New CCAD Residence Hall Announced

back to News Front Page

Construction of a new five-story residence hall on Cleveland Avenue will begin in May, following completion of the spring academic term.

The Columbus Downtown Commission approved architectural plans for the structure during a hearing on Feb. 27. CCAD applied for a certificate of appropriateness from the commission, a preliminary design review step leading to issuance of a building permit.

Construction of the new upper-class student residence hall will commence following demolition of Design Hall, a small, one-story fine arts classroom structure on the west side of Cleveland Ave. between E. Gay St. and Long St. The new residence hall, which is unnamed at this time, will face eastward and enclose the college quad, which features the 100-foot-tall bright red ART sculpture. Its address will be 91 Cleveland Ave. The entire project is estimated to cost $11 million and involve some 150 construction jobs.

“This new residence hall constitutes a vital element in our plan to make CCAD an urban learning village in downtown Columbus,” said Dennison W. Griffith, CCAD president. “As it is, CCAD is the only institution of higher learning downtown with

housing. Our Schottenstein Residence Hall, built in 1986, accommodates 250 freshman and transfer students. The new facility, located right in the middle of our campus, will enable CCAD to make an important transition to a more residential campus. This new structure also will help define the physical appearance of the college by providing a distinctive look and identity.”

“As we continue to attract more people to live and work downtown and in the Discovery District, I’ve made it clear that there is a need for more apartments that are affordable to students, because these young residents will bring energy and creativity to the area, and we are very pleased to see CCAD moving forward with this smart investment,” said Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman.

The new 82,000-square-foot residence hall will have 208 beds and 56 furnished apartment units on floors two through five. Occupancy is expected in the fall of 2009. The ground floor (16,000 square feet) will include a reception area and lobby, lounge, laundry room, and fitness center. Also, the ground floor has 9,100 square feet for two future tenant spaces. Acock Associates Architects of Columbus designed the facility.

When construction of the new residence hall begins, CCAD will have two major construction projects under way. Renovation of CCAD’s Broad Street Facility, the former Byers auto dealership at 390 E. Broad St. acquired in 2006, commenced last fall. The first classes, currently held in the soon-to-be-demolished Design Hall, will be held in this facility this fall.