Plan Calls for 380 Apartments to Replace Sawyer Towers
An initial multi-family building permit application has been filed on Columbus's Near East Side as redevelopment plans move forward. In the public search row, record 26TMP-094983 for Sawyer Commons - Building 1 shows Address=530 RED BRANCH DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43203, Series role=pending, Type=New Structure | Multi Family, and Document listing=Not available in search row.
The application was submitted Wednesday, Oct. 14, and remains at a preliminary intake stage. While the filing establishes the record for the multi-family structure, detailed architectural drawings, structural engineering documents, and specific unit counts have not yet been uploaded to the municipal portal.
To proceed toward construction, the project must advance from intake to formal plan review by the Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services. City plan examiners across structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing disciplines will review complete construction drawings for compliance with the Ohio Building Code and local zoning standards before building permits can be issued.
Nuveen bought the property for $7 million and is planning a $150 million redevelopment project. The new apartments will be built by Paths Development, a New York-based company that is owned by Nuveen Global Investments.
The property plan calls for a total of 380 apartments spread over eight separate buildings—one five-stories tall and seven three stories—along with shared amenities like community gardens, a playground, and a basketball court.
The towers, located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., were built in 1963 as public housing and initially operated by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, later becoming known as Latitude Five25. On Dec. 25, 2022, residents had to be evacuated from the towers after frozen pipes burst and caused damage throughout the buildings, prompting city legal action to force a sale of the property. Demolition operations commenced in May 2026. As demolition work got underway, a large crane is on site that will dismantle the two 15-story towers at a more deliberate pace as the Sawyer Towers come down.
On Oct. 5, Columbus City Council considered Ordinance 2542-2026 to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to execute documents necessary to release easements over property owned at 525 Sawyer Blvd. to 525 Sawyer Partners L.P. to allow the property to clear title.
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The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
26TMP-094983 · New Structure | Multi Family — 530 RED BRANCH DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43203
Supporting evidence (1)
In the public search row, record 26TMP-094983 for Sawyer Commons - Building 1 shows Address=530 RED BRANCH DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43203, Series role=pending, Type=New Structure | Multi Family, and Document listing=Not available in search row.
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26TMP-094983 · New Structure | Multi Family — 530 RED BRANCH DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43203 Sawyer Commons - Building 1 {Address=530 RED BRANCH DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43203, Document listing=Not available in search row, Public view=Search row, Record=26TMP-094983, Series role=pending, Type=New Structure | Multi Family, Type role=other}
Supporting evidence (1)
Nuveen bought the property for $7 million and is planning a $150 million redevelopment project.
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A company called Nuveen has since bought the property for $7 million and is planning a $150 million redevelopment project. The plan calls for 380 units of affordable housing, along with playgrounds and outdoor recreation space.
https://columbusunderground.com/demolition-of-towers-underway-heres-what-will-replace-them-bw1/
Supporting evidence (5)
The new apartments will be built by Paths Development, a New York-based company that is owned by Nuveen Global Investments.
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The new apartments will be built by Paths Development, a New York-based company that is owned by Nuveen Global Investments, which is itself a subsidiary of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA).
The property plan calls for a total of 380 apartments spread over eight separate buildings—one five-stories tall and seven three stories—along with shared amenities like community gardens, a playground, and a basketball court.
Read supporting passage
The plan for the site calls for a total of 380 apartments spread over eight separate buildings – one will be five-stories tall, and the others three – along with shared amenities like community gardens, a playground, and a basketball court.
The towers, located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., were built in 1963 as public housing and initially operated by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, later becoming known as Latitude Five25.
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The towers, located at 525 Sawyer Blvd., were built in 1963 as public housing and initially operated by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. The buildings were sold in 2009 to a private equity firm, then changed hands numerous times over the next 15 years, suffering from mismanagement and neglect.Originally known as Sawyer Towers, the property was subsequently called Skyview Towers, then Latitude Five25.
On Dec. 25, 2022, residents had to be evacuated from the towers after frozen pipes burst and caused damage throughout the buildings, prompting city legal action to force a sale of the property.
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On December 25th, 2022, residents had to be evacuated from the towers after frozen pipes burst and caused damage throughout the buildings.The Columbus City Attorney’s Office led a lengthy legal process to force a sale of the property
As demolition work got underway, a large crane is on site that will dismantle the two 15-story towers at a more deliberate pace as the Sawyer Towers come down.
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Photo by Brent Warren. Brent WarrenMay 20, 2026 1:35 pmThe Sawyer Towers are coming down, and a plan to replace them with a multi-building, mid-rise apartment complex is moving forward.ADVERTISEMENT An official kickoff of the demolition work is scheduled for tomorrow, but don’t expect a viral implosion; a large crane is on site that will dismantle the two 15-story towers at a more deliberate pace.
Columbus City Council · 2026-10-05
Supporting evidence (1)
On Oct. 5, Columbus City Council considered Ordinance 2542-2026 to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to execute documents necessary to release easements over property owned at 525 Sawyer Blvd. to 525 Sawyer Partners L.P. to allow the property to clear title.
Read supporting passage
2542-2026 · To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to execute those documents necessary to release easements over property owned at 525 Sawyer Blvd to 525 Sawyer Partners L.P. to allow for the property to clear title.