February 18, 200619 yr I got nothing. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 19, 200619 yr I have mixed feelings about it. I think it's rather boring looking - and I would say too boxy, except for the curved corners. It would look a lot nicer if there were some sort of cut-out on the sides that extended from the ground to the top. Or maybe if there were some sort of stepped back floors toward the top.
February 20, 200619 yr ^It's only 20-stories tall, would cut-outs or step-backs really make a difference? I think the simplicity of the design will work for the scale of the project. Besides it's a huge improvement over some of the other buildings in the area like Nationwide and AEP.
February 20, 200619 yr ^Agreed. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
February 20, 200619 yr A longer article from today's Business First of Columbus: Bundy becoming beacon Condo craze reaching new heights with tower Brian R. Ball Business First The developer of downtown Columbus' Arena District wants to build a 20-story tower overlooking the Scioto River as part of a $50 million-plus condominium complex on Neil Avenue. Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. will seek approval from the city's Downtown Commission on Feb. 23 for plans to build 88 condos in the glass-skinned skyscraper and to transform a connected industrial building into 21 loft-style condos and a parking garage. http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/02/20/story4.html
March 10, 200619 yr Columbus RetroMetro has added a panoramic view of the North Bank Condo area: http://columbusretrometro.com/panoramas/sitemap.cfm?pano=19&ver=qt
March 28, 200619 yr Author Speaking of Nationwide's new building, has anyone seen it going up? It's right next to the building that has the Mongolian Barbeque in it. I drove by yesterday, and there was a crane putting what looked like the last of the steel onto the building. Not sure if it's been topped out yet, but it looked like it was around 6 stories. ColDayMan needs to get his rear in gear and get some photos!
March 28, 200619 yr ColDayMan doesn't care about the Arena District. He cares only about Easton. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
April 14, 200619 yr City, railway clash over crossing plan Arena District tracks a safety risk, some say Friday, April 14, 2006 Tim Doulin THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Kathy Presutti has seen pedestrians go to great lengths to cross the railroad tracks at Marconi Boulevard in the Arena District. A contractor for American Electric Power, Presutti works at the company’s corporate office at 1 Riverside Plaza, but often has to attend meetings down the street in the Arena District. That requires crossing the tracks on foot. Wherever she wants. Now a pedestrian crossing is being installed and Presutti is pleased. Norfolk Southern Corp. and the city of Columbus are taking steps to set up the crossing near Marconi. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/14/20060414-B1-03.html NOTE: I took the photos attached below and the time between the guy walking across the tracks was less than a minute before the NS freight train rolled through at about 35 mph
April 14, 200619 yr I'm surprised that area is so wide open at-grade. Why isn't there a tall fence along both sides of that right of way? Do that AND add an overpass, and people will use the overpass. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 14, 200619 yr The city and Nationwide Realty (the Arena District developers) are supposed to install dense plantings and fences that will funnel people into the pedestrian crossing and across the double tracks. (Almost sounds like a Monty Python scenario waiting to happen....."whereupon the pedestrians will be neatly sliced and diced into manageable chunks....") If it weren't so potentially tragic, it would be funny.
April 17, 200619 yr The city is aware of the railways position on the subject, but says the street-level crossing is the safest avenue. "Human nature is to use the shortest possible path to get to where you are going," Webster said. "So even if there is an overhead walkway, we know from experience that people will ignore it and cross under it and over the tracks." A pedestrian overpass would require steps and elevators to accommodate the disabled, Webster said. That logic is soft at best. Like KJP said, build fences and funnel people up the stairs and over the tracks. I'm also not too familiar with ADA complaince, but would you really need to build an elevator when there are other ways to get around the tracks (front st.)?
April 17, 200619 yr What Webster is (in effect) saying is that complying with ADA laws is too expensive: a reason which will not stand up in court if they are challenged on the basis of ADA access. Even though there are other access points for people in wheelchairs or of limited motion due to a handicap, I believe the law maintains that access should be at or near what would be the access point for an "abled" person. What I don't understand is the seeming inability of both the city and the adjacent property owner (Nationwide) to understand the huge liability issue that will occur when someone (inevitably) steps in front of a train at this pedestrian crossing. They will get creamed in court when some attorney discovers (as they will) that the railroad recommended a pedestrian overpass and even went to court (albeit a failed attempt) to block an at-grade pedestrian crossing. The railroad will be the ones looking good in the public eyes, and deservedly so.
April 30, 200619 yr The news about Whole Foods moving in makes me think the area will be thriving. People just love that place and the company is careful about they place their stores. How far west can the Arena district expand? I just purchased a condo in the 'new' part of the Arena District and am some cautiously optimistic. Any there really going to be enough people around to support all this development? What effect do think Whole Foods will have on North Market?
April 30, 200619 yr I honestly don't think much effect will happen, since North Market is more "international" while Whole Foods is simply "organic loving." "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
July 9, 200618 yr The North Bank Park website has added a "virtual tour" of the exterior of the condo tower.....note the new Clippers ballpark in the background. http://northbankcondos.com/virtual_tour.php
September 10, 200618 yr Thanks for those pictures Noozer. I also just checked out that outside virtual tour of the building and I did take note of the new stadium in the background. This may not be the right thread, but I really wish they wouldn't put those two sporting venues so close to each other. I would acctually love to see it replace the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. It would probably bring in more revenue than the Auditorium ( I understand they are really struggling) and it would help connect Franklinton with Downtown (if a pedestrian bridge is built over the Scioto to connect the two venues. My two cents. I assume though that the plans are already set in stone?
September 10, 200618 yr hey its on the way. noozer thanks. i like that rendering video, but it reminds me how its too bad they did not save part of the ohio pen. the apt building looks like it will be impressive.
