Upper Arlington

Grandview Yard’s first phase

By MaryAnn Shoemaker on September 4, 2010

Nationwide Realty Investors CEO Brian Ellis addresses the crowd Wednesday, Sept. 1, at the grand opening of Grandview Yard.
After a tour for public officials in the morning and an open house for the public in the evening, many residents and local leaders left the Grandview Yard development last Wednesday, Sept. 1, impressed with the transformation.

Around 200 people stood and sat in front of the Hyatt Place Hotel on Sept. 1 for the unveiling and opening of the development’s first phase, located in the southeast corner of Grandview Heights near downtown Columbus. The open house began with a performance by the Grandview Heights High School marching band and followed with remarks from Michelle Wilson, executive director of the Grandview Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as Grandview Mayor Ray DeGraw.

“Nationwide had a vision and stepped up,” DeGraw said. “I think they overdelivered on a promise.”

Brian Ellis, CEO of Grandview Yard developer Nationwide Realty Investors, addressed the crowd, discussing the history of the project and what the future will hold. Ellis said what’s next ultimately will be market-driven, but the plan is to add a retail and residential base. Ellis said that would begin with for-rent apartments and progress to other forms.

He added NRI currently is negotiating with several retail outlets that like the location, but there are no commitments. Further development will continue over the next 10 to 15 years, he said.

After Ellis’ speech and a question-and-answer session, the crowd walked among the businesses and buildings. Ralph Bierdeman, a resident of Westerville, said he and his wife enjoyed the architecture of the Hyatt Place hotel.

“I’ve been by here in the past few years when (the area) was kind of ratty,” Bierdeman said. “I think it’s great.”

The hotel tour included stops in the lobby, expanded meeting rooms, balcony room, cafe seating, guest kitchen with touch screen for ordering food, and indoor pool. The average guest room costs around $129 a night, and the meetings rooms are large to accommodate more company and business events.

Michael Holtzleiter, the general manager of the Hyatt, said the proximity to downtown Columbus, Ohio State University and the medical market should encourage businesses to host events at the hotel.

“It’s very easy for guests to get into the flow to Downtown,” Holtzleiter said.

Jean Carter Ryan, executive director of the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, said the hotel turned out much more upscale than she expected.

“I thought it would be a nice hotel,” Carter Ryan said. “It’s a beautiful hotel. This is stunning.”

That sentiment was shared by Westerville resident Mary Pope.

“The hotel is absolutely fantastic,” Pope said. “Everything is first-class.”

Guests had to navigate around perspiring patrons at the Urban Active Fitness Center. The three-story gym includes a pool on the ground level, assorted running and strength machines on the second floor, and a track on the top floor with 12 laps equivalent to one mile. The third floor also has a small movie theater for patrons, complete with dim lights, speakers and a cluster of treadmills.

Ellis said the fitness center is a great amenity for the people who will live and work in the area.

“Urban Active is outpacing their projections in membership,” he said.

The open house also offered a peek at the site’s office building, which holds Jason’s Deli. The restaurant, which will begin operating Monday, Sept. 13, offered visitors ice cream during the tour. The deli is designed for family-style dining, and the Grandview Yard eatery will be its largest franchise site.

Also in the building is M+A Architects, which designed the building itself and which Ellis called the “anchor of the building.”

In November, the Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill will open, and Ellis said fostering the connection with Ohio State is central to the project.

“That relationship is important, and it starts with Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill,” he said. “That’s a key market.”

Ellis also announced the signing of a lease with Schindler Dentistry, which will set up shop on the first floor. Although still under construction, the office has a rack of Dental Life magazines just outside.

Deborah Pryce, former District 15 congresswoman who helped NRI get its first federal grant, said she was impressed.

“I think it’s a great place,” Pryce said. “I’m already anxious to see what they’re going to do with Phase 2.”

Article by:
MARK DUBOVEC