TAKING SHAPE

OSU’S 15th and High project ready for first tenants to move in

The first tenants are preparing to move into Ohio State University’s new $140 million “front door.”

Eight years after being conceived, the redevelopment of the east side of High Street around 15th Avenue is about to welcome its first building. When completed, the 9-acre development, dubbed 15+High, is expected to include at least six buildings and a 9,000-square-foot plaza.

“I’m really proud of the quality of the development,” said Amanda Hoffsis, president of Campus Partners, the OSU development arm managing the project. “It’s so satisfying to see all the work we put in in the last eight years come to fruition in such a way that reflects the stature of the university today.”

Envisioned in 2013, the development was designed to more dramatically highlight the main entrance to the campus on High Street. Plans were unveiled two years later and demolition of the previous buildings, including Long’s Bookstore, started in 2016.

“Fifteenth and High is one of those iconic places on campus that every alumni has a memory of,” Hoffsis said. “It’s a really important space. We talk about it as the front door of the university.”

The first building, five stories tall and 100,000 square feet, will welcome its first tenant in May when Ohio State’s Office of Advancement moves into floors three through five.

The building’s second floor will be reserved for event space, while the first will house retail. Barrio Tacos has leased 4,000 square feet in the building, becoming the first retail tenant to commit to the project. The restaurant is expected to open in late summer.

“We couldn’t be more honored and excited to bring Barrio Tacos to the center of the University District at 15+High,” said Jason Beudert, a partner

in Barrio Columbus, which also operates a Barrio Tacos on West 5th Avenue near Grandview Heights.

Tenants are needed for the remaining 16,000 square feet of first-floor retail space, which will front High Street, as well as a plaza on the south side of the building and the pedestrian-oriented Pearl Alley behind the building.

“We have been signing leases, but we’ll leave it to tenants to announce,” Hoffsis said. “You’ll hear about a number of additional tenants very soon.”

A sister building, also five stories tall

DORAL CHENOWETH/COLUMBUS DISPATCH Workers install pavers on the area that used to be near the Flying Tomato restaurant’s outdoor patio as work progresses on the 15th Avenue redevelopment across North High Street.

CAMPUS PARTNERS The first building to be completed in the 15+High development across from Ohio State University will overlook a 9,000-square-foot plaza.