info /

Role: Lead Designer

Client: Kaufman Development

Size: 840,000 sf

Typology: Mixed Use

Location: Columbus, OH

Status: Under Construction

About /

At approximately 840,000 square feet of space, Gravity II represents the second phase of work for the Gravity brand, and will encompass several buildings across an entire city block.

NBBJ’s contribution to Gravity II includes a 12-story residential and retail building on Broad Street; 150k square feet of office on Broad St., a five-story apartment and town house project along McDowell St., and an 889-space parking garage in the middle of the development. Additionally, other local and national firms contributed to a park, a renovation of the single-story Solazzo building at McDowell and West State streets, and a five-story “co-live” apartment building.

The project wrestles with the design challenge of creating a collection buildings vs. a distinct ‘district’. The design team was trying to take a position of how this particular block could be viewed through the lens of its context (Franklinton), but also be an extension of the Gravity ethos, which is rooted in intentionality, well-being, self-expression and community impact. Each individual component addresses that idea in some way, shape or form.

With each building having its own unique constraints and opportunities, the intent is to let each component building be an expression of its use, while using an architectural language that resonates throughout Gravity.