100 Years and Counting

A century of growth, relationships and commitment to Central Ohio
Thomas H. Kohr
Paul T. (Ted) Kohr
Left to right: Tom Kohr, Paul Kohr, Ted Kohr.
Left to right: Tom Kohr, Mike Griffith,
Jim Hess, Ted Kohr, seated - Dick Royer
Thomas P. Kohr
Real Estate
Investments
Paul H. Kohr –
Real Estate
Real Estate
Investments
Kohr, Monett
& Shields
Real Estate
Investments
Paul H. Kohr
(father)
Richard L. Royer
(joined as an
appraiser)
Thomas P.
Kohr (son)
James Hess
(joined)
Paul T. (Ted)
Kohr
Kohr & Kohr, Inc.
(sons of Paul H.
Kohr )
Thomas P. Kohr
Thomas P. Kohr
Paul T. (Ted) Kohr
Paul Theodore
(Ted) Kohr
James Hess Kohr & Kohr Inc.
James Hess
Richard L.
Royer –
Kohr & Kohr
Inc.
1914 1928 1942 1952 1962 1963 1968 1973
A century of growth, relationships and commitment to Central Ohio 19141924193419441955196419741984199420042014...
1975 1982 1987 1989 1990 1997 1998 2010
Kohr & Royer,
Inc.
Kohr Royer
Griffith, Inc.
Thomas P. Kohr
Richard L. Royer
Paul T. (Ted) Kohr
James Hess
James Hess
Richard L. Royer
John W. Royer (joined KRG)
75th Anniversary
Steve Hess
(joined KRG)
Paul Bloomfield
(joined KRG)
Kohr Royer
Griffith, Inc.
Kohr Royer
Griffith, Inc.
Richard L.
Royer
John W. Royer
Michael Griffith
(joined KRG)
John W. Royer
Steve Hess
Michael Kohr
Paul Bloomfield
Thomas P. Kohr
Steve Hess
Michael Kohr
Paul T. (Ted) Kohr
Michael Kohr
(joined KRG)
Michael Kohr
John W. Royer
Steve Hess
Paul Bloomfield
NEIGHBORHOODS
Top left to clockwise: Homes on Yorkshire Road ,The Ohio State University Golf Course, The Mallway at Old Arlington, Shops on Lane Avenue,
Scioto Country Club
UPPER ARLINGTON
KRG and Upper Arlington
Kohr Royer Griffith has been
involved in the Upper Arlington
community for decades. From
development to property
management, KRG has taken
an active role in helping
to further the economic
development of the city.
Currently, KRG is the property
manager for Kenbrook Village,
and has been the property
manager of Tremont Center
since the 1980s. They are also
the tenant rep for the Piada
restaurant group, with the
first location just a few doors
down from the Shops on Lane
Avenue. They have also been
involved with the Snap Fitness
building on Arlington Ave.
It was 1913, and King and Ben Thompson had a
dream of an ideal residential community, with
easy access to Columbus, but without the traffic
and chaos of the city.
The plan was to develop a community where
the streets didn’t follow a grid pattern, but
rather moved and curved with the land.
Construction of the roadways began in August
of 1914 with Roxbury Road, which ran north
from Fifth Ave. The Pennsylvania Railroad had a
station on Fifth Avenue, and the streetcar from
Columbus terminated at Fifth and Arlington
Avenues, so access to the new community was
convenient.
Houses soon followed in 1915, and in early 1916
Ben and King Thompson built their own homes
there.
But the new development wasn’t without
problems. The beginning of the U.S.
involvement in World War I turned the area into
Camp Willis, a training camp with full National
Guard presence. Residents noted that they
would often have to pass through military
posts to get to and from their houses. Military
equipment damaged the new streets and made
a remarkable mess. Luckily, the city recovered
fairly quickly.
Progress was rapid, and the basement of King
Thompson’s house became the first school
in 1917. On March 20, 1918 Upper Arlington
became official; with its incorporation as a
village with 200 residents.
Upper Arlington had a full social life, and in
January of 1919 the Village Commission was
tasked with organizing several community
activities, such as picnics and dances, ensuring
that the new village was bursting with
opportunities to bond with neighbors.
The village of Upper Arlington became a city
in 1941 and continued its trajectory north.
Although originally a sleepy suburb, the city
is now a premier residential and commercial
destination.
Top left to clockwise: St. John’s Episcopal Church, Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center, Homes on Hartford Street, High Street Shops in Old Worthington,
Old Worthington Library from Stafford Avenue
WORTHINGTON
KRG and Worthington
Kohr Royer Griffith is no
stranger to the City of
Worthington. KRG has served
many roles in the development
of present-day Worthington,
encouraging and facilitating
economic growth.
In 2007, KRG was engaged by
CF Bank to secure a site for
their headquarters in Central
Ohio. The location chosen
had no available land, but
in partnership with the city,
the site was rezoned and
development was underway.
KRG was also instrumental
in developing the Road
Runner Sports site in the
Worthington area, and has
had previous involvement with
the Worthington School Board
Building on Wilson Bridge Rd.
Founded in 1803, Worthington has a rich and
complex history.
Quite a busy man, Kilbourne also launched the
first newspaper in Franklin County at this time.
The first settlers, led by James Kilbourne of the
Scioto Company, consulted with a man named
Thomas Worthington for advice on the new
settlement. Worthington advised the settlers to
purchase cheaper, private land in this location
instead of the more expensive land owned
by the government. In appreciation, the new
settlement was named Worthington, after the
man who had given Kilbourne and crew such
sage advice.
In 1835, Worthington was officially incorporated
into a village, and in 1893 the village became
a suburb of Columbus. A public water system
was acquired in 1913, and 1916 brought
the establishment of the Worthington Fire
Department and the paving of High Street.
Situated on the Olentangy River, it also had
an important, well-travelled north-south
route, later to become Route 23. The center
of the new settlement was the Village Green,
modeled after the village greens so common in
New England towns, and is still in use today as
the city’s center.
Growth was slow, but steady. In addition to
farming, an industrial base had begun to
develop. Kilbourne founded The Worthington
Company in 1811, which manufactured clothing,
building supplies, and household utensils.
