Two significant development projects will be moving forward after receiving design approval from the Downtown Commission this morning.
At 100 N. High St., a 15-story building from the Edwards Companies will hold 152 apartments, ground floor restaurant space, and an eight-level garage that will provide parking for the new building as well as the adjoining Madison’s and White-Haines buildings to the south, which are currently being renovated.
The site has been used as a parking lot for decades, although a portion of it once held a small two-story building that was occupied by Experience Columbus.
The commission was largely complimentary of changes made to the proposal since it was first presented to the group last summer. Representatives of Meyers + Associates Architecture explained that the main difference was the treatment of the first several floors and the entrances off of High Street – new materials were added to the facade, as was a space for a public art installation.
A resident of Atrium Lofts, which sits directly to the north of the proposed building, spoke at the meeting and expressed concerns about the height of the project and its potential to block sunlight and obscure views to the south, particularly from the penthouse units. The architects responded that the new building has been designed with a landscaped courtyard on the north side, which will allow for some space between the two buildings and a view into the green space.
Although some commissioners expressed sympathy for the concerns of the Atrium Lofts residents and encouraged Edwards Companies to work with its new neighbors, none voted against the proposal. The approval was made with the condition that the applicant return for further review of signage, lighting and the proposed art piece on High Street.
Also approved at the meeting was the architecture and landscaping for Astor Park, the residential and office development planned for the space between Lower.com Field and the Olentangy River. Formerly known as Confluence Village, the Pizzuti Companies project was first announced in late 2018.
The office component of the project is a five-story, 147,000-square-foot building that will sit just west of the stadium, on West Nationwide Boulevard. To the north of the office building will be two five-story residential buildings will hold a total of 449 apartments. One of the apartment buildings will connect up with a 680-space, city-owned parking garage that was approved at an earlier commission meeting.
For more information on the Downtown Commission, see www.columbus.gov.