A few decades ago, farmland stood mostly unattended in the stretch of land between Westerville, Worthington, and Lewis Center that now claims the Polaris name. In recent years, though, the area has blossomed with the construction of Polaris Fashion Place, with restaurants, shops, and living quickly following. Looking back on this rapid expansion helps us imagine just how much farther the burgeoning area can go.
Polaris was founded through a series of land purchases from 1987 through 1990 by Bob Echele, Don Weiler, and Bob Kelley – but the land they acquired was a far cry from what we know as Polaris today. In 1994, Bank One, which later merged with Chase, acquired a significant portion of land to position a major headquarters there. The retail aspect of the area formed fully when Polaris Fashion Place opened in October 2001 as a 1.5 million square foot indoor mall. Expansion has continued rapidly since then.
Billed as “Columbus’ North Star,” Polaris is a just a fifteen-minute drive north from downtown Columbus. The multi-use area features both living options and plentiful retail space, making it a hub for people of all walks of life. Today the area boasts over 1,000 apartments, 4 million square feet of office space, and 3.6 million feet of retail space, and these numbers are only projected to increase.
Polaris is more than just these numbers, though. The lively commerce center has something for everyone to do, from fun activities like Top Golf and Star Lanes Bowling, to fine dining like Eddie Merlot’s and Mitchell’s Steakhouse. The retail options both some of the biggest names out there, like Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as local shops and unique boutiques. Two major retailers in particular draw their own huge crowds— Cabela’s and Ikea. No matter what you’re looking for, a Polaris store will be able to fill your needs.
Just as Polaris is changing, the apartment offerings in the area are as well; residents of Polaris are no longer willing to settle for run-of-the-mill apartments with standard amenities and finishes. Now prospective residents are seeking the best, matching the overall feel of the thriving area. The Ravines at Westar lives up to these high expectations. These apartments are high-end in their finishes and space, featuring up to 2,016 square feet of living space and up to three levels of living in its town homes. The classically beautiful apartments have stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops, while amenities include a heated saltwater pool, yoga center, and pet-washing boutique.
For the prospective resident wanting to be in the heart of it all, The Pointe at Polaris will win them over. A mid-rise mixed use complex, the Pointe puts its residents right in the middle of the action, while still giving them all of the amenities a top complex requires. The one and two bedroom apartments are equipped with dwelo smart home technology, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, glass shower doors, rainfall showerheads, and more. The amenities include a beautiful pool, a full service fitness center, a spacious bark park, an on-site café with barista, and an outdoor entertaining area.
Other communities nearby include The View at Polaris, Monroe House, and Polaris Place, Polaris Place, all offering their own unique bit of Polaris. No matter which you choose, you’ll find yourself right at home by claiming your own piece of this fast-growing spot.