans for the hotel, called the Joseph. That followed a similar thumbs-up from the Victorian Village Commission a few weeks ago.

 

Final approvals will be sought later this year from the commissions and the city zoning office before Pizzuti can begin construction. If all goes well, the hotel could open in 2013.

 

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/business/stories/2011/05/22/boutique-hotel-for-short-north-gets-conditional-oks.html?sid=101

Wish it had a tad more color to make it "POP" more but otherwise, not a bad design.

Some encouraging news for the old Ibiza site.  The new project developer is restarting the permitting process to build on that site.  According to Business First, the developer was scheduled to be heard by the Italian Village Commission meeting on June 21 for conceptual review.  But the developer withdrew the application just before the June meeting and plans to resubmit for their July meeting.  No information on the exterior design, but the proposed uses are similar to the abandoned Ibiza concept - the biggest change being apartments are proposed instead of condos.

 

 

Ibiza site may get replacement tower under new plan

Business First - by Brian R. Ball

Friday, June 24, 2011, 6:00am EDT

 

Columbus real estate investor Michael Schiff has teamed with developer Daimler Group Inc. in a bid to replace the failed Ibiza project in the city’s Short North with a mixed-use tower topped by as many as 120 apartments.

 

Their plans for a nine- to 11-story complex at 830 N. High St., and an accompanying parking garage off Hubbard Avenue, depend on two conditions.  First they must reach some kind of agreement with creditors of Ibiza developer Apex Realty Enterprises LLC, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  And they need to secure approval from the Italian Village Commission.

 

The initial design calls for 15,000 square feet of street-level retail space, 50,000 to 60,000 square feet for offices on the next three floors, and between 100 and 120 apartments on the top five to seven floors.  The project would include a garage off Hubbard Avenue with up to 500 parking spots to serve the project and other Short North businesses.

 

Schiff, principal of Schiff Capital Group, said the project could go back before the Italian Village Commission in late July after Columbus architect George Berardi tweaks the design.  Such a tall structure would need special approval in a historic district that generally limits the height of projects to three or four stories.  Schiff noted the proposed height is similar to the scuttled Ibiza project, which was approved at 11 stories.

 

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/06/24/tower-mulled-for-ibiza-site.html

Found this notice about a theater group going into the Garden Theatre in the Short North as part of a general entertainment news rundown in Saturday's Dispatch.  This could be an extremely interesting project.  The Garden Theatre is probably the last large unrenovated building along High Street in the Short North.  It is located just north of the recently completed Jackson Condos and just south of Fifth Avenue - on the same side of the street as The Jackson:

 

Garden Theatre to get face-lift

Saturday, July 16, 2011

The Columbus Dispatch

 

A new theatrical troupe has signed a long-term lease to renovate and perform in the historic Garden Theatre, 1187 N. High Street, in the Short North.

 

The Short North Stage, a nonprofit company organized by Peter Yockel and Rick Gore, plans to convert the vacant structure into a 299-seat theater.  Initially, though, the troupe will build an interim 99-seat space.

 

"It's a natural fit with our mission of bringing performing arts back to the Short North," Yockel said.  "Structurally, it's in great shape, and it has so much atmosphere."  For more information, visit www.shortnorthstage.org.

 

MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2011/07/16/1aa-showtell16-july-art-gotdd69h-1.html?sid=101

 

---

Below is a link to an old theater website that contains an entry on the Garden Theatre in the Short North.  Good recap of the theater's history.  Many links to other articles about the Garden in the comments section.  The photo is also from the website:

 

Garden Theatre - 1187 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43201

 

Walker Evans of Columbus Underground interviewed Peter Yockel, President of the Board at Short North Stage, about their organization and the recent announcement of their Garden Theatre renovation project in the Short North.

 

Short North Stage to Reopen Garden Theatre as Arts Venue in 2012

The Short North Business Association revamped their website for the Short North Arts District at ShortNorth.org.  The new website has restructured information on restaurants, galleries, shops, venues and more in the Short North.  The reworked website also has tons of new information on the monthly Gallery Hop and history of the neighborhood.

 

One of the updated and improved features is a new photo gallery - which can be found here.

The northeast corner of High and Hubbard is sure getting a whole lot of attention lately.  But only after being ignored for too long.  This is the former Ibiza Condos site.  Last month a new developer was trying to acquire the site from the previous Ibiza developer, who is now in bankruptcy court.  This month a second new developer is trying to acquire the site.  This time in partnership with the previous Ibiza developer.

