North Market tower is back on track.
The massive new project faced development delays due to the pandemic, but things are headed in the right direction now. In fact, the latest plan calls for an even larger design than before. The headliner of this new project is the 31-story tower that is the tallest structure built downtown in over three decades.
When the project was first announced, it was expected to top out at 26 stories. Now 5-stories taller, the tower will have 700,000 square feet of mixed-use space.
“As a company we look long-term and we try to do projects that we think are generational,” said Jim Merkel, the co-founder and chief executive officer of Rockbridge, the Columbus firm leading the development. “This particular project is just that, a transformational project, well located and as significant to a community as any project we’ve done in our history.”
The new plans call for 170+ residential units, a 212-room hotel, a 350 spot parking garage, and an 11,000 square foot expansion for North Market.
“North Market must evolve to stay relevant and prosperous – especially at a time when so many small businesses need creative plans for recovery,” said North Market Executive Director Rick Harrison Wolfe, in a statement. “Merchants have always been the resilient heart and soul of North Market and it’s only fitting that we celebrate that incredible spirit as we expand our mission with this project.”
The development will be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission and the Downtown Commission on September 16 and 28 respectively.
In order for the project to move on, both boards will need to give their approval. Once approved, construction is expected to begin in summer 2022.
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