Elford Development is in the early planning stages on two noteworthy development proposals; an 18-acre mixed-use development at 555 West Goodale Street (the current site of White Castle’s Headquarters), and a multi-story, mixed-use building to replace the United Dairy Farmers store and adjacent parking lot at the southeast corner of High Street and First Avenue in the Short North.
“We’re really excited about both projects and both partnerships,” said Elford President Mike Fitzpatrick, explaining that both White Castle and Cincinnati-based UDF would be partners in the two respective developments. “They’re obviously great parcels, and great long term investments.”
For the Short North project, Fitzpatrick said that UDF would retain ownership of the site, although it has not yet been determined if a UDF store would be incorporated into the new development. As for what form it might take, he said that Elford’s other recent projects along High Street – The Hub, the Fireproof Building, and the new Donatos restaurant with offices above – offer a good idea of what to expect.
“Those projects all filled in vacant parts of High Street, and are representative of the types of things we’re interested in,” he said. “If you take some pieces and parts of all of those projects, that might be what we end up with.”
As for the White Castle HQ site, “it will be a mixed-use development, with a combination of likely uses to include office, multi-family, retail and potentially hospitality,” according to Fitzpatrick.
He added that the proximity of that site to both the Arena District and Grandview Yard makes it particularly attractive, and that “finding a way to connect” to both areas will be a priority.
Look for more information from Columbus Underground soon on both projects as the proposals are refined in preparation for review from the Downtown and Italian Village commissions.
All photos by Walker Evans.