 

Since the Ibiza Condos were proposed in 2006 and actively marketed since 2008, the northeast corner of High and Hubbard has seen a whole lot of nothing.  Then the original owner/developer (Apex) went bankrupt.  Now 2011 has seen not one but two new developers trying to restart the project.  It's great that we're seeing more attention for this important Short North location.  But it also looks like having two developers vying for the location instead of one will delay the project further.  So the long strange trip for this site continues. :roll:

 

Below is the previously posted July article from Business First - followed by this month's article about the new rival for the site:

 

Some encouraging news for the old Ibiza site.  The new project developer is restarting the permitting process to build on that site.  According to Business First, the developer was scheduled to be heard by the Italian Village Commission meeting on June 21 for conceptual review.  But the developer withdrew the application just before the June meeting and plans to resubmit for their July meeting.  No information on the exterior design, but the proposed uses are similar to the abandoned Ibiza concept - the biggest change being apartments are proposed instead of condos.

 

Ibiza site may get replacement tower under new plan

Business First - by Brian R. Ball

Friday, June 24, 2011, 6:00am EDT

 

Columbus real estate investor Michael Schiff has teamed with developer Daimler Group Inc. in a bid to replace the failed Ibiza project in the city's Short North with a mixed-use tower topped by as many as 120 apartments.  Their plans for a nine- to 11-story complex at 830 N. High St., and an accompanying parking garage off Hubbard Avenue, depend on two conditions.  First they must reach some kind of agreement with creditors of Ibiza developer Apex Realty Enterprises LLC, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.  And they need to secure approval from the Italian Village Commission.

 

The initial design calls for 15,000 square feet of street-level retail space, 50,000 to 60,000 square feet for offices on the next three floors, and between 100 and 120 apartments on the top five to seven floors.  The project would include a garage off Hubbard Avenue with up to 500 parking spots to serve the project and other Short North businesses.

 

Schiff, principal of Schiff Capital Group, said the project could go back before the Italian Village Commission in late July after Columbus architect George Berardi tweaks the design.  Such a tall structure would need special approval in a historic district that generally limits the height of projects to three or four stories.  Schiff noted the proposed height is similar to the scuttled Ibiza project, which was approved at 11 stories.

 

READ MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/06/24/tower-mulled-for-ibiza-site.html

Rivals unveil bid for Ibiza site, setting up bankruptcy court showdown

Business First - by Brian R. Ball

Date: Friday, August 5, 2011, 6:00am EDT

 

The site of the failed Ibiza condominium project has attracted a second proposal from rival developers.  Wagenbrenner Development Co. and Elford Development Ltd. have emerged as potential buyers of the undeveloped land at 830 N. High St.

 

Their interest comes on the heels of a proposal from Schiff Capital Group and Daimler Group Inc. as would-be saviors of the long-troubled but attractive site in the Short North.  Schiff and Daimler have proposed developing a nine- to 11-story building with retail space, offices and up to 120 apartments.

 

Wagenbrenner and Elford, meanwhile, envision a five-story property with ground-floor commercial tenants topped by an unspecified number of apartments.  It would be about half the size of the scuttled 11-story, 135-unit Ibiza condominium project.

 

Who gets control of the site will be determined in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, where landowner Apex Realty Enterprises LLC sought protection from creditors in April.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2011/08/05/rival-ibiza-bid-arises-setting-up.html

Okay. So here's my attempt to untangle what's happened and what's happening at the former Ibiza Condo location.  AKA the northeast corner of High and Hubbard - a long-troubled but attractive site in the Short North:

 

PROJECT SITE - 2008

The landowner - Apex Realty Enterprises LLC - proposed the 11-story, 135-unit Ibiza condominium project.  The project also included ground-floor retail and a 250-slot parking garage for building residents and tenants.  Apex began collecting condo deposits for Ibiza in 2008, pulling in nearly $1.2 million for 70 units by the time the project was scuttled in 2010.  Apex principals had hoped to quickly convert the project into apartments but that plan also failed.  Numerous condo buyers have sued Apex for the return of their deposits, and Franklin County has sought payment of overdue real estate taxes. 

 

 

PROJECT SITE - 2011

The Ibiza site at the northeast High and Hubbard has sat empty for years after the original developers abandoned the project.  In the meantime, the project signage became an impromptu community art mural.  Gotta love the Short North Arts District.

