Skyscrapers in Columbus's Future? (Cleveland, Cincinnati: apartment, insurance, condo)

[gottaq]

Will Columbus get more skyscrapers in the future? I couldnt find any that are planned on being built. Shouldn't a city of over 800,000 people have more skyscrapers?

[emcee squared]

The building of skyscrapers isn't predicated solely on population.

[robertfoshizzle]

City population really means nothing in relation to amount of skyscrapers. In reality, Columbus is much smaller than its city population would lead you to believe. Metropolitan area population is much more indicative of a city's size, and in that measure Columbus only ranks 32nd, compared with 15th in city population. The reason for this is that the city limits of Columbus reach all the way to the edges of the county as a result of annexation. Some other cities, such as Cincinnati, did not annex as aggressively, and the boundaries of the city only expand a few miles from downtown.

[Natural510]

Skyscrapers should/are built only as needed by demand for downtown office space, not because people want their skyline to be more impressive.

[scioto]

Several 10-15 story hotels and apartment buildings have recently been, or are currently being built in Columbus. However, I don't see any large skyscrapers being built anytime soon.

[ohioaninsc]

You have to have the demand for office space in the CBD to get new high rises built. The only new true high rise built in the last decade anywhere in Ohio is Cincinnati's Queen City Square-The Great American Insurance Company building. Most corporations dont' want to spend the high prices it takes to build a skyscraper when they get what they want in the burbs for much less.
I don't think High rises are needed anyway...I'd rather see the downtown surface parking lots all get filled w/ 4-6 floor buildings than just 1 that might get a 40 floor tower.

[robertfoshizzle]

I do think it would be nice if the gaps in our skyline were filled from an aesthetic standpoint, but the demand just isn't there.

[Zen_master]

Originally Posted by robertfoshizzle

City population really means nothing in relation to amount of skyscrapers. In reality, Columbus is much smaller than its city population would lead you to believe. Metropolitan area population is much more indicative of a city's size, and in that measure Columbus only ranks 32nd, compared with 15th in city population. The reason for this is that the city limits of Columbus reach all the way to the edges of the county as a result of annexation. Some other cities, such as Cincinnati, did not annex as aggressively, and the boundaries of the city only expand a few miles from downtown.

+1.

In my professional experience many former tenants of downtown office space have opted to move to suburban office and several more current downtown tenants are considering the move. With the traffic congestion, crime, and cost of parking that comes with a downtown presence it is less desirable than it once was unless you must be downtown (e.g. attorneys & proximity to the courthouse).

Where you are likely to see additional development is in the suburban office space. Easton Gateway is a good example. Similarly, Kenwood Collection just outside of Cincinnati is another similar development. You may seen renovation of existing downtown buildings but skyscrapers are unlikely in the near future.

[Fletchman]

Everyone I've ever known who has worked downtown at one point or another has pretty much loathed it.

[ohioaninsc]

The real downtown development that is occurring in each of our major cities is residential/hotel/mixe use...with many buildings available to renovate, you will continue to see that happen before any major Condo/Apt towers are built. So that also strikes out the chance for residental/hotel high rises.

Outside of Chicago and Minneapolis, new high rise development is nonexistent in most of the Midwest. Cleveland is getting it's new Hilton Hotel that's a high rise...but it's being paid for by the County Gov't...the demand simply isn't there for private developers...I think that will be a boondoggle to Cuyahoga County too...if a private developer doesn't see potential return, I highly doubt it will turn out profitable for the County.