Eastlake Guesthouse is an overgrown Victorian Queen Ann era home (c.1887) in the Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio. The early Eastlake style interior is visible in the woodwork and mantles. Like many of the grand old homes in the Short North neighborhood in the late 1800’s it was built to last hundreds of years with its limestone foundations and front steps, slate roofs, brick walls and 50 foot chimneys. It evokes a sense of permanence and asks us to "steward" it while we are engaged with it. For us, its current owners, that has meant fixing it up, and sharing it.
As near as we can tell within 25 years after its initial iteration as a single family home with servants to help keep it up, it has always been some kind of shared residence, whether fraternity house in the early 1900's or simply apartments or rooming house later on. When we came to the house it was chopped up into 5 rental units, but in a remarkably benevolent manner, respecting its basic original architectural arrangement. We have lived in part of the house and rented the rest out while we raised our family. In the past couple of years we have been offering the rental quarters as guest house suites to the public.
The surrounding neighborhood is pretty dynamic. Archways of colored lights span High Street, the main drag through the Short North. Originally a commercial warehouse district adjacent to the city’s central rail yards in the early 1900’s, the short North experienced a renaissance driven by artists and gallery owners in the 1980’s. Now full of galleries, shops and restaurants, craft breweries and live theater it stays pretty lively day and night. It keeps things interesting.
For short stays, one of the great things about the house is its location. It is in THE most walkable district in the city with its unique mix of shops, galleries, restaurants, theater etc. it isn't like everywhere else. There are remarkably few of the big chain stores you'll find in most other "shopping"/entertainment destinations. It is in keeping with the Short North's organic rebirth led by artists and gallery owners.
And of course, there is The Ohio State University just a 5 block walk up High Street. It is perhaps the largest campus in the U.S. with 60,000+ students and home to the Buckeyes at a stadium holding nearly twice that number. For those coming to work or study at The Ohio State University, Eastlake Guesthouse offers the comforts of home within walking distance of your conference or campus event.
Come be our guests!
Bernard and Julie