 

 

NEW OWNER / DEVELOPER #1:  SCHIFF CAPITAL AND DAIMLER GROUP

Schiff Capital Group first filed to acquire the High and Hubbard site after the original owner landed in bankruptcy court.  Schiff brought in local developer Daimler Group as its partner.  Schiff and Daimler have proposed developing a nine- to 11-story building with retail space, offices and up to 120 apartments.  The initial design calls for 15,000 square feet of street-level retail space, 50,000 to 60,000 square feet for offices on the next three floors, and between 100 and 120 apartments on the top five to seven floors.  The project would include a garage off Hubbard Avenue with up to 500 parking spots to serve the project and other Short North businesses.  The above rendering is of the original Ibiza Condo project.  Schiff/Daimler have stated they will be using the original design architect, Berardi Architects.  So until a revised design is shown, this will have to act as the placeholder design for Schiff/Daimler.

 

 

NEW OWNER / DEVELOPER #2:  WAGENBRENNER DEVELOPMENT AND ELFORD DEVELOPMENT

Meanwhile, Wagenbrenner and Elford envision a five-story building with ground-floor commercial tenants topped by an unspecified number of apartments.  It would be about half the size of the scuttled 11-story, 135-unit Ibiza condominium project.  The Wagenbrenner-Elford plan would include a 250-slot parking garage for residents and tenants – just as Apex had planned for Ibiza.  Wagenbrenner and Elford have hired Architectural Alliance Ltd., a local design firm, to produce this new design.  Elford was construction manager on Wagenbrenner’s Flats of Harrison Park housing project in the nearby Harrison West neighborhood.  Elford also built the four-story Windsor residential and retail project on Grandview Avenue for Wagenbrenner.

 

According to Business First, Elford and Wagenbrenner’s E.W. High Street LLC partnership has signed a contract to purchase the property from the original owner, Apex.  But because the original owner is in bankruptcy, they must secure approvals of creditors and the court.  So ultimately, who gets control of the site will be determined in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, where landowner Apex Realty Enterprises LLC sought protection from creditors in April, 2011.  Stay tuned.

I'd much rather see a building with height rather than the Waggenbrenner design.  The SN can easily handle higher density construction and it's time to get that ball rolling.  Also, the last thing we need is another building that looks exactly like everything else.  It got old in the Arena District, and I would rather not see that happen in the SN. 

Yeah, I like the first design as well.  Even though it matches on the bottom, it mixes a more modern look the higher it goes which is good.

Here's another nicely dense project for High Street in the Short North.

 

Solid rental market in Short North spurs Wood Cos. project for new apartments

Business First - by Brian R. Ball

Thursday, November 11, 2010

 

Strength in the Short North retail and apartment markets is spurring a plan to dramatically expand the building that houses the Northstar Cafe.  Developer Mark Wood is moving forward on a $4.5 million project to add three floors to 937-951 N. High St., the building his Wood Cos. bought in 2002.  Wood plans to add 10,000 square feet of office space and two apartments on a second floor and 22 apartments on the third and fourth floors.  When Wood Cos. renovated the building for street-level retail eight years ago, it had the former medical lab strengthened with additional structural steel in preparation for eventually adding floors. 

 

The project will mean a temporary relocation of the Jazz Arts Group offices to Wood Cos. space across High Street.  Other tenants include the Zpizza gourmet pizzeria and the Kiaca gallery of African art.  Those businesses, as well as the Northstar Cafe, are scheduled to remain open during the construction.  Once the three-story addition is complete, Jazz Arts Group and Wood’s firm will move their offices to the building’s second floor.

 

Wood said the architectural design by Schooley Caldwell Associates Inc. features a 2,500-square-foot patio for office and apartment tenants on a first-floor roof toward the back of the complex.  The expansion also will include converting a portion of the property off Second Avenue into a 24-slot parking garage for residents and office tenants.  Construction should get under way by late November with completion set for next fall.

 

MORE: http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/print-edition/2010/11/12/solid-short-north-rental-market-spurs.html

 

EXISTING VIEW OF 937-951 N. HIGH STREET

 

 

PROPOSED UPPER-STORY ADDITION TO 937-951 N. HIGH ST.

An update on this project from zpizza, one of the ground floor tenants in this building, posted at Columbus Underground:

 

After six months of delays the major push of construction on the additional stories starts tomorrow.  Scaffolding is going up on Wednesday and Thursday and the steel beams will be erected shortly after.  I'm excited for a big construction project to get done in the neighborhood after a few false starts.  The Wood Companies continue to be a driving force in the development of the Short North.

 

We will be open during construction, as will all the other great businesses on our block and I urge everyone interested in seeing more projects like this to patronize zpizza, Paradise Garage, Old World New Home and Northstar as we go through this process.

^Great, glad this is moving.