NEWS

Nationwide Realty Investors Ltd. kicked off leasing for its Buggyworks office project by signing a high-profile Columbus brand in Cameron Mitchell Restaurants LLC.

NRI President Brian Ellis expects the restaurant holding company to lead a flurry of activity as Nationwide Realty wraps up work on two historic buildings that will bring a combined 145,000 square feet of office space to the Arena District.

“We’ve had a lot of activity on this building,” Ellis told me while touring the larger building at 400 W. Nationwide Blvd. “I’m really pleased with the interest.”

The larger, 114-year-old building will have 115,000 square feet of offices on four floors, with exposed brick interiors, original wood-beam ceilings and views of downtown.

The three-story building next door at 390 W. Nationwide Blvd. will have 30,000 square feet of office space—with Cameron Mitchell taking 17,000 square feet—atop two levels of private garage parking.

Ellis said the former Columbus Buggy Co. complex—which includes condos and offices at 440 W. Nationwide Blvd. renovated by Kyle Katz—will offer the type of creative space preferred by many employers.

“Everybody’s competing for talent, especially young talent,” he said.

Nationwide Realty also will be able to accommodate a variety of office sizes.

“We have a lot of flexibility in that. I expect we’ll have some tenants that are 2,000 to 2,500 square feet,” he said.
Both buildings are expected to be open by fall. Turner Construction is managing the project.