The rest of the 20th century also saw amazing
growth and innovation, with Worthington
seeing its first traffic light, movie theater, post
office, the founding of Worthington Foods and
Worthington Industries, and the establishment
of a swimming pool. In 1956, Worthington was
finally big enough to be reclassified as a city.
Today, the City of Worthington is a thriving
suburb, with a highly rated school system,
convenient access to freeways, treelined streets, an arts center with robust
programming, and a nationally recognized
library system.
Worthington began as a community of citizens
invested in its future. It appears some things
never change.
Top left to clockwise: Grandview Heights Public Library, Grandview Heights Municipal Pool, Homes on First Avenue, Shops on Grandview Avenue,
The Grandview Yard
GRANDVIEW Heights
KRG and Grandview Heights
The recent growth in the City of
Grandview Heights has made
it one of the premier locations
for redevelopment. One such
property was the building at
777 Goodale Blvd. Located near
the new Grandview Yard area,
it was the perfect location in
Grandview.
Unobtrusive in stature, this
site is the home of a former
warehouse facility. KRG was
hired by Bravo Development to
turn the former warehouse into
a space that would house a test
kitchen for the Bravo Restaurant
Group, as well as additional
office spaces for lease. By the
time the renovations were
complete, the building was fully
leased. As the old saying goes,
location, location, location.
The City of Grandview has a wonderful and rich
history.
Originally, Grandview Heights was part of Marble
Cliff. But shortly after Marble Cliff was formed,
Grandview Heights elected to withdraw to form
their own community.
There were also many talks of annexation by the
City of Columbus, but when they were denied
water and electricity, Grandview Heights voted
to incorporate as a separate village in 1906.
Not dissuaded by the early actions of the village,
Columbus approached Grandview Heights a
second time for annexation in 1921, and once
again, it was rejected.
In 1916, the Grandview Heights school system
graduated its first high school class. Originally
known as the “Grand View” School, (also known
as the Harding School), the school was used
until the current high school was built in 1923.
1922 saw the installation of electric streetlights
in the village, and in 1924-the first fire truck.
Up until then, the City of Columbus had been
providing fire services to both Grandview
Heights and Marble Cliff, but the growth of
both communities put a strain on the Columbus
resources, and they began charging money
for these services. At this point, talks of a fire
department and municipal building were in full
swing, and the municipal building was also built
in 1924.
In the late 1920s, the “Bank Block” was built.
Located on Grandview Avenue, the block was
a shopping destination for local residents and
added to the National Historic Register in 1997.
Unfortunately, a large fire broke out in 2009,
consuming most of the businesses on the east
side of the street.
Grandview Heights is proud of its heritage,
and celebrates its identity with many festivals
and events, such as the Lazy Daze of Summer
festival and The Grandview Hop.
And, with the recent addition of Grandview
Yard, Grandview Heights is still one of the
premier destinations in central Ohio.
Top left to clockwise: Marble Cliff Entrance at the Cambridge Boulevard Split, Our Lady of Victory Church, Frank G. Monaco Fountain,
Marble Cliff Station, The former “Castle” built by Sylvio Casparis, one of the original Marble Cliff Quarry founders.
THE VILLAGE OF
MARBLE CLIFF
KRG and Marble Cliff
While Marble Cliff may
be small, it has a huge
personality. One of the
most charming suburbs of
Columbus, with tree-lined
streets and wonderful,
well-built homes, and only
two miles from Downtown
Columbus, Kohr Royer Griffith
is proud to call Marble Cliff
home.
With offices on Dublin Road in
the heart of Marble Cliff, the
company is heavily invested
in the community. Working to
preserve the integrity of the
village and maintaining its
identity, Kohr Royer Griffith
has been involved in both
development projects and
working in a leasing capacity.
For many central Ohioans, Grandview and
Marble Cliff are interchangeable, or at the very
least, confusing. But Marble Cliff is a distinct
community, enjoying a prime central location, a
rich history, and loads of personality.
Nestled just west of Grandview Heights, with
Fifth Avenue about as north as the village goes
in most places, many of the properties in Marble
Cliff are mistaken for being located within
Grandview Heights, or even Columbus. To make
matters even more confusing, the Grandview
Chamber of Commerce is actually located in
Marble Cliff. Of course, the Grandview Chamber
serves Marble Cliff as well, but I digress…
Marble Cliff and Grandview Heights were
originally formed to be a summer getaway from
the heat of the city. But at the turn of the 20th
century, the entire area between the Scioto and
Olentangy Rivers became the Hamlet of Marble
Cliff. In fact, in 1901, Marble Cliff was the first
suburb of Columbus to incorporate. It was in
1902 that Marble Cliff jettisoned what is now
known as Grandview Heights.
The original name of Marble Cliff was to
be the Hamlet of Arlington, as it bordered
Upper Arlington, but a name issue made this
impossible, as another city named Arlington
in southern Ohio would cause confusion with
mail delivery.
Marble Cliff is known today for its beautiful
buildings, and is home to many businesses.
Many of the homes here have been standing
since the village’s beginning, and most have
a story to tell.
One such story is Our Lady of Victory, the
Catholic parish for the village. In 1922, Bishop
Hartley established the parish, and the home
of Sylvio Casparis, one of the original residents
of Marble Cliff, eventually became the parish
school and convent.
Today, Marble Cliff is a community appreciative
of both its history and its future, and
preserving its identity in the present
Top left to clockwise: Columbus Museum of Art, Thurber House (historic former home of author, and cartoonist James Thurber) Columbus College of Art
and Design campus, Columbus State Community College main campus.
DISCOVERY DISTRICT
KRG and Discover District
The Discovery District was
originally called the Grant
Washington Discovery District,
and a master plan to rezone
the area was adopted by the
Columbus City Council in the
winter of 1990. The purpose
of the plan was to revitalize
the area from a manufacturing
area to a more “peoplefriendly” district for homes and
businesses.
Before the Discovery District
was so aptly named, Kohr
Royer Griffith had been
involved in the community.
Columbus State Community
College, a major presence
within the Discovery District,
has been a client of KRG from
its inception.
If you’re a resident of central Ohio, especially
Columbus, you’ve most likely heard of the
Discovery District, situated in the eastern portion
of the downtown area. Flanked by I-670 to the
north, Mound Street to the south, and its east
and west borders being I-71 and Fifth Street,
respectively, the Discovery District is actually
one of the oldest “suburban” neighborhoods in
Columbus. Despite the relatively new designation
as an official district, the neighborhood actually
dates back to the late 19th century.
