Dirty Frank's, 16-Bit among Downtown buildings proposed to be torn down for apartments

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace, 16 Bit Bar+Arcade and the homes of other Downtown businesses are being proposed for demolition to make way for a 23-story apartment building.

The Estrella is a mixed-use development proposed by Bluestone Brothers Capital to take up most of the block surrounded by East Rich, South 4th, East Cherry, and East Young streets. The Downtown Commission will hear a proposal for the project at its next meeting on Tuesday.

Plans submitted to the Downtown Commission call for nine structures on the block to be torn down. Those include the buildings of Dirty Frank's, 16-Bit, Psychic Gallery and the former Red Velvet Cafe, all of which are located along South 4th Street.

The 23-story, 467,000-square-foot structure would feature 290 units and be accompanied by a 347-space parking garage. A five-story commercial building would be built alongside the apartment building.

Previously proposed as a 19-story building with 180 units, an outdated website for the mixed-use development said it would feature an "urban market retail concept," an amenity deck with a pool, and a rooftop restaurant concept. The restaurant would be the first 360-degree patio sky deck in Columbus, according to the website.

Bluestone Brothers last brought the proposal before the commission in April 2023. Since then, the additional four stories, 110 units and more updates were made.

A staff report from the commission found the updated proposal generally meets the recommendations of Downtown guidelines. However, the report said the commission will need to determine if the proposal allows for new development, which it said is of greater significance.