If a new development proposal is approved, then the Convention Center area may gain a new hotel at the expense of losing several smaller buildings in the Park Street area near the North Market. Columbus-based Continental Realty submitted an application to the Historic Resources Commission last week for conceptual review, which outlines a plan to demolish several interconnected one-to-three story buildings and surface parking lots in the Downtown block bounded by Park Street, Spruce Street, Armstrong Street and Interstate 670, and replace them with new two eight-story buildings.
While still conceptual at this point in time, the plan says that the building facing Park Street would house an eight-story 149-room AC Hotel, while the building positioned on the west side of the site would house a four story parking structure topped with four floors of commercial office space.
AC Hotels is a European-based subsidiary operated by Marriott, which is relatively new to the US market. The hotel is a select-service brand that caters to a younger audience. The proposed 94,975 square foot hotel building would include a single ground floor retail tenant on the north end of the building with separate lounge and bar amenities located in the ground floor lobby of the hotel. The building would also include a fitness center and meeting rooms on the second floor, and an outdoor terrace on the eighth floor.
The proposed office building would include a total of 81,000 square feet of space — with 20,000 square feet per floor and a 1,000 square foot lobby accessed from Spruce Street. The four floors of parking garage would include a total of 232 parking spots. The logo of Columbus-based retail developer WP Glimcher appears on the office building renderings, which indicates that they may be considering a relocation of their offices from 180 East Broad Street, though representatives at the company did not have additional details to share at this point in time.
Since the development would be partially located within the footprint of the North Market Historic District, the proposal is required to go through review with the Historic Resources Commission prior to the review process with the Downtown Commission. The properties that are being considered for demolition currently house several office businesses in addition to popular bars and nightclubs including Park Street Saloon, The Social and Park Street Patio.
“My company, Concept Equity, has acquired all of that block on Park Street over the years, and most of the parcels behind,” said property owner Chris Corso. “I always had a vision for something special in that part of Columbus. I’m hoping we can make a deal happen.”
The current proposal will receive preliminary review at the September 17th Historic Resources Commission meeting. If approved at a later date, it would advance to the Downtown Commission for additional review.
“We are still evaluating the proposal and are looking forward to the Downtown Commissions’ feedback,” stated Steven Schoeny, Director of the Department of Development with the City of Columbus.
This article will continue to be updated as we receive additional details, so check back for more information throughout the week.
Renderings via Meyers+Associates.
