A familiar corner near Ohio State could soon look very different.
A local developer is proposing a six-story student housing development at 174 W. Lane Ave., the former home of Tommy’s Pizza near the intersection of Lane and Neil. The project, filed by Stavroff Land & Development, Inc., would replace the longtime pizzeria site with a multi-unit apartment building designed for student living just steps from campus.
Tommy’s Pizza operated at the location for 45 years before closing in 2025, becoming a go-to spot for generations of Ohio State students. While its Upper Arlington and Dublin locations remain open, the original campus-adjacent storefront has sat as a reminder of a quieter version of West Lane Avenue.
The new proposal outlines a mixed-use residential building featuring structured parking, leasing offices, amenity space, outdoor gathering areas, and a range of apartment layouts. Plans include roughly 3,300 square feet of shared amenity and leasing space on the ground floor, along with apartments ranging from one-bedroom units up to six-bedroom layouts.
A 22-space parking garage would be located on the ground level, while upper floors would be dedicated to residential units.
The application also emphasizes pedestrian-friendly design elements along Neil Avenue, including landscaping, bicycle parking, outdoor seating, and screening features intended to soften the building’s street presence.
If approved, the development would add another dense student housing option to an area that has seen steady redevelopment in recent years as demand continues to grow around Ohio State’s campus.
The proposal is currently under review by the City of Columbus as part of the zoning approval process.
