Lazarus Building

Use Policy

The former Lazarus building was once the flagship store for the F. & R. Lazarus Company which was founded in 1851 by German immigrant Simon Lazarus. The company moved the store to this building in 1909 and expanded it many times until it occupied an entire city block. It was a popular downtown attraction most famous for its merchandise assortment and Christmas windows along High and Town streets. Lazarus later was absorbed into the Federated Stores system and renamed Macy’s. It closed a few years later, much to the disappointment of central Ohio residents.
If you walk west down Town Street and peak in the esplanade, you will look into the old Lazarus building’s storefront windows and see the renovations. The building was completely rehabilitated using sustainable design and is now home to state and county offices, as well as The Ohio State University Urban Arts Space, a 10,000 square foot gallery and alternative performance space. With changing art exhibitions and programs, the OSU Urban Arts Space is free and open to the public with an entrance off of Town Street. Interpretive signage about the history of Lazarus is also located on Town Street and in its open atrium.

Location

141 S High St, Columbus, Ohio, 43215
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Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” below.

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