When the 1895 Columbus City Hall was replaced in 1981,  Cummins Engine Company recognized both a significant local landmark and a need for luxury accommodations suitable for board members of a Fortune 500 company.  They retained a developer and LDA to orchestrate the conversion to the Columbus Inn.

Adaptive use of the City Hall posed several challenges.  The project had to conform to the Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines while meeting the latest in modern hospitality requirements and providing a facility of a size that could be operated profitably. 

New heating, air conditioning, electrical, and plumbing systems were necessary, as well as the addition of a third floor in the 19-foot-high second floor space and additional stairways and new elevators, all while preserving the magnificent tin ceilings, ornate woodwork, and ornamental tile.  The project features 29 rooms, 5 suites, and dining and meeting spaces. 

Project Data 

Client:  Cranston Development

Size:  25,000 square feet

Construction Cost:  $1,800,000

Designations/Awards:  National Register

Historic Tax Credit

Featured as cover story in Restaurant and Hotel Design, January 1988

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