The people who built the 20-story Condominiums at North Bank Park will tell you that each of the 88 units has a view worth a million bucks. Actually, to get a true million-dollar view, you'll have to customize. The highest list price for remaining units in Downtown's latest condo tower is $864,000. Add an extra parking space or two and deck out the pad with hardwood floors and other amenities, and a seven-figure price tag is easily within reach.
Nationwide Realty Investors, the development division of Nationwide, rolled out the first models last week of its $50 million-plus project that overlooks the Scioto River. After 18 months of construction, Nationwide Realty is ready to start closing deals on the 109 units in the tower and adjoining warehouse.
Nationwide Realty President Brian Ellis said 34 already are in contract. Standing inside the 11th-floor model, Ellis said the decision to build the tower was based in part on what buyers could see from their living rooms. "There's water in front of you, and you feel you're right on top of it," he said. "The balconies are very spacious, and we believe these are great views of Downtown. "If there's one thing that everybody focused on when they were (considering) the units, it's, 'What's my view? What am I going to see outside the window?' "
North Bank in part mirrors Miranova, the 113-unit condo tower that Ron Pizzuti developed in 2000. They stand nearly opposite each other at each end of the curve in the Scioto. But while North Bank will leverage its location in the Arena District, Miranova sells a quieter setting and more amenities. Miranova has a swimming pool, a tennis court, lots of social meeting space, a private health club and 24-hour concierge service. "There's nothing else like Miranova in the city for a very discriminating buyer," said Pat Himes with Pizzuti Cos.
Ellis didn't want to compare the two. "Obviously, this site benefits from great river views, and so does that one," he said. North Bank, however, has several unique touches in its modest lobby, which will have a 24-hour security staff. There's a guest suite that can be rented by condo owners, as well as a 29-seat theater, a meeting room and a small workout room.
North Bank is a combination of 88 tower units and 21 loft-style units in the adjoining warehouse. The tower has five units on each floor up to the 15th floor, and no more than four units on floors 16 through 20. The units on the north side of the building will have views of Huntington Park, the Clippers' new baseball stadium, which is under construction. Ellis said the 21 warehouse-building units were designed as urban lofts. They range from $376,000 to $655,000 and from 1,509 to 2,554 square feet.
The finished model in the loft offers a customizable open floor plan with exposed brick and columns incorporated in the layout. The warehouse was in part retrofitted to make room for 173 parking spaces. Parking is on the first two floors and half of the third and fourth floors. The entire fifth floor is residential space. Entry to the building is off Spring Street. Ellis said condo buyers receive one parking space. Additional spaces cost $30,000. There also are several dozen storage units for sale.
Source: Columbus Dispatch