The downtown's new park-like atmosphere has helped accelerate a trend toward urban core living seen throughout much of the US. Experts predict the downtown population will surpass 8,000 by the end of the year, doubling where it was in 2004. More than 44% of these residents are 20 to 34 years old. The vacancy rate among multifamily properties hovers near zero, and developers currently have more than 830 apartments and condo units under construction and have proposed building an additional 1,300 units.

In the coming months, Hines plans to add best-in-class amenities and create vibrant common areas for Huntington tenants. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture will assist with planning and designing new amenity areas such as a tenant lounge, rooftop patio and secure bike storage; amenities more commonly found in larger markets like Chicago. Upgrades will be made to the Gallery, such as lighting retrofits and replacement of the finishes in the elevators to make common areas brighter and more inviting.

“The renovations will appeal to creative office tenants, as well as professional service firms with a large Millennial employee base who are looking for new class A space and amenities in Columbus' central business district,” says Greg Van Schaack, Hines' senior managing director.

“Office space in downtown Columbus continues to be in high demand, especially open creative space,” says CBRE's McMahon. “As class A space continues to be absorbed by office tenants, we expect that demand to only go up. Huntington Center will be a viable option with large open floor plans that tenants are looking for.”

COLUMBUS—This city has completely re-engineered its downtown core, and some property owners feel it's time to update their buildings and make them more attractive to the younger workforce that now prefers to work in the CBD.

Hines has just announced plans to significantly upgrade its Huntington Center at 41 S. High St. At 37 stories, it is the city's fourth tallest building and contains one million square feet, including 27,000 square feet of retail space, a 1,000-car parking facility and a 29,650-square-foot athletic club.

Company officials also say they have retained CBRE Group, Inc. as the exclusive leasing agent for the property, which Hines has owned and managed since it was constructed in 1984. CBRE's Brad McMahon and Don Roberts will lease the building on behalf of Hines. A spokesperson tells GlobeSt.com that the building is 85% occupied.

As new residents and companies settle in or near the CBD, the downtown office market's future looks very bright. As reported in GlobeSt.com, in 2014, the city removed the Main Street Dam, which stopped the Scioto River from flowing freely through the city center, opening up a vast amount of new land as the river narrowed. The city then transformed it into a 33-acre park called Scioto Greenways, and joined it to another 145 acres along the river called the Scioto Mile.

The downtown's new park-like atmosphere has helped accelerate a trend toward urban core living seen throughout much of the US. Experts predict the downtown population will surpass 8,000 by the end of the year, doubling where it was in 2004. More than 44% of these residents are 20 to 34 years old. The vacancy rate among multifamily properties hovers near zero, and developers currently have more than 830 apartments and condo units under construction and have proposed building an additional 1,300 units.

In the coming months, Hines plans to add best-in-class amenities and create vibrant common areas for Huntington tenants. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture will assist with planning and designing new amenity areas such as a tenant lounge, rooftop patio and secure bike storage; amenities more commonly found in larger markets like Chicago. Upgrades will be made to the Gallery, such as lighting retrofits and replacement of the finishes in the elevators to make common areas brighter and more inviting.

“The renovations will appeal to creative office tenants, as well as professional service firms with a large Millennial employee base who are looking for new class A space and amenities in Columbus' central business district,” says Greg Van Schaack, Hines' senior managing director.

“Office space in downtown Columbus continues to be in high demand, especially open creative space,” says CBRE's McMahon. “As class A space continues to be absorbed by office tenants, we expect that demand to only go up. Huntington Center will be a viable option with large open floor plans that tenants are looking for.”