Historic Columbus building with French bistro listed for $2 million

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A historic Columbus building home to a popular French bistro could soon be under new ownership.

The property at 14 E. Gay St. in Downtown has been listed by Capitol Equities for $2,095,000, according to an online listing. A marketing brochure boasts the five-story office and retail building as "a prime commercial property," with the first floor leased to Chouette French Bistro, a high-profile French cuisine restaurant that opened in 2024. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Chouette in the video player above.

"This opportunity is perfect for the forward-thinking investor seeking a mix of loft office and High Street retail," the listing states. "Its strategic location and customizable floors make it a compelling prospect for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for dynamic commercial spaces."

While the first floor is entirely dedicated to Chouette, the 13,480-square-foot building's second and fifth floors are vacant, "allowing for great upside rental potential, or owner-occupied suites totaling 5,390 square feet," the marketing brochure states.

The Gay and High streets neighborhood "is experiencing a renaissance," the listing states, including brand new residential projects and restaurant options. The building is also across from the new location of South Carolina-based Hanks Lowcountry Seafood & Raw Bar, and down the street from modern Italian eatery Speck and multi-course tasting restaurant Veritas.

Built in 1910, the historic property also sits under "Current," a 229-foot floating sculpture built from 78 miles of twine that hangs 126 feet in the air above Gay and High streets. Illuminated each night, the sculpture debuted in 2023 and is reinstalled every spring before going into hibernation for the winter.

The building will also soon intersect with the Capital Line, an upcoming trail through Downtown that will run along Gay Street, connecting the neighborhood to other key landmarks, including the Scioto Mile, Columbus Commons and more. The pedestrian and bike-friendly path "will provide great synergy and connection throughout Downtown," the listing states.