September 12, 200618 yr I can't believe that I've missed this thread until now. The tower looks very cool, and will definately help to fill in the Cbus landscape!
October 19, 200618 yr These are some progress pictures that I took of the site on Friday, October 13, 2006. I think these were taken from Spring Street? The large road/highway that runs along the river. Also, there is a picture of the model that was just inside the Arena.
October 19, 200618 yr Does the crane that is currently at the project site look tall enough to finish the tower? It seems like the much smaller Arena Crossing apartments had a much larger crane. :?
October 20, 200618 yr I think the crane is big enough. It looks a little smaller in the pics because of the perspective. I work over there and see the progress every day. They've already got another floor poured on top of the one in the progress pics. I think they're running at a pace of around 1 floor per week. Gotta love NRI...when the want to do a project, they really move!
October 20, 200618 yr what surprises me is the fact that it seems to be all concrete construction. No steal beams.
October 20, 200618 yr Yes, I have noticed this as well. It was listed in the offical press release that it would be a concrete structure. Does anyone know which is better? I assume concrete construction is cheaper, but which would hold up better in say an earthquake or in "high risk" areas/cities? If you notice, Columbus, has many concrete construction buildings. Nationwide's Headquarters as well as American Electric headquarters are concrete exteriors. I believe this is because Columbus has less labor unions trying to make sure steel is used. I have heard that this is one reason that the World Trade Center towers were not as stable, they had a steel center. To get to the point I assume that a steel exterior structure with concrete center is the prefered method of highrise construction these days?? Anyone care to futher clarify?
October 21, 200618 yr Well, interestingly enough, I know that the Petronas Towers that are in Malaysia are all-concrete construction which blows me away. Apparently they have created a suitable concrete that can support the mega structures and still have lower level columns slender enough to be feasible for office space. And I believe that Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia is seismically active? Also, I believe some concrete is acctually better suited to withstand earthquakes in some regards, if designed properly. Now, in the event of an earthquake, I believe they may become damaged but will not fail and support the building long enough for occupants to safely evacuate and demolished at the liesure of the people. Brewmaster, are you able to take progress pictures? If you could, that would be great!
October 22, 200618 yr Yeah...I need to get more active with progress pictures around here. I've been meaning to get back out to the Whittier Peninsula to check out the progress there as well. I'll be sure to bring the camera!
November 3, 200618 yr Author LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES Developer plans move to Arena District Friday, November 03, 2006 Mike Pramik THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH A year after his company agreed to sponsor Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Michael DeAscentis Jr. thought the time was right for the builder to call the Arena District home. Lifestyle Communities, which develops condominiums, apartments and single-family homes, has agreed to lease 40,000 square feet on the first three floors of an office building that district developer Nationwide Realty Investors plans to build. Nationwide Realty plans to begin in spring on the seven-story, 125,000-square-foot building at 230 West St. Lifestyle Communities is asking Columbus for tax incentives to move its headquarters Downtown from 2800 Corporate Exchange Dr., on the Northeast Side. Read more at http://www.dispatch.com/business-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/03/20061103-G1-03.html
November 9, 200618 yr Lifestyle Communities eyes Arena District headquarters Business First of Columbus - by Brian R. Ball, Business First Friday, November 3, 2006 Suburban condo and apartment developer Lifestyle Communities Ltd. plans to bring its headquarters to downtown Columbus as the anchor of a 125,000-square-foot office building proposed in the Arena District. The builder plans to move its 164 employees into 40,000 square feet of the seven-story building planned for 230 West Street. The project is contingent on an incentive deal before City Council, which calls for the developer to create 74 jobs over the next several years. Lifestyle Communities CEO Michael DeAscentis Jr. said moving downtown - likely in the second quarter of 2008 - would let the company's employees have some fun while working in the mixed-use district developed by Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/11/06/story6.html
November 9, 200618 yr Arena District Athletic Club expanding Business First of Columbus Thursday, October 12, 2006 Fitness buffs are heading to the Arena District to slim down and that has the Arena District Athletic Club bulking up. After two years of operation, the club is adding 745 square feet to the 10,000-square-foot facility to create a larger cardio workout room to support its growing membership, it said. Construction began this week and is slated for completion by the end of the year. Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/10/09/daily19.html
January 3, 200718 yr These are progress pictures of the North Bank Condos Tower and Lofts from either the 26 or 27 of December 2006. They are making great progress, i think, and are begining to install the windows at the bottom floors. There's my car! The top of this garage is the home of the Construction Cam found here (http://www.northbankparkcondos.com/construction_cam.php)
January 3, 200718 yr Nice view(s). The buildings line up real nice-like along the river. From the Construction Cam site:
January 4, 200718 yr Nice job Kingfish! Was that some guerrilla photography or did you get permission to take those?
January 4, 200718 yr About as guerilla as clicking on http://www.northbankparkcondos.com/construction_cam.php But what the hey: "VIVE LE REVOLUCION!"
January 7, 200718 yr ha, dodge neon. Or is it a Plymouth Neon??? Don't mess with the pope's auto-identification skills. He's a native metro-Detroiter. (I thought it was a Civic).
January 8, 200718 yr ha, dodge neon. Or is it a Plymouth Neon??? Don't mess with the pope's auto-identification skills. He's a native metro-Detroiter. (I thought it was a Civic). I wish it was
March 1, 200718 yr Just to post an update, Nationwides' new office has done and construction is finishing up on the interior. There is a cut out beneath the building for the parking garage behind it, that allows parking for arena district patrons. Also. the grange construction is moving along steadily.
March 1, 200718 yr Someone snap some NEw pics the tower is almost up to its final height of 20 stories. I tried to count the other day it looks like they only have 2 more floors of concrete to pour! wee hoO!
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