The Arena District Mixed Use/ Columbus, OH
The Arena District Columbus, OH

It all started with one project and a move to Columbus. With over a decade of collaboration with MKSK and Nationwide Realty Investors, our Studio’s principals have designed many of the districts transformational projects.   

Working with Dan Hanes on the Arena District over the past two decades has been an absolute joy and has resulted in happy clients, a renowned benchmark project.

—Tim Schmalenberger, FASLA, MKSK
Number of Visitor per Year

6,330,000

Built Area

Nearly 3 Million sq. ft.

Yen and I moved to Columbus as Nationwide Arena was under construction. Having spent the first part of our careers working on large scale sports project, we decided to try something new. While  working with Nationwide on the design of the Arena, the development of its surrounding  district was beginning to take shape. In hopes of securing some of that upcoming diversified work, we opened a Columbus office for Heinlein Shrock on January 1, 1999. A few months later Brenda joined us and we began designing a new neighborhood for Columbus. Our authorship ranged from a movie theater, to a rock’n’ roll hall, a six-level apartment building, a 20 story Condominium, a Triple-A ball park, multi-use office and retail buildings, and all of the parking structures in the district. Over the next decade and a half, we have worked under different names, Heinlein Shrock Stearns, 360 Architecture, HOK, and in collaboration with some of the most talented design firms in Columbus. It has been an honor to have had a hand in the transformation of the Arena District in the city we call home.

-Danial Hanes

Photography Credit: Megan Leigh Barnard

Dan Hanes Architect
About The Author

Dan Hanes - Architect

Danial Hanes established The Columbus Architectural Studio based on the principle of “doing work that is worth doing”. This concept has guided him through his 30 years of experience and has been a cornerstone of the firm since its inception in 2016. Having worked on a variety of projects, ranging from multi-family residences to professional sports stadiums and even a chicken coop, his focus has remained the same: the client, transparency, and good design. With the aim of inspiring and improving his community, he emphasizes building relationships rather than egos. Danial’s commitment to Columbus and his profession has led him to advocate for inclusion, community, and engagement among professionals, students, and those interested in the field. He has served as the past Chair of The Center for Architecture and Design, and is currently a board member of the Columbus chapter of The American Institute of Architects. His firm is also a proud sponsor of NOMA's Columbus Chapter. Despite the demands of his packed calendar, he consistently finds opportunities to guide and inspire the next wave of architects.

Related Stories

Studio Site Visit
The New Crew Stadium

Like a championship team, our bench is deep in project expertise and what we can offer. Our contribution to the new 20,000-seat Columbus Soccer Club Stadium, opening July 2021, is a prime example.

Innovation Office Space
Nationwide’s CoOperative: From dark movie house to bright office space

In 2018, when Nationwide decided to turn the building that had operated as a movie theater for nearly two decades into an innovation center, the goal was to create a purpose-built space that would foster a collaborative work environment.

Parks Edge Condominiums

Built on the last development site in the Arena District, Parks Edge offers some of the most stunning views of downtown Columbus.