Space for events is eyed for Downtown

Company that owns area sites offers a plan

A California company that owns two dozen properties in a warehouse corner of Downtown has submitted plans to develop one of the properties into a large bar, restaurant and entertainment space.

Hackman Capital Partners, based in Los Angeles and with offices in Worthington, plans to convert the 33,000square-foot office and warehouse at 225 Neilston St. into the venue, which would include a large outdoor patio in what is now an alley on the north side of the building.

The building would be substantial for a restaurant and entertainment space – about twice the size, for example, of Express Live!’s building at 405 Neil Ave.

Plans submitted to the city by Ar

chall Architects of Columbus show a total renovation of the building’s plain brick exterior. The main entrance would be shifted to the south side of the building and oversized doors added on the north side opening onto the patio.

Representatives from Hackman were not available to discuss the project, which is scheduled to come before the Downtown Commission on Tuesday.

The project would be part of the developer’s broader investment in the area, which includes 10 buildings and about 15 empty lots along Neilston, North 5th Street, Mount Vernon Avenue and the large “Icehouse” building at 260 E. Naghten St.

According to Hackman’s website, the buildings include 412,901 square feet, about half of which is occupied.

“Hackman Capital Partners will be renovating the buildings to leverage the market’s creative-office demand, spotlighting irreplaceable architectural keepsakes, such as high ceilings, tall windows, wood and bowtruss ceilings, exposed brick walls and ornamental columns,” the website states.

The Ohio Department of Health’s Vital Statistics office has leased the space on Neilston, although the office is now closed to the public.

Even though the warehouse district itself has not seen a lot of recent development, the building is near a growing number of new apartments along East Long Street, along with restaurants and bars on North Fourth Street. jweiker@dispatch.com @Jimweiker

ARCHALL A developer is hoping to convert a Downtown office and warehouse building on Neilston Street into a bar, restaurant and entertainment venue, as shown in thisrendering.