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Who Am I? + $10M Downtown Project

Who Am I? + $10M Downtown Project

Upper Arlington Millionaire Row, Italian Village Finale, and Independence Day Returns to Cbus...

Gagan Timsina
July 01, 2025

Hey, it's Gagan. Yep, the only Gagan Timsina in the world, but, who am I, and who is the guy running The Columbus Report?

Almost 20,000 of you, and I've never properly said hi. So let's fix that.

My name is Gagan, and I'm a local REALTOR® with Real Broker, serving all of Central Ohio.

I'm the guy behind The Columbus Report, where we cover everything from new developments to underrated food spots to why people are moving here in droves.

A little about me:

Born in Nepal, moved to the U.S. in 2008 with my parents and sister.
Obsessed with pizza (and anything Italian tbh)
I lift weights, love a good walk, and I'm all about family.

My mission? Build the biggest lifestyle brand in Columbus, rooted in the idea that you should love where you live.

Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or relocate, or just want to find the best gym or local food truck: message me.

Let's build something real in the 614.

In today's newsletter:

Upper Arlington Crosses Million-Dollar Threshold: Nearly half of home listings now exceed $1M as luxury demand reshapes Columbus's premier suburb
Jeffrey Park Reaches Final Phase: Italian Village's transformational 41-acre development nears completion with two apartment complexes adding 200+ units
Capital Line Gets $10M Boost: Mayor allocates funding for downtown pedestrian trail's first phase on Gay Street, targeting 2027 completion
German Village Commission Reviews New Plans: Apartment proposals advance as historic district balances preservation with housing demand

SPONSORED BY: GT REAL ESTATE GROUP

UPPER ARLINGTON BECOMES COLUMBUS'S MILLIONAIRE SUBURB

Upper Arlington has officially crossed into luxury territory, with nearly 40 of its 100 current listings priced above $1 million, marking a fundamental shift in Central Ohio's most established suburban market. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

Median sale price reaches $649,950 in May 2025, up 6.1% year-over-year
40 of 100 current listings exceed $1 million, with 11 above $2 million
Nearly 80 of 558 total 2024 sales closed above $1 million
Custom knockdown projects driving prices "way over $1 million"
Homes averaging 18 days on market with sellers receiving 100%+ of listing price

Strategic Significance: This transformation reflects Upper Arlington's evolution from premium suburb to luxury enclave, competing directly with New Albany's tech-driven wealth concentration.

The combination of landlocked geography, superior schools, and $200+ million in recent municipal investments has created a supply-constrained market where affluent buyers bid aggressively for limited inventory.

From my experience working with Upper Arlington buyers, the $1M threshold represents a psychological shift. Families previously considering Dublin or New Albany now view UA as the established luxury choice, willing to pay premiums for walkable neighborhoods, mature trees, and proximity to downtown.

The knockdown trend particularly signals confidence in long-term appreciation, as buyers invest $1.5M+ for the privilege of rebuilding in prime locations.

For current Upper Arlington homeowners, this presents unprecedented equity opportunities. Properties purchased pre-2020 have likely doubled in value, creating wealth that many are leveraging for downsizing within the city or upgrading to custom builds on premium lots.

JEFFREY PARK COMPLETES ITALIAN VILLAGE'S DECADE-LONG TRANSFORMATION

Thrive Companies submitted plans for Jeffrey Park's final phase, adding 200+ apartments to complete the 41-acre development that has fundamentally reshaped Italian Village over four decades. [Columbus Dispatch]

Key Highlights:

Two buildings totaling 126 apartments at Warren and Sixth Street
Five-story building with 72-86 units at 301 Dickenson Street
Nearly 2,000 total homes when complete, plus 22,000 sq ft retail
Final phase caps $200M+ investment in former Jeffrey Mining Company site
Development encouraged broader Fourth Street corridor transformation

Community Impact: Jeffrey Park represents one of Columbus's most successful brownfield redevelopments, proving that patient capital and strategic phasing can transform entire neighborhoods.

The project's completion removes uncertainty for surrounding property owners while adding critical rental inventory to one of downtown's most walkable areas.

