Open Air School Historic Renovation
Located in the Tuttle Park neighborhood of the University District, the Open Air School is a historic building built in 1927 to teach students who were at risk of catching tuberculosis. The large windows and position on top of a bluff overlooking the Olentangy River made it ideal to maintain a circulation of fresh air throughout the building. Designed by Howard Dwight Smith, noted architect of Ohio Stadium, the 30,000 sq ft. brick structure is adorned in beautiful brick work, terra cotta detailing, and stone carvings.
The school held students until the mid-1970s after which it was repurposed as administrative offices for Columbus Public Schools. More recently the build had been sitting vacant and in 2018 the school board decided to sell the property from its holdings. This made the fate of the historically significant building uncertain. At the end of the school board’s bidding process, the Kelley Company was able to acquire the building and soon started on their plans to revive the site. As a local redevelopment firm, they are familiar with tackling historic renovation projects and utilizing the best assets of a building to their advantage.
One significant asset is the building’s proximity to Tuttle Park (the public park) and the Olentangy Trail. The forrested backdrop of the park provides a quiet respite of the urban hustle of the University District. It is also one of the few locations along the popular Olentangy Trail that can offer amenities targeted to trail riders. In he end, the Kelley Company envisioned the the old school as a community space - hosting a range of active uses and creating a new neighborhood node.
The first tenant at Open Air is Butcher Shop Fitness - providing small group classes using Lagree method. Other future tenants include a cafe, restaurant, bar, an events space, and offices.
The Kelley team saught to place the property on the National Register of Historic Places for the unique role it played in educating children and its famous architect. Ohio’s Historic Preservation Tax Credits were awareded by the Ohio Department of Development and used to keep the integrity of the building in tact. Features like the original lockers that line the hallways, old chalkboards hanging on the walls, and even the cafeteria lunch windows still remain intact. The resulting renovation is a prime example of repurposing a historic structure to modern day uses.
Interested in seeing more of the Open Air School? Attend the University Community Business Association’s virtual Armchair Hardhat Tour!
When: March 26, 2021 | Noon-1:00pm
Via Zoom
Free Event