Many of the homes and businesses, including the
Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Kelton House,
and the Columbus College of Art and Design, were
built between the 1850s and the 1920s.
Already a unique area with a strong historical and
educational base, the concept of organizing into a
specific, recognized district was born in 1989.
The 10 original institutions included the Columbus
Metropolitan Library, Franklin University, The Deaf
School Park, Thurber House, Columbus State
Community College, Columbus College of Art and
Design, Players Theater, The Columbus Museum
of Art, Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and
the Kelton House Museum and Garden.
Originally called the Grant Washington Discovery
District, the plan was adopted by the Columbus
City Council in the winter of 1990. The purpose
of the plan was to rezone the area from a
manufacturing area to a more “people-friendly”
district for homes and businesses.
Today, the district has grown from its original
roots, with the addition of Capital University
Law School, the renovation of the Seneca Hotel,
and the addition of many other homes and
businesses.
Top left to clockwise: Skyline with the State House and Huntington Center in the center, the Ohio State Fair, Huntington Park (home of AAA
Minor League Team - The Columbus Clippers) Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
COLUMBUS
P A R T
1
KRG and Columbus
As Kohr Royer Griffith celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, one
can’t help but reflect on the ways KRG has woven itself into the fabric
of Columbus. From redevelopment projects to partnerships with other
development, real estate, and construction companies, KRG has infused
its vision and passion for the community into developing and influencing
the personality of the city. Although the city has grown and changed
over the last 100 years, from a sleepy mid-western town to a thriving
metropolis, Columbus has retained its friendly, small-town-masquerading
as-a-big-city feel.
For 100 years, KRG has carefully selected projects that not only benefit
the client, but the city as well. Many properties such as Columbus State
Community College are easily recognizable as Columbus icons. Others,
however, aren’t as well known but are the unsung workhorses within the
city. These buildings are the office complexes, retail stores, apartment
complexes, and other little known buildings throughout the city. But without
them, Columbus wouldn’t be the community it is today. Whether the project
is property management, construction, or even advising on the most
beneficial location for a specific property and industry, Kohr Royer Griffith
has had a hand in all aspects of the development process.
KRG is proud to have been such a large part of the development of the
city, and looks forward to a continuing relationship with its businesses and
residents alike.
Here’s to another 100 years, Columbus!
It’s no secret that Columbus, Ohio is located in a
unique and ideal location.
With a rich agricultural community surrounding it
to the north and west, and the Appalachian coal
fields to the south and east, the city’s founders
knew settling here in 1812 would be successful.
Now, fast forward just a little over 100 years to
1914. Columbus’s ideal location was not lost on
the founders of Kohr Royer Griffith, one of the
first commercial real estate and development
companies in Columbus. They saw the potential
for development in the capital city, and took
advantage of the momentum of the economic
upturn and growth of the city.
The city had suffered a blow the previous year
in the form of a huge flood, which it was now
recovering from nicely. It would take time, for
sure, but Columbus residents were optimistic
about the future, and they had every reason to be.
1914 was a rebound year economically, with a
recession ending and businesses picking up.
Just over 20 years earlier there were 125,560
Continued on next page
Top left to clockwise: The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon, German Village, Nationwide Arena (home of the National Hockey
League’s Columbus Blue Jackets), Ohio Stadium, (home venue of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team)
COLUMBUS
COLUMBUS
people living in the city, and in 1914, that number
had grown to over 200,000! To accommodate
the growing Columbus population, the city
was physically growing at a rapid rate. Despite
the great flood of the previous year, building
valuations were up over $833,067 from the
previous year, and over $5,000,000 of new
buildings were erected as well.
Business in the center of the city was booming.
The downtown area boasted several large
buildings at this point, with the State Capitol,
Huntington Bank, the Harrison Building (12
stories!), the Wheeler Building, the Wyandotte
Building (the first skyscraper in Columbus), the
Chittenden Hotel, the Lazarus Building, and the
second Neil House Hotel (the first was destroyed
by fire), which was a happening place socially
and a popular meeting place for both local and
traveling politicians. Said Neil House bartender
Ed Tiberi “At night when I’m working, I’m part
of a fun-loving, merrymaking crowd that is out
having a swell time. It isn’t often that a person
can combine his work and pleasure ”
P A R T
Higher education was also thriving. The
Ohio State University, which had already
been established, acquired the Starling and
Ohio Medical College to form The Ohio State
University College of Medicine in 1914. Of
course, it is still called that today.
Getting around the city was easy in 1914, as
Columbus had an efficient streetcar system
rivaling many larger cities throughout the
country, and operated by Columbus Railway
& Light Company. The busiest line was up
and down High Street, which was the main
north-south artery connecting Columbus to
Worthington. March of 1914 saw an expansion
of the streetcar system, with its first double
deck streetcar on the High Street line, and the
expansion of the company to become Columbus
Railway, Power & Light later that year.
Such a thriving streetcar system made
socializing and fun in Columbus easy to do,
and options were plentiful. Of course, the Neil
House, which was right across from the State
2
Capitol, was quite the destination, but if one
was willing to hop a streetcar on the High
Street line and go north, a premier destination
in the form of the Olentangy Amusement Park
awaited.
Located halfway between downtown and
Worthington-where the apartment complex
Olentangy Village is located now- the
amusement park had something for everyone.
A swimming pool (still there today), 2 ferriswheels, roller coasters, boating, games, and
other attractions were just some of the things
that drew people north.
If rides weren’t your thing in 1914, you could
visit any one of Columbus’s three major parks.
Goodale Park, just north of Downtown, was a
popular destination for picnicking and strolling.
If you hopped the trolley south, you could visit
City Park, and just to the east was Franklin
Park, which is still quite the destination today.
COMMERCIAL
REAL ESTATE
Across form the reflection pond, created when the building was developed. Retail entrance and retail interior.
Road Runner Sports
KRG and Road Runner
Sports, Columbus location
Opportunity met destiny in
2007 when Road Runner Sports
needed an east coast distribution
center, and Kohr Royer Griffith
was there with a solution.
