Entertainment venue, restaurant and bar, planned near North Market

A New York company plans to open a multi-purpose bar, restaurant, event and entertainment center called The Kee in a building on the north end of Downtown.

The company, called Center Square, has leased the 33,000-square-foot building at 225 Neilston St. 

“We’ll be programming our own events at the venue, like concerts and comedy shows,” Adam Nestler, co-founder of Center Square, said in a news release.

“We’ll host fitness classes, art exhibits and marketplaces, like farmer’s markets. We’ll rent space and offer an on-site catering option for private parties, weddings and corporate events. We’ll also offer an array of recreational activities like duckpin bowling, giant Jenga, sports simulators, pool, ping pong and more — alongside delicious food and drink.”

Nestler said Center Square chose the site because of its historic character and proximity to the Short North and Arena District.

“We love the authentic, artistic vibe of the neighborhood, and we’re excited about all the development that’s coming,” said Nestler, who said he hopes to open The Kee in July.

Center Square is leasing the building from Hackman Capital Partners, a Los Angeles firm with offices in Columbus, where the Hackman family is from.

In addition to large industrial buildings around Greater Columbus, Hackman owns 11 office buildings and six parking lots in the Downtown warehouse district along Neilston, East 5th and East Naghten streets. Hackman presented plans for the building’s renovation – prepared by the Columbus firm Archall Architects – to the Downtown Commission in August.