Same block of 9th Avenue. One building is brand new and built of wood.
Lumen on Ninth opened in 2023 with a big pool and the largest 5-bedrooms on High Street. INTRO Columbus opens Fall 2027 a block away with exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings in every home, larger studios, a 6-bedroom option, and Saturday leasing hours.
Updated October 9, 2026. Competitor details come from Lumen on Ninth's own website on that date.
The short answer
Choose INTRO Columbus if you want the newest building on 9th and an apartment that feels different. INTRO opens Fall 2027; Lumen opened in 2023. Every INTRO home has exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings and oversized windows. INTRO's studios reach 595 SF versus 428 SF at Lumen, and INTRO offers a 2,012 SF 6-bedroom, which Lumen does not. INTRO's leasing office is open Saturdays. Lumen's pool, larger 4- and 5-bedrooms, and lower required fees are its strongest points.
Scorecard: 8 of 12 categories go to INTRO Columbus
| Category | INTRO Columbus | Lumen | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building | Brand new, opening Fall 2027 | Opened 2023 | INTRO Columbus |
| Ceilings and structure | Exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings in every home | None listed | INTRO Columbus |
| Largest studio | 595 SF | 428 SF | INTRO Columbus |
| 6-bedroom option | Yes: 2,012 SF townhome | None listed; up to 5 bedrooms | INTRO Columbus |
| Saturday leasing hours | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Monday to Friday | 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 |
| No-guarantor option | Leap waiver | Leap, or prepay the last two installments | Even |
| Pool | None listed | Large pool and hot tub | Lumen |
| Largest 4- and 5-bedroom | 1,511 SF and 1,964 SF | 1,728 SF and 2,820 SF | Lumen |
| Required fees, year one | $626 | $290 | Lumen |
Location and getting to class
INTRO sits at 1497 N High St, on the corner of 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 Lumen sits
Lumen on Ninth is at 76 E 9th Ave, just east of High Street and about three blocks from campus. The two buildings share the same corner of the University District, so location is close to even. The choice comes down to the building and the home.
Floor plans and space
Both offer studios through 5-bedrooms. INTRO adds a 6-bedroom townhome and builds bigger studios, up to 595 SF. Lumen's 4- and 5-bedroom plans run larger, and its 2- and 3-bedrooms are similar in size.
| Home type | INTRO Columbus: size | Lumen: size |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 477 to 595 SF | 425 to 428 SF |
| 1 bedroom | 516 to 587 SF | 500 to 580 SF |
| 2 bedroom | 789 to 904 SF | 830 to 974 SF |
| 3 bedroom | 964 to 1,262 SF | 1,107 to 1,320 SF |
| 4 bedroom | 1,331 to 1,511 SF | 1,312 to 1,728 SF |
| 5 bedroom | 1,382 to 1,964 SF, flats and townhomes | 2,745 to 2,820 SF |
| 6 bedroom | 2,012 SF townhome | Not offered |
Lumen sizes are from lumenonninth.com as of October 9, 2026.
Inside the home
Both furnish every home and include in-unit laundry and internet. Lumen adds a 55-inch TV and Bluetooth shower heads. INTRO's difference is overhead and in the windows: exposed mass timber at 10 feet and oversized low-emissivity windows in every floor plan.
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 Lumen lists
- Fully furnished, with full beds, desks, and two dressers
- 55-inch wall-mounted TV
- Quartz countertops and tile backsplashes
- Stainless steel appliances
- Walk-in closets
- Soaking tubs or glass walk-in showers
- Bluetooth shower heads and electronic door locks
- Washer and dryer
- Private balconies, vaulted ceilings, or private entrances in select units
Amenities, floor by floor
Lumen's package centers on its pool courtyard. 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 Lumen lists
- Large pool and hot tub
- Courtyard with games lawn, grills, and fire pits
- LED Jumbotron video wall
- 24-hour fitness center
- 24/7 Genius Lounge and private study pods
- Clubroom with gaming, ping pong, and a free coffee and sparkling water bar
- Influencer recording studio
- Bike storage room
On INTRO Columbus's list, not on Lumen's
- Exposed 10-foot mass timber ceilings in every home
- 6-bedroom townhome
- Library
- Arcade games and billiards
- Dedicated rideshare lobby
- Saturday leasing hours
Based on the amenities Lumen publishes on its website as of October 9, 2026.
What you'll actually pay beyond rent
| Item | INTRO Columbus | Lumen |
|---|---|---|
| Application and admin | $250 once ($50 application + $200 admin) | $200 once ($50 + $150), within the $290 move-in fee |
| Annual tech fee | $100 per lease term | $90, within the move-in fee; billed again with August rent on renewal |
| Trash | $5/month | Ask the leasing office |
| Utility billing admin | $9/month | Ask the leasing office |
| Credit builder | $9/month, required | None listed |
| Internet | Gigabit internet included | High-speed internet included |
| Liability insurance | Required; own policy or $16/month | Ask the leasing office |
| No guarantor | Leap waiver, about $70/month | Leap, or prepay the last two installments |
| Pets | $300 once + $45/month | Monthly pet fee |
| Required fees, year one | $626 | $290 |
Year-one totals add one-time fees, annual fees, and fixed required monthly charges times 12, and exclude rent, usage-based utilities, insurance, parking, and pets. INTRO: $50 + $200 + $100 + $60 + $108 + $108. Lumen: the $290 move-in fee listed in its FAQ on October 9, 2026; ask Lumen about any monthly fees. 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, and Lumen has a controlled-access garage. Both lease individually by the bed, and both offer roommate matching. Lumen also lists a 6-month lease option for an added fee.
Questions to ask on your Lumen tour
Bring these. The answers make the difference clear fast.
- What year did the building open?INTRO opens Fall 2027.
- Do you have a 6-bedroom?INTRO's is a 2,012 SF townhome.
- Are there monthly fees beyond the move-in fee?INTRO publishes its full schedule at introcolumbus.com/fees.
- How big is the studio?INTRO's reach 595 SF.
- Can I tour on a Saturday?INTRO's leasing office is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- How high are the ceilings?INTRO's are exposed mass timber at 10 feet.
The bottom line
Lumen and INTRO share a corner of 9th Avenue, so this is a straight comparison of buildings. Lumen has the pool and the biggest 5-bedrooms. INTRO is brand new, built of mass timber with exposed 10-foot wood ceilings and oversized windows in every home, with bigger studios, a 6-bedroom option, and Saturday leasing hours. If the home itself matters most, INTRO is the pick.
INTRO Columbus vs. Lumen on Ninth: FAQ
Which is newer, INTRO Columbus or Lumen on Ninth?
INTRO Columbus opens for Fall 2027. Lumen on Ninth opened in 2023.
Does Lumen on Ninth have 6-bedroom apartments?
Lumen's floor plans run from studio to 5 bedrooms. INTRO offers a 2,012 SF 6-bedroom townhome.
Which has bigger studios?
INTRO's studios run 477 to 595 SF. Lumen lists studios at 425 to 428 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.
Is internet included at INTRO?
Yes. Gigabit internet is included.
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 Lumen on Ninth 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.
