After years of quietly acquiring property, Concept Equity is quickly making a name for itself as a major real estate development company in the Short North and Downtown areas. The newest proposal from the locally-based organization will be presented to the Italian Village Commission tomorrow evening, and will present a concept for the renovation of four buildings located between 1088 North High Street and 1112 North High Street.
“The presentation tomorrow will show just a rendering of ideas to clean up the block running from the old plasma business to the Cigar shop,” said Concept Equity owner Chris Corso. “This block, in my opinion, is the last remaining undeveloped block in the Short North that will truly connect the neighborhood from Downtown all the way to campus.”
Corso said that the renovation calls for approximately 20,000 square feet of retail space with apartments above and a possible rooftop restaurant patio. He said that while no concepts have been firmly established as far as retail tenants go, he expects his restaurant company that owns both Forno and the Pint House will likely create a concept within the renovated space.
“I am looking forward to the opinions of the commission and the neighborhood as to what type of tenants they would like to see,” said Corso. “In my opinion, this part of the Short North is a special few blocks — I don’t envision any national or chain tenants but much more of a local feel. I have lived in the Short North for over twenty years and have always liked this part of it.”
The redevelopment is a collaboration between Concept Equity and Mark Smith of Continental Realty, who are jointly working on the proposed Park Street hotel development as well. Concept Equity also currently owns the former Red Zone nightclub Downtown, and is working with Borror Properties to build a new apartment building in its place.
And those aren’t the only projects in the works either.
“Concept Equity also owns a portion of the block across the street where Yoga on High and Little Dreamers Day Care are located,” added Corso. “We are currently in talks for that corner to be redeveloped with apartments or a hotel above the retail. Nothing is firm yet, but that would the plan going forward.”
For ongoing discussion on this development, CLICK HERE to visit our Messgaeboard.
