COLUMBUS, Ohio — Harbor Bay Ventures, a Chicago-based real estate development and investment firm, has broken ground on the tallest mass timber student housing building in the United States, 9th and High. Rising 13 stories (157 feet, 6 inches) and spanning 242,000 square feet, the landmark development will feature a mass timber structure manufactured and sourced in Alabama by SmartLam North America, an American mass timber manufacturer.

Located near The Ohio State University, the 186-unit, 493-bed off-campus student housing development will offer a mix of townhomes and apartments. Columbus-based Elford Construction is leading construction as the general contractor, and the development is slated to be managed by Coastal Ridge. 9th and High is expected to open by summer 2027. 

“On behalf of Harbor Bay Ventures, I want to thank the City of Columbus, Franklin County, and the great state of Ohio,” said Mark J. Bell, CEO of Harbor Bay Ventures. “They have consistently exhibited a pro-business mentality that helps attract investment. This cutting-edge project hits on so many important topics, including sustainability, affordability, forest management, an evolving workforce and American timber production from our friends at SmartLam. This project epitomizes innovation.”

“Working with Harbor Bay Ventures on 9th and High has been a smooth experience. From the beginning, the project was a collaborative public process between Harbor Bay and the University Area Commission, focusing on and understanding the University District’s 30-year history of managing change,” said Doreen Uhas Sauer, chair at the University Area Commission. “This alignment has kept development on major transportation corridors, protected diverse neighborhoods, and supported student housing that reflects both sustainability and community needs.”

Designed by DLR Group, a global integrated design firm with extensive expertise in mass timber and student housing design, 9th and High demonstrates sustainable urban living.

“This project paves the way for the future of low-carbon, innovative student housing in Columbus and beyond, where mass timber’s natural warmth and texture shape vibrant, engaging housing communities that support both connection and focus,” said Cameron K. Jacobson, AIA, CDT, senior associate at DLR Group. “9th and High is more than student housing; it’s a prototype for the next generation to live, learn and thrive. By integrating traditional and contemporary design elements, it honors the neighborhood’s historic architectural heritage while reflecting the modern spirit of Columbus.”
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Harbor Bay Ventures states that mass timber was chosen for its environmental benefits, timeless aesthetic, and efficient construction timeline. Widely regarded as a revolutionary building material, it has the potential to transform the built environment and strengthen communities through sustainable construction.

Forefront Structural Engineers, in collaboration with American mass timber manufacturer SmartLam, is leading the structural design of the full building, including all mass timber systems. The project incorporates domestically sourced cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels alongside glulam columns and beams from Alabama, marking a milestone for U.S. mass timber construction. By advancing the use of domestically sourced materials, the development sets a precedent for future large-scale mass timber projects nationwide and redefines what’s possible in real estate. The building integrates off-the-shelf concealed connectors by Simpson Strong-Tie, located in Columbus, to achieve a Fire Resistance Rating (FRR) of two hours.

“This project was optimized for the North American supply chain, demonstrating that we can build tall mass timber cost-effectively in the heart of the Midwest, with our own forests in truly sustainable ways,” said Josh Dortzbach, CEO of Forefront Structural Engineers. “In the process, we will realize a net sequestration of 1,128 metric tons of CO₂e—the equivalent of 2,169 round-trip flights from Columbus to Key West.”

9th and High is Harbor Bay Ventures’ second significant mass timber investment in the state of Ohio. INTRO Cleveland, which opened in 2022, continues to raise the bar nationally for mixed-used urban, transit-oriented development and curated interior design. The Cleveland residential mass timber structure also set a new standard for sustainability as the largest LEED Gold Certified timber structure in the U.S., and the first LEED Gold residential project in Cleveland.