The former Lazarus building was once the flagship store for the F. & R. Lazarus Company which was founded in 1851 by German immigrant Simon Lazarus. The company moved the store to this building in 1909 and expanded it many times until it occupied an entire city block. It was a popular downtown attraction most famous for its merchandise assortment and Christmas windows along High and Town streets. Lazarus later was absorbed into the Federated Stores system and renamed Macy’s. It closed a few years later, much to the disappointment of central Ohio residents.
If you walk west down Town Street and peak in the esplanade, you will look into the old Lazarus building’s storefront windows and see the renovations. The building was completely rehabilitated using sustainable design and is now home to state and county offices, as well as The Ohio State University Urban Arts Space, a 10,000 square foot gallery and alternative performance space. With changing art exhibitions and programs, the OSU Urban Arts Space is free and open to the public with an entrance off of Town Street. Interpretive signage about the history of Lazarus is also located on Town Street and in its open atrium.
141 S High St
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Franklin County
Please note: The Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) does not own or manage any public art. For the purposes of this database many pieces were entered by the Arts Council while we continue to search for the appropriate owner/manager of the work and other information to complete the entry. The Arts Council has tried to gather all available information about the works in this database, however, we acknowledge there may be missing or inaccurate information. If you can help us correct any inaccuracies, or provide more complete information, we would be grateful. Please use “Something missing? Please send us a note” above.
Taking images of public art works and sharing your experiences is one of the most fun reasons to engage with public art. As a community, we care deeply about the artists who have contributed the artworks we enjoy every day. Please be sure to credit artists when you share your photos. If you have an interest in using public artwork present in this database for commercial purposes, please contact Jami Goldstein at the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Taking your own images of public artwork does not release you from the responsibility of artist credit and/or compensation.
This site is produced and managed by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and supported by the Ohio Arts Council and public art collections across the state. Contributors to the databases to date include collections held by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo, City of Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Dublin Arts Council, City of Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Department, City of Kettering, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Licking County Foundation, Ohio Arts Council’s Percent for Art program, Short North Arts District and the City of Sandusky. The database was funded in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. Research and development support is provided by Designing Local, OSA Technology Partners and Columbus artist Stephanie Rond. The Columbus Makes Art campaign is a citywide, collaborative marketing effort designed to highlight the incredible talent of central Ohio artists. The Greater Columbus Arts Council is supported by the City of Columbus and the Ohio Arts Council.
To support and advance the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. www.gcac.org
ArtsinOhio.com is your one-stop resource for arts, festivals and cultural events throughout the Buckeye State. And, even better, it’s free!