Nationwide Realty Investors announced that renovations are nearing completion at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, a 20-acre hotel and event complex located in Lewis Center at the corner of Powell Road and State Route 23 in Columbus.
In conjunction, the property will be rebranded to The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center later this summer.
The newly completed event center renovations include renovated and modernized ballrooms with soaring ceilings and sweeping windows, expanded and refined pre-function and post-function spaces with improved connectivity and spectacular views, and a new private outdoor courtyard with multiple fireplaces connected to the ballroom for an extraordinary indoor/outdoor meeting and event experience.
Additional renovations underway include updates to the 193 guestrooms and suites, inspired by the property’s lush and tranquil setting, with interiors incorporating natural elements, rich textures, and sophisticated finishes appealing to both leisure and business travelers. The hotel will remain open throughout the phased renovations. The 2,000-square-foot pub will also be given a refresh later this fall complementing the new direction for the hotel and event center and giving guests yet another unique gathering space.
As part of the renovations, Nationwide Realty Investors commissioned three Ohio-based artists to create original artworks for display throughout the event center. Columbus-based visual artist, Karen Rumora, created original artwork that reflects the interior structure of plant life as a nod to Ohio’s ecosystem, on display in the grand entry and north lobby.
Columbus-based abstract painter, Anna Sokol, created The Golden Thread, a colorful series of four canvases linked by a playful line representing the relationship between self and connection, displayed along the main hallway. Cleveland-based abstract artist, Marti Higgins, created Changeling Field, a vibrant layered collage, serving as the focal point in the south lobby.
The property has preserved its stately appeal, while offering a new and unique experience for guests with modernized facilities. The location’s sprawling and walkable layout, multiple buildings and flexible facilities, combined with its retreat-like environment and intentional landscaping for privacy, offers a distinct alternative to traditional urban conference centers. The village-like setting is the culmination of nearly 80 years of development and evolution.
What began as a radio station in the 40’s evolved into Green Meadows Inn during the 60’s, which later transformed into a training center for Nationwide insurance in the 70’s, and ultimately expanded into a full-scale conference and hotel destination by the early 00’s. Today, the property is a vibrant hub of progress and development. The site has become an anchor point in a thriving community — growing better and more dynamic with each passing year.