KRG saw the opportunity to
purchase the facility on site,
lease it to Road Runner Sports,
and expand it to fit the needs
of the company. Road Runner
had a few criteria for the site,
including being located near
a major interstate, affluent
neighborhoods, and close
proximity to other shopping
areas.
Through the repurposing of
existing the site, KRG was able to
give not only a boost the value of
the asset, but provide economic
benefit to the surrounding
community.
The world’s largest running & walking store comes to Ohio.
Based in Worthington, Ohio, the east coast
center for Road Runner Sports made its
appearance in 2008, ready to serve the running
community of Central Ohio and a distribution
point for the eastern half of the United States.
And that’s a good thing. As the running and
walking community of Central Ohio has
increased exponentially, the need for a large
distribution center with a small retail store has
grown as well.
Nestled in a business park in the northernmost
edge of the Worthington area, the Road Runner
Sports warehouse houses a self-proclaimed
“world’s largest selection of running and walking
gear.”
As soon as you enter the building, it’s clear these
employees are passionate about the sport.
Avid runners themselves, they also have a
passion for helping others get started, or just
reach new goals. Whether it’s helping a new
runner find the right shoes for their gait and
foot shape, or the perfect running clothes that
don’t chafe, they are very serious about helping
the customer find not only what they’re looking
for, but making sure it’s the right thing for them,
too. The folks at Road Runner Sports know
their stuff, and love to answer questions about
clothes, shoes, gear, or even just running! They
love to chat about the sport, and it shows.
If you are a runner in Central Ohio, and love to
be immersed in everything about it, your visit to
Road Runner Sports will not disappoint.
Top left to right: the original school name and sign, Eibling Hall and Aquinas Hall (originally Aquinas High
School) 1972, construction of Nestor Hall 1984, Nestor Hall 2014
Columbus State
C O M M U N I T Y
C O L L E G E
KRG and Columbus State
Community College
Since its founding in the 1960s
as Columbus Technical Institute,
Columbus State Community
College has been instrumental
to the economic health of the
Discovery District area.
Kohr Royer Griffith was there in
the beginning as they helped
to develop the project, making
sure the site was the perfect
place for such an important
addition to the area. The
presence of Columbus State laid
the foundation for the entire
Discovery District, as it insured
the area would be a destination
of learning and discovery.
Dedicated to meeting the educational needs of our community for 50 years.
For 50 years, Columbus State Community
College (CSCC) has been a vital and growing
component of the Columbus landscape and
the community’s education system.
From the institution’s earliest beginnings in
1964 as Columbus Area Technical School to its
expansion to a campus in Delaware in 2010
and a tenth satellite location in Gahanna in
2011, KRG has partnered with CSCC to develop
and manage efficient, effective and dynamic
facilities that serve the changing needs and
aspirations of students and faculty.
Today CSCC is a college offering more
than 200 degrees and certificates with an
enrollment of more than 26,000 students on
beautiful campuses in downtown Columbus
and in Delaware County and nine other sites
throughout the region.
CSCC is building the workforce of tomorrow
and helping students start their bachelor’s
degree in an academic climate with small
class sizes and low tuition. The college plays a
critical role in our community. Watch what the
next 50 years will bring!
Top left to right: the Original Goodie Shop, the courtyard waterfall, the Tremont Center as it
appeared in 1958, the Chef-o-Nette restaurant in 1970, the Tremont Center today
TrEMONT CENTER
KRG and The Tremont
Center
Kohr Royer Griffith has
been the property manager
for Tremont Center since
the 1980s, and therefore
instrumental to the look and
feel of the center itself. In
fact, one of their clients, The
Arlington Bank, started their
very first branch there, and
continues to serve the local
community in that location.
Tremont Center continues to be
considered a defining presence
in the Upper Arlington
community. The carefully
chosen mix of local merchants
makes it a destination worth
visiting.
Tremont Center symbolizes rich tradition of Upper Arlington.
Nestled at the hub of Upper Arlington, Tremont
Center epitomizes the tradition and emphasis
on family values that are community hallmarks.
As the first major shopping center built in
Upper Arlington by the Thompson family in
the early 1950s, Tremont Center is the home
of long-established tenants and community
icons including the Chef-o-Nette restaurant,
Huffman’s Market (originally Tarpy’s) and
The Original Goodie Shop. Other long-time
businesses found in the Center include a shoe
repair shop and a barber shop that, although
not under original ownership, has occupied
the same space since moving into the complex
in the fifties.
Tremont Center has other unique attributes in
addition to its legendary tenants. The landmark
clock that towers above the Center is a Seth
Thomas dating back to approximately 1925.
It is a geared clock -- not electric – and must
be wound periodically to keep working. And,
in Tremont Center’s early days, the courtyard
that now features a fountain was the home of a
petting zoo!
Where else in Columbus can you go to a
shopping center, walk into almost any store
front, and meet the business owner? It’s
just one unique characteristic that makes
shopping at Tremont Center an enjoyable and
memorable experience.
Incorporating a variety of mature trees with craftsman brickwork done in a traditional, timeless design.
Heated pool with central clubhouse.
Kenbrook Village
A P A R T M E N T S
KRG and Kenbrook Village
Kenbrook Village, located at
3540 Kenbrook Commons, was
developed in 1968. With 156
units, it is the largest apartment
community in Upper Arlington.
The brick and wood buildings
make for a wonderful, inviting
destination. The grounds
are beautifully landscaped
with mature and trees with
flowers and shrubs throughout.
There is also ample parking
and abundant green space
to stretch out and relax! - A
popular area with top-notch
schools, Upper Arlington and
Kenbrook Village is a great
place to call home.
Currently, Kenbrook Village
is managed by Kohr Royer
Griffith.
A beautiful, quiet atmosphere for your living enjoyment
Developed in 1968, Kenbrook Village is one of
the best-kept secrets in Upper Arlington, and
with 156 units, Kenbrook Village is the largest
apartment community within Upper Arlington.
With 25 separate buildings, each uniquely
designed with their own look and feel, every
building is its own oasis within the property.
Staying true to the strict architectural
standards of the community and Kohr Royer
Griffith, the complex has a peaceful, tranquil
feeling as soon as you step onto the property.
