The Fort Columbus and John Mally

Brett: So tell me more. Yeah, that's the podcast. And I'm your host, Brett Johnson. We're in the SteelTon Village Studio in The Stable in Columbus, Ohio. Welcome to the initial episode of Tell Me More. My guest in this podcast is John Mally from Ohio Equities. He's the man to talk to about being a part of the fort. If you're looking for space, this is a great space to be taking a look at the history and the look, the feel and the growth of the downtown area of downtown Columbus and south of downtown Columbus, the fort is in the middle of it. John, join me in this podcast episode to talk more about what is going on at the fort, the stable as well as some development news that is happening south of downtown Columbus that the fort is right in the middle of. Let's jump right into the episode talking with John about the fort.

John: Got introduced to Justin McAllister and his company Fortner, who I had long been aware of and long admired what they do and the furniture upholstery business. And they were on Johnstown Road so they had two buildings on Johnstown Road about 10,000 sq ft each, um, over there near the airport by Becksley and they just knew they needed to get everything under one roof. So that was kind of the first challenge that Justin came to me with was like, how do I either we got to make a move, we got to find a building that we can get these operations under one roof. Because he was growing the commercial side of his business, um, had historically been more of a residential upholster and then when he took over, really drove it towards more of the commercial, um, side of the business through all the fashion and limited and just being a part of all those big businesses out there. And so we found the fort, um, on our search for 50,000 sqft. We ended up with a building that was 232,000. Guess just promised him at that time that this extra building space, this extra square feet will not be a problem. This is a good thing. And we felt like we were buying it right as well. We felt like the price in the um, location and just being on High Street it was really a historic landmark location that worked for his business for now and we could slow play the rest of the project and kind of figure that part out. So definitely appreciate his uh, energy and able ability to take on a risk like that to take on a building of that size with just so many unknowns. Um, but I think in the long run we both kind of saw Columbus kind of stretching south, coming down South High Street and saw other opportunities around it. So that's kind of the next phase of it was just seeing the impact that we could make by first transforming that building and bringing in new tenants and new energy and then also just seeing how we could impact the area around us.

Brett: Right. So when you were doing your research, you said you found lots of big spaces. So I'm assuming the Fort may have had a little bit of history that drew you in as well. To talk a little bit about the history of this building that probably influenced you a little bit.

n this building going back to: 1895

Brett: 5 or 6, right? Yeah.

John: So that was pretty cool just to see, um, in the history that they had documented as well. I mean, there's a whole book on it of Sea graves in that building. And so here we are showing tenant spaces we're like and here's what they used to do here.

Brett: Nice.

John: Pretty incredible history there in the building. And just a lot of good bones. Great hardwood floors, exposed brick walls everywhere, um, exposed beams, high ceilings in general throughout. So we didn't have a trouble at all filling the first floor spaces of the building pretty quickly. And then really just the second and third floor spaces are what you kind of had to think on a little further and how we approach those.

n interest in his product. In: 1892

John: Yeah, there's no question that exposed, uh, brick and beams are what everybody's looking for.

Brett: Isn't amazing.

John: I think it's driven by social media. It's like, is it instagram worthy? People want a space that they can instagram with. They want to be able to showcase their product and their team. And they want to retain employees. They want it to be in a place where it's cool.

Brett: A cool space.

John: Cool space, right.

Brett: Yeah. That leads me to the concept of the Fort. For those who haven't looked into what the space has to offer tenants, talk a little bit about what when you give tours to potential tenants, what are they looking for? What are you offering? What's that vibe? And maybe it's one of those you kind of know if it's going to be a fit for them as well, too, before they walk in or do walk in or through that conversation. Talk a little bit more about that.

John: Sure. The Ford's definitely been a lead generator. Right. There's a ton of people that really want to know what's going on there. When will it be ready, how much do you have available? Um, to an extended challenge because we have a lot of available space remaining that just is going to require an extensive build out to get the HVAC and the electric everything where it needs to be. But we were very lucky early on to fill out a lot of the smaller spaces that we had that already had, um, closed off areas kind of at the end of the building. We were able to go with the path of just not changing any of the existing exits and thoroughfares kept things the same, um, so that we weren't changing any of the fire escape paths and everything. So kept safety in mind, of course, first, and filling out those spaces that, uh, were already well positioned with big windows and finding clients that didn't need a ton of renovation to fit their business. And trying to keep the cost down for them as well. So trying to create affordable spaces and then having that sense of community that everybody wants. People love being around other entrepreneurs and other people doing cool things.

