Historic Columbus building with French bistro sold for $2 million

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A historic Columbus building home to a popular French bistro is under new ownership after a $2 million sale this month.

The property at 14 E. Gay St. in Downtown sold on July 14 for $2,095,000, according to the Franklin County auditor's office. The five-story office and retail building had been listed in June 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 Capitol Equities listing stated. "Its strategic location and customizable floors make it a compelling prospect for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for dynamic commercial spaces."

It's unclear who acquired the building, as the property owner is listed in Franklin County auditor's office records as "14 E Gay St LLC."

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," Capitol Equities said in a marketing brochure.

The Gay and High streets neighborhood "is experiencing a renaissance," the listing argued, 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.