The destruction of a central Ohio relic — Mount Carmel West, a primary care hospital in Columbus founded in 1886 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross — back in 2019 left the Franklinton neighborhood with an underutilized area.
In comes Trace Quarter, a new apartment community built on the grounds of the former hospital.
The project was recognized as the multifamily development of the year in Columbus as part of the 2026 CoStar Impact Awards, which were judged by real estate professionals familiar with the market.
Trace Quarter offers studio, one- and two-bedroom homes with finishes and conveniences such as on-site management, 24/7 maintenance, a secured package room and a courtyard pool. It also has a multiuse courtyard and indoor lounge spaces that serve as a living room for the neighborhood.
The apartments also provides a boost for the businesses in the area, supporting local retailers, restaurants and creative venues that define the Franklinton neighborhood.
About the project: This reactivation of a legacy site reimagines a portion of a hospital campus into housing that serves today's Columbus workforce while honoring the area's history.
What the judges said: The apartment development "completely transforms a blighted former hospital area and provides housing in a needy area," said Molly Leach, senior vice president at CBRE.
Matt Gregory, managing director at NAI Ohio Equities, said it's a "successful conversion of a hospital campus in an underserved neighborhood on a high-profile site."
They made it happen: Principals from Thrive Cos., the owner and developer of the project, are responsible for its development: Eric Wagenbrenner, Mark Wagenbrenner, Kevin Zeppernick, Joel Lilly and Steve Bollinger.