Rendering of new Lazarus storefronts

The Lazarus Building

UPDATE: The barrier that once seperated the southern part of downtown to Capitol Square is now gone! The remaining pieces of the sky bridge that once connected City Center to The Lazarus Building have been removed and High Street is no longer covered by the old pedestrian walkway. The sky bridge has been dormant for years and was a strong impediment to creating a thriving retail environment. The bridge created a barrier between Capitol Square and the emerging RiverSouth District. Demolition is now complete, and new Lazarus storefronts will be renovated and ready by spring 2009, creating street-level retail in an important corridor.

It could have been a sad day in 2004 when the doors of The Lazarus Building closed after nearly 100 years as a retail giant and downtown icon.

Fortunately, just three years later the doors reopened, and this time it was to a new purpose and a new era. The Lazarus Building is now one of downtown’s premiere office spaces for 2,600 employees and is, bar none, the most significant green rehabilitation project in the entire country.

The green renovation of The Lazarus Building set national standards for office building renovations and achieved gold certification with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a set of standards and requirements established by the United States Green Building Council.

In addition to being a point of pride for the City and the nation, The Lazarus Building's renovation is the anchor rehab project for the RiverSouth District.

Green Characteristics

• 50+ percent of all materials removed were recycled (keeping 6,000 tons out of local landfills)
• Harvested rainwater cools the building and cuts down on energy usage
• An advanced green planted roof provides better storm water management and relief from heat build up
• Low-flow plumbing conserves water
• Energy-efficient windows reduce utility costs by 25 percent
• Recycled materials were used when possible
• Automation controls ensure efficient temperature control
• 100 percent non-toxic carpeting, paint, sealants, adhesives and wall coverings
• Art deco lobby with the look of the 1920s and the energy efficiencies of the 21st-century
• Terrazzo floor made of recycled glass.
• Elevator and trim constructed of recycled metal.
• Wall trim made from wheatboard vs. drywall

Tenants

• CDDC/Capitol South
• City of Columbus Economic Development Department
• Columbus Chamber of Commerce
• EDS
• Franklin County Economic Development Department
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
• Ohio EPA
• Ohio Department of Administrative Services Print Shop
• Ohio Department of Insurance
• Ohio Department of Liquidation
• OSU Urban Arts Gallery