A 2018 building tops out at four bedrooms. INTRO opens new with up to six.
Uncommon Columbus is an established High Street building with a pool and hot tub. INTRO Columbus opens Fall 2027 as new mass timber construction, with exposed 10-foot wood ceilings in every home, larger studios, and 5- and 6-bedroom options.
Updated October 9, 2026. Competitor details come from Uncommon Columbus's own website on that date.
The short answer
Choose INTRO Columbus if you want a brand-new home and more ways to live with friends. INTRO opens Fall 2027; Uncommon opened in 2018. INTRO offers 5- and 6-bedroom homes, which Uncommon does not, and its studios reach 595 SF versus 519 SF. Every INTRO apartment has exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings and oversized windows, plus gigabit internet included. Uncommon has a pool and hot tub, slightly larger 1-bedrooms, and published starting rates below.
Scorecard: 9 of 11 categories go to INTRO Columbus
| Category | INTRO Columbus | Uncommon | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | Brand new, opening Fall 2027 | Opened 2018 | INTRO Columbus |
| 5- and 6-bedroom options | Yes: up to 1,964 SF and 2,012 SF | None listed; up to 4 bedrooms | INTRO Columbus |
| Largest studio | 595 SF | 519 SF | INTRO Columbus |
| Largest 3-bedroom | 1,262 SF | 1,112 SF | INTRO Columbus |
| Ceilings and structure | Exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings in every home | None listed | INTRO Columbus |
| Wellness built into every home | Biophilic design: exposed wood, daylight from oversized windows, and 10-foot ceilings | Wellness amenities in shared spaces: pool, hot tub, 24-hour fitness center | INTRO Columbus |
| Sustainable structure | Mass timber, a renewable building material that stores carbon | None listed | INTRO Columbus |
| Rideshare lobby | Dedicated rideshare lobby | None listed | INTRO Columbus |
| Fire pit and yard games | Second-floor amenity deck with fire pit, grills, and yard-game turf | Sun deck and courtyard with grills; fire pit none listed | INTRO Columbus |
| Study space | Library, private study pods, meeting rooms | Group and private study spaces | Even |
| Pool | None listed | Pool and hot tub | Uncommon |
Location and getting to class
INTRO sits at 1497 N High St, at 9th and High. The Ohio Union is about a 9-minute walk and the Wexner Medical Center about 13. COTA Line 2 runs out front on High Street.
| From 1497 N High St to | Distance | Walk | Bike | Bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio Union | 0.4 mi | 8 to 9 min | 2 to 3 min | COTA Line 2 runs on High Street |
| Wexner Medical Center | 0.7 mi | 13 to 14 min | 4 min | Walk or bike |
| The Oval | 0.7 mi | 14 to 16 min | 4 to 5 min | Walk or bike |
| Thompson Library | 0.8 mi | 16 to 17 min | 5 min | Walk or bike |
| Ohio Stadium | 1.2 mi | 24 to 26 min | 7 to 8 min | Walk or bike |
Walk and bike times are door-to-door estimates from 1497 N High St. Check COTA for current Line 2 service.
Where Uncommon sits
Uncommon Columbus is at 1396 N High St, a block south of INTRO, between the Short North, the University District, and Italian Village. Both are High Street addresses. INTRO is the closer of the two to campus.
Floor plans and space
INTRO covers every bedroom count from studio to 6. Uncommon stops at 4 bedrooms. INTRO's studios and 3-bedrooms run larger and Uncommon's 4-bedrooms run slightly larger.
| Home type | INTRO Columbus: size | Uncommon: size |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 477 to 595 SF | 414 to 519 SF |
| 1 bedroom | 516 to 587 SF | 537 to 673 SF |
| 2 bedroom | 789 to 904 SF | 726 to 931 SF |
| 3 bedroom | 964 to 1,262 SF | 1,108 to 1,112 SF |
| 4 bedroom | 1,331 to 1,511 SF | 1,464 to 1,549 SF |
| 5 bedroom | 1,382 to 1,964 SF, flats and townhomes | Not offered |
| 6 bedroom | 2,012 SF townhome | Not offered |
Uncommon sizes are from uncommoncolumbus.com as of October 9, 2026.
Inside the home
Both furnish every home and include in-unit laundry. INTRO's homes are new construction with exposed mass timber at 10 feet, oversized low-emissivity windows, quartz countertops, and gigabit internet included.
Standard in every INTRO Columbus home
- Exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings
- Oversized low-emissivity windows
- Fully furnished bedrooms and living areas
- Custom bedroom closets
- Stainless steel appliances
- Quartz countertops
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Gigabit internet included
- Open-concept layouts
What Uncommon lists
- Fully furnished
- Stainless steel appliances
- Euro-style cabinetry
- Private bedrooms with bed, desk, and storage
- Private bathrooms with luxury showers
- In-unit washer and dryer
Amenities, floor by floor
Uncommon's package centers on its pool, hot tub, and sundeck. INTRO's centers on a 5,000-plus SF fitness space, a library, and a game lounge, with a second-floor amenity deck outside.