Brett: So another piece of the history of the Fort before the Fort is that concept of innovation.

John: Sure.

Brett: And I think the Fort is embodying that in a huge way.

e big white building there at: 2050

Brett: Right. I think buildings that are similar to the fort itself are going to be able to take advantage of that because it's a quick move in the intel timeline is a pretty quick turnaround, really groundbroken. It's being built right now. And all those extra businesses that are going to bring in the extra 100,000 employees are feeding intel and they don't necessarily have to be on campus. It could be anywhere.

John: Yeah, we're 30 minutes at the most from there right here. So certainly a great opportunity and, um, hopefully we can bring those people to the south side of Columbus and try to rebuild this area that was kind of historically a manufacturing area and it can also participate in that excitement and that growth.

Brett: Speaking of that, too, that also gives any access to any cities and businesses that are south of Columbus. They just want to kind of get closer to downtown Columbus. This is an opportunity for them, the businesses in Grove City, grove Port, southern part of Franklin County, or any counties northern, but they just didn't want to be in downtown Columbus. But they need access to Columbus. The fort is perfect for that, too.

John: It's a great location. So this whole area down here just kind of is set up for growth here in the next five years. So I'm excited to see what it will turn into, what we can create.

Brett: So what types of businesses do you think are going to be a good fit for the Ford?

John: I think we have an incredible opportunity to fit a lot of different things down here. If you're having trouble finding something anywhere else in central Ohio, come take a look, because the retail spaces that we have are incredible. I mean, um, the ceiling height, the potential for square footage on the first floor right at the front of the building is a great opportunity right now for, I hate to say add another tap room or another, um, social concept there, but we just have a lot of room. We have new, um, zoning in place now, so we have assembly zoning along about 12,000 square foot of space that could be available within the coming year, which is a tough thing to do when you're looking for, again, these social spaces. So we probably have room for, um, gosh, you get into some of the high demand things these days. Salons and um, just retails getting a little more challenging, I feel like, in the market. But um, we really have room for all kinds of creative ideas. It's like, I think we say it best. It's like, bring your ideas down to the fort and we'll see if we can find a way to make them fit.

Brett: Seems like a good fit for that destination type of business where maybe, like you said, salon. You're going maybe once a week, once a month, whatever the situation might be. Or it's a once a week event scenario. That's a good way versus a daily retail, possibly. But as the area develops, a daily retail could work out really well.

John: Yeah, we definitely have, um, a need for some food down here. We have, um, City Winery coming, which will have a full kitchen, full event space. They'll be doing weddings and live music multiple times a week, a month. I mean, they have a lot of great programming that they do. So it really leaves us a ton of opportunity for new retail to surround the rest of these first floor spaces and right off the parking lot. So some great spaces.

Brett: Yeah. And the turnkey of developing the space that's here probably a lot quicker than most developments. Well, sure, other than building straight from the ground up. Yeah, there are pretty basic and redo.

John: It really ready. It's just kind of like demonizing them where they need to be based on people's square footage needs. But you're right, I mean, the roller they are, the better for a lot of tenants. They want to keep everything exposed. Um, so we've got a few down, um, that we can showcase to people just how they will look. So really tons of flexibility around the.

Brett: Building and then the creative team that you have around that sit down and just map it out.

John: Absolutely. Like, Justin and Kyle over there are working with some incredible architects that definitely have a good plan together for how this all works in the way finding and just how these businesses, whether it's a destination, retail, or every day, I think, uh, they would all be successful down here.

Brett: Right. You talked about, um, the multiple floors going up, bigger space and such. So um, are you looking at developing that differently up there or is it going to be a larger space available because it's open space? How are you looking at that?

second and third floors with: 4000

Brett: All right. You had mentioned to me earlier, too, about the opportunity of starting here and then leaving. I mean, you've got some attrition, which is good because you need a starting place and you just can't find it immediately. But this is a great place to start.

