The Ohio State University is gearing up to lock in a lease at the historic Huntington Bank building on Capitol Square, a high-profile move aimed at deepening the university’s downtown footprint in Columbus. Trustees were briefed on the proposal this week as university leaders outlined an effort to shift significant operations closer to the Statehouse and downtown partners.
According to Columbus Business First, the lease would cover nearly 200,000 square feet of space in the building, based on details shared in a trustee's presentation. The outlet reports that the Huntington Bank building is owned by Downtown Columbus Inc., and describes the potential deal as a key step in boosting OSU’s presence in the city’s core.
Why the move matters
Pulling university staff and programs into Capitol Square could make it easier for Ohio State to collaborate with state agencies, local businesses, and nonprofit partners that are already clustered around the Statehouse. For downtown developers and civic leaders, having an anchor tenant like OSU in the mix could help firm up demand for office reuse in a part of the city that has been wrestling with stubborn vacancy.
The building at a glance
The Huntington Bank building sits directly on Capitol Square and has long been a familiar piece of the downtown skyline. Huntington Bancshares' filings list the bank's principal office at 41 South High Street, underscoring the company’s historic presence on the square, see the company's filing Huntington Bancshares 10‑K for details.
What’s next
The trustees' presentation appears to have been primarily informational, and specifics such as the lease term, timing, and which university units would move into the space were not included in initial coverage. Columbus Business First reported the presentation and indicated that additional details could emerge as university and building officials offer further comment.
