Rendering via Architectural Alliance.

A plan to add two stories to the Union Cafe building at 782 N. High St. is getting closer to being approved by the Italian Village Commission.

The latest proposal, which was heard by the commission last night, calls for the longtime bar and restaurant to expand to two full floors. A smaller, third floor addition would hold office space, while the front of the building would get a new facade, two levels of outdoor seating and a retractable glass roof.

The existing facade is not original to the building; it was added in 1990’s, and the pergola that abuts the sidewalk was built in the year 2000, according to the Franklin County Auditor’s site.

“The Union wants to expand their business to have a second floor bar and outdoor patio space while maintaining the current patio connection with High Street pedestrian traffic,” said Brad Parish, President of Architectural Alliance.

“Our design draws upon the adjacent buildings and utilizes the material of the building in a contemporary way,” he added. “We had a great discussion with (the commission) last night and hope to further push the design for the High Street Corridor.”

Architectural Alliance has designed a number of new Short North buildings in recent years, including the Hub, the Fireproof Building, the four-story project under construction on the former UDF site, and the two-story building that holds Donatos and RAM Brewery.

Because the Union proposal was only reviewed conceptually, no vote was taken. Commission Chair Jason Sudy said that the response was generally favorable, although there was a request that the applicant come back with more details about the materials proposed for the front patio area.