The renovation of The Merchant, a 5,800-square-foot coworking office space located in Olde Towne East, is a prime example of how historic character can meet modern needs.
Previously functioning as a grocery store, this historical renovation got its new chapter as a shared co-working office. Working with the client, two historical committees and the area commissioner, The Studio kept the building’s original character while bringing in modern amenities and brightness. Unfortunately, the building had been previously renovated resulting in a loss of character and original materials. The team worked hard to salvage what was left of its character, and supplemented with materials that complemented its original state. Utilizing complementary materials rich hues and textures, the community space holds the feel of a lavish coffee shop. The first floor holds a conference room, huddle area, and community kitchen while the second and third have private office spaces. With a few strategic cuts in the upstairs walls, the former apartments are now open rentable offices with an abundance of natural light.
The exterior also holds a new look. The first floor storefront was re-worked to open up formerly bricked-in windows, original arched openings were restored all of which brought in lots of natural light. Along the side of the building, more original arched doorways were reopened allowing for the addition of a secluded patio for outdoor gatherings.
The removal of an old wall opens the space up into a coffee shop style work environment. Keeping the original flooring tells the story of where the wall once stood, as there's a change in patterning and style.
Utilizing wall coverings and light fixtures helps differentiate the various work zones.
Clean lines and a waterfall island elevate this space as the spin on a traditional subway tile adds depth. Playing off the shape of the tile, the hexagon flooring leads to the outdoor patio.
The private patio displays a varying amount of material that tells the history of the numerous renovations of its past.
Light pools into the stairwell that leads to private offices and conference rooms.
Glass store fronts help move daylight around and open up the space. Creative space planning allowed The Studio to add in an additional two-person meeting room.
We’re excited to share that The Merchant—our adaptive reuse project in Columbus’ Olde Towne East—has been featured in CoworkingCafe’s recent article, “Think Outside the Cubicle: Coworking Spaces in Repurposed Buildings.”
The Arena Grand Theater gets a new life with this renovation to house Nationwide's Innovation space, The CoOperative.
With newfound access to natural daylight, the design team continued to transform the interiors into a modern workspace. To read more about this portion of the renovation, please visit the story titled "The Historic Dispatch Building Renovation".
About The Author
Dukyoung Lee - Architect
Since 2016 and as a founding team member of The Columbus Architectural Studio, Duk Young Lee has built a culture of exploration within the firm. The highly awarded and certified architect holds a Master’s degree, AP, BD+C certified, and is LEED awarded. It’s with Duk Young’s ambition that she has built a philosophy of purposeful design, and has fostered a keen ability to find balance between materiality, functionality, and beauty. Her handiwork can be seen all over the city such as the Dublin Park Pavilion and Grandview Crossing Office, which exemplifies her expertise in exterior design and modeling. Even outside the office, Duk Young is always exploring whether it be rock climbing, learning guitar or simply trying new coffee shops around town.