Open Air School (Columbus, Ohio)

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Coordinates: 40°00′52″N 83°00′51″W / 40.014509°N 83.014094°W / 40.014509; -83.014094
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Open Air School
Map
Interactive map highlighting the building's location
Location2571 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio
Coordinates40°00′52″N 83°00′51″W / 40.014509°N 83.014094°W / 40.014509; -83.014094
Area1.2 acres (0.49 ha)
Built1927
ArchitectHoward Dwight Smith
Architectural styleItalian Renaissance Revival
NRHP reference No.100004054
Added to NRHPJune 14, 2019

The Open Air School is a historic building in the Tuttle Park area of Old North Columbus in Columbus, Ohio. The building was constructed as a school, and today houses local a café, bar, a fitness center, and event space. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

The former open air school building first housed students at risk of catching tuberculosis. Because of this, the building has large windows, gathering spaces, outdoor areas, and nearby wilderness. It replaced an older open air school building on the site, built in 1913.[1] The 1927 building subsequently held Neil Avenue Elementary, from 1956 to 1975. It then held Columbus City Schools administrative offices, and later sat vacant for years. Around 2019, a $6.1-million renovation plan was announced, for the site to hold a mix of businesses. Proposed tenants included a coffee shop, fitness center, a restaurant, and offices.[2][3] In 2022, a local brewery opened a restaurant and bar, called Understory, on-site.[4]

The 30,586 sq ft (2,841.5 m2) building sits on 1.2 acres (0.49 ha). It was designed by Howard Dwight Smith, architect of the Ohio Stadium, and was built in 1927.[3] Its Italian Renaissance Revival style is constructed of reinforced concrete and has a brick and terra cotta facade.[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Historic Schools in the Columbus Public Schools District" (PDF). Columbus Landmarks Foundation. Ohio Department of Transportation. April 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  2. ^ "Plan Revealed for Historic Neil Avenue School". Columbus Underground. 18 September 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Former Old North Columbus school could become community hub with a coffee shop, restaurant, coworking space and more". Columbus Business First. Oct 15, 2019. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  4. ^ "Wolf's Ridge provides first look at Open Air building restaurant, lounge and event space". The Columbus Dispatch. September 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Darbee, Jeff. "City Quotient: Downtown's Midcentury Modern Holdout". Columbus Monthly. Retrieved 2022-09-07.

External links[edit]

External videos
video icon "Columbus Neighborhoods: Open Air School", WOSU Public Media, 2023


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