Wellness and fitness
- Over 5,000 square feet of fitness space
- Building designed around biophilic principles: exposed wood, daylight, and natural materials
Study
- Library
- Private study pods
- Study lounges
- Collaborative meeting rooms
Social
- Resident lounge with game-day viewing
- Game lounge with arcade games and billiards
- Community events
Second-floor amenity deck
- Grills
- Fire pit
- Yard-game turf
- Sundeck and outdoor courtyard
Everyday
- Dedicated rideshare lobby
- Package and mail rooms
- Bike storage
- Controlled access entry
- On-site management and maintenance
- Parking space rental
What Uncommon lists
- Swimming pool and hot tub
- Sun deck with corn hole and outdoor TV
- Outdoor courtyard with lounge seating and grills
- 24-hour fitness center
- Club room lounge with billiards
- Group and private study spaces
- Coffee bar
On INTRO Columbus's list, not on Uncommon's
- Exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings in every home
- 5- and 6-bedroom homes
- Library
- Arcade games
- Fire pit on the amenity deck
- Dedicated rideshare lobby
Based on the amenities Uncommon publishes on its website as of October 9, 2026.
What you'll actually pay beyond rent
| Item | INTRO Columbus | Uncommon |
|---|---|---|
| Application and admin | $250 once ($50 application + $200 admin) | Ask the leasing office |
| Annual tech fee | $100 per lease term | Ask the leasing office |
| Trash | $5/month | Ask the leasing office |
| Utility billing admin | $9/month | Ask the leasing office |
| Credit builder | $9/month, required | Ask the leasing office |
| Internet | Gigabit internet included | Ask the leasing office |
| Liability insurance | Required; own policy or $16/month | Ask the leasing office |
| No guarantor | Leap waiver, about $70/month, no deposit | Ask the leasing office |
| Pets | $300 once + $45/month | Pet friendly |
INTRO's year-one required fees total $626: $50 + $200 + $100 + $60 + $108 + $108, excluding rent, usage-based utilities, insurance, parking, and pets. Ask Uncommon for its full fee schedule so you can compare the same way. INTRO Columbus's full fee schedule is posted at introcolumbus.com/fees.
Parking, leasing, and roommates
Both offer parking. INTRO rents spaces by the month; ask Uncommon about its parking options and rates. Both lease individually by the bed, and both offer roommate matching.
Questions to ask on your Uncommon tour
Bring these. The answers make the difference clear fast.
- What year did the building open?INTRO opens Fall 2027.
- Do you have a 5- or 6-bedroom?INTRO has both, up to 2,012 SF.
- Can I see the full fee schedule?INTRO's is posted at introcolumbus.com/fees.
- Is internet included?At INTRO, gigabit internet is included.
- How high are the ceilings?INTRO's are exposed mass timber at 10 feet.
The bottom line
Uncommon is an established High Street building with a pool. INTRO is brand new for Fall 2027, built of mass timber with exposed 10-foot wood ceilings and oversized windows in every home, and it offers the 5- and 6-bedroom layouts Uncommon does not. For a newer home and more ways to live with your group, INTRO is the stronger choice.
INTRO Columbus vs. Uncommon Columbus: FAQ
Which is newer, INTRO Columbus or Uncommon Columbus?
INTRO Columbus opens for Fall 2027. Uncommon Columbus opened in 2018.
Does Uncommon Columbus have 5- or 6-bedroom apartments?
Uncommon's floor plans run from studio to 4 bedrooms. INTRO offers 5-bedrooms up to 1,964 SF and a 2,012 SF 6-bedroom.
Which has bigger studios?
INTRO's studios reach 595 SF. Uncommon lists studios from 414 to 519 SF.
What is mass timber?
Mass timber is engineered wood used as the building's structure. At INTRO, it stays exposed as 10-foot ceilings in every home.
What are INTRO's required fees?
A $50 application fee, $200 admin fee, $100 technology fee per lease term, $5/month trash, $9/month utility billing admin, and a $9/month credit builder, about $626 in year one. Renter's insurance is also required.
Does INTRO lease by the bed?
Yes. Leases are individual, and INTRO offers roommate matching.
See INTRO Columbus for yourself
Tour INTRO through the leasing office at 1624 N High St, a few blocks north of the building. Call or text (740) 519-5704.
INTRO Columbus is an Equal Housing Opportunity community, managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate. 1497 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201.
Details for Uncommon Columbus reflect that community's own published website content as of October 9, 2026 and are provided for informational comparison only. Rates, fees, floor plans, and amenities at every community change; confirm current terms directly with each leasing office before signing. INTRO Columbus's rates, fees, and features are subject to change before lease execution. Renderings are artist's conceptions.