, and then they grew into six: 7000

Brett: Yeah. As we're talking today, it's such a strange work from home, go back to work situation that a lot of people want to work from home, but I think they're realizing, I don't want to work from home. Sure, but it seems like the Fort has that middle ground opportunities that you're going back to work. You have office space, but it's a different kind of office space feel to it. You're almost at the right place at the right time for the Fort and.

John: There'S a homey feeling to it. I know you don't really feel like you're at work when you're over there, and I've heard other tenants say that they go in there and they put in a lot of time and then they go home. Um, there's a flexibility to it also where it's available 24/7. Um, there's a lot of open spaces where people are able to break out outside of their own private office space and utilize it for other creative things or photographers are always kind of bouncing around the building and utilizing everything that it has to offer right. In terms of backgrounds and different areas.

Brett: Um, yeah, well, we don't want to forget about the stable as well. Let's talk about the space. It's just across the street, which the studio is here. Yeah.

control this building here at: 2025

Brett: It doesn't dawn on you until you've driven it a few times. The access from the fort in the stable to downtown Columbus, literally five minutes.

John: Exceptional, right? Yeah, five minutes.

Brett: You think it's forever to come down. Oh, you're at 104 and High Streets. It's pretty much five stoplights before you get to downtown.

John: Right. And you're on the freeway at 104 to go any direction you want to go.

Brett: Yeah. So the access to South Carolport or Grove City or whatever, it's pretty easy. It just doesn't seem like once you've driven it a couple of times, you take a tour and kind of go, this is not this far down south.

John: Sure.

Brett: At all.

John: I mean, you do consider it downtown still. We're just south of downtown until people get down here. Do they really realize that though, um, how convenient it actually is? Yeah. You look on a map, it seems like it's far away, but it's not.

Brett: Like I said, drive it a few times and you realize, okay, this is nothing. This really is nothing.

John: And you'll drive around for five minutes looking for a parking spot so you can come down here and get free parking. There's definitely some, uh, incentives that you got to explain to people. But, um, I think in the long term, though, it's definitely really well positioned for continued growth down here and hopefully some more multi family housing can kind of come into play and we can hopefully work on that housing issue that Columbus is having right now and just bring more people into this community.

Brett: Exactly. So what is the best way to contact you to get a tour for a better feel for the space?

John: The best site to go to just to start off with the Ford is going to, um, the Fort Columbus.com. And that takes you right to a website that tells you about all the tenants we have over there and a lot about the building and the history. Dylan Mangus does a great job at highlighting the tenants through his blog, through that site. And it's just really fun to get on there and kind of see what everybody's up to and what kind of businesses are in there because it really is pretty nontraditional. But it's become a great community, a good collective of businesses.

Brett: Yeah. And you've got social media back in that community up as well, too. You've got the Facebook page with it, so you jump on that, kind of see some activities going on as well.

John: Yeah. And then, um, the Fort Six One Four.com is a place to really go on and see the plans and see all of our, um, marketing material for the commercial leasing and everything that we have going on.

Brett: Sounds good. I'll have all that in the show notes for Connection, so you didn't have to write that down while you're driving and listening to this podcast. John, thank you so much for being a part of the inaugural Tell Me More podcast.

John: Um, thanks for being a tenant.

ted up, uh, here in August of: 2022

John: I think that's the key to commercial real estate, right? You got to listen to people on what they're looking for, and then if you're good at it, know off the top of your head where the right spaces are that they should be looking. Once you learn somebody's budget, um, square footage needs timing. You can kind of direct them in the right way, right?

Brett: Exactly. Well, thanks again for being a part of the initial episode. Tell me more.

John: Thank you.

Brett: As I mentioned at the beginning of the podcast, there are some additional details of what's going on at the fort. The fort and the owners are filing for a zoning change to allow a multifamily portion of the plan to advance on the west side of High Street across the street from the fort, basically on the stable side. They are currently seeking a larger development partner to take on the project so that they can continue to focus their efforts on the east side of the street. Although the plans are still evolving, they're excited to add this residential dimension to the community. It's their hope that this new population will strengthen the businesses on the east side of the street, as well as bridging the gap between them and the Rapid Five project. I will have all the links to the Rapid Five project as well as the press release around this zoning change and the development in the podcast show notes. But some really great and exciting news coming from south of, um, downtown Columbus around that fort area, as well as the Steelson Village area. Thanks for listening.