Breaching the Erection
Mike embarks on this multi-part quest to explore the emerging structure that will be known as the Merchant Building in Columbus, Ohio, adjacent to the North Market in its former parking lot.
Good evening, this is Mike George coming at you live on this late Saturday evening into Sunday morning on the winter solstice, 21 December 2025. I’m coming at you from the construction site of the Merchant Building, which is the big skyscraper going up next to the North Market, right in the center of the Short North/Convention Center District in Columbus.
I saw this big giant skyscraper going up and couldn't resist!
Right now, I’m in the staircase on the 8th floor, which is 2 stories above the 5-story parking garage. I’m going to keep my voice quiet, because I am not technically authorized to be here… 😉
This is a multi-use building; the bottom floors are for commercial development, and the skinnier top part is for residential units. I’m currently in what looks like the project management or construction team's 'base camp'. Moving to Level 9, they haven't installed the curtain glass yet, so there is a wide-open view facing south toward the Nationwide building and arena. They’ve done a good job cordoning off fall hazards, but I’ve already violated a major safety rule by not wearing a hard hat.
The site is clean, and there are no security cameras yet, though security patrols are in cars outside the perimeter. I’m passing some HVAC air handlers that look like big ovens. Now I’m at the 10th floor, which is smaller, so we must be entering the residential tower part of the facility.
Oh, wow — I found a blueprint here for level 11!
Ascending the Tower
Having the flashlight on is not good practice when trying to remain hidden!
Looking at this map, the building is shaped like a big 'L'. On this 11th floor, it follows that footprint. The square inside the cavity of the 'L' appears to be the roof over the lower commercial and parking areas.
I’m going to skip a few floors to save time and battery. Let's check out Level 12. They are keeping the doors shut to keep the building 'toasty,' so I’ll follow suit. These heat blowers look like the Eye of Sauron!
I’m going to take a short break here to take a tinkle…
The Sky Lobby
All right, I'm back. I think I'm on the 19th floor now. The ceilings have gotten much taller here, which implies it's either a very nice apartment floor or perhaps a “sky lobby” functioning as an interchange for passengers between local and express elevators.
Moving to the 20th floor, there’s more HVAC equipment. I want to get out by 5:00. I’m looking down a duct shaft from the 21st story —it's a 20+ story pit with pipes along the perimeter. There are sections of glass waiting to be installed and doorways that lead to balconies, though there are no railings yet. The ceiling height is back to normal here, similar to the 11th floor.
The Tower Summit
At last, Level 30 — the top of the Merchant Building! This is the closest accessible floor to the top of the crane. I thought about breaching the crane, but I don’t have the stomach to climb a 30-story ladder.
There's a steel structure on top, maybe a penthouse. I’m crossing to the edge for a peek — we want the highest view possible - but watch my step, there is some ice here! Looking south is a beautiful view.
I think this building is supposed to open in 2026, topping off at around 30 stories.
Since I've completed my quest at around 4:20, I’m going to smoke a victory bong! This has been a lovely adventure. Now I just have to figure out how to get back down!
The Descent and Exit
Coming at you live once again on the 30th floor, this is Mike George! I wanted to get a quick clip of my face on camera just to prove to y'all that I actually did this - and that I wasn’t just some AI voiceover.
I think there are technically 32 stories in this building, and the roof was above where I just was. Now for the fun part: trying to get back down without incident…
I’m passing the 14th story now…
I’m on the final home stretch, presently on Level P5, which is a transition floor between the lobby and the garage.
I’ve reached my 'base camp' where I stashed some things.
I’m out of the secured zone now, heading down the final ramp to the ground floor. Goodbye to the Merchant Building!
I’ve successfully scaled the whole thing and made it out without getting caught! I even snagged some PPE while I was in there, just in case anyone tries to report me for a safety violation! No one got caught, no one got hurt, and no one got arrested.
What a privilege it was to have this opportunity. This has been Mike George, live from the Convention Center District on High Street.
Happy winter solstice and Merry Christmas! Take care of yourselves, and take care of somebody else.