While each unit has its own fenced patio area,
the complex also offers a spacious pool and
sun deck, and a community house for group
gatherings.
Ideally located, Kenbrook Village sits in one
of the most convenient locations in the area.
Nestled between the expansive green space
of The Ohio State University Golf Course, the
Swim and Racquet Club, and a residential
neighborhood, the quiet atmosphere is also
easily accessible from 315, and close to local
bike and multi-use trails. Quiet, suburban,
living within minutes of downtown? Perfect.
Four of the central Ohio locations, clockwise from upper left: Easton Town Center, Bexley, and Worthington.
Interior of the Bexley location.
Piada
I T A L I A N
S T R E E T
F O O D
KRG and Piada
Kohr Royer Griffith has been
the tenant rep for Piada since
its founding in 2010. With the
restaurant business being one
of the toughest to break into,
both KRG and Piada knew the
location for the first restaurant
was important, and could make
or break the business.
After much research, KRG
carefully chose the first
location in Upper Arlington,
and every subsequent location
thereafter. Making sure to pick
the perfect places to grow the
Piada brand, KRG has been
instrumental in ensuring the
successful launch of every
location in the central Ohio
area.
Fresh, authentic Italian food, in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Piada was a concept born from restaurateur
Chris Doody, and his belief that the Columbus
restaurant scene was missing something.
Labeled as “fast, casual, Italian cuisine,” the
idea for Piada came while Doody traveled
through Italy. He had sampled several piadas
(stuffed wrap-like sandwiches) and liked the
concept so much, he decided to employ it here
in Columbus, Ohio.
The Piada concept is based on the Chipotle
Mexican Grill model. Customers start with a
piada, chopped salad, or pasta as the base,
and then add meat, cheese, vegetables,
sauces, etc. Doody was the first to come up
with that concept for Italian food.
With his experience as a co-founder of the
Brio/Bravo Group, he knew the concept would
be successful, so he opened the first Piada
restaurant on West Lane Avenue in Upper
Arlington, in 2010.
Now, the company is expanding nationally,
with locations across not only Ohio, but Indiana
and Michigan, too. In 2013, Piada was named
one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ five “Hot
Concepts,” and one of the top 50 breakout
brands.
Delizioso!
The three Columbus, Ohio area locations, clockwise from upper left: Tremont Center, Reed Road in Upper
Arlington, Grandview Ave. in Grandview Heights, Reed Rd. rear entrance, interior is the Grandview location.
T H E
ARLINGTON BANK
KRG and The Arlington
Bank
From the get-go, Kohr Royer
Griffith has been involved in
the growth of The Arlington
Bank. Most recently, KRG saw
opportunity with the site where
the Grandview branch is now
located on Grandview Avenue.
The site was home to an actual
house, before the bank planted
roots there for their new
Grandview branch.
KRG saw and understood the
vision The Arlington Bank had
to serve the Grandview and
Marble Cliff communities more
closely, and this was the perfect location, right in the heart
of Grandview.
Founded on strong attention to customer service.
It started with a vision in the 1990s. From the
ashes of the now defunct State Savings Bank,
The Arlington Bank was born in 1999.
With the original branch on Tremont Road
in Upper Arlington, The Arlington Bank was
conceived because the founders saw the
need for a local, community bank-the kind of
bank that not only cares about the community
they do business in, but puts that vision into
action. Being vested in the community has
become a way of life for the bank, and they
prove it by their vast community partnerships
and programs, local lending practices, and
personalized service.
The Arlington Bank is indeed the place where
you’re likely to run into a neighbor or a friend
while doing your banking. While every bank in
the U.S. touts great customer service, this bank
lives it. They remember your name, the names
of your family members, and they go out of
their way to make sure they are responsive to
the customers’ needs.
A great bank is built on trust, and The Arlington
Bank takes that trust very seriously. Since
every branch is locally owned and operated,
the bank has a firm belief in the formation
and preservation of the relationship with their
customers.
Now, The Arlington Bank has three locations
in the Tri-Village area. The original branch in
Tremont Center in Upper Arlington, a second
branch in north Arlington, and a third branch in
Grandview, The Arlington Bank has become an
asset to the communities it serves.
Clockwise from upper left: building entrance facing north, interior entrance, Lane Avenue facade,
interior hallway and elevators; first floor.
OSU
FOUNDATION
KRG and The OSU Office
of University Development
The Ohio State University
Foundation building at
1480 W. Lane Avenue is a
redevelopment of the Kohr
Royer Griffith management
offices. A joint venture with
The Daimler Group in 2005,
the project took a year to
complete.
Kohr Royer Griffith was able
to secure additional land to
expand the original project
scope, and the building has
become not only a landmark
for both the city of Upper
Arlington and the University,
but an example of the benefits
of partnership between both
public and private entities.
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY
DEVELOPMENT
When Buckeyes give, great things happen.
The Ohio State University Foundation, the
University’s primary fundraising organization,
was founded in 1985 as a non-profit entity
with the onset of its first major fundraising
campaign. The foundation was created to
advance the mission of the university by
seeking donations to benefit students, faculty,
and staff, as well as programs and facilities.
That first major campaign raised over $460
million by 1990, and they didn’t stop there.
The next campaign began in 1995, aptly
named “Affirm Thy Friendship.” The University
raised over $1.23 billion, and the gifts from the
campaign totaled more than all the gifts to the
University in the previous 123 years combined.
Most recently, the “But for Ohio State”
campaign was launched, and more than
400,000 donors have contributed to this
campaign the largest in Ohio State’s history.
The Ohio State University Foundation is
instrumental in funding the institution’s
strategic plan. The future of the University is
dependent on the generosity of alumni and
friends, and the foundation exists to facilitate
that relationship between donors and the
University.
HISTORY
I N
D E C A D E S
The Southern Hotel in 1915, 318 N High Street, Columbus. Still in operation as the The Westin
Columbus, it has numbered among its presidential guests: William McKinley, William Taft
and Woodrow Wilson.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1914-1920- Snapshot
In addition to the birth of real estate company
Kohr Royer Griffith in 1914, much was going on in
Columbus and the city was recovering nicely from
the great flood of the previous year.
1914 saw The Ohio State University’s first oncampus medical school, as well the opening of
the College of Nursing. In a not-so-serious nature,
a race between an automobile and airplane on a
Driving Park track also happened in June of 1914.
