A look at Columbus’ newest event spaces
Corporate, social events now leading demand at central Ohio venues
Just in time for graduation and wedding season, several new event spaces are opening in central Ohio, offering options from the fancy to the funky.
The event industry has emerged strongly from the COVID pandemic, which largely shut down weddings, corporate events and social gatherings for much of 2020.
“The industry has completely recovered in central Ohio,” said John Brooks, managing partner of BTTS Holdings, which operates several central Ohio event spaces, including the newly expanded Cove at Watersedge in Hilliard. “We’re back and exceeding 2019 levels and bookings for the entire events industry.”
While wedding and family events returned quickly after COVID restrictions were lifted, corporate and social events are now leading demand, Brooks said.
“Even before the Intel announcement and the Honda battery plant and things of that nature, we saw a real need in the market place for corporate retreats, especially for small to medium-sized corporate events,” Brooks said.
Karima Crawford and Taylor Keene, who have backgrounds in event planning, started looking to open a Downtown venue in summer 2020, during the dog days of COVID. This week, they’re opening Genesis Downtown and are happy with the interest they’re seeing.
“There are a lot of nonprofits, public events looking for space,” Taylor said.
Genesis and the Cove are among at
least five new event spaces opening this spring to capitalize on demand, in addition to some major spaces, such as the newly expanded Hilton Columbus Downtown, that opened last year.
“There’s a ton of venues opening up now, just a lot of great spaces,” said Crawford. “We knew we would have competition, but there are enough events going on for everyone.”
A look at the new spaces:
The Cove, 4643 Trueman Blvd., Hilliard
The Cove at Watersedge adds 20,000 square feet to the 10,000square-foot Watersedge Event & Conference Center in Hilliard. With the expansion, the space has two venues: one that can seat up to 200 guests, and one that can seat 250, not including space on an adjacent patio. The Cove space
has a full kitchen, and a staff that can arrange all event details including entertainment, flowers and electronics/ audio-visual, in addition to food.
Details: Watersedge Events
Genesis Downtown, 174 E. Long St.
Genesis opens this week on the first floor of Downtown’s Standard building, which sat vacant for years before being renovated. The 2,700-square-footspace can accommodate up to 150 dinner guests. Unlike other venues with full kitchens, Genesis allows guests to work with their own caterers, though the space does include a commercial kitchenette for the use of caterers, along with a bar.
Details: Genesis Downtown
Vitria on the Square, 14 E. 15th Ave.
Vitria occupies 20,000 square feet on the second floor of a new building in University Square, Ohio State University’s development on the east side of North High Street at 15th Avenue. Vitria offers several smaller spaces and a ballroom that can seat more than 300 when fully opened, or be divided into smaller venues. The space has a full on-site kitchen and a balcony that overlooks a square below.
For details: Vitria on the Square
The Kee, 225 Neilston St.
The newly opened Kee offers a rentable venue in the rear of its multipurpose space, which includes a restaurant, game rooms and café. The venue can accommodate up to 700 visitors, and seat more than 300 when fully opened, or be divided into spaces for groups as small as 30. The venue has a large bar, a walk-up food window, and a kitchen on site that can provide full service.
Details: The Kee Columbus
The Franklin Gallery, 77 Belle St.
The Franklin Gallery ballroom on the second floor of the The Junto hotel, scheduled to open May 29 next to COSI in Franklinton, can accommodate up to 180 seated dinner guests. The gallery features a dedicated kitchen and terrace, and can be opened to an adjacent space to expand capacity. The 198-room hotel also offers smaller spaces to rent for corporate or other gatherings. Details: The Junto Hotel jweiker@dispatch.com @Jimweiker