Once an industrial site, now a vibrant community—The Lusso transforms eight acres in Italian Village into a dynamic living experience. Designed with young professionals in mind, this thoughtfully planned development offers proximity to local favorites. Blending industrial heritage with modern elegance, The Lusso features striking architecture, a rich material palette, and carefully curated amenities that foster both connection and comfort. Discover how The Studio helped bring this vision to life.
The water tower is original to the site + helps tie in the industrial aesthetic
On one of the largest undeveloped sites in Italian Village stands The Lusso, a vibrant community crafted with the assistance of The Studio in collaboration with developers Homestead and Lykens. The northern edge of Italian Village, known for its growing young professional population and proximity to local favorites such as Budd Dairy and Fox in the Snow, now hosts this transformative development.
Spanning eight acres of previously industrial land, The Studio carefully maximized space while ensuring an open, breathable environment. The Lusso features 255 apartments and townhomes alongside a centralized clubhouse, catering to a diverse range of needs.
For this multifamily complex, The Studio prioritized understanding the demographics and lifestyle preferences of its target audience throughout the planning and development process. Emphasis was placed on creating distinct entertaining zones throughout the site. The clubhouse at The Lusso exemplifies luxury, occupying three-quarters of an acre and offering upscale amenities such as a sauna, workout room, and multiple lounges designed to accommodate large gatherings. Large glass storefronts provide panoramic views of the pool, reinforcing a sense of community with a centralized pool deck adorned with stylized seating and a dedicated grilling area.
The design palette pays homage to the site’s industrial heritage with a clean, crisp color scheme featuring cooler tones and accent colors. Units facing the complex entrance are finished in bright white, creating a striking first impression, while large windows on the upper levels maximize natural light. The upper portions of the buildings feature black corrugated metal siding, reinforcing the industrial aesthetic and adding depth to the façade. The clubhouse, a focal point of the development, is clad in a cool charcoal gray brick, offering a sophisticated contrast to the bronze branding elements that punctuate the space with warmth and elegance. Elsewhere, cooler blue tones unify the complex, seamlessly tying together the various structures and enhancing the overall cohesiveness of the design. These thoughtful material and color choices create a refined, modern living environment while respecting the site’s industrial past.
Honoring the heritage of this property was important to the integrity of the design. The water serves as a memento of its industrial past .
With the complex incorporating several acres, it was important to have a focal point for the property. The pool deck and clubhouse serve as a communal hub for The Lusso.
A darker exterior color palette and materiality pay tribute to the history of the industrial site.
The lighter brick and minimalist landscape tie in a more modern feel.
With one of the largest undeveloped sites, there is an array of styles from townhomes, three bedrooms to studio apartments. The wide range of units provides flexibility for the complex and future tenants.
The historic Delco building in downtown Dayton has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use facility through a collaboration between The Columbus Architectural Studio, Crawford Hoying, and the City of Dayton. Originally built in 1915 and it was later repurposed into a mixed-use space. The renovation preserved its industrial character while integrating modern amenities. This project exemplifies The Studio’s commitment to adaptive reuse, blending history with contemporary design to serve the evolving community.
Built on the last development site in the Arena District, Parks Edge offers some of the most stunning views of downtown Columbus.
About The Author
Bayli Friz - Creative Manager
Taking an unconventional path into the design world, Bayli Friz left the social work field to make lasting change as an interior designer. Holding a unique view on the impact environments have on an individual, she’s excited to help create spaces that are accessible, inviting and inclusive to all. As a recent graduate from Columbus College of Art & Design, Bayli joined the Columbus Architectural Studio early in 2023. If she’s not rearranging her apartment for the umpteenth time you can catch her at Nationwide Arena cheering on the Blue Jackets.