The Diamond Developers: Re-Submission Planning Local Development

The design that we chose for the new residential, commercial and office complex going in the lot bordered by Long Street, Gay Street and High Street captures several of the adjectives that the group feels is Columbus. Columbus is a city that is growing, and slowly getting its population back as it becomes more 

Green- The group felt that above all, the new complex needs to capture the environmentally friendly, green city that Columbus has become. Parks spot the city, giving families and pet owners an escape from the concrete, without leaving city limits. For that reason, there are plant walls with flowers that will last through all Ohio weather, a courtyard in the middle, and gardens on different step-backs. Not only does it play to the many parks throughout the city, but it provides a nice escape for the office workers and the residents. 

Pride– People in the city of Columbus are proud to be from Columbus, and love to see things that represent their city and state. Being Ohio’s state flower, the group plans to incorporate the red flowers in the flower walls and gardens. The Columbus Park of Roses is a huge attraction for everything from a casual walk to a wedding. In addition to the state flower, roses will be featured in the rooftop gardens.  

Renewal- Columbus is getting younger, and additions such as the Short North and the Arena District help attract and keep the younger residents. With younger people and a growing skyline, the city is being renewed and revived. To help symbolize this new age for an older city, the design includes a growing concept- large open windows for the stores and restaurants. It allows outdoor seating while still being indoors, and is a growing concept that is becoming popular. It adds youth to the building and the city. 

History- Columbus is old, and a lot of the original buildings remind the citizens of the older styles that used to cover the city. The brick, the Corinthian column style border along the tops of the buildings, the decorative window frames and the faux  balconies are seen all around the city. The group wanted to preserve that style, making sure the building fits in with those across the street and around the city. The entire complex will be brick, with the railings surrounding the various gardens imitating those that make up the fake balconies. It’s a way to welcome people into the city with a new building that has a comfortable, old-time feel.

Welcoming– Although it is a big city, the people living there would make one think otherwise. Being in the Midwest, Columbus residents are very welcoming to anyone and everyone. People are kind, they are open, they accept all people. This complex is at the entrance to downtown Columbus, so the group felt that while it will be several stories high, the building shouldn’t be overwhelming to those driving in. This prompted the idea to have the corners of the complex square be a few stories shorter, building up while adding step-backs. The residential area will be the farthest back from the street to give a sense of privacy to those living there.

Diversity- Columbus is a historically diverse city, with its now popular Italian and German Villages that bring light to the cultures of other countries. These neighborhoods, among the several other that differ in style, inspired the group to make each building and side of the complex a little different, whether it be the height or building material. Having each building in the complex be the same height is too boring for a city that has so many components going into it. 

The two block lot bound by High Street, Gay Street and Long Street should be taken advantage of, providing ample living and working space. The group designed each building in the complex to be at least eight stories high, with the pool on the roof. This way, more apartments or offices can be put in and the space isn’t wasted.

The group feels that with this design, the essence of Columbus was captured and implemented. It takes the best qualities of the city and emphasizes them, so that whether you’ve lived in the city your whole life or if you’re just visiting, you’ll look at Parkside on High and think, “Columbus.”

At the ground level the building will be brick to represent the history and authenticity of Columbus. As it rises, the stepbacks will change into a complimentary tan color to match surrounding buildings and break up the different portions of Parkside on High. Each stepback will have a green area for residents or office workers to enjoy. The green expresses Columbus’s environmentally friendly reform and will help break apart the stories in a memorable and symbolic way. On the corner of Long and High the complex’s height will be between 6-8 stories to make it seem more welcoming. Instead of just throwing 14 stories in one’s face at the entrance to downtown, seeing lower stories at first will make the building less overwhelming.

This view, from the perspective of Gay St. shows the opening of this complex. The courtyard that forms a divide in the building allows for people in Columbus to walk and sit and eat and lounge. Columbus is a friendly city and allows people to slow down and talk to one another. The flowers planted here will be carnations, Ohio’s state flower, to show the pride Columbus has for itself and the state. The different levels of the building gives this complex variety and allows for it to stand out and not just be looked over.

This is a top view of Parkside on High. This perspective shows how the courtyard will cut into the building, leaving it as a U shape. Gay St. has more restaurants, cafes, and stores so the opening will allow for people to sit in a gardenesque space and escape city life. The two pools on the roof, rather than on the 3rd floor allow for more stories to be used for office and residential.

The logo that the group came up with for Parkside on High features the Columbus skyline in black, with our building design in white.