Downtown Columbus Apartment Guide:
Part 5. The finale. I toured 20+ Downtown Columbus apartments, read through 300+ comments, and completely reset everything I thought I wanted — and I finally have my answer.If you’re just finding this, start from the beginning: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.
All apartments in this guide are 2-bedroom units.
Yardley Apartments
Olde Towne East · ~$1,750 – $1,895/mo
Most Affordable · Unique Floor Plans
If budget is your top priority, Yardley deserves a look. It’s one of the most economical buildings I toured, parking is half the price of other downtown apartments, and they have actual private garages, which is almost unheard of at this price point. I toured three different 2-bedroom floor plans and they had even more available, which is not something you see often.
Watch out for
No elevator, which is something to consider if you’re on an upper floor. There is also no dedicated package room, with deliveries left openly in the lobby. The hallways show some wear, including carpet staining. The only on-site amenity is a small gym. While Yardley is just across the bridge from downtown, it sits in Olde Towne East — quieter and more residential, which may not feel like a true downtown experience.
The Julian
Downtown Columbus · ~$2,199/mo
Historic Conversion · Industrial Loft Vibes
The Julian has real character. Originally a 1921 women’s shoe factory, the conversion kept the building’s iconic floor-to-ceiling square windows and the industrial bones show in the best way. The rooftop is a genuine highlight — great views and a nice space to actually use. If that loft aesthetic is your thing, it delivers.
Watch out for
The units felt cramped — though they only had a one-bedroom available to tour so that may not be the full picture. The bigger issues: no dedicated package room, no sense of community despite the young professional crowd, and a basement gym with no windows and underwhelming equipment. For a building leaning this hard into a lifestyle aesthetic, the amenities don’t back it up.
Green House Columbus
Downtown Columbus · ~$1,979–$2,243/mo
New Build · Wellness Focused · High-End Finishes
This one is exciting on paper — a brand new build meaning you’d be the first to ever live in the unit. The wellness theme sets it apart from everything else I toured. A sauna, cold plunge, and gym all centered around a wellness lifestyle is genuinely unique for downtown Columbus. Some units have stunning downtown skyline views and the finishes are high end throughout.
Watch out for
The amenity fee and parking fees are among the highest I encountered across all the apartments — and the wellness perks don’t fully justify the extra cost in my opinion. The bigger issue is the construction timeline. I had to tour in a hard hat and a lot of the spaces — including the pool — won’t be finished by move-in. You’d essentially be moving into an active construction zone and hoping everything gets done on time. That’s a real risk.
Continental Tower
Downtown Columbus · ~$2,325/mo
High-Rise Views · Modern Finishes
Continental Tower earns its spot as a strong contender on views alone. As one of the 15 tallest skyscrapers downtown, even a 4th floor unit sits above most of the surrounding buildings — and the rooftop delivers nearly 180° unobstructed views that nothing else on this list has matched. Originally the AT&T building, the historic conversion has been done well, with modern finishes that don’t sacrifice the character of the building.
Watch out for
No connected parking is the trade-off for living in a historic high-rise. They partner with a third-party garage just across the street, which works fine day-to-day — but coming home late at night or hauling groceries up from across the street is a real inconvenience worth thinking through before signing.
⭐ This one made my top picks.
