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    Fast Forward: Fifth by Northwest

    The Columbus neighborhood sandwiched between Grandview Heights and Upper Arlington may not have the same level of name recognition as its adjacent areas, but Fifth by Northwest (5xNW) still continues to see its own steady stream of new urban development. Unlike The Short North or Italian Village where development largely follows a linear spine, 5xNW is seeing a more dispersed boom clustered around several pockets of activity.

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    The industrial area near the Grandview Yard Market District grocery store has most rapidly converted to new apartment buildings while areas closer to Grandview Avenue reflect a vision that aligns more closely with the existing vibe of that strip. In the far northeast corner, a mix of hip restaurant concepts and student-centric housing with proximity to OSU have emerged in recent years with plenty of opportunity for more to come in the future.

    Over 1,600 New Residents Are in the Process of Calling This Area Home

    The largest new addition to this area comes in the form of new residents. Large-scale apartment buildings have popped up in 5xNW over the past several years, the largest of which is The Griff, a 288-unit, 586-bed four story building that opened in 2016 with fully-furnished apartments. Nearby, The Steel House is a 133-unit apartment property from Preferred Living that is opening soon on Chambers Road.

    In 2015, The View on Fifth debuted as the largest mixed-use development in the area, bringing six stories containing 153 apartments with ground floor retail space to the Fifth Avenue strip, with an additional 132 apartment units housed in several additional three story buildings on Holly Avenue just south of Fifth. Next door, The Quinn is wrapping up construction now, which is offering another 160 apartment units in a new four-story building facing Norton Avenue. Other newish buildings adjacent to this activity include the 105-unit Apartments on Edgehill development, which was completed in 2015, and the low-income housing development Commons at Third, which contains 100 apartment units and was completed in 2012.

    Closer to Grandview Avenue, The Broadview will contain 64 apartment units once completed, offering a low-key option that’s in closer proximity to the collection of stores and restaurants in Grandview Heights.

    The Quinn, under construction in Fall 2017 — Photo by Walker Evans.

    Retail, Hotel, Storage Space and More

    While 5xNW has yet to see the type of office development that neighborhoods like The Short North and Downtown are currently experiencing, it has certainly grown in terms of retail and restaurant development.

    Popular local spirits distiller Watershed expanded their production space to include a full service bar and restaurant in early 2017, while Clintonville-based restaurant Acre opened their second location early last year as well. Edgework Creative (formerly known as Re:Work Furnishings) opened a large production space (with a small retail shop) in 5xNW in 2017 while the former Giant Eagle building at Fifth and Grandview was finally reborn as a retail space hosting a new Big Lots location as well as the relocated Grandview Mercantile.

    Fifth by Northwest is seeing additional commercial development beyond just restaurant and retail as well. The Stor All Self Storage facility on Fifth Avenue is expanding with a multi-story addition adjacent to the street. Locally-based Indus Hotels is constructing a new Aloft Hotel on Olentangy River Road next to Cap City Fine Diner.

    The Fast Forward series is presented by our friends at TRIAD Architecture. CLICK HERE to read previous installments in this ongoing editorial series.

    TRIAD is a full-service architecture and design firm where we partner with our clients to deliver quality solutions. Recently, we have expanded our services to apply our expertise and pragmatic approach to development projects and facility solutions.

    At TRIAD, its never “just business” – we believe that architecture is stewardship, and that everything we do should benefit our employees, our clients and the communities we serve.

    We are also working with our community partners to curate diverse perspectives on architecture’s impact in our communities. Visit www.ArchitectureIsStewardship.com for more information.

    To find out more about our work, check out www.triadarchitects.com.

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    Walker Evans
    Walker Evanshttps://columbusunderground.com
    Walker Evans is the co-founder of Columbus Underground, along with his wife and business partner Anne Evans. Walker has turned local media into a full time career over the past decade and serves on multiple boards and committees throughout the community.
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