What's Going Up Next Door

The Lori Lynn Group · Keller Williams Consultants Realty · March 2026

If it feels like there's a construction crane on every other corner of Central Ohio right now, you're not imagining it. New builds are going up across the region at a pace that's reshaping neighborhoods, creating new communities from scratch, and giving buyers options they didn't have two or three years ago.

Here's a roundup of what's actively being built — and what it means for buyers and sellers across the markets we know best.

Plain City: Darby Station and Beyond

Plain City has been one of the most talked-about new construction stories in Central Ohio over the past 18 months, and Darby Station is the reason why. This community has become a genuine destination for buyers who want new construction without paying Dublin or New Albany prices. Homes here are selling in the $480,000–$679,000 range, with larger lots on Melody Loop pushing toward the top of that range.

For buyers looking for an entry point into Plain City new construction, Helena Drive and Maria Drive have been the answer — closes in the $335,000–$383,000 range that represent real value in the 43064 zip code. Jonathan Alder and Fairbanks school districts anchor the long-term demand, and with resale inventory still tight, new construction continues to absorb serious buyer interest.

M/I Homes has been one of the most active builders in this corridor, and their presence in Plain City is worth tracking if you're a buyer on the fence about new versus resale.

Hilliard: Infill and Established Neighborhood Additions

Northwest Hilliard doesn't have the wide-open land that Plain City does, which means new construction here tends to show up as infill development and smaller pocket communities rather than large master-planned neighborhoods. That scarcity actually works in favor of existing homeowners — limited new inventory in an established, high-demand school district keeps resale values strong.

For buyers specifically seeking new construction in the Hilliard City Schools district, the Plain City corridor has become the practical alternative. Close enough to maintain the school district appeal, with more land and lower price points than anything available inside Hilliard proper.

Dublin and Powell: The Custom Build Corridor

Dublin and Powell remain the premier destination for buyers pursuing custom builds and higher-end new construction in Central Ohio. The $700,000–$1,000,000+ range is active here, with buyers drawn by top-rated Dublin City Schools, proximity to the Scioto River corridor, and the established amenities of Bridge Street District and Historic Dublin.

Golf course communities in Powell continue to attract executive buyers and relocators, with custom builders delivering homes that compete with anything available in larger metros at a fraction of the cost. For buyers coming from Chicago, New York, or the coasts, the value proposition here is consistently striking.

New Albany: Planned Community New Construction

New Albany operates differently from the other markets on this list — it's a planned community by design, and new construction here fits within an architectural framework that maintains the neighborhood's consistency and long-term value. Executive homes, top-rated schools, and a walkable village center make New Albany a perennial favorite for corporate relocators and high-income buyers who want low-maintenance upscale living.

New construction in New Albany tends to move quickly and hold its value well, making it one of the safer bets for buyers prioritizing appreciation alongside lifestyle.

Should You Buy New or Resale in 2026?

It depends entirely on your priorities, timeline, and budget — and the honest answer is that both markets have real merit right now. New construction gives you a warranty, modern finishes, and energy efficiency. Resale gives you established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, and often faster move-in timelines.

The Lori Lynn Group works with buyers across both markets and has built relationships with builders in the Plain City and Dublin corridors that give our clients real advantages — early access to communities, builder negotiation experience, and the kind of local knowledge that comes from 24 years in these neighborhoods.

If you're trying to decide between new and resale, or you want to know what's actively being built near a specific area, we'll walk you through it with real data and zero pressure.