By 1808Delaware
The former Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Lewis Center has a new name, a new look, and a broader purpose. Now known as The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center, the property has undergone a $14 million reinvention that shifts it from a corporate training campus to a regional destination for conferences, weddings, and weekend getaways.
A Campus Tucked Into Delaware County Growth
The hotel sits on about 15 to 20 acres at 100 Green Meadows Drive South, just off Powell Road and US 23. It’s an unusual setting for a meeting venue in Central Ohio. Rather than a blocky urban tower, The Ohioan spreads across several low-rise buildings that sit among mature landscaping and a buffer of trees. Even with busy corridors nearby, the grounds feel pulled back from the rush.
That quiet setting is part of the draw. Highbanks Metro Park is next door, and the corridor around Polaris, Lewis Center, and Powell continues to grow. Groups looking for a retreat feel without leaving the Columbus region are the audience the owners are now leaning toward.
Inside the Reimagining
Nationwide Realty Investors repositioned the property with a complete redesign of its event center. Ballrooms now have higher ceilings, larger windows, and updated finishes that match the natural look of the campus. Pre-function and post-function spaces were reworked to reduce bottlenecks and give room for networking and receptions.
A new outdoor courtyard, called the Grand Patio, is the most visible change. Fireplaces, seating clusters, and direct access to the ballroom give planners the option of mixing indoor sessions with open-air gatherings.
The hotel has roughly 192 guest rooms and suites. Renovations are still rolling out, but the rooms already reflect the shift toward natural materials and lighter color palettes. The idea is to appeal to both business travelers and families in town for weddings or a weekend trip.
The on-site pub, about 2,000 square feet, is headed for a full refresh. It joins a fitness center and pool complex that were added or expanded during earlier renovation cycles.
Built for Meetings and Events
The Ohioan now offers about 35 meeting and breakout rooms along with a 6,000-square-foot grand ballroom. The venue remains IACC-certified, which signals a certain level of technical capability and meeting-friendly design that planners often look for. For years, these spaces were used heavily by Nationwide for internal training. That era is ending.
The new strategy is to open the doors far wider. The Ohioan is targeting association conferences, regional training programs, trade events, and social gatherings. Weddings are a growing focus as larger Central Ohio venues book out a year or more in advance.
A Different Niche in Central Ohio
Rather than competing with the downtown convention hotels, The Ohioan fits more comfortably in the suburban conference-resort category. Groups that prefer a self-contained environment where lodging, dining, breakout rooms, and outdoor spaces are all a short walk apart will feel at home here.
The location also works well for statewide and regional organizations that want to be near Columbus without fully entering the downtown traffic and hotel market. Ownership often describes The Ohioan as a hidden gem finally being brought forward.
What Comes Next
With the investment now in place, the property is stepping into a newly competitive moment in Delaware County. The area around US 23 and Powell Road continues to add dining, retail, and residential options, while infrastructure projects improve access. The Ohioan is positioned to benefit from those trends.
If you have a specific use in mind, from room blocks to civic gatherings to multi-day conferences, I can sketch out a tailored fit analysis.
Image: The Ohioan
