Franklinton Gets 235 New Apartments as WestRich Opens on West Rich Street

A big new apartment community just opened in Franklinton. It is called WestRich, and it sits at 509 W. Rich St. The project brings 235 new apartments to a block that used to be empty. Residents started moving in on June 12, 2026, as first reported by REBusinessOnline.

Here is what happened. Local developer CASTO built WestRich in two buildings. One is five stories tall with about 120 apartments. The other is four stories tall with about 114 apartments. Together they hold 235 homes. You can rent a studio, a one-bedroom, or a two-bedroom. The buildings also have about 8,000 square feet of ground-floor shops on Rich Street. Oakwood Management runs the property. Oakwood is the largest apartment manager in Columbus.

The most important part is the price. Most of the units are set aside for people who earn at or below the area median income. Area median income, or AMI, is the middle income level for the region. Some units are aimed at people earning around 80 percent of AMI. That means teachers, nurses, and service workers can afford to live here. The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority helped pay for the project. It issued about $47.2 million in bonds, as reported by Hoodline. A bond is money the agency borrows now and pays back later.

What does this mean for you? If you rent in Columbus, this is good news. Franklinton sits just west of Downtown. It has been changing fast for years. Rents in the urban core keep climbing. New income-based apartments like these give working families a real chance to stay near the center of the city. When more homes open, the pressure on rents can ease a little. WestRich is phase two of a larger project. The first phase was the nearby River & Rich apartments. So this block now holds hundreds of homes where there used to be none.

If you own property in Franklinton, pay attention too. More rooftops usually bring more shops, more foot traffic, and higher land values over time. The 8,000 square feet of retail could draw a coffee shop, a market, or a restaurant. That helps the whole street. If you are thinking about selling a home or a small building in the area, demand is strong right now. You can start with a free look at your options at /sell/your-home.

What should you watch next? Watch how fast WestRich fills up. Oakwood began pre-leasing back in January 2026, so demand looks steady. Also watch for the retail spaces to lease. New shops are a sign the neighborhood is maturing. And keep an eye on more Franklinton projects in the pipeline. The area has several apartment plans moving through city review.

Here is your takeaway. Franklinton just added 235 homes, and most are priced for everyday workers. If you want to live near Downtown without paying top dollar, WestRich is worth a look while units are still opening up.

Sources: REBusinessOnline, Hoodline