Work begins converting landmark central Ohio estate into condominiums

Work has begun turning a landmark central Ohio home into condominiums.

The Upper Arlington firm Vision Development is converting the Marble Cliff Gateway Mansion, a 1907 Tudor Revival manor at 2015 W. 5th Ave., into two condominiums, while adding 14 other condominiums to the site, all in a similar Tudor style.

"We're keeping the historical look of the outside of the mansion, the Tudor style," said Vision Development President Brent Wrightsel, who is partnering with developers Ted Foster and Mike Fite in the project. "The new builds around it will try to mimic the look and feel throughout of the older building."

When completed, the 13,000-square-foot mansion will include two condominiums. The 1.25-acre site will also include eight carriage-style condominiums, with living space above garages; three garden-style condominiums; and four townhome condominiums.

Prices start at $414,900 for a one-bedroom; $699,900 for a two-bedroom; and $849,900 for a three-bedroom. Property taxes on the condominiums will be 50% abated for 15 years.

Wrightsel said he expects the condominiums to be completed in less than a year, but he and Vision sales manager Ali Garafolo said buyers can reserve units now if they want to customize finishes.

Work will start on the mansion itself after the new condominiums are completed. The two units in the mansion will be custom finished for buyers, with prices determined by finishes.

"A lot of the mansion detail is in tact — door trim, fireplaces, plaster walls," Wrightsel said.

The project is called The Packard in honor of the mansion's designer, Frank Packard, who also designed Hayes and Orton halls at Ohio State University, the Atlas Building Downtown, the former Governor’s Mansion (now The Columbus Foundation) on E. Broad Street and the Circus House in Victorian Village.

Packard designed the home for William Lanman, owner of the Columbus Bolt Works Co. In 1935, the home was bought by White Castle founder Billy Ingram, who converted it into White Castle's headquarters when Ingram moved the company from Wichita, Kansas.

The engineering firm Burgess & Niple bought the building in 1953 and used it for offices for decades.

A plan to demolish the building drew criticism from preservationists and helped land the home on the Columbus Landmarks' list of most-endangered buildings in 2018.

Two years later, a plan from Vision and Foster and Fite to preserve and redevelop the property received state historic tax credits. Wrightsel said the developers have worked with Marble Cliff officials since then to come up with the current plan, which will not rely on the credits.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Central Ohio mansion to be reborn as condos