IggerTHE burbs
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of Columbus, from Hilliard to Gahanna.
Out of 5,500 apartments under development right now in central Ohio, about 4,100 are outside the Downtown area, according to the apartment research firm YardiMatrix.
Most suburban complexes dwarf urban ones because they are built on far larger sites. While a typical urban apartment project might have 70 to 130 units, suburban projects often include 300 or even 400 apartments.
“Everyone notices the number of buildings (Downtown), but it doesn’t add up to a lot of units,” said Tre Giller, chief executive officer of DRK & Co. One of the largest developers of suburban apartments in central Ohio, it has about
3,500 units in some stage of development or planning now.
"Downtown, you can’t build 500 units in one place."
The three largest complexes on the horizon are all along the northern suburban ring.
Work has begun on the first phases of the two largest developments: 806 apartments planned as part of the Hamilton Quarter development near New Albany; and up to 915 apartments planned at Riggins Run, on the southeast corner of Avery and Riggins roads on the Far Northwest Side near Hilliard.
In addition, 614 apartments are planned for Dresden Village, on the site of the former Anderson’s store near Sawmill Road and Route 161.
So what do tenants get in these new complexes — besides hundreds of neighbors?
To find out, we took at look at three new developments, all of which will include more than 400 apartments when finished.
Greyson at Hickory Chase ■ Apartments: 492
■ Rent range: $874-$1,445 ■ Size range: 659-1,190 square feet
The first of these apartments opened in June while work will continue for several months wrapping up the rest of the complex off Leap and Davidson roads in Hilliard.
The three-story walkup design is traditional but, as Giller notes, the clubhouse is nothing like clubhouses built 20 years ago. The building houses a fitness center, lounge, pool table, theater room and coffee station. Outdoors is the pool, grilling patio, fire pit and gazebo-covered tables next to volleyball and basketball courts.
In addition to one- and two-bedroom units, the The pool and clubhouse are among the amenities at the Ravines at Westar in Westerville.
Greyson includes three bedrooms for families drawn to the Hilliard school district.
Apartments include laundry hookups (but not washers and dryers) and most include patios and balconies. Pets are allowed.
Ravines at Westar Apartments: 404 Rent range: $1,045-$2,550 ■ ■
■ Size range: 792-2,278 square feet
The first phase of this complex, tucked off Worthington Road near Polaris Fashion Place, was completed in June, with 296 apartments. Work is underway on a second phase of 108 apartments, and a third phase is under consideration.
Most of the apartments are traditional two- and three- story walk- ups, but the complex also includes more than a dozen threebedroom townhomes catering to families who want to be in the Olentangy school district.
Apartments include stainless appliances, 9- foot- high ceilings and patios or balconies. Some include washers and dryers and granite countertops. Pets are welcome, but smokers are not.
The clubhouse features a theater/ party room that can be reserved, a fitness center, pool table, conference room, a pet-grooming room and a coffee station, overlooking a pool and grilling patio.
Tuller Flats
■ Apartments: 420
■ Rent range: $1,029-$1,999 ■ Size range: 648-1,290 square feet
Tuller Flats offers a different look for the suburbs. The complex, in Dublin’s Bridge Street district, is laid out in an urban grid, with 29 buildings laced with public streets and surrounding a 2-acre public park.
The urban vibe starts with the clubhouse, decorated in sleek contemporary furnishings. Inside are a fitness center, shuffleboard table and lounge. Outside are the pool, kitchen counter and fireplace (both with televisions) and play area with oversized Jenga and Connect 4 games.
Along with single-level apartments in three-story walkups, Tuller Flats includes some two-bedroom townhomes with garages.
Apartments include 9-foot ceilings (10-foot in some units), washers and dryers, granite counters, and balconies or patios. Pets are allowed.