Seven-story Topiary Park apartment building would replace 1938 complex
Developers have proposed two apartment buildings near Topiary Park, continuing the surge of residential development in Downtown’s “Discovery District” neighborhood.
The Pizzuti Companies is asking to demolish an 84-year-old apartment building at the northwest corner of Oak and South 9th streets to eventually make way for a seven-story mixed-use building that would contain 117 apartments.
The Pizzuti plan would replace a two-story U-shaped apartment building erected in 1938 with a 65-space parking lot. In two years, Pizzuti said it would build the seven-story building on the site.
In addition to the apartments, the building would include co-working space, a clubhouse and 94 parking spaces. Pizzuti bought the property in March for $1.1 million.
In a letter supporting Pizzuti’s proposal, Encova Insurance Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer John Kessler called the apartment building now on the site “an eyesore and blight to the neighborhood.”
City development staff has recommended against the proposal because Pizzuti has no immediate plans to replace the building.
“The proposal does not meet the guidelines with regards to demolitions, as no replacement building has been approved,” according to a staff memo. “Additionally, the proposed parking lot is not an appropriate replacement use for the razed building.”
Nearby, Joe Collins Property is proposing a three-story building with 24 apartments that would sit behind an existing building at 620 E. Town St.
Collins’ and Pizzuti’s proposals are scheduled to be heard by the Downtown Commission on Tuesday.
The proposals would continue the extensive residential development the neighborhood has seen in recent years.
Pizzuti’s proposal is an extension of the company’s Library Park Apartments development on Oak Street and S. Grant Avenue. The first two phases, on the south side of Oak Street, contain 150 new and refurbished apartments.
In partnership with Capital University, Pizzuti recently opened the third phase of the Library Park project, offering 145 new apartments on the northeast corner of Grant and Oak.
Down Oak Street, Encova Insurance is rebuilding its Residences at Topiary Park complex. The four-story, 92-apartment, complex was destroyed by fire in May 2020. The complex is expected to open early next year.
On the south side of Topiary Park, the Columbus Downtown Development Corp. has broken ground for Topiary Park Crossing, a five-story building containing 98 affordable apartments.
@JimWeiker
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