These events seemed to be popular around this
time. I wonder who won that race…
And for those who may think advertising
annoyances are a new phenomenon, the streetcars
in Columbus became advertising platforms in
1914. Considered an experiment, advertising
on the sides of the streetcars was thought to
be the perfect way to reach large audiences in
the city.
In 1916, the Deshler Hotel was built at the
corner of Broad and High streets and was
quite a Columbus landmark! The opening of
the hotel was THE social event of the season,
as over 500 well-heeled attendees enjoyed
the shindig. The hotel remained open for quite
some time, and wasn’t torn down until 1969.
In 1917, the city council adopted a resolution
granting women the right to vote in municipal
matters, which was a step in the right direction.
But 1918 could have been considered a step
backward, as it brought a tumultuous antiGerman sentiment. German textbooks were
burned at Broad and High to protest foreign
policy actions, and many of the streets with
German names were renamed around this time.
Any speaking of the German language was
met with suspicion, and speaking German in
any church service or school class was banned
entirely.
View of the Columbus skyline in 1926 featuring the American Insurance Union (AIU) Citadel (later
known as LeVeque Tower) under construction. The building is festooned with eagles, arcane symbols
and figures of people from ancient mythology, and the ritual of the AIU organization.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1921-1930- Snapshot
1922 saw the opening of the Ohio Stadium-“The
‘Shoe” with Ohio State playing its first game against
Ohio Wesleyan.
In 1926 construction of the American Insurance
Union Citadel (LeVeque Tower), was going
strong. Unfortunately, tragedy struck during
the construction process and four men lost
their lives, overcome by a toxic gas. Much less
tragic was the construction of over 500 Sears,
Roebuck & Company houses throughout the
20s. Located on Third Street, Sears sold home
kits to potential homeowners. Of course, the
owners needed to build the homes themselves,
so a lot to build on was a must-have.
1924 brought the city’s first garbage trucks,
replacing the horses used until that time.
The performing arts art scene in Columbus was
going gangbusters by the late 20s. In 1928
As was most of America, Columbus was thriving in
the 1920s. In fact, the locals dubbed Gay Street as
the “Wall Street of Columbus,” as it was a strong
financial center. Several businesses were born
during the decade, one of the most notable being
Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company,
now better known as Nationwide Insurance, which
wrote its first policy in April of 1926.
the Ohio Theater opened its doors, showing
“The Divine Woman,” starring Greta Garbo and
Lara Hanson, and the Lincoln Theater was also
constructed this year.
The aviation industry in Columbus was also
taking off in the late 20s. In 1928 the old
Columbus tower and airport on E. Fifth Ave
opened, with Transcontinental Airlines making
the first flight from the new CMH on July 8, 1929.
This date coincided with the dedication of the
airport, with Amelia Earhardt, Henry & Edsel
Ford, Henry Firestone, and Eddie Rickenbacker
all in attendance.
The Columbus Museum of Art, which opened on January 22, 1931. Located at 480 East Broad
Street. It replaced the original building: the Sessions Mansion. Currently approximately 200,000
people tour the Museum each year.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1931-1940- Snapshot
The start of the Great Depression meant slow
growth for Columbus, and a tragic fire at the Ohio
State Penitentiary ushered in the decade with 320
lives lost. But despite the economic downturn and
tragic start to the decade, the city knew how to
enjoy itself in the 30s! Residents were flocking to
the ValleyDale Ballroom on a regular basis- the
appearance of Duke Ellington in 1932 being a
special treat!
Not to be outdone in the entertainment
department, two Columbus men achieved a new
endurance record for light planes, flying over 66
hours without landing. Refueling was accomplished
by flying low over the runway at Port Columbus,
grabbing cans of fuel from a truck driving down
the runway.
Prohibition kept any bar or saloon listings out
of the Ohio Bell phone directory in 1931, but
there were quite a few “bakeries” listed. Why?
The large quantities of sugar needed for baking
were also coincidentally used to make alcoholic
beverages, and a bakery ordering sugar in
such high amounts wouldn’t draw suspicion.
Of course, brownies and adult beverages were
quite often served together, and no one would
ever be the wiser!
Speaking of entertainment, in 1932 a new
baseball stadium was built. Red Bird Stadium
became home to the Columbus Red Birds, a
baseball farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Streetcars were the main form of public
transportation up until 1933, when the city began
to replace them with trolley busses.
1934 saw the opening of the first self serve
grocery in the Midwest (Big Bear), and the first
annual Fourth of July parade in Upper Arlington.
The United States Army Band from Fort Hayes marches up South High Street passing in
front of the Neil House Hotel in a World War II victory parade in 1945. The Neil House was
demolished in 1980 to make way for the 37-floor Huntington Center.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1941-1950- Snapshot
The 1940s in Columbus brought change-and war.
While not quite as severe as during the previous
world war, anti-German sentiment reared its ugly
head again.
On December 8, 1941, the United States Army
announced it would build a base in the Columbus
area, later to be named after Columbus native
Eddie Rickenbacker. In 1942, the first war bond
sold in Columbus was to the president of City
National Bank & Trust Company in front of the
Woolworth Drug Store.
The war also brought the opening of a Curtiss
Wright plant on the south side of Port Columbus
Airport. The aircraft plant produced bombers,
which due to plenty of changes in government
requirements, weren’t in widespread use
until 1944. The plant would go on to become
Rockwell North American, which went on
building Navy aircraft until the 1980s.
coupled with what was believed to be a pocket
of natural gas under the downtown Broad Street
Bridge, caused the explosion.
In 1946, Town & Country Mall, the first regional
shopping center in the nation, was built on
the east side of Columbus. Also born in 1946
was Highlights for Children, a locally based
children’s magazine with national circulation.
1949 was also the beginning of local television
programming, when three stations began
broadcasting on the local airwaves. The first
was WLW, the second was WTVN, and the third
station to broadcast in 1949 was WBNS.
And if you haven’t heard of exploding bridges,
you have now. In 1947 a lightning strike,
The 1940s continued to see streetcars slowly
being replaced by trolley buses, and the last
streetcar took its final official trip in 1948.
Ohio State Fair goers are welcomed at the entrance to the Ohio State Fair in the 1950s.