As I've been showing properties throughout Italian Village, Jeffrey Park's influence extends well beyond its boundaries. The development created the foot traffic that supports Seventh Son, Fox in the Snow, and Budd Dairy Food Hall, while encouraging additional residential projects that have essentially doubled the neighborhood's housing stock.

This network effect demonstrates how anchor developments can catalyze broader neighborhood appreciation.

For investors, Jeffrey Park's completion signals Italian Village's maturation from emerging to established. Properties near the development should see continued appreciation as the area's reputation solidifies, while the added rental units may create slight downward pressure on smaller landlord properties lacking modern amenities.

CAPITAL LINE SECURES FUNDING FOR DOWNTOWN PEDESTRIAN REVOLUTION

Mayor Andrew Ginther allocated $10 million in Columbus's 2025 Capital Budget for the Capital Line's first phase, launching construction on the 2-mile downtown pedestrian loop designed to compete with similar projects in Nashville and Indianapolis. [Columbus Business First]

Key Highlights:

Construction begins year-end on Gay Street from 4th to Front Street
21-month timeline with 2027 completion for first phase
$100 million total project cost with state and foundation support
Curbless Gay Street design creates public plaza for events
Second phase launches immediately after first completion

Development Catalyst: The Capital Line represents downtown Columbus's boldest infrastructure bet, designed to create the walkable connectivity that attracts young professionals and empty nesters.

The Gay Street focus particularly signals commitment to the emerging arts and entertainment district, providing the pedestrian foundation for continued commercial development.

From my downtown condo sales experience, walkability consistently ranks as buyers' top priority after price and location. The Capital Line directly addresses this gap while creating development opportunities along the entire route.

Properties within two blocks of the trail should see immediate interest from urban lifestyle buyers, particularly as construction demonstrates municipal commitment to pedestrian infrastructure.

The $100 million investment also reflects Columbus's competitive positioning against peer cities. As companies increasingly prioritize downtown locations with urban amenities, the Capital Line becomes economic development infrastructure, potentially influencing corporate location decisions and residential demand patterns throughout the urban core.

GERMAN VILLAGE COMMISSION WEIGHS APARTMENT PROPOSALS

The German Village Commission continues reviewing updated apartment plans as the historic district navigates growing housing demand while preserving neighborhood character and architectural integrity.

Key Highlights:

Multiple apartment proposals under commission review
Historic district balancing preservation with housing needs
Design standards require compatibility with existing architecture
Community input shaping development parameters

Market Dynamics: German Village's apartment discussions reflect broader tensions between historic preservation and housing affordability throughout Columbus's established neighborhoods.

The commission's decisions will influence development patterns in other historic districts while determining whether German Village maintains its single-family character or evolves toward higher density.

As I work with buyers seeking German Village properties, apartment development remains a contentious topic. Long-term residents value the district's intimate scale and historic integrity, while newer buyers often support additional housing options for accessibility and community diversity. The commission's approach will significantly impact property values and neighborhood dynamics moving forward.

For investors, German Village apartment approvals could signal opportunities in adjacent historic areas like Merion Village or Hungarian Village, where similar development patterns might follow. However, the commission's high design standards ensure any approved projects will likely command premium rents, supporting broader neighborhood property values.

THIS WEEKEND IN COLUMBUS: JULY 3-5

THIS WEEK'S WRAP-UP

Home owners: Upper Arlington's luxury transformation demonstrates how supply constraints and municipal investment drive appreciation, while Jeffrey Park's completion removes development uncertainty in Italian Village. Capital Line funding signals downtown's continued infrastructure evolution.

Home buyers: Consider Upper Arlington's established luxury market for long-term appreciation, Italian Village for urban walkability with historic character, and downtown condos near planned Capital Line routes for lifestyle amenities. German Village apartment decisions may influence broader historic district development patterns.

Bottom line: This week's developments showcase Columbus's market maturation - from Upper Arlington's luxury evolution to Italian Village's brownfield success to downtown's pedestrian infrastructure investment. The combination of established suburb appreciation, urban core development completion, and municipal infrastructure commitment reflects a sophisticated market with diverse opportunities across lifestyle preferences and price points.

Ready to explore these evolving opportunities? Let's discuss how these market shifts impact your housing strategy.

[Schedule a call]

See you next week,

— Gagan Timsina