Columbus Towers: Offices Morph into Hot Apartments Amid Remote Boom

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nationwide Realty Investors, the development arm of Nationwide Insurance, is converting its former 18-story office tower at 280 N. High St. — once known as Two Nationwide Plaza — into a mixed-use apartment complex dubbed The Centennial on High. The project, approved unanimously by the Downtown Commission, will feature 148 apartments across 15 floors, including a new penthouse level with one- to three-bedroom units, each boasting balconies. Amenities include a fitness center, club room, lounge and a sunken courtyard with a small pool, 15 feet below street level for privacy. About 75,000 square feet will remain office space, retaining anchor tenants like Carpenter Lipps LLP and the Ohio Farm Bureau.[1][3] This conversion reflects a broader surge in Columbus' real estate market, fueled by remote work trends and high demand for downtown living in central Ohio. Similar projects include the Preston Center on East Broad Street, which opened two winters ago with 60% occupancy and rents from $1,900 to $8,000 monthly. Another converted building on East Gay Street boasts a rooftop pool, gym and bike facilities, with 17% occupancy since October and studio rents as low as $1,050 to $3,000. Residents like Nathan Shrimp praise the value: "The price was good here... and the amenities worked well."[2] Positioned at the nexus of the Arena District, Short North and Gay Street corridor, The Centennial on High nods to Nationwide's 100th anniversary in 2026. First residents are slated for mid-2027, adding 148 new balconies overlooking High Street and bolstering Columbus' pivot from office vacancies to vibrant housing amid persistent remote work shifts.[1][2]