During the 1950s, the Fair regained popularity after being closed during World War II so
the War Department could use the grounds and buildings for airplane parts and equipment.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1951-1960- Snapshot
The 1950s were a time of post-war growth
in Columbus. Entertainment, education, and
businesses were all growing, as Columbus turned
its thoughts from war to simply living the good life
again.
1950 brought the very first drive through bank
in the U.S. to Olentangy River Road, courtesy of
Columbus-based City National Bank.
In 1951, health care in Columbus expanded almost
exponentially. The Ohio State University Hospital,
later named Rhodes Hall, was built on The Ohio
State campus. Also built that year, next to OSU
Hospital, were the Ohio Tuberculosis Hospital and
the Columbus Psychiatric Hospital.
1953 brought the dedication of the Park of
Roses in Clintonville and the launch of the
Great Western Shopping Center another
large shopping complex on the west side of
Columbus. This wasn’t your ordinary shopping
center by any stretch of the imagination, as it
played host to small replicas of nine wonders of
the world! Eventually the concrete replicas fell
into disrepair and were removed, with the Eiffel
Tower being the last model standing.
In 1954, the City of Columbus celebrated the
25th anniversary of its airport, Port Columbus
(CMH), and in 1958 the airport terminal was
moved to a new location on the property.
1954 was also the year the Columbus Red
Birds ceased to exist, with the Columbus Jets
replacing the team. Red Bird Stadium was
renamed Jet Stadium, in honor of local aircraft
plant North American Aviation.
In 1955 two major facilities opened: One facility
showcased the talents of The Ohio State
University basketball team, and was named
St. John Arena, and the other one was Veteran’s
Memorial Hall, which expanded the possibilities
for events in Columbus.
The decade ended in 1959 with the worst flood
since the Great Flood of 1913.
The first restaurant of the Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers chain opened in 1969 on 257 E.
Broad Street. The building was demolished in 2007 and replaced for the current building The
Catholic Foundation for the Columbus Diocese.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1961-1970- Snapshot
The 60s may be thought of as a time of civil unrest,
but in Columbus, the 1960s were a time of growth
for arts, entertainment, and education. In the
case of German Village, it was also a time for a
neighborhood revival. Not a revival of the religious
persuasion, but a revival to turn the area into a
desirable place to live. Up until now, it had been
considered an area of small, rundown buildings
ready to be razed. But a small group of citizens
helped to turn the neighborhood into the beautiful
place it is today, while simultaneously preserving
the character and history of the area.
A new concept in dining came onto the scene on
the east side in 1961. The Kahiki, a Polynesian
themed restaurant, became a popular
dinnertime destination for many years after its
opening.
Higher education in 1963 expanded with the
opening of Columbus Technical Institute, now
known as Columbus State Community College.
Classes originally met in what was Central
High School, and eventually moved to the old
Aquinas High School, which is now renamed
Aquinas Hall.
A year later, COSI (Center of Science and
Industry) was initiated, beginning its trajectory
to becoming the go-to destination for hands-on
science activities and fun for both kids and
adults alike. 1964 saw the opening of Northland
Mall, which helped to make much of the
development on the north side of Columbus
much more attractive to potential residents of
the area.
1969 brought tremendous growth again, with
the founding of the very first Wendy’s at 257
E. Broad Street-coincidentally right across
from COSI! CAPA (the Columbus Association
for the Performing Arts) was founded in 1969
specifically to save the old Ohio Theater.
Bicentennial Park, dedicated Independence Day 1976, features four circular pools and a fountain
which shoots water sixty feet into the air. The park was built north of W. Main St. on the site of
the Columbus Lateral Canal connection to the Scioto River.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1971-1980- Snapshot
Ch-ch-ch-ch changes. For Columbus in the 1970s,
it wasn’t just a David Bowie song, but a way of life
in the city.
Novice G. Fawcett announced on May 6 that
the school would be closed until further notice,
and it didn’t reopen until May 19.
the Memorial Tournament to Dublin, a Columbus
suburb, and construction of the Muirfield Golf
Course began.
The spring of 1970 brought these changes in like
a hurricane, and there was no escaping. The Ohio
State University wasn’t immune, as riots caused
the closure of the Columbus campus. Protesting
black’s and women’s rights, and the Vietnam War, it
became impossible to continue classes as normal.
Protesting students began to block the entrances
to various buildings on campus. After a fire broke
out at Hayes Hall and students were reportedly
throwing rocks at firefighters, OSU President
Another 1970 change in Columbus was the
State Theater, which became the Agora
Ballroom (and now the Newport). While the
State Theater played movies, the Agora was
all about the music, which was fitting for the
1970s. Ted Nugent was the first headliner there,
and the theater saw many great acts in the
1970s, including The Grateful Dead, Genesis,
and the then unknown band KISS.
The last link of the I-270, the area’s outerbelt,
officially opened in 1975, which improved the
ease of transportation in the Columbus suburbs.
In 1973, local golf legend Jack Nicklaus brought
Of course, the late 70s in Columbus can’t be
mentioned without mentioning the blizzard
of ’78!
The end of the decade saw the beginning
of busing, in order to desegregate the city’s
schools.
Action from one of the Columbus Ford Dealers 500 automobile races. The event was held
annually in Downtown Columbus from 1985-1988. Columbus native Bobby Rahal won the
Grand Prix in 1987 in a Porsche 962-121.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1981-1990- Snapshot
Politics, politics, politics. 1980 began with both
presidential candidates speaking at the same time
in downtown Columbus. Both incumbent candidate
Jimmy Carter and challenger Ronald Reagan held
rallies on the same day. President Carter held his at
Nationwide Plaza, and Ronald Reagan spoke at the
Statehouse.
spite of the apathy, it was one of the most
recognizable pieces in Columbus.
the century, and the arrival of the Huntington
Center meant the end of an era.
And speaking of questionable, recognizable
landmarks in Columbus, one of the most
recognized structures was razed in the 80s.
The Christopher Inn, the city’s first and only
circular high rise was demolished in 1988.
