OUR HISTORY

AN INSPIRATIONAL LEGACY

 

Take pride in the rich heritage of our community and live where history was made. This architecturally distinctive building in Merion Village boasts beautiful arched windows, massive rounded- arch openings and punctuated rooflines with central towers and dormers that date back to the turn of the century. The school was constructed in 1898, designed by architect David Riebel whose visions were heavily influenced by Greek and Roman classical styles exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

The building is a significant part of the golden age in the history of Columbus Public School Buildings. The architectural presence in Barrett's design reflects the growing importance of education in the lives of children and parents of the period, and marks the beginning of the Progressive Era reform in the early 1900's.

CASTO worked diligently to rehabilitate and restore this pronounced building and the grounds, protecting its character and repurposing it as a mix of both urban luxury apartments and single-family homes. Saving the building eliminates thousands of tons of demolition waste, conserves land and ensures the history of the Barrett Middle School is not only retained, but will become a living part of the Columbus community again.

Located only a quarter mile from Schiller Park, near all of the charming shops and restaurants Merion and German Village have to offer, this conserved, modernized and reimagined building will be a truly unique residential space for those who love extraordinary urban living.