The arrival of Roy Lichtenstein’s Brushstrokes
in Flight in 1984 changed the landscape of
Port Columbus Airport. In spite of the fact that
Lichtenstein was a former OSU student, the
sculpture wasn’t well received by the public. Most
were apathetic, as most people honestly didn’t
understand what it was supposed to be. But in
Jumping back in time again to 1984 we see the
brand new Huntington Center on South High
Street on the site of the old Neil House Hotel.
A long-standing icon on the Columbus scene,
the Neil House had been not just a hotel, but a
destination for downtown revelers throughout
1985 was also the end of another era. The longlived Columbus Citizen Journal daily newspaper
permanently ceased to print. Once a twonewspaper town, Columbus was able to enjoy
The Columbus Dispatch in the morning, and the
Citizen Journal in the evening. However, the city
just wasn’t big enough for the both of them, and
the readers preferred a morning paper to an
afternoon one.
In 1992, Columbus was the host site for Ameriflora at the Franklin Park Conservatory. The
exhibits covered over eighty acres of land and included plants from all over the world. President
George Bush attended the official opening of the international horticulture show.
Kohr Royer Griffith 1991-2000- Snapshot
The 1990s in Columbus kicked off with the
opening of the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital
at The Ohio State University. Slated for a 1989
opening, it was delayed six months due to a
massive waterline break, causing over $ 1 million
in damages.
The opening of the hospital wasn’t the only big
thing happening at Ohio State, as the bow-tie
wearing Gordon Gee began his tenure at the
university that year. Gee was one of the first
presidents to embrace being seen as a public
figure, dedicating much of his time to fundraising
and public speaking.
1991 was also the beginning of hockey in
Columbus. Well, not the absolute beginning,
as Columbus had three previous hockey teams
that folded, but the 90s did bring hockey fever
to the city. The Columbus Chill, the team that
really launched hockey in Columbus, started
playing at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
The fever continued throughout the decade and
in 1997 a group of investors purchased a NHL
franchise, although the team wouldn’t play until
the year 2000. The new NHL team became the
Columbus Blue Jackets after a contest was held
for a chance to name the team.
Although hockey seemed to be the focus of
team sports expansion in Columbus in the 90s,
soccer was quietly coming onto the scene. In
1994, Columbus acquired its first major league
soccer team. Aptly named the Columbus Crew,
they didn’t play their first game until 1996.
Finally in 1999 they had an official home when
Crew Stadium was built.
1999 wasn’t only the end of the decade, but
the end of an era for COSI, which moved from
its home on Broad Street and to the newly
renovated Central High School building.
The NHL awarded Columbus the team in 1997, and the Blue Jackets began play in the
2000-2001 Season. Blue Jackets’ home matches take place in Nationwide Arena, which was
constructed from 1999-2000. The Arena was built at the site of the former Ohio Penitentiary.
Kohr Royer Griffith 2000 and beyond
Columbus leaped into the 21st century with a brand
new professional hockey team and a major league
soccer team already in full swing. The decade
kicked off with the Columbus Blue Jackets playing
their first game in Nationwide Arena. This was
bigger than any hockey game, however, because
of the impact of the arena itself.
The opening of the arena not only meant the
beginning of professional hockey in Columbus,
but also launched an entire economic boom
for the area. Now called “The Arena District,”
the neighborhood surrounding the arena was
now considered one of the hottest places to go.
Restaurants, clubs, bars, and luxury apartments
started popping up, and central Ohio residents
began to flock to the district in droves.
The far north side of the city was also seeing
rapid development with the opening of Polaris
Mall. Located in Delaware County, the mall
helped to further the demise of City Center Mall
in downtown Columbus. In 1992 City Center
had 144 tenants. In 2009 there were eight, and
those final eight tenants were given notices to
vacate, as the aging mall was to be demolished
within a few months.
The arts were also expanding in Columbus, and
the city had set its sights on the Lincoln Theater
in the east side of the city. It had been slated
for demolition, but because of the efforts of the
mayor of Columbus, CAPA, and a few generous
donations, the Lincoln Theater was once again
restored to its former glory in 2009. The area
surrounding the theater was dubbed “The KingLincoln” district, and the theater reopened as
the only urban performing arts and education
center in the heart of the city.
Photo Identifier and Credits
Front Cover
Top photo:
Tom Kohr, Paul Kohr, Ted Kohr.
Photo below:
Paul T. (Ted) Kohr and
Thomas H. Kohr,
From the KRG Photo Archives
Upper Arlington
All photos: Rob Candor
Worthington
All photos: Rob Candor
Grandview Heights
All photos: Rob Candor
Marble Cliff
All photos: Rob Candor
Discovery District
Columbus Museum of Art,
Columbus College of Art and Design,
Columbus State: Larry Hamill
Thurber House: Rob Candor
Columbus
State House, Franklin Park Conservatory,
Huntington Park, Columbus Marathon,
German Village,
Blue Jackets: Larry Hamill
Ohio State Fair: Rob Candor
Ohio Stadium: iStock
Road Runner Sports
KRG Archives and Rob Candor
Columbus State Community College:
Historic photos: CSCC Archives
Current photos: Rob Candor
Tremont Center
Historic photos:
Scott Thompson collection
Current photos: Randall Schieber
Kenbrook Village
Kenbrook Village Archives
and Rob Candor
Piada
Worthington Place photo
Rob Candor
All other photos:
Piada Marketing Department
The Arlington Bank
Grandview Ave. and Reed rd. front
Randall Schieber
Tremont Center and Reed rd. rear:
Rob Candor
The Ohio State University
Foundation
All photos: Rob Candor
Historic Columbus by Decade
1910-1980
The Columbus Metropolitan
Library Image Collections
1990-2000
Larry Hamill
Back cover
1932 Skyline
Courtesy of the Ohio History
Connection
2012 Skyline
Randall Schieber
Proud to BE part of a century
of growth in CENTRAL OHIO
“Kohr Royer Griffith is proud to have partnered and worked with many wonderful
organizations over the past 100 years to help shape the landscape of Columbus, and we look
forward to serving the businesses and residents of Central Ohio for many years to come.”
John Royer
President, Kohr Royer Griffith, Inc.
www.krgre.com
Commercial Brokerage
Sales and Leasing
Appraisal and
Consulting
Property Management
Main Office
Property Management
Campus Office
1480 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-2471
1480 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-2471
1480 Dublin Road
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 228-5547
